There tons of nice books about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Imagineering, biographies of designers & leaders, and extra. This evaluations the perfect of my library and low desk books with lovely idea artwork & archival pictures. Our shopping for information additionally provides hyperlinks for locating cheap used copies. (Updated October 30, 2022.)
Currently, an Amazon seek for “Disney books” yields almost 100,000 outcomes. That’s quite a lot of books. My library isn’t fairly that enormous, though generally it appears that evidently method! Rather than proudly owning all the pieces, my assortment options the perfect Disneyland and Walt Disney World espresso desk books with sturdy visible components, a lot of which had been initially bought as memento books within the Disney Parks. I additionally personal tons of biographies and non-fiction and canopy these highlights, as effectively.
Many of those books are out-of-print, to allow them to solely be bought on the secondary market. Luckily, you possibly can nonetheless discover a lot of them on Amazon.com for costs starting from $.01 to some {dollars}. Just a few are fairly costly, costing a couple of hundred {dollars}, however most can now be bought less expensive than they had been when bought new at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
When it comes to those books about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Imagineering, and so forth, we obtain a small fee out of your purchases, so shopping for by these hyperlinks helps assist the positioning. However, neither the worth you pay nor our suggestions are impacted by that.
Actually, it’s the other. We will warn you in opposition to shopping for too many books–allow us to be a cautionary story! Although these books are individually low cost, the price of accumulating them is deceptively costly, and books can take up quite a lot of house. We’ve moved 4 instances since I obtained “serious” about constructing my Disney e-book assortment, and my library stuffed extra containers than all the pieces else…mixed! I’ve no regrets, however my again (and Sarah) would possibly disagree with that evaluation.
With that, let’s check out my Disney theme park library, beginning with the important titles for these of you who need to get your collections began out proper!
Must-Have Disney Books
DisneyBattle – This sparked my fascination with the workings of the corporate. It covers the rise and fall of Michael Eisner, culminating within the “civil war” between Eisner and Roy E. Disney. Author James B. Stewart was granted unprecedented entry to jot down a e-book on the Eisner regime earlier than the “war” started unfolding, so he was there to witness all of it. It reads virtually as a Shakespearean tragedy, and proves that generally the reality is extra compelling than fiction. An absolute must-own.
Walt Disney – An American Original – Understanding the person who began all of it is a essential prerequisite to understanding Disney because it exists at present, and that is the perfect biography about Walt Disney. It’s attention-grabbing, illuminating, and fascinating above all else. Unlike many Walt Disney biographies, the writer doesn’t have an axe to grind, neither is this a puff piece. Instead, it’s a facts-forward historic narrative with some evaluation and perception. All in all, it’s a humanizing examine Walt Disney. Read my full assessment of this e-book.
Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia — By the incomparable Disney Legend Dave Smith, this complete encyclopedia covers all the pieces you need to know in regards to the Walt Disney Company. Note that it’s not nearly Walt Disney World and Disneyland (though they do function closely), however all sides of the corporate. A must-own useful resource for all Disney followers.
A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth – This is the perfect Walt Disney World-specific espresso desk e-book ever. In model, construction, and high quality, that is extra like a Disneyland deep-dive than one of many previous Walt Disney World memento books. From Florida historical past pre-Disney and the Preview Center to the event and historical past of the Vacation Kingdom, there’s a wealth of data thoughtfully introduced right here in a method that’s participating, informative, and entertaining. There are additionally tons of pictures and idea artwork I’ve by no means seen–a rarity for Walt Disney World books, which regularly recycle not simply data–however photographs.
It reads like a love letter to Walt Disney World (or many love letters, because the authors have cleverly inserted essays from key figures in Walt Disney World’s historical past, bringing different attention-grabbing voices and views to the combination) that’s for followers–by followers. This is among the finest issues to return out of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, and never simply when it comes to merchandise. You can learn our full assessment if you would like, however the backside line is that that is the perfect e-book about Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look At Making the Magic Real
– Quite merely, it can change the best way you take a look at the Disney theme parks. It covers the design course of, why sure particulars are important, and the way issues within the parks got here to be (or didn’t come to be). Had I discovered this again earlier than going to varsity, I’d’ve pursued a unique profession path. It’s extremely inspiring, and can make you respect the parks extra. Every Disney theme park fan ought to personal this e-book.
Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making More Magic Real
Poster Art of the Disney Parks, Second Edition – This new for Late 2022 title is an expanded and up to date version of the beloved e-book that ranks extremely in our library. The second version renders the primary out of date, because the 85+ new posters and behind-the-scenes improvement information almost doubles the e-book in size. While the primary version is incredible and may be bought even cheaper now, we extremely suggest springing for the brand new version.
