Disney World Books

[DisneyMagicMommy]

I was wondeing if anyone had any good suggestions for a book about WDW. I don't want a planning book. (I have plenty of those and disboards to help out with that). I want a book that has lots' of history and little known facts about everything imaginable (rides, the parks...etc.) I saw on Amazon a book that looked good but it's not being released until June and I was hoping to get something to read before our trip in May. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[Will20]

I don't know if this will be exactly what your looking for but there are some great inside informative guides that are actually disney editions. Such as Jason Surreals books on Pirates and Haunted Mansion attractions, there is also a beautiful coffe table book of Walt Disney Imagineering, with loads of art and concept/construction of disneyland disneyworld and disneyland paris.

 

[carola2]

Target is selling a "WDW with your family" book from Frommers at the dollar section for $2.50. It is very detail...I just bought one for my comming trip to Disney.

 

[mma800]

I am still slowly working my way through "Realityland" by David Koenig. It is a neat "author's viewpoint of historical/behind the scenes" kind of book. I think I got it on Amazon.

 

[Jen-N-Troy]

I found all my books on Amazon.com. Check there that might have what you are looking for.

 

[Miniefan]

I was going to ask the same question. We have been to wdw many times and know about the rides and shows. We are also looking for interesting tidbits, trivia and little known facts about our favorite place.

Kim

 

[ericsgm]

Once of my favorite gifts from my husband back in 1996 was a book called "Since the World Began" which details the first 25 years. It is still available at Amazazon.com. I love that book, and still get it out from time to time!

 

[Aliceacc]

Santa got my son these 2, and he loves them!!

The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 1: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello (Paperback - Jun 25, 2004)
Buy new: $14.95 $10.1741 Used & new from $7.66


2. The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 2: More Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello (Paperback - Jun 30, 2006)
Buy new: $14.95 $10.1736 Used & new from $5.83

 

[TaraPA]

Once of my favorite gifts from my husband back in 1996 was a book called "Since the World Began" which details the first 25 years. It is still available at Amazazon.com. I love that book, and still get it out from time to time!

I LOVE this book! Yes it's a little outdated - AK wan't even built yet, but I learned so much from reading this! I got mine on eBay for $4. I also pull it out now & then to re-read. Great color pics as well.

 

[Miniefan]

Santa got my son these 2, and he loves them!!

The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 1: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello (Paperback - Jun 25, 2004)
Buy new: $14.95 $10.1741 Used & new from $7.66


2. The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 2: More Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello (Paperback - Jun 30, 2006)
Buy new: $14.95 $10.1736 Used & new from $5.83

Thanks for these two, will definitely check them out.

 

[karen l]

I have Lou's trivia books & love them. Have you checked out the Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom? They're doing one for each of the parks - MK, AK & Epcot Guides have been published & DHS is coming soon.
I purchased mine at Barnes and Noble and have also seen them on Amazon.

 

[stepnut]

I loved "Realityland". A great read on the history of the World. I also loved "Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" and "Disney Wars". That last one is more about Mike Eisner, the CEO of Disney, who led the organization through astounding growth in the 80's & 90s. Not much about WDW, but a lot on the corporate culture.

 

[maj42169]

I enjoyed reading "The Complete Walt Disney World" 2008 edition by Julie and Mike Neal. Although it falls under the catagory of a tour book ( Called a Disney Handbook), there are wonderful facts about the attractions, history about the parks, and amazing pictures included!

 

[DisneyMagicMommy]

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone. I can't wait to find out a little bit more about lesser known facts of the world!!!

 

[Miniefan]

Santa got my son these 2, and he loves them!!

The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 1: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello (Paperback - Jun 25, 2004)
Buy new: $14.95 $10.1741 Used & new from $7.66


2. The Walt Disney World Trivia Book, Volume 2: More Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello (Paperback - Jun 30, 2006)
Buy new: $14.95 $10.1736 Used & new from $5.83

Since you own both of these books, does the second volume include the content from the first volume or are they full of different secrets, history and fun facts?

I am just trying to determine if I should buy just one or both.

Thank you

Kim

 

[Marquis de Disney]

If you want to read an interesting book about Walt Disney, the man, I suggest:

http://www.amazon.com/Walt-Disney-Hollywoods-Prince-Biography/dp/155972174X

The book is an unauthorized biography and doesnt exactly paint him in the most positive light (the guy was a huge anti-semite afterall)....but still, a good read.

 

[Rockclimber]

I have enjoyed numerous Disney related books. Disney War was a fascinating read about the Eisner era.

I really liked Bob Thomas' books; Walt Disney - An American Original and also Building a Company - Roy O Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire. I believe these books give a fair representation of the Disney's (not too soft and not too hard), but do realize that both were written with the blessings of the families.

I like the Imagineering Field guides. They have some good facts and figures about each park and attraction, but in my opinion they are light on detail and read more like an encyclopedia.

My all time favorite book on Walt is a book by Pat Williams, senior VP for the Orlando Magic. The title of the book is How to be like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic every day of your life. It tells of various aspects of Walts life and then relates it to how we can use the principles Walt used in our own lives. He also relates some negative aspects of Walts life that can be harmful. The author used numerous close sources to Walt to give details of his life. Pat Williams also wrote How to be like Jesus, so he writes from a very uplifting Christian perspective. The book recieved high reviews on Amazon, and I just found it to be a well written and wonderful book.

Has anyone read The Pixar Touch by David Price? That looked really interesting to me.

 

[PatriciaH]

Here are some great books to start reading:

http://www.pizarro.net/didier/_private/parks.htm

http://www.pizarro.net/didier/_private/tocome.htm

 

[Aliceacc]

Since you own both of these books, does the second volume include the content from the first volume or are they full of different secrets, history and fun facts?

I am just trying to determine if I should buy just one or both.

Thank you

Kim

They're both question and answer format.

But to be honest, I haven't read either of them. Santa got them for my 10 year old son.

SInce it's Vol I and Vol II, I assume they're different.

 

[Miniefan]

They're both question and answer format.

But to be honest, I haven't read either of them. Santa got them for my 10 year old son.

SInce it's Vol I and Vol II, I assume they're different.

Went to Barnes and Noble today, Vol II was the only one they had. This was the only trivia or history related book they had except for the field guides.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Kim