Help me pick a good Disney history novel!

[PrincessCastMember]

I'm getting VERY impatient for my big move back to Florida so I've been trying to think of something to do to occupy my Disney hunger in the mean time. So, I got a great idea and I thought I'd start reading a Disney history novel. Now, I know there are A LOT out there, so does anyone have any good recomendations? I'd like a book that's mostly about the theme parks and the creation of Walt Disney World, not something specifically about Walt's life. Something specifically focused on Walt's work with the theme parks and how things back to be, the history of the parks, cool behind the scenes stories, something like that. Any good suggestions??

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I recently read "Inside Disney: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney World and the Man Behind the Mouse" by Eve Zibart (part of the Unofficial Guide series). It was fairly detailed and gave a good overview and timeline as well as some insight to Walt himself. I enjoyed it and borrowed it from our local library. It was published in 2002, so you may be lucky also and not have to purchase it. I am currently reading through the Imagineer's park series, starting with Animal Kingdom. I love to read a variety of things, but DH likes to joke that I'm becoming one-dimensional because of the increase in frequency of Disney reading!

 

[swilphil]

I recently read "Inside Disney: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney World and the Man Behind the Mouse" by Eve Zibart (part of the Unofficial Guide series).

This sounds good for what you want. I read Neal Gabler's biography of Walt, but it has more about his life. There's also a book about his brother called Roy O. that deals with the business end of the company. All of these all non-fiction, BTW, not novels.

 

[Hootch]

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

http://www.amazon.com/SINCE-WORLD-BEGAN-DISNEY-FIRST/dp/0786862483/ref=pd_sim_b_29

Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World (Hardcover)
by David Koenig

http://www.amazon.com/Realityland-True-Life-Adventures-Disney-World/dp/0964060523/ref=pd_sim_b_9

Realityland is much more critical.