Disney-related books? Recommendations?

[kate27]

My mom and I will be traveling to Disney on the AutoTrain in November and I thought it would be nice to buy a couple new books about Disney World to occupy our time. I bought one a couple years ago that was written by a former cast member, and he told all sorts of funny stories that happened at various attractions where he worked. Some were a little risqué but the book was very entertaining. I'm hoping to find some books about "behind-the-scenes" stuff or maybe interesting stories of how Disney World came to be. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Kate

 

[alicat8]

I just finished this one (yellow) and I really enjoyed it! A lot of it is about Walt-cool stories

 

[honeybunches]

Do you have a copy of the Unofficial Guide? We love reading it even when we're not planning a trip.

 

[godders]

I've been recommending a book called Realityland by David Koenig. It's all about the building of WDW and has some really lovely stories in it about the building of Magic Kingdom, for example many execs spotted laying the Contemporary lawn the day before opening....

I also love reading the cast member diaries. There is a whole series of "Earning their ears" books around and some books about the less than child friendly side to Disney which can also be quite fun

 

[kate27]

I just finished this one (yellow) and I really enjoyed it! A lot of it is about Walt-cool stories

Oooh, I like Jim Korkis. I read his articles on allears and love them. Thanks!

 

[kate27]

I've been recommending a book called Realityland by David Koenig. It's all about the building of WDW and has some really lovely stories in it about the building of Magic Kingdom, for example many execs spotted laying the Contemporary lawn the day before opening....

I also love reading the cast member diaries. There is a whole series of "Earning their ears" books around and some books about the less than child friendly side to Disney which can also be quite fun

Thanks! I'll have to look those up. That's exactly what I was hoping to find!

 

[kate27]

Do you have a copy of the Unofficial Guide? We love reading it even when we're not planning a trip.

I have a Passporter and a couple of other planning books too. Maybe it's time for an updated Passporter. Mine's kinda old and outdated now. Thanks!

 

[Emily Gilmore]

I know it isn't necessarily about Walt Disney World, but I read The Animated Man for a class. It's a biography, and I learned A LOT about the man who created the vision for the place that we all love. There isn't too much about Disney World, considering he died before the completion, but there are some cool stories about Disneyland. It's a lot about the movie and cartoons that he created, so it is a bit tedious, but very interesting.

 

[Sir William]

I've enjoyed "The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World: Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom" by Susan Veness. It tells some of the "hidden" secrets such as who the people are behind the office names are Main Street, things to look for on various rides, etc. Fun to read and fun things to look for when you're in the park.

 

[fireplay81]

It's not WDW related but "The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream" by Sam Gennawey is my new favorite Disney book! I really enjoyed the look at the park as it progressed through the years. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G1SRAYE?redirect=true&ref_=kinw_myk_ro_title

 

[Ismo]

I've enjoyed "The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World: Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom" by Susan Veness. It tells some of the "hidden" secrets such as who the people are behind the office names are Main Street, things to look for on various rides, etc. Fun to read and fun things to look for when you're in the park.

This is one of my faves, I just got the updated version as well. I found out a lot of interesting facts.

 

[Ismo]

I also really liked the Imagineering Field Guide Books. I was able to find one for each park at Barnes & Noble. They're short, quick reads and you get info about how they built each park straight from imagineers. Very fun books!

 

[spiceycat]

passporter.com - go visit their website - post on their forum and you get a discount on their book

or you can just visit this website

www.mousesteps.com - she is a nice person and her suggestions are good ones.

 

[jessicar82]

I like to read past cast member diaries such as the "Earning her Ears" series and my absolute favorite is Mousetrapped by Catherine Ryan Howard. I've read it at least 50 times