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Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida is one of the world's most famous vacation destinations. This iconic resort is now located in what once was thousands of acres of swamp and marshland. Through spy-like moves and innovative strategies, Walt Disney and his cadre of creative leaders turned this massive swamp land into today's Disney World. This books shares the amazing behind the scenes story of how Disney's Florida resort, code-named Project Future, rose from the marshes of Central Florida to become one of the world's most popular theme park resorts.
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 6, 2019
I would consider the work done by Chad Denver Emerson to be one hell of a book. He achieved to give a novelesque flair to the description of a real estate transaction report, which requires initially an "audit-like" fact-checking stage and corporate "green-lights" requests before going into the styling of the text.
The topic might be hard for some readers to palpate, and because of that it is worth to mention that a land acquisition transaction is a very long and delicate process in which several companies decide to carry on with a project or leave it behind.
I found the whole story captivating and very entertaining. Having in mind that Disney is a company several of us grew up with, a very direct relationship between the story and the reader is set. Plus, considering that "Walt Disney World" (which was initially named Disney World, but after Walter passing away, the name changed to Walt Disney World) was one of the last projects to be set by Walt Disney himself, the project inherits a different emphasis, a more personal tone. All facts considered and besides being a very interesting story, it's impressive how such network of emotions were handled by Emerson in what is really a business transaction.
Having recently finished writing a master dissertation myself, I am in awe of the management of style and chronology in the book. Great work done by the author, couldn't put the book down.
The topic might be hard for some readers to palpate, and because of that it is worth to mention that a land acquisition transaction is a very long and delicate process in which several companies decide to carry on with a project or leave it behind.
I found the whole story captivating and very entertaining. Having in mind that Disney is a company several of us grew up with, a very direct relationship between the story and the reader is set. Plus, considering that "Walt Disney World" (which was initially named Disney World, but after Walter passing away, the name changed to Walt Disney World) was one of the last projects to be set by Walt Disney himself, the project inherits a different emphasis, a more personal tone. All facts considered and besides being a very interesting story, it's impressive how such network of emotions were handled by Emerson in what is really a business transaction.
Having recently finished writing a master dissertation myself, I am in awe of the management of style and chronology in the book. Great work done by the author, couldn't put the book down.
July 10, 2011
Not sure what is with all of the negative reviews... People I guess went in assuming the book was about something it's not. Personally, I couldn't put this book down and read it in one day. Fascinating account of how Walt Disney World came to be from the idea to scouting land to the spy-like secrecy to purchase land to legal stuff. If you are a Disney fan or just enjoy reading about some intense project management, check this one out for sure.
November 20, 2011
After The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company, I decided to read a trilogy about theme park design, and stopped at 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, Theme Park Design: Behind The Scenes With An Engineer, and Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World. Theme parks are large-scale parks on a given grand topic, such as the entire world of Disney characters in Disneyland or everything aquatic in Waterworld; such a park can easily attract ten million visitors yearly, thus becoming big local industry.
Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World is the weakest of my selected trilogy, perhaps because it combines uninspired writing with an exclusive focus on a land-property thriller. We get some interesting information about secrecy, buying land, and corporate ruthlessness (yes, Disney did seem to extort the land from several of its rightful owners, and it did seem to influence the local laws through powerful lobbying, all back in the mid-1960s). However, the story barely touches the surface, and the reader is left with too many question marks. The bibliography list is perhaps the only really good element of this book.
Overall, read only if the fog outside is really thick, and your real library has just been lent to a friend.
Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World is the weakest of my selected trilogy, perhaps because it combines uninspired writing with an exclusive focus on a land-property thriller. We get some interesting information about secrecy, buying land, and corporate ruthlessness (yes, Disney did seem to extort the land from several of its rightful owners, and it did seem to influence the local laws through powerful lobbying, all back in the mid-1960s). However, the story barely touches the surface, and the reader is left with too many question marks. The bibliography list is perhaps the only really good element of this book.
Overall, read only if the fog outside is really thick, and your real library has just been lent to a friend.
September 11, 2019
An absolutely engrossing read. If anything I wish there had been MORE information about the negotiations, contracts and legislation but that's a lawyer for you. Great book!
June 7, 2014
This is a land development Ph.D thesis. If you're interested in the regulatory and legal challenges of building an amusement park, enter through the book's gates with a joyous heart to your own Happiest Place on Earth. If you're looking for any information on Disney, Disney World or the actual engineering/Imagineering/design/philosophy/anything of amusement parks, get a ticket for a different ride.
January 15, 2022
Quiet interesting! It concentrates mostly on the real estate side of finding the right spot of land for Disney World and all the complicated dealings with landowners and state governments. I wish there would be more information in detail what the negotiations really looked lime and I wanted more i formation on the final construction work... but the book does not feature this part of the story.
