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Walt's Disneyland: It's Still There If You Know Where to Look
REVISED AND EXPANDED 2022 EDITION! This updated edition of WALT’S DISNEYLAND is 85 pages longer than the original edition, and contains more than 120 added photographs — at the same low price as the original.
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is the only theme park in the world that literally has Walt Disney's fingerprints on it. WALT'S DISNEYLAND uncovers those parts of Disneyland that have remained essentially unchanged since Walt left us. If you know where to look, Walt’s pristine, unchanged Disneyland is still there, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
Where is Disneyland’s “mystery spot” and what does it tell us about Walt’s plans for Disneyland’s future? Why did Walt choose “a year and a day” as his deadline for building Disneyland? When did Walt first decide to build Disneyland? ( it was decades earlier than you’ve been told.) These are some of the questions answered in this book — and nowhere else!
By uncovering the hidden history of Disneyland, this book will make your next Disneyland adventure a richer, more enjoyable experience. Jim Denney, co-author of the classic Disney biography HOW TO BE LIKE WALT, takes you on a tour of Disneyland as it is today — from Main Street USA to Tomorrowland — and shows you where to find Walt's original Disneyland of 1955 to 1966. It's a journey into the heart and soul of one of the greatest innovators of all time, Walt Disney.
Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is the only theme park in the world that literally has Walt Disney's fingerprints on it. WALT'S DISNEYLAND uncovers those parts of Disneyland that have remained essentially unchanged since Walt left us. If you know where to look, Walt’s pristine, unchanged Disneyland is still there, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
Where is Disneyland’s “mystery spot” and what does it tell us about Walt’s plans for Disneyland’s future? Why did Walt choose “a year and a day” as his deadline for building Disneyland? When did Walt first decide to build Disneyland? ( it was decades earlier than you’ve been told.) These are some of the questions answered in this book — and nowhere else!
By uncovering the hidden history of Disneyland, this book will make your next Disneyland adventure a richer, more enjoyable experience. Jim Denney, co-author of the classic Disney biography HOW TO BE LIKE WALT, takes you on a tour of Disneyland as it is today — from Main Street USA to Tomorrowland — and shows you where to find Walt's original Disneyland of 1955 to 1966. It's a journey into the heart and soul of one of the greatest innovators of all time, Walt Disney.
- GenresNonfictionHistoryTravel
351 pages, Hardcover
Published July 20, 2023
62 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 14, 2024
Incredible book! Definitely one to read if you are visiting Disneyland soon or you just want to learn more about the parks. It goes into detail about every part of the park!
August 8, 2024
An absolutely incredible read for Disney history nerds/park nerds. Though I have never been to the original Disneyland, I am fascinated by the history of this park and the untouched moments in time, this book highlights the parts of the park which are basically as Walt left it, and gives insights into how rides and lands were created, a really interesting read for any Disney fan. I am more keen than ever to get to the original park now.
May 5, 2019
I read this on my plane ride to Disneyland and it was the perfect primer to get me excited for my trip! I’m a Disney World veteran so I didn’t need tour books; what I needed was something to tell me what made Disneyland unique. I loved being able to walk around Disneyland and say things like “those are the gas lamps from Baltimore that they got super cheap” and “do you know why Walt loved trains and brought them here?”
Thank you!
Thank you!
September 19, 2025
Did not read in entirety.
I can feel the heart and sincerity but
(1) the descriptions weren’t vivid enough to experience, only detailed enough to understand the gist
(2) the original park was not that different from the 00’s
But I figure
(1) the author can’t really remember well enough to describe it too vividly I mean it’s impressive what he even came up with
(2) it’s not his fault the park is basically the same
Tomorrowland feels a little bit refreshing though (compared to what it is today). It has similarities to Mysterious Island from Tokyo Disneysea
I can feel the heart and sincerity but
(1) the descriptions weren’t vivid enough to experience, only detailed enough to understand the gist
(2) the original park was not that different from the 00’s
But I figure
(1) the author can’t really remember well enough to describe it too vividly I mean it’s impressive what he even came up with
(2) it’s not his fault the park is basically the same
Tomorrowland feels a little bit refreshing though (compared to what it is today). It has similarities to Mysterious Island from Tokyo Disneysea
March 17, 2024
Easy to read and full of fascinating facts (to me anyway!). Makes me want to go back though!
January 11, 2018
A fellow Disney friend bought this book for me and I am SO thankful!!! If you love Disneyland and would like to learn more about it, but in a way that doesn't drag on, get this book! The pace is perfect and it leaves you with a need to go to Disneyland right away so that you can spot some of the stuff that's still there from when it opened. I know that I'm going to Disneyland with a little more appreciation thanks to this book
:-)
:-)
December 28, 2017
"If you know where to look, Walt's Disneyland is still there, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed."
