Hello All!
I am a self professed geek and love to read up on everything! And of course my latest interest is Disney! 
I went to Barnes and Noble today looking for some good background reading, and all they had were travel guides. 
Not quite what I was looking for. I am interested in books that talk about the background secrets of Disney, the symbolism, the little known facts....you know, the good stuff! Can you recommend any books that might fit the bill?
Thanks!
The field guides to the parks. There is one for each park. About $10 each.
See my Disney Photography at...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rt_images/
DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
I just read "realityland". All about building the parks. Itvwas pretty interesting. I got it from my local library.
There are some recommendations in this thread.
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/disney-world-books
I have a tablet so I went to Amazon and there is a wealth of books on WDW and the secrets behind it. Lots of great ideas on ways to have the very best time.
"At some point in life you have to decide if you're the Tigger or the Eeyore."...Randy Pausch
"George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that's what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again." Walt Disney
It's not really background reading but Kingdom Keepers is a great book series. Marty Skylar has a book or two written.
My two favorites are more about people who have been influenced by Disney than they are about the parks specifically:
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
3500: An Autistic Boy's 10-year Romance with Snow White by Ron Miles
I've also enjoyed:
It's Kind of a Cute Story by Rolly Crump
Cast Member Confidential by Chris Mitchell
Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness (lots of these are outdated, but it's still a fun read!)
Imagineering Field Guides (Thanks, Colonel!)
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
My two favorites are more about people who have been influenced by Disney than they are about the parks specifically:
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
3500: An Autistic Boy's 10-year Romance with Snow White by Ron Miles
I've also enjoyed:
It's Kind of a Cute Story by Rolly Crump
Cast Member Confidential by Chris Mitchell
Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness (lots of these are outdated, but it's still a fun read!)
Imagineering Field Guides (Thanks, Colonel!)
Amen to Randy Pausch. Another example of someone who died too young but made soooo many people's lives better for the time he lived. If anyone doesn't know about him, go to Youtube and watch "The Last Lecture." If you love it as much as my kids did, then read his book.
"At some point in life you have to decide if you're the Tigger or the Eeyore."...Randy Pausch
"George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that's what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again." Walt Disney
Amen to Randy Pausch. Another example of someone who died too young but made soooo many people's lives better for the time he lived. If anyone doesn't know about him, go to Youtube and watch "The Last Lecture." If you love it as much as my kids did, then read his book.
I'll second that, Tink!! I just recently found out who Randy Pausch was. He has a quote on a giant plastic leaf (see my signature) over by the teacups in WDW. I took a picture of that leaf on a trip in 2010 and I liked the quote so much that I included it when I ordered prints from shutterfly and when I got the print, I cut out the shape of the leaf and tacked it up on my bulletin board. I read the quote every day. I had heard of the Last Lecture, but the name meant nothing to me and the title just didn't grab me, so I had paid very little attention to it.
About 6 months ago, I received a feedback request email from Amazon and you know how they always have the recommendations over on the side? Well, I just happened to glance at them and I caught the name "Randy Pausch." I thought to myself, 'gosh that name sounds familiar for some reason.' I happened to look over at my bulletin board and notice the credit on my favorite quote and there is was staring me in the face. So now I was curious! I read a synopsis of the book and googled Randy and found the video. WOW! It knocked my socks off! I'm so glad that this little series of events came together because his message about REALLY living your life is so absolutely inspiring. It's very funny and well worth the hour and 16 minutes. If you haven't watched it, here's the link:
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
oldtink wrote:
Amen to Randy Pausch. Another example of someone who died too young but made soooo many people's lives better for the time he lived. If anyone doesn't know about him, go to Youtube and watch "The Last Lecture." If you love it as much as my kids did, then read his book.
I'll second that, Tink!! I just recently found out who Randy Pausch was. He has a quote on a giant plastic leaf (see my signature) over by the teacups in WDW. I took a picture of that leaf on a trip in 2010 and I liked the quote so much that I included it when I ordered prints from shutterfly and when I got the print, I cut out the shape of the leaf and tacked it up on my bulletin board. I read the quote every day. I had heard of the Last Lecture, but the name meant nothing to me and the title just didn't grab me, so I had paid very little attention to it.