It’s price it for the entire superior new posters made for EPCOT’s reimagining alone. These had been displayed within the Odyssey/EPCOT Experience, and are completely beautiful. (If, like us, you had been unable to attain the restricted releases on storeDisney, this can be a good comfort prize.) In the last decade for the reason that unique’s launch, Shanghai Disneyland has opened and numerous expansions just about in every single place have resulted in a treasure trove of recent poster artwork. Highly really helpful!
Maps of the Disney Parks – The companion piece (of kinds) to the ‘Poster Art’ title above that includes park maps together with map-like idea artwork from the parks. This one has been met with extra of a combined response from followers, with most unfavourable evaluations fixated on it not being merely a group of park maps distributed through the years, however are you able to think about how boring and repetitive that may’ve develop into? I discovered this to be a lot extra participating than a bunch of map reproductions, however maybe that’s simply me. (I’ll say that when you’re solely shopping for one in all these books, go for the Poster Art one. It’s the higher of the 2.)
The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering – The companion e-book to the extremely acclaimed Disney+ documentary sequence, The Imagineering Story. This title significantly expands on award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks’ narrative of the fascinating historical past of Walt Disney Imagineering. If you’ve watched the Imagineering Story on Disney+, that’s seemingly all it’s essential to know to make this e-book a must-own. If you haven’t watched the Imagineering Story…effectively, treatment that instantly!
Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of Walt Disney Co — Bob Iger’s memoir is shockingly candid and compelling. Iger is clearly a sensible and attention-grabbing man, however all of his interviews are performed pretty near the vest and really feel meticulously scripted. This is a pointy and engaging departure from that.
Travels with Figment — The final title by Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar, revealed posthumously. It’s attention-grabbing anecdotes from his globetrotting whereas creating Disney theme parks world wide. Plus, it has Figment proper within the title!
Travels with Walt Disney — “There’s always a Disney connection.” That’s what we discover ourselves saying each time we journey, regardless of the place we go. This is for good cause, as Walt Disney was a world traveler, and this e-book chronicles his adventures and the way they influenced his films and parks. Lots of unique pictures, and it’s distinctive to have a profile of Walt’s life by the lens of journey.
Since the World Began: Walt Disney World
Gardens of the Walt Disney World Resort – Not to be confused by a more recent title with an analogous title (Glorious Gardens), this e-book is completely wonderful, and exhibits simply how lovely Walt Disney World as soon as was with its many gardens and water fixtures. Even when you don’t care about gardening, this e-book is superior. I gush over it at size in my full assessment of it.
The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway within the Sky — If you’re a fan of Disney’s monorails (who isn’t?!), you’ll love this. There’s a ton of idea artwork and pictures, because the authors take readers on a historic trip the Highway within the Sky. From Walt Disney’s Progress City ambitions to the way forward for this progressive transportation system.
Disneyland the Nickel Tour: A Postcard Journey Through 40 Years of the Happiest Place on Earth
I used to be skeptical it’d be definitely worth the cash, however I’m very glad I purchased it. The authors spent over a decade researching and scripting this title, and it actually exhibits. This voluminous 392-page title is sort of the web page turner because the authors inject their humor into it to make the dense historical past participating. The worth of Nickel Tour will solely improve within the coming years as each authors are deceased and the writer is out of enterprise. It’s most unlikely that any reprints or future editions shall be written. Consider this a real funding.
Walt Disney’s Disneyland — This outsized title by TASCHEN, the world’s main artwork e-book writer, is probably the most lovely Disney e-book to be launched in years. Walt Disney’s Disneyland is attention-grabbing, beautiful, and an absolute must-have for Disneyland followers. Even when you’re a extra of a Florida particular person, there’s a superb quantity on Walt Disney right here, making it a worthwhile choice for WDW followers, too. Read my full assessment of it right here.
Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks — This two quantity behemoth by Pixar director Pete Docter and Imagineer Christopher Merritt is a ardour venture about one of many true Walt-era Imagineering heavyweights. Disney Legend Marc Davis is the inventive thoughts behind numerous intelligent gags in iconic sights, together with Country Bear Jamboree!
The Art of Disneyland
– This is one other costly title that’s a vital for any Disneyland collector. Seeing the early artwork on this title provides me goosebumps, and studying the story of Herb Ryman being instructed by Walt that he was going to attract the now-famous idea artwork for Disneyland at all times brings a smile to my face. The Art of Disneyland is a visible deal with with its amazingly detailed idea artwork. My favourite parts of the e-book contain the assorted incarnations of Tomorrowland. Although I did snicker on the authors’ optimistic remarks in regards to the heat colours in Tomorrowland ’98. They had been joking, proper?!
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney’s Epcot: The New World of Tomorrow
The greatest distinction between the bigger books is once they had been produced, both pre-opening or post-opening of EPCOT Center; additionally they have completely different titles (EPCOT v. EPCOT Center within the names). The pre-opening variations comprise extra pictures of fashions, whereas the post-opening model comprise pictures of precise pavilions. The 240 web page model is clearly the higher model to get, but it surely’s tough to find out which model you’re getting till it arrives within the mail.
