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Secret Stories of Extinct Disneyland: Memories of the Original Park
Excavating the MagicIn over eighty individual chapters, each filled with facts, quotes, and anecdotes, Disney historian Jim Korkis chronicles the very best of a Disneyland that no longer exists, taking us back in time to "Walt's park" and revealing how it has changed between then and now.
Live mermaids swimming in the Submarine Lagoon. ... Pack mules nipping at the shoes of children. ... Flying saucers hovering inches in the air over a circular floor. For many people this was the Disneyland of their youth, but over the years dozens of shows, attractions, and experiences have disappeared forever from the Happiest Place on Earth.
In this latest volume of his best-selling Secret Stories series, Korkis shares behind-the-scenes information—much of it never before in print—about what used to delight guests at Disneyland.
From Main Street's Intimate Apparel Shop and Frontierland's Mineral Hall, to Fantasyland's Pirate Ship restaurant and Adventureland's Barker Bird, Korkis excavates, unearths, and discovers a Disneyland past that will be sweetly nostalgic to some, and a unique glimpse into a forgotten past for others.
Who knows what we'll find!
Live mermaids swimming in the Submarine Lagoon. ... Pack mules nipping at the shoes of children. ... Flying saucers hovering inches in the air over a circular floor. For many people this was the Disneyland of their youth, but over the years dozens of shows, attractions, and experiences have disappeared forever from the Happiest Place on Earth.
In this latest volume of his best-selling Secret Stories series, Korkis shares behind-the-scenes information—much of it never before in print—about what used to delight guests at Disneyland.
From Main Street's Intimate Apparel Shop and Frontierland's Mineral Hall, to Fantasyland's Pirate Ship restaurant and Adventureland's Barker Bird, Korkis excavates, unearths, and discovers a Disneyland past that will be sweetly nostalgic to some, and a unique glimpse into a forgotten past for others.
Who knows what we'll find!
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 17, 2026
There’s one thing that’s a constant at Disneyland, and that’s change. The Park has been around for more than 70 years now, and just about anywhere a visitor can look, they can spot a place that’s changed over the years ( in some cases, several times), and chances are there’s a pretty good story about that change.
The late Jim Korkis spent a good part of his life looking for fun and fascinating Disney stories , and then sharing them with other Disney fans in a bunch of books and articles. In “Secret Stories of Extinct Disneyland”, Jim tells about the attractions, shows, and restaurants that have come and gone from Disneyland over the years, what it was like to visit those places, and what’s replaced them. Some of these places were enjoyed by visitors for many years. A few of them were in the Park for a short time.
In addition to sharing stories and details about things that are no longer at the Park, Jim also shares what he learned from cast members who played roles in the Park. Ever heard of Space Man and Space Girl who roamed the pathways of early Tomorrowland posing for photos? You’ll meet cast members who played these characters in the book. You’ll also meet a couple of the ladies who swam in the Submarine Voyage lagoon (braving water so full of chloride that it turned hair odd colors) in Jim’s book.
I had a fun time learning about some of the attractions, shops, restaurants, and characters that aren’t there anymore. The nice thing about Jim’s stories is they’re only a couple of pages each, which means the book’s a great way to pass a short amount of time before more important matters call you away). See how many former Disneyland attractions you recall from the stories in Jim’s book! Recommended for your favorite student of Disney history or Disneyland fan who’d like to explore the park and rekindle old memories.
The late Jim Korkis spent a good part of his life looking for fun and fascinating Disney stories , and then sharing them with other Disney fans in a bunch of books and articles. In “Secret Stories of Extinct Disneyland”, Jim tells about the attractions, shows, and restaurants that have come and gone from Disneyland over the years, what it was like to visit those places, and what’s replaced them. Some of these places were enjoyed by visitors for many years. A few of them were in the Park for a short time.
In addition to sharing stories and details about things that are no longer at the Park, Jim also shares what he learned from cast members who played roles in the Park. Ever heard of Space Man and Space Girl who roamed the pathways of early Tomorrowland posing for photos? You’ll meet cast members who played these characters in the book. You’ll also meet a couple of the ladies who swam in the Submarine Voyage lagoon (braving water so full of chloride that it turned hair odd colors) in Jim’s book.
I had a fun time learning about some of the attractions, shops, restaurants, and characters that aren’t there anymore. The nice thing about Jim’s stories is they’re only a couple of pages each, which means the book’s a great way to pass a short amount of time before more important matters call you away). See how many former Disneyland attractions you recall from the stories in Jim’s book! Recommended for your favorite student of Disney history or Disneyland fan who’d like to explore the park and rekindle old memories.
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November 6, 2019A great look at Disneyland of old
It was great to read about Disneyland attractions I never even got to experience. This book would have been better if there had been maps to help the reader orient better where these attractions were and what is there now. I was surprised Korkis didn't include a chapter about the Rocket Rods!! The book kind of just ended abruptly, too.
It was great to read about Disneyland attractions I never even got to experience. This book would have been better if there had been maps to help the reader orient better where these attractions were and what is there now. I was surprised Korkis didn't include a chapter about the Rocket Rods!! The book kind of just ended abruptly, too.
February 5, 2020
I loved reading about the attractions that are no longer in Disneyland. I would have liked it more if there had been accompanying photos though; that would have brought the attractions to life for me! But, I enjoyed reading about the attractions and why they ate no longer there.
January 9, 2022
Well researched, easy and fun read. Needs some editing here and there (a common issue for Theme Park Press), but nothing major. As with any book on Disneyland, photos would improve the work, but their absence doesn’t really detract from this book.
March 30, 2022
Intetesting
This book will make the veteran Disney Park visitor nostalgic. I was especially saddened that the Electric Light Parade is no longer a feature. It tells how Disneyland has grown and changed over the years. My only complaint is that it is very poorly written.
This book will make the veteran Disney Park visitor nostalgic. I was especially saddened that the Electric Light Parade is no longer a feature. It tells how Disneyland has grown and changed over the years. My only complaint is that it is very poorly written.
February 19, 2020
Dry focus on changes that have been made to Disneyland over the years. Which attractions and retail outlets that have been closed and replaced. Mostly factual statements without much sense of style
August 7, 2024
It was a well written book that detailed what has been taken out of Disneyland and the history behind each attraction. It was a very informative book and certainly worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews