Top 9 Books about Disney Theme Parks

By Travel & Places Last updated Tuesday, April/16/2024

"It all started with a mouse," Walt Disney was fond of saying. Read about the theme park empire that now roars around the world with these insightful books.

1. Spinning Disney's World, Memories of a Magic Kingdom Press Agent

Charles Ridgway, The Intrepid Traveler. In Alfred Hitchcock's films, the hero was typically an ordinary guy who got swept up in extraordinary circumstances. Such was the fate of Charles Ridgway, although a movie based on his fascinating--but certainly not sinister--career might be called, "Dial M for Mickey." For more than forty years, he trumpeted Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and other Disney parks as a member of the company's publicity department. As such, he has a unique insider's perspective, including some personal memories of working alongside Walt Disney, to share in his wonderful book.More »
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2. Walt Disney Imagineering: Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic

Imagineers Staff, Hyperion Press. "Imagineers" is the title Disney gives to the people who design its parks and attractions. Go behind the scenes, and discover how your favorite rides evolved from concepts to reality.More »

3. Mouse Tales : A Behind-the-Ears Look at Disneyland

David Koenig, Bonaventure Press. With an empire as big as Disney's, it should come as no surprise that things may not be happy all the time in the happiest place on earth. Koenig takes a critical look at some of the less flattering aspects behind the Disney magic.More »

4. Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show

John Hench, Hyperion Books. One of the most influential Disney Imagineers, Hench played a major role in the development of Disneyland and many of the other Disney theme parks. The book traces his long Disney career, which began in 1939 as a sketch artist on "Fantasia" and continued until 2004, when he died at 95. It features many of Hench's drawings as well as his inside insight about all things Disney.More »

5. Celebration, U. S. A.: Living in Disney's Brave New Town

Catherine Collins, Douglas Frantz, Holt, Henry & Company, LLC. Celebration is Disney's real-world planned community on the outskirts of Walt Disney World in Florida. The authors were among the early settlers and discuss their brave-new-world experiences, warts and all.More »

6. Disney A to Z : The Updated Official Encyclopedia

Dave Smith, Hyperion Press. Amaze and impress your friends by ticking off Disney trivia (about the theme parks and all things Disney) culled from company archivist Smith's detailed book.More »

7. The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies

Jason Surrell, Disney Editions. A thorough and adoring look at the classic theme park ride--and the mediocre film it inspired. Includes an overview of the attraction's long gestation period and the many people involved in its development. Also includes behind-the-screams ride secrets.More »

8. Married to the Mouse : Walt Disney World & Orlando

Richard E. Foglesong, Yale University Press. An interesting look at the complex relationship between Disney, its neighboring communities, and the state of Florida. Not so much about what happens inside the theme parks as what happens (and happened) beyond Disney's property.More »

9. Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide

Steven M. Barrett, The Intrepid Traveler. The 3-circled signatures buried amid the theme park attractions began as an inside joke among Imagineers. Now, visitors are in on the joke, and this guide helps would-be sleuths uncover the gems.More »

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