Walt Disney World fifteenth Anniversary Edition
The Making Of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Walt Disney World: A Magical Year By Year Journey
Walt Disney World Then, Now, and Forever
– One of the more moderen titles, this is among the few titles that showcases present sights and extinct sights that had been beforehand there of their place. This e-book was co-authored by the now deceased Bruce Gordon (purchase any e-book you possibly can bearing his title–they’re all gems), which suggests it has shot up in worth since going out-of-print. Even although it was launched, copies of it recurrently promote for $50.
Walt Disney World: The First Decade
– The content material of this e-book is pretty much like the fifteenth anniversary version, but it surely does comprise some actually cool pictures, notably of Cinderella Castle. If you’re an off-the-cuff collector, proudly owning this or the fifteenth anniversary model might be enough. The apparent benefit to the fifteenth anniversary version is that it contains EPCOT Center.
Walt Disney World Resort 100 Years of Magic
Walt Disney World Resort: A Souvenir For The New Millennium
Walt Disney World 20 Magical Years 
Disneyland
Disneyland Then, Now, and Forever
Disneyland Hotel – The Early Years – As quickly as you open this e-book, you possibly can inform it was a passion-project. It’s such a distinct segment title, however it’s so extremely well-researched and introduced that I believe it could possibly be of curiosity to most Disney theme park followers. Kudos to Mr. Ballard for creating this title!
Disneyland Hotel 1954-1959 – This is Donald Ballard’s follow-up title to The Early Years, and it provides some nice perception into the beginnings of the resort. It is hyper-focused and actually attention-grabbing for these within the early years of Disneyland.
a uncommon assortment of 3D pictures of Disneyland captured from its opening week in July 1955 by the twenty fifth Anniversary in 1980. The
Disneyland the First Quarter Century
Imagineering, Details & Design
These are books which may cowl Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, and/or Hong Kong Disneyland. Basically, books that may’t be particularly positioned on solely both checklist above. Plus, some wonderful titles on Walt Disney Imagineering.
Designing Disney’s Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance
The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The latest land at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and a high-water mark for Imagineering. This gives a considerate take a look at the design influences, each from the Star Wars universe and the true world, and provides a whole lot of idea artworks, sketches, blueprints, pictures, and extra. That features a a number of issues that by no means got here to fruition for the land, making it considerably bittersweet.
One Day at Disney – As the title suggests, it’s someday within the worldwide Disney theme parks, introduced because the day unfolds world wide. It’s visually participating, with contrasting pictures introduced subsequent to 1 one other. While it’s daytime in a single park, it may be nighttime in one other. The pictures, largely, are lovely, too. The textual content solely actually provides explanatory captions, which is completely advantageous. This e-book is on the costly aspect, however I really feel it’s definitely worth the cash given the standard and idea.
The Magic of Disneyland and Walt Disney World – I anticipated little or no from this e-book by Valerie Childs. It was a $.99 buy, simply one thing to fill out my bookshelf. I used to be floored when I discovered a plethora of distinctive and well-composed pictures and a slightly good e-book. Don’t anticipate a tremendous e-book, however for the low costs, it’s well-worth buying!
The Imagineering Field Guides – Imagineer Alex Wright has executed a superb job with these titles, and they’re nice take-to-the-park books for visitors who need to a bit extra background details about the parks or the “why” behind the sights and lands. If you’re going to Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort, particularly for the primary time, these titles are an excellent in-park companion to present you a better understanding and appreciation of the parks.
Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends – Jeff Kurtti authors this title that gives mini-biographies of quite a lot of early Imagineers who all had ties to Walt Disney, not directly, and gives anecdotes, quotes, and a few background details about every and the way they labored within the grand scheme of the design of the theme parks. Definitely a price addition to any assortment.
The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies
Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies
The Disney Mountains: Imagineering At Its Peak – A e-book that includes textual content and artwork of the Disney mountains, this title is considerably superficial as in comparison with the Pirates and Haunted Mansion books. To be truthful, the previous are targeted on one attraction every, whereas this was targeted on a number of mountains, so it essentially couldn’t have been as in-depth as these titles. There is quite a lot of idea artwork, which is nice, however the mountains on this e-book existed on the time of the publication, so extra pictures would have been acceptable. Still an excellent e-book. If you’ll find a replica for $25 or much less, get it.
Building a Dream: The Art of Disney Architecture
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Books – I’m going to lump all of those books collectively as a result of they most likely don’t curiosity a lot of you. All of those books are totally in Japanese and are overpriced on eBay (about the one place to search out them in need of going to Japan). The upside? They all function breathtaking pictures of the Tokyo parks, and the pictures are the celebs of the present, so not studying Japanese makes no distinction. I solely suggest the 5 books pictured above; there are quite a lot of different books, however they’re all character pictures.
Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality
Biographies & Misc.
Many different books in my assortment are impartial titles produced by third celebration publishers (ones that Disney doesn’t personal). With the proliferation of self-publishing and the curiosity within the Disney theme parks, usually, it’s not pragmatic to checklist each Disney e-book I personal right here. Here are the highlights…
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney – For many Disney followers, Walt Disney is the last word hero. Between that and the corporate’s try to market Walt as a caricature of an actual particular person, he’s usually considered is infallible, extra inventive than another human ever, and so forth. This e-book doesn’t try this. It additionally doesn’t demonize him as different books have tried to do. It presents a balanced view of Walt Disney, each good and dangerous. The tales aren’t as humorous or enthralling as these in another books, but it surely’s very attention-grabbing.
Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food — Thankfully, that is NOT A COOKBOOK. It’s a e-book about historic tales by the lens of meals. With tons of unique pictures, it appears like taking steps again in time to the early days of Disneyland. It’s a superb historical past e-book and incorporates a ton of putting pictures we had by no means seen earlier than. We extremely suggest it—simply don’t anticipate a lot in the best way of recipes!
It’s Kind of a Cute Story – Imagineer Rolly Crump is among the final Walt Disney-era Imagineers, and this e-book covers all the pieces from the design and approval course of for Disneyland initiatives to Crump’s relationship with Walt Disney. The neatest thing about this e-book is that it was not revealed by Disney, so as an alternative of attempting to sugarcoat Walt Disney’s character, it presents a extra candid take. It remains to be removed from a ‘tell-all’, however you simply really feel a unique tone with it. Another extremely effectively executed e-book.
Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation — This e-book is an overdue celebration of the ladies who performed a pivotal function within the early years of Walt Disney’s animation division. The result’s a gorgeous, informative e-book that’s shockingly giant (at the least, its measurement shocked us). Thoroughly researched and infinitely fascinating, this can be a must-have new launch.
Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man – Biography of one other Disney Legend, this one is form of hit or miss. The artwork that was curated for the title is generally beautiful, however there are some notable omissions and the textual content isn’t all that particular. If you’re searching for a espresso desk e-book that includes artwork from probably the most legendary Imagineers of all-time, I like to recommend it. Read my full assessment of this e-book right here.
Dream It! Do It! – Marty Sklar’s autobiography is attention-grabbing in that Sklar is the one one that has had a hand in opening each single Disney theme park to this point. Sklar additionally had quite a lot of relationships with key people in Imagineering and elsewhere inside Disney, and he covers each the great and dangerous of that. Despite being revealed by Disney, this e-book is surprisingly frank. Read my full assessment right here.
Designing Disney – Legend John Hench is definitely one of many biggest Imagineers of all time. This e-book is a considerate examination of how he and others designed the parks. It’s approachable-enough for the Disney newcomer, however nonetheless has sufficient depth to fulfill a die-hard fan. A whole lot of Hench’s later writings come throughout as mental justifications for why these intestine choices had been made. A should personal.
A Brush with Disney – Disney Legend Herb Ryman had an illustrious profession with Disney, working side-by-side with Walt Disney and doing idea artwork for the parks for many years. His Disney work is breathtaking, and this e-book provides perception (maybe an excessive amount of) into his non-Disney work as effectively. It’s dear, and doubtless finest for the intense Ryman fan.
Travels with Walt Disney — “There’s always a Disney connection.” That’s what we discover ourselves saying each time we journey, regardless of the place we go. This is for good cause, as Walt Disney was a world traveler, and this e-book chronicles his adventures and the way they influenced his films and parks. Lots of unique pictures, and it’s distinctive to have a profile of Walt’s life by the lens of journey.
One last word: when shopping for older Disney memento books, be sure that the merchandise itemizing features a picture. Most of those books would not have ISBN numbers and have similar-sounding names, and are thus vulnerable to being mis-listed by sellers if there isn’t any picture on the merchandise web page. I’ve obtained the inaccurate e-book a few instances.
I’ve quite a lot of different Disney books in my library, however these are the highlights that pertain to the Disney Parks. I’ve a number of different memento books and miscellaneous biographies, so you probably have questions on different titles not listed right here, ask!
We hope this helps you fill your bookcase with Disney Parks titles! If you might be contemplating a purchase order of any of those (or the rest for that matter) simply click on the affiliate hyperlinks right here to get to Amazon and navigate to any gadgets you would possibly want. Using these hyperlinks advantages the positioning, doesn’t value you something, and helps us to maintain offering you with helpful content material!
Your Thoughts…
Which books on this checklist do you personal? Do you might have any favorites? Which Disney theme park books do you personal that aren’t listed right here? Do you agree or disagree with any of our suggestions? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!