Non-Travel WDW Books

**BamaJenn** · 03-03-2011, 03:41 PM

I need some good examples of non-travel books about the world. I read a fantastic one last year and I want to find more like it. The sorts of things that are like the stories of it being built or the history of it etc. etc. Sort of WDW Biographies. Help!?

**20K** · 03-03-2011, 03:46 PM

The ultimate book on the history of WDW is - and probably will always be - "Realityland: True Life Adventures at Walt Disney World" by David Koenig.

Other worthy mentions:

The famous "Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America" by Stephen Fjellman

The new "Four Decades of Magic: Celebrating the First Forty Years of Disney World" from AyeFour Publishing

**20K** · 03-03-2011, 03:50 PM

Another good shout would be "Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World" by Chad Emerson, which was actually covered on an earlier podcast with the author himself.

I found it a bit problematic myself, but it's a good read.

**20K** · 03-03-2011, 03:51 PM

Or, alternatively, you could print off all of Mike Lee's website and staple the pages together.

Hope these suggestions serve as something of a starting point for you!

**20K** · 03-03-2011, 03:56 PM

There is a blue-covered hard-back from Disney themselves that covers the resort from the swamp days on. I picked up a copy in mid 2010 on Main Street and I would assume it is still on sale. For the life of me I cannot remember what it is called, but perhaps someone might know what I am talking about.

It is quite photo-heavy, if it was a serious read you were after but, surprisingly for an official Disney publication, it was really good. Very respectful of the resort's past and of the men and women who built it without descending into the usual sugar and "magic".

**NC_WDW_Daddy** · 03-03-2011, 07:52 PM

I also read Married to the Mouse by Richard Fogelsong which took a look at the early development, governement, and legal decisions in the construction.

**20K** · 03-03-2011, 08:03 PM

Yes, that's an excellent suggestion as well.

**BamaJenn** · 03-04-2011, 09:07 AM

Awesome feedback guys! Appreciate it so much!

Realityland is actually the one I read and loved that has me wanting to read more like it.

**Tmntrans** · 03-04-2011, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by 20K

Another good shout would be "Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World" by Chad Emerson, which was actually covered on an earlier podcast with the author himself.

I found it a bit problematic myself, but it's a good read.

I also read this book and also had a few questions. I did email Mr Emerson a couple times and he replied at length on what I asked.
One of the funniest I remember and will always stand out in my mind was why didn't Disney able to get the Bonnet Creek property, He replied it was owned at the time by a large chinese family that either they didn't want to sell or they couldn't get them all home!!
All in all good read and shows some insight of old corporate structure and how they hid what the Disney Co was up to and how they almost didn't build in Florida at all.