The Backstories and Magical Secrets of Walt Disney World: Main Street, U.S.A., Liberty Square, and Frontierland

by Christopher E. Smith, Bob McLain (Editor)

Bringing the Magic to Life

You can have a magical time at Walt Disney World without really knowing anything about Walt Disney World. But the true magic is in the stories, the backstories, of everything around you, and they're all here, in this definitive guide.

You've packed your travel book and your trivia book, and you've loaded your phone with apps—ready for Disney World! Sure, if you want to experience the park like everyone else. But why miss out on half the fun? There's so much more to discover.

In this first book of a multi-volume set, and for the first time in print, Christopher Smith shares in comprehensive, definitive form the backstories of Walt Disney World, including storytelling elements, queues, and the "real histories" behind each ride, show, and building.

Exploring the rich history of your favorite Disney World attractions will give you fresh insight into the genius of the Disney Imagineers and the multi-layered magnificence of their theme parks.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

294 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2017

Reviews

[Chris Halordain]

Mostly useless facts and backstory surrounding Main Street USA, the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and other exhibits around Disney World Magic Kingdom.

If you're into Disney trivia, then you would enjoy this book, but its rambling style doesn't sit well for people who want actionable info, presented concisely. There are no strategies here, whether building a theme park/company or plotting a park itinerary. It strictly discusses things like references to Casey at Bat, the direction of Emporium's light fixtures, and the meanings behind Haunted Mansion tombstone engravings. The book spends over 20 pages on the names/credits on shop windows alone!

I was looking for more useful information that would enrich my enjoyment or knowledge of the parks, not a directory of tombstone engravings.

[Dana]

Good and extremely informative, if a bit dense and repetitive. Towards the end, I skimmed a lot more because the information was getting repetitive BUT I don't think it's the type of book I was supposed to try and read straight through so... take that as you will. The author definitely has his favorite attractions and you can tell when some backstories are told more professionally and factually while others are told more nostalgically and emotionally.

I would personally recommend this book to anyone looking to learn a lot more about the stories told in Magic Kingdom, or general Disney history.

[Tommy]

Awesome book in history of Disney

This book provides information on several Disney attrations, the creation of, hidden secrets and things to look out for when you go visit. I enjoy the behind the curtain information one can learn from reading this book about the various attrations.

[Laura Schrillo]

It was alright. We planned out but I already knew most of the content.