Books on Disney

[PudseyChancer]

Have just finished reading Walt Disney's biography by Neal Gabler, to anyone who hasn't read it, it's a great read, a lot better than Hollywoods Dark Prince on Walt that I've also read.

However, I'm really interested in the building of WDW Florida and am trying to locate any books on the subject, does anyone know of any or can recommend where to find them? I know they do the Imagineers books on the seperate parks but I'm more interested in the secret buying of land prior to it being build, etc.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Chilly]

Just looked on Amazon and they have:

Since the World Began: Walt Disney World: the First 25 Years by Jeff Kurtti


Walt Disney World Trivia Book and Walt Disney World Trivia Book, The: More Secrets, History and Fun Facts Behind the Magic: 2 by Louis A. Mongello

 

[PudseyChancer]

Thanks Claire, I'd looked for ages and couldn't find anything at all, found two great books as a result of your help!

 

[Chilly]

Happy to help!

 

[jjpenguin]

The one by Jeff Kurti is very good but it is a few years old. There are quite a few more... here are some I've got on my bookshelf:

This one is brilliant! - Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real by the Imagineers by The Imagineers

Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance (Hardcover) by Karal Ann Marling

Designing Disney: The Art of Color, Character, and Show (Hardcover)
by John Hench

And then the are the ones on my wishlist by Jason Surell on Pirates, Haunted Mansion, the Disney Mountains.

 

[UKDEB]

I enjoyed What Would Walt Do?: An Insider's Story About the Design and Construction of Walt Disney World. It recounts the observations of one of the engineers who worked on the project from the outset. It's pretty heavy on his personal story, but it does give a good insight into the whole process (including the secret buying-up of land) and provides a vivid picture of not just how WDW rose from the midst of Central Florida swampland, but the entire area including I-Drive. It doesn't have any photos or illustrations.

 

[SusanEllen]

I second JJPenguin's suggestions of Walt Disney Imagineering and Designing Disney. Both books are dense with information and beautifully illustrated. John Hench, who co-authored Designing Disney, was Imagineer extraordinaire (for 60 years!). Designing Disney (subtitled Imagineering and the Art of the Show) is elegantly written and in addition to the history of "how" Disney places were built, it tells "why" things were built and how each decision was carefully made to create "the Show." This book also has an intriquing explanation as to why so many of us feel that we're safe and "at home" when we're in a Disney place.

I also like Building a Dream, The Art of DisneyArchitecture by Beth Dunlop. It's lavishly illustrated and goes a long way toward explaining the decisions behind the differences (and similarities) of the Disney parks around the world. Its 1996 copyright cuts it off just short of the Animal Kingdom era.

Spinning Disney's World by Charles Ridgway is relatively new (2007) and an interesting take on Disney history. His perspective is as press agent for the enterprise. This book won the Disney Legends award.

Happy Reading.