September 19, 2011
If you're interested in the genesis of the Disney theme park idea, the subterfuge and misdirection involved in the land purchases for Disney World, and how the company got around Florida property rules and restrictions through legal classifications, this book is for you. If you're interested in flying elephants or even Imagineers, you're better off with something else.
There is a certain brand of Disney Geek that will be absolutely enthralled with this book, but others will find it rather dry. I put myself in the former category; I loved every minute.
There is a certain brand of Disney Geek that will be absolutely enthralled with this book, but others will find it rather dry. I put myself in the former category; I loved every minute.
January 22, 2016
This is a legal history of the actions and events that allowed the Disney Co. To make WDW so drastically different from Disneyland. At times, it's dry and unless you're an attorney or have a very legal mind, it's probably best to skim some parts. But I found it overall very interesting to learn the of the strategic path they took to create exactly what they wanted. For any Disney fan, it's probably super interesting.
August 7, 2011
While this may have read like stereo instructions, it definitely provided all of the facts that one could be looking for about the creation and execution of Disneyworld. If you're interested in the subject, this is an awesome book (especially if you're writing a paper or doing research); otherwise i would probably pass unless you're like me and just love random facts like it was almost in MI.
July 5, 2011
Wow, this book was SPECTACULARLY boring. I expected something a little more compelling than paragraph after paragraph of real estate transactions and legislation, but that's pretty much what this was.
July 11, 2017
If you want an entertaining story about the creation of the biggest vacation destination in the world, you will be sorely disappointed. Unless you want an essay-like story of Florida land and municipal management regulations in the mid-60s, don't bother.
June 4, 2024
A book about the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which has enabled Walt Disney World Resort’s success. Basically this book is for people who love Disney and urban planning/development. Otherwise you may find this boring.
October 25, 2014
Very geeky and not really for casual Disney Fans... as it is a bit 'text-booky'. Hardcore people who get into the nuts & bolts of it all will find it fascinating.
May 31, 2017
I’ve read many books about Disney in my life, so I thought I had a pretty good idea about what I was getting myself into. The main reason I wanted to read this book was because I wanted to learn facts and hear stories that I had never heard before. ‘Project Future’ undoubtedly is a good, solid, readable book. However, I do believe that this book also has a very select audience. This book isn’t really meant for a fan of Disney who just wants to learn about Disney World. This book gets very in depth into the legal and logistical blockades that The Walt Disney Company was able to get through as they created the Florida Project. The book may seem to drag a bit while the court processes and political games were being played, so if that isn’t your favorite topic… I would not read this. Due to the fact I’m already a very big Disney fan- I enjoyed this book a good amount as it was a change in pace from a lot of the other Florida Project books you’ll see around.
This novel shows the struggle and the obstacles that were overcome by the Disney team unlike any other book. It clearly highlights with great description how the Florida Project came to be, especially with the numerous ways the Disney team was able to secure the land for the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow. Any seasoned Disney nerd would love this novel, and so would even the average Disney fan. If you are more of the type of person who wants to read about Walt and his life, or about the attractions themselves, you will be better off finding a book written by a Disney Legend or someone of that caliber.
This novel shows the struggle and the obstacles that were overcome by the Disney team unlike any other book. It clearly highlights with great description how the Florida Project came to be, especially with the numerous ways the Disney team was able to secure the land for the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow. Any seasoned Disney nerd would love this novel, and so would even the average Disney fan. If you are more of the type of person who wants to read about Walt and his life, or about the attractions themselves, you will be better off finding a book written by a Disney Legend or someone of that caliber.
June 17, 2019
This is a fine collection of interesting facts assembled into an easy-to-follow and quick-to-read timeline of events.
That's about all this is.
Which isn't a knock! I think that's exactly what this piece was designed to be. If, however, you're looking for a deeper look at the mindset of Walt Disney World's creators, the machinations of the Imagineers, or tension within the company over the absurdly grandiose scale of the park... this is not for you.
What "Project Future" IS is a well-researched and easily-digestible expanded list of the property purchased, the deals made, and the politics involved in the development of the park. Mr. Emerson provides us with no-frills reporting which, while interesting in part, doesn't make for the most compelling reading. You have to be deep in the Disney game to care much about things like the importance of Disney deciding whether to answer to the county government or develop its own municipality.
Fortunately, I am.
That's about all this is.
Which isn't a knock! I think that's exactly what this piece was designed to be. If, however, you're looking for a deeper look at the mindset of Walt Disney World's creators, the machinations of the Imagineers, or tension within the company over the absurdly grandiose scale of the park... this is not for you.
What "Project Future" IS is a well-researched and easily-digestible expanded list of the property purchased, the deals made, and the politics involved in the development of the park. Mr. Emerson provides us with no-frills reporting which, while interesting in part, doesn't make for the most compelling reading. You have to be deep in the Disney game to care much about things like the importance of Disney deciding whether to answer to the county government or develop its own municipality.
Fortunately, I am.
June 23, 2025
The book was very good for what it was aiming for. If you're looking for information about WDW attractions or the actual construction of the park, this isn't the book for you. But Emerson has done an impressive job putting together the story of Disney's research and planning, as well as the business and political manouvering to set the stage for building the massive Disney World property in swampy Central Florida. The book is even more timely since the establishment and operation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District was in the news a couple years ago. (not gonna say any more about that).
I'd love to read something that picks up where this one left of: the day to day work of preparing the grounds, solving engineering challenges and actually building up the Magic Kingdom and surrounding hotels in the late 60s-early 70s, but that wasn't the topic of this book. (Although "Building A Better Mouse" covered a fair bit of that topic for the later construction of Epcot Center)
I'd love to read something that picks up where this one left of: the day to day work of preparing the grounds, solving engineering challenges and actually building up the Magic Kingdom and surrounding hotels in the late 60s-early 70s, but that wasn't the topic of this book. (Although "Building A Better Mouse" covered a fair bit of that topic for the later construction of Epcot Center)
September 9, 2018
I have read a lot of books about both Disney the person and the place. In most of these books they go over the complex process to procure the land for the park in Florida in a chapter, mostly because that is really all you need to understand what happened. However for the hardcore Disney fans who want to know more, this book turns what is typically just a few pages into a whole book with much more detail. This book is not for everyone, but is a great read for people who want to know the full behind the scenes story.
May 6, 2020
I don't know why, but this book is one one of my favorites about Walt Disney World. I'm a big Disney fan and have many books about the parks and the company, many of which I have started but never finished. But, this book, I read cover to cover in maybe a day or two. It goes into more details than any other book or podcast I've heard of how Disney was able to acquire all the land they did to build Walt Disney World. I was intrigued by the mystery and covertness with which they were able to pull this off, and could easily envision it playing out on a docudrama type video, maybe on Disney+?
January 5, 2023
This isn’t sexy or exciting reading, but it is well-researched and good information. The book details the purchases of multiple tracts of land by the Disney Company in Central Florida, as well as the legal implications and battles faced after the fact. Lots of good information in this book, just no zest or interesting writing. I wish the author would have included an appendix of maps with the appendices of important people and timeline though. The bibliography is also a helpful resource.
October 8, 2018
Interesting but not very lively telling of creation of Disney World
A "just the facts" telling of the creation of Disney World, not as compelling as I expected, but some of the other projects Disney was considering like a St. Louis fun center were things I was not aware of before this reading.
A "just the facts" telling of the creation of Disney World, not as compelling as I expected, but some of the other projects Disney was considering like a St. Louis fun center were things I was not aware of before this reading.
June 24, 2025
The more you know! I received this book as a gift and decided to read it as a palate cleanser. It’s a detailed yet succinct history of the development of Disney World. I learned a lot and I will definitely be sharing this knowledge with others. Super quick read, I finished in a day. There is a decent amount of legal jargon, but I still was able to understand most of it.
June 24, 2022
My first every history research project was in my final year of secondary school, and I thought the creation of Disney World was too niche or outlandish to pull it off. This book was a lifeline for me.
July 27, 2024
A really good book which outlines the sequence of events that read more like a spy novel than the acquisition of property that would become Disney World. Gives an excellent perspective as to the complex plan that ultimately led to the purchase of the Orlando property for Disney World.
June 20, 2025
This was a very interesting read regarding the planning that went into the Walt Disney World Resort. It seemed to focus a lot on the legal and governmental planning aspects… it gets pretty deep into the weeds at times and can be dry at points, but is still an interesting read overall.
September 4, 2025
Really interesting account of the events that led to Disney World. Loved it. Just wish it had gone further to talk through construction of the park and the work that went into its actual creation. but enjoyed this for what it was!
September 22, 2018
Not much about 200 pages. Legal speak put into simple terms. Some stories, good for research and history buffs
December 16, 2018
Fascinating to read about how Walt Disney World came to be. But, the land purchasing-law talk was a bit boring at times.
October 13, 2019
This curious mind had to know.
Over the years I've heard bits and pieces of how Disney World came to be, this read was very informative and seemingly very through. Enjoy.
Over the years I've heard bits and pieces of how Disney World came to be, this read was very informative and seemingly very through. Enjoy.
July 1, 2022
Very interesting discussion of the legal and legislative work surrounding the building of Disney World. Interesting to learn more about the reasoning behind the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
February 6, 2023
Eh. This read like a college research essay. It was quick, easy, and moderately interesting. If you’re interested in Disney stories, this is one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews