Imagineering/Disney/Universal History Books and Memoirs suggestions.

[wabbott]

Any books on the backstory of the parks and attractions kind of like the “Behind the Attractions “ series? I love reading about how the they thought of everything when building the different lands, parks, resorts and attractions

https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/T/Three-Years-in-Wonderland

Three Years in Wonderland
The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park
By Todd James Pierce

"While the success of Disneyland is largely credited to Walt and Roy Disney, there was a third, mostly forgotten dynamo instrumental to the development of the park—fast-talking Texan C. V. Wood. Three Years in Wonderland presents the never-before-told, full story of “the happiest place on earth.” Using information from over one hundred unpublished interviews, Todd James Pierce lays down the arc of Disneyland's development from an idea to a paragon of entertainment."

https://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Land-Invention-Amusement-Changed/dp/1501190806

Disney's Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World
by Richard Snow

"But Walt persevered, initially financing the park against his own life insurance policy and later with sponsorship from ABC and the sale of thousands and thousands of Davy Crockett coonskin caps. Disney assembled a talented team of engineers, architects, artists, animators, landscapers, and even a retired admiral to transform his ideas into a soaring yet soothing wonderland of a park. The catch was that they had only a year and a day in which to build it."

 

[Sweettears]

I have the Snow book. Reading it now

 

[wabbott]

I have the Snow book. Reading it now

Interesting how Walt's love of trains and railroading was the figment that sparked Disneyland and all that followed.

 

[wabbott]

Hi all,



I’m a big memoir and behind the scenes and history book reader. I actually just finished Disney Wars by James B. Stewart the other day.


Anyone got any other recommendations for memoirs or behind the scenes books about Disney/ Universal/Imagineering?


Also any memoir suggestions in general would be greatly appreciated (I have read The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger and am currently reading Razzle Dazzle by Michael Ries).

Thank you

BH5

Just ordered this one to read on our upcoming 4/6-4/14 WDW visit. I'll give a report when I finish it.

https://www.amazon.com/Imagineering-Story-Official-Biography-Disney/dp/1368049362

The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering
by Leslie Iwerks

The highly acclaimed and rated Disney+ documentary series, The Imagineering Story, becomes a book that greatly expands the award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks' narrative of the fascinating history of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The entire legacy of WDI is covered from day one through future projects with never-before-seen access and insights from people both on the inside and on the outside. So many stories and details were left on the cutting room floor―this book allows an expanded exploration of the magic of Imagineering.

 

[BeachMouse1]

Just ordered this one to read on our upcoming 4/6-4/14 WDW visit. I'll give a report when I finish it.

https://www.amazon.com/Imagineering-Story-Official-Biography-Disney/dp/1368049362

The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering
by Leslie Iwerks

The highly acclaimed and rated Disney+ documentary series, The Imagineering Story, becomes a book that greatly expands the award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks' narrative of the fascinating history of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The entire legacy of WDI is covered from day one through future projects with never-before-seen access and insights from people both on the inside and on the outside. So many stories and details were left on the cutting room floor―this book allows an expanded exploration of the magic of Imagineering.

Please let me know what you thought once you read. Curious if the read gives much more detail than the show

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Just ordered this one to read on our upcoming 4/6-4/14 WDW visit. I'll give a report when I finish it.

https://www.amazon.com/Imagineering-Story-Official-Biography-Disney/dp/1368049362

The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering
by Leslie Iwerks

The highly acclaimed and rated Disney+ documentary series, The Imagineering Story, becomes a book that greatly expands the award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks' narrative of the fascinating history of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The entire legacy of WDI is covered from day one through future projects with never-before-seen access and insights from people both on the inside and on the outside. So many stories and details were left on the cutting room floor―this book allows an expanded exploration of the magic of Imagineering.

I have read this one! I wonder if your one chapter repeats like my printing did!

 

[wabbott]

I have read this one! I wonder if your one chapter repeats like my printing did!

I'm about 100 pages into it, and I'm impressed. If I were CEO of Disney, it would be required reading of ALL new hires, with a written test follow-up. If you flunk the book report test, you wouldn't get hired.

 

[wabbott]

https://www.piratesandprincesses.net/disney-in-between-the-lost-years-1966-1986/

Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986 Book Review
By Mr. Milo • October 14, 2024

Recently, I had the opportunity to review a new book by Disney director Stephen Anderson. Anderson is perhaps best known for directing the 2007 cult classic Meet the Robinsons and the 2011 Winnie the Pooh, which was the last entirely hand-drawn feature from the studio. Before those films, he was with the studio for quite some time, working on movies like Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Brother Bear.

Now, he takes us on a journey back to when the company’s future was uncertain due to the death of its founder, Walt Disney.

The book Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986 gives a deep dive into what is commonly known as Disney’s “Dark Age.”

 

[wabbott]

Please let me know what you thought once you read. Curious if the read gives much more detail than the show

I neglected to finish my book report that I had promised.

A very good read.

I've never watched the series of the same name that is on Disney+, so I cannot compare the two. But any serious student of Disney history will want to read The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering.

A drawback of the book, imo, is the lack of bibliography or sourcing.

 

[wabbott]

Here's a new one that looks to be a good read. Anyone read it yet?

https://www.amazon.com/After-Disney-Transformation-Americas-Favorite/dp/B0DHQRMZZN

After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Media Company
by Neil O'Brien