I loved reading this! Walt's Disneyland delivers so much: a heart-warming biographical sketch of the life and career of Walt Disney alongside an in-depth look at the conception and construction of Disneyland and it's evolution over time. There are gems of historical information and touches around the park that, though I've been many times, I've never known about. Understanding the backstories and Walt's immense passion and planning for Disneyland makes me love it even more. Nestled amongst all of this we learn of Walt's rags-to-riches achievement of the American dream, his innovative and imaginative mind, his deep caring for others, and his optimistic vision for the future. Though he's been gone for over 40 years, elements of his original creation still remain in Disneyland and this book walks you through them beautifully, land by land. What makes Disneyland so magical is the indelible fingerprint Walt left on the park. It's the only Disney park he walked through and each detail was overseen by him personally.
Recommended for Disneyland devotees, Disney enthusiasts or anyone looking for a fascinating portrait of a true visionary.
I loved reading this! Walt's Disneyland delivers so much: a heart-warming biographical sketch of the life and career of Walt Disney alongside an in-depth look at the conception and construction of Disneyland and it's evolution over time. There are gems of historical information and touches around the park that, though I've been many times, I've never known about. Understanding the backstories and Walt's immense passion and planning for Disneyland makes me love it even more. Nestled amongst all of this we learn of Walt's rags-to-riches achievement of the American dream, his innovative and imaginative mind, his deep caring for others, and his optimistic vision for the future. Though he's been gone for over 40 years, elements of his original creation still remain in Disneyland and this book walks you through them beautifully, land by land. What makes Disneyland so magical is the indelible fingerprint Walt left on the park. It's the only Disney park he walked through and each detail was overseen by him personally.
Recommended for Disneyland devotees, Disney enthusiasts or anyone looking for a fascinating portrait of a true visionary.
May 17, 2017
1 foot in the past, one foot in the future. But, Walt always lived in the present moment. Inspiration is in us all, we have it. The author did a tremendous job bringing out the very best of Walt in this novel. Mr. Denney truly depicts Disneyland as a guidepost for other businesses too follow. He also explains thoroughly how Walt was not afraid of risk or looking beyond 25 years. I gained new hidden facts about Disneyland, about Walt and about the people who were impacted by this mans vision. 5 stars on this book. Extensive stories and history is displayed and written in this fine novel. History is great, but His-Story is even better. Jim really plussed Walt's creations and Walt as a person.
March 25, 2018
AMAZING!
I learned so much about Walt Disney and totally recommend this book for any Disney fans.👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 😀
I learned so much about Walt Disney and totally recommend this book for any Disney fans.👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 😀
October 14, 2017
Loved it!
I love Disneyland and really admire Walt Disney and everything he accomplished in his life. I appreciated all of the interesting stories and hints.
I love Disneyland and really admire Walt Disney and everything he accomplished in his life. I appreciated all of the interesting stories and hints.
April 26, 2023
Fascinating look behind the scenes and mind that build Disneyland! Earmarked several pages and went back to them before taking a dear friend's daughter to Disneyland the first time and even gave a copy to the friend to read. The several "Easter eggs" around the parks made for a fun and engaging search and conversation throughout our exploration. Highly recommend for those who, like me, were blessed with many California ventures at Disneyland with the family. While we love Disney World, Disneyland has a special place in the family's heart and always will! I like to think that the spirit of Walt lives on as you walk Main Street USA and spy the light on in his apartment above the firehouse.
January 7, 2019
The Walt of Disneyland
This book was fun to read because the author delves into the effects that Walt Disney had on Disneyland throughout the years. He pointed out great attractions that were actually done by Walt and that are still found in the park today. I have been to Disneyland many times before and now I cannot wait to go again because of the new information that I got out of this book.
This book was fun to read because the author delves into the effects that Walt Disney had on Disneyland throughout the years. He pointed out great attractions that were actually done by Walt and that are still found in the park today. I have been to Disneyland many times before and now I cannot wait to go again because of the new information that I got out of this book.
February 22, 2021
As a former cast member and Disneyland aficionado, I thought I knew everything there is to know about The Happiest Place on Earth...and then I read this book! 'Walt's Disneyland' is wonderfully researched and full of interesting facts and surprises. Denney does a fantastic job and his admiration of Disney is very evident. This book certainly helped with my own Disneyland withdrawals. Hopefully I'll get to visit there again soon!
May 13, 2018
This is a wonderful book for any Disney fan. Helps you to see Disneyland through Walt Disney's eyes. I'm ready to book my trip right now. A book filled with magic and pixie dust.
May 13, 2018
Much more readable than similar books, in that the focus is on park construction and claims are sourced.
August 25, 2019
A wholesome and happy book with a lot of Disneyland facts that I (surprisingly) hadn't known!
January 9, 2020
An enjoyable read and love letter to Disneyland. I've read many, many books on Disneyland, and this one had some stories I'd never heard before.
June 13, 2023
Love all the history of the beginning of the park. Only compaint, I wish the photos were in color. Highly recommend.
May 19, 2024
Informative, interesting and thorough. Debunked some rumors about Disney and shared a lot of what made him so influential. Very good read
January 4, 2019
This book was the perfect guide for a tour of the original Disneyland. Jim Denney offers enthusiasts information pertaining to the development of Disneyland and points of interest in the Park that are still visible to this day. I would highly recommend it for anyone who is planning a trip to Disneyland.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews