Historical books on WDW

[timtunes]

Would really appreciate some help here - please move the post if needs be but it seemed the sort of thing that Kevin may know about

Everytime I am in the world I hunger for a book that gives a unbiased view as to the development of the parks - how they work but critically how they have developed - the things that have worked and the things that didn't (particularly addressing the marketing angle). I don't want a gushing 'in-house' guide to how its all wonderful - the ideal is a book that is well written and well researched.

Does it exist?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Would really appreciate some help here - please move the post if needs be but it seemed the sort of thing that Kevin may know about

Everytime I am in the world I hunger for a book that gives a unbiased view as to the development of the parks - how they work but critically how they have developed - the things that have worked and the things that didn't (particularly addressing the marketing angle). I don't want a gushing 'in-house' guide to how its all wonderful - the ideal is a book that is well written and well researched.

Does it exist?

I have read these two books and I think they come the closest to what you are looking for:

Disneyland

Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland by David Koenig

Walt Disney World

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

Hope that helps.

 

[Jaypd]

Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando ( Is very good also. You can get on Amazon for under $20.

 

[timtunes]

Thanks guys- I have tried the Koenig one but it was quite anecdotal. I was hoping for a more thorough tome, surely the subject deserves it?

(I have also felt the same with imagineering where the existing books - or certainly the ones I have read- read as if written by smiling corporate robots)

Anyone read this one - http://www.amazon.com/Spinning-Disneys-World-Memories-Kingdom/dp/1887140670/ref=pd_sim_b_8

Seems t was reason by a press agent and whilst nt the book I am after at least it may talk about things that went wrong or decisions that were taken to spin things in a certain way

Cheers

 

[DisneyKevin]

I have read spinning Disney's World.

I even reviewed it on the podcast.

I'm not surel the scholarly text you are looking for exists...yet.

I tend to find my tidbits of information where I can.

When you put them all together,you get a bigger, clearer pictire.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Neal Gabler's "Walt Disney" book has about 100 pages of sources ans citations so maybe that book can give you some information and some idea of where he got his info!

 

[SusanWasHere]

How about that book mentioned on the podcast "Walt Disney's EPCOT Center"? Has anyone read that? I know it's just about EPCOT, but was wondering how it was.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I have read these two books and I think they come the closest to what you are looking for:

Disneyland

Mouse Tales: A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland by David Koenig

Walt Disney World

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

Hope that helps.

I've read both of these as well, good reads, enjoyable, informative.

 

[timtunes]

If it doesn't exist that I could write it!! (surely there is a market for one?)

All I really need is a small publishers advance, year off work...one can only dream...back to reality, its 6:00am in England, pouring with rain, pitch dark and time to drive to the station and get soaked waiting for the 0638 which will inevitably be late

Hope your Mondays look better!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

How about that book mentioned on the podcast "Walt Disney's EPCOT Center"? Has anyone read that? I know it's just about EPCOT, but was wondering how it was.

This is an excellent book from a historical perspective.

Other good reads would be:

"Since the World Began" by Jeff Kurtti
"Vinyl Leaves" by Stephen M. Fjellman (warning: this was a doctoral dissertation, so it is VERY dry)