About 6 months ago, I received a feedback request email from Amazon and you know how they always have the recommendations over on the side? Well, I just happened to glance at them and I caught the name "Randy Pausch." I thought to myself, 'gosh that name sounds familiar for some reason.' I happened to look over at my bulletin board and notice the credit on my favorite quote and there is was staring me in the face. So now I was curious! I read a synopsis of the book and googled Randy and found the video. WOW! It knocked my socks off! I'm so glad that this little series of events came together because his message about REALLY living your life is so absolutely inspiring. It's very funny and well worth the hour and 16 minutes. If you haven't watched it, here's the link:
in the book he goes into far more detail about his life-long love affair with Disney and why. If we treat everyone we see as though they were our customers and our job was to make it a "magical day" how much better would we and they feel? That is what we can bring to the table every time we think of our work and the people we love. It's how I came to see my students and it made it so much more emotional in the attachments and in the successes we shared. On one of the other posts, King Fergus talks about living the moment. This book is a sterling example of why!
Each year the seniors in my former school made a senior shield with their pics and a quote. These two from Pausch's book are proudly displayed.
'Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you expected"
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, only in how we play the hand."
"At some point in life you have to decide if you're the Tigger or the Eeyore."...Randy Pausch
"George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that's what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again." Walt Disney
My favorite Disney History book was called "Vinyl Leaves"
I just started reading the last lecture. Already on chapter 16 after 40 minutes. I don't remember the last time I was so moved by a book.
I just started reading the last lecture. Already on chapter 16 after 40 minutes. I don't remember the last time I was so moved by a book.
LOL EVERYTIME I taught that book, the kids would say the same thing. I chose to do it in early high school, because I wanted them to see two things: 1) you can be anything you want and still be happy and have fun; 2) you have to realize that being good at something is also work.
I had parents ask for copies and many students bought copies and gave them away. When many of my kids started showing up with phones and various tablets, they also downloaded it right to their system and didn't remove it.
As a teacher, you really can't ask for more than that! 
"At some point in life you have to decide if you're the Tigger or the Eeyore."...Randy Pausch
"George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that's what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again." Walt Disney
I read it all yesterday. Going to try to watch the lecture this week. I wish my English teachers had chosen books like this. I will be recommending it to people. Especially the few teenagers in my life.
LOL Then I guess, in it's own obsure way, I still taught some other kids. Thanks for sharing the magic that we and Randy Pausch enjoyed. I think he would be pleased.
"At some point in life you have to decide if you're the Tigger or the Eeyore."...Randy Pausch
"George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that's what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again." Walt Disney
I read it all yesterday. Going to try to watch the lecture this week. I wish my English teachers had chosen books like this. I will be recommending it to people. Especially the few teenagers in my life.
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
I just found out yesterday that I am teaching Pausch's book (and video) for a three-week summer school class for middle school kiddos! We not only read and enjoy the book with discussions, BUT we have some cool projects:
1) Which Disney character are you most like? He/She does a powerpoint with pictures and compare themself to a character with a bio on the main site.
2) Hard work to get where you want to go doesn't mean just grind and boredom. Where do you want to go and what do you need to do get to that dream profession (I don't go with professional sports since that's almost a non-existent goal for these guys). Randy Pausch had to work hard to get his doctorate, but he also had fun. That balance is important.
3) The keep a writing journal where they write about how some of the lessons hit home and why.
In the end I give them sites to download wallpaper, and silliness....because they worked hard AND they had fun!
So many Disney ways to make this magical. Hmmmm...pencils, pens, stickers......ears optional
"At some point in life you have to decide if you're the Tigger or the Eeyore."...Randy Pausch
"George Banks and all he stands for will be saved. Maybe not in life, but in imagination. Because that's what we storytellers do. We restore order with imagination. We instill hope again and again and again." Walt Disney
I just found out yesterday that I am teaching Pausch's book (and video) for a three-week summer school class for middle school kiddos! We not only read and enjoy the book with discussions, BUT we have some cool projects:
1) Which Disney character are you most like? He/She does a powerpoint with pictures and compare themself to a character with a bio on the main site.
2) Hard work to get where you want to go doesn't mean just grind and boredom. Where do you want to go and what do you need to do get to that dream profession (I don't go with professional sports since that's almost a non-existent goal for these guys). Randy Pausch had to work hard to get his doctorate, but he also had fun. That balance is important.
3) The keep a writing journal where they write about how some of the lessons hit home and why.
In the end I give them sites to download wallpaper, and silliness....because they worked hard AND they had fun!
So many Disney ways to make this magical. Hmmmm...pencils, pens, stickers......ears optional
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.