Here's a handful of Disney books you probably haven't heard about— they aren't travel guides or big glossy mainstream books about Imagineering or Michael Eisner. These books cover more obscure topics, like living in Celebration (the real town that Disney built in Florida), a look at Tokyo Disneyland's impact on Japanese society, the machinations of Disney when they secretly bought the land for Walt Disney World in the '60s, and much more. Any true Disney fan will find something to enjoy here!
by Andrew Ross
What's not to love about this book? In the mid-1990s, Disney build its own town in Florida, Celebration. (I had the chance to visit it a few times and it really did feel super clean and master-planned like one of the company's theme parks.) The Celebration Chronicles is all about this NYU professor's study of the town, its residents and their interactions with Disney. Completely fascinating.
by Richard E. Foglesong
After Disneyland was build in the '50s, a ton of tacky motels, souvenir shops and other detritus built up around the park. Walt saw this and said "next time, we're going to do it differently." This book details the secretive meetings and subterfuge that went into getting the 30,000+ acres of land purchased for Florida's Walt Disney World. An entertaining read and you'll be amazed how they pulled it all off...
by Van Arsdale France
Van Arsdale France was one of the first Disneyland employees and in charge of all training for the park. His simple memoir is a fascinating look at how Disneyland got started; it's packed with behind-the-scenes stories and recollections (and photos!) that you won't find anyplace else.
by Charles Ridgway
In this charming book, Disney Legend Charles Ridgway looks back on over forty years of working with the Mouse, from Disneyland to Walt Disney World to Disneyland Paris and beyond. There's so many interesting stories about outlandish publicity stunts, Disneyland flops, and celebrities at Disneyland that you'll be disappointed when you reach the end.
by Stephen M. Fjellman
This book is a bit scholarly but completely held my attention. Written by an anthropologist, the author takes an analytical look at WDW and how and why Disney made the decisions it did to represent history, time, space, and corporate sponsorship the way they did.
by Cory Doctorow
This novel is a wonderful, original work by Cory Doctorow (best known as one of the founders of the huge blog BoingBoing). Set in the Walt Disney World of the future, it's ostensibly about a group that wants to make the Hall of Presidents completely virtual, and the lead character's efforts to prevent this... but there's so much more going on. A fun little novel for anyone, but especially entertaining for hardcore Disney theme park fans (like the author!).
Flashlight Worthy
Recommending books so good, they'll keep you up past your bedtime. more...
About Eric Mueller
I live in Los Angeles, where it's not really about reading, it's about movies -- yet given the choice, I usually prefer to curl up with a good book. Most of my reading gets done on airplanes or laying in bed in that quiet hour right before lights-out. I'm also known to collect pretty much every book having anything to do with Disney's theme parks.
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