5 Books Every Disney Parks Fan Needs In Their Collection
1. Designing Disney’s Theme Parks – The Architecture of Reassurance
This particular book is one that tends to be more for those who are interested in the inner workings of the parks and their construction even very early on out at Disneyland. It spins tails of Imagineering, includes vast and detailed drawings straight from Imagineering and contains some of the greatest details and looks “behind the scenes” into how this place we all know and love was made in a way that no other book really does. As a result it isn’t the easiest book to read but the photos and conceptual renderings found inside of it are some that rarely appear in other Disney parks books or even on the internet. This is my go to book when I can’t find information anywhere else. It has those hidden details that you can’t find online and if you’re willing to read through the details, it is well worth your time! Unfortunately it tends to be the most expensive book on our list but one that I’ll never get rid of. The rarely seen photos alone are more that worth the cost in my opinion.
2. Walt Disney Imagineering – A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real
3. Since the Word Began – Walt Disney World the First 25 Years
Since the World Began made this list for a few reasons. Perhaps the largest reason being that the title showcases a closer look at the first 25 years of Walt Disney World. As you may have noticed by the content on this list I’m incredibly nostalgic about the early days of WDW and this is perhaps one the best ways I’ve found to see what used to be and how things have changed over the years as Walt Disney World slowly approaches it’s 50th anniversary. This title showcases all that Disney once was while referencing external factors and history outside of the parks like Jim Henson’s Muppets and television sound stages that were active in the early days of Hollywood Studios.
My favorite section of this particle piece of my collection is a few short pages devoted to Pleasure Island. While I can vaguely remember Pleasure Island, the short paragraphs dedicated to it’s role in Disney World at the time helps put the stories I get to hear about the Adventure’s Club, Mannequins, the Comedy Warehouse and others into perspective. At times, it’s difficult to understand what something is like without being there but a few pictures can really describe and help visualize an atmosphere of a place you’ve never been to. It is truly perfect for that purpose because it’s looking at Disney and the early years of Disney from a 1996 perspective.
4. A Disney Sketchbook
5. Walt Disney’s Epcot
As an added note, this book does come in two iterations. Both are great but if you can stumble into the longer version you’ll uncover over 100 extra pages of information and photos that are not in the shorter iteration. The hard part about ordering this online is that you rarely know which book you’re getting before it arrives in your mailbox. Many sellers don’t realize that multiple iterations exists (one pre-opening and one post-opening of Epcot) and simply list the book and whatever online info they can find about it in their description. Either way you’re getting a great book. I have both versions and found the shorter version first. Recently I stumbled into the larger version and decided to pick it up as well. You can’t go wrong either way!
This definitely isn’t the end all be all list and if you have another book recommendation for me, be sure to share it! I’m always looking for more parks books and truthfully there are very few in production currently that are quite as good as the ones created in the early years of Disney. Unfortunately trade secrets and behind the scenes information is getting more and more tight lipped but hopefully these books give you something to check out or even quite possibly add to your collection.
Your Thoughts
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Ready to Plan?
Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.