The Disneyland Encyclopedia: The Unofficial, Unauthorized, and Unprecedented History of Every Land, Attraction, Restaurant, Shop, and Major Event in the Original Magic Kingdom

by Chris Strodder

Completely updated and expanded with over 50 new entries and 300 new photos, The Disneyland Encyclopedia spans the entire history of the park, from its founding more than 50 years ago to the present day.

This fascinating book features detailed explorations of 600 Disneyland topics, including lands, attractions, restaurants, stores, events, and significant people. Each of the main encyclopedia entries illuminates the history of a Disneyland landmark, revealing the initial planning strategies for the park’s iconic attractions and detailing how they evolved over the decades.

Enriching this unique A-to-Z chronicle are profiles of the personalities who imagined and engineered the kingdom known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Discover unbuilt concepts, including Liberty Street, Rock Candy Mountain, and Chinatown, and delight in fascinating trivia about long-lost Disneyland features, from the real rifles in the shooting gallery that was once located on Main Street to the jet-packed Rocket Man who flew above Tomorrowland. The new “Mouscellany" feature adds fun facts, hidden secrets, and odd trivia to the third edition.

Overflowing with meticulously researched details and written in a spirited, accessible style, The Disneyland Encyclopedia is a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of the most-influential, most-renovated, and most-loved theme park in the world!

Genres: Nonfiction, History

528 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2017

About the author

Chris Strodder is a lifelong student of Woody Allen's movies, writings, and music, and has seen Allen perform live several times. Strodder is also the author of The Disneyland Encyclopedia, The Disneyland Book of Lists, the children’s book A Sky for Henry, an adventure story for young adults named Lockerboy, the comic novel The Wish Book, the Stories Light and Dark collection of short fiction, a pop culture compendium entitled The Encyclopedia of Sixties Cool, and Swingin’ Chicks of the ’60s, a popular nonfiction volume of profiles that garnered international attention, coverage in dozens of magazines ranging from the National Enquirer to Playboy, and exposure on national TV and radio shows. Strodder’s writing has also appeared in Los Angeles magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, The Huffington Post, USA Today, California magazine, Movieline magazine, and others. Strodder lives by the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Pismo Beach, California.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Disneyland Encyclopaedia, by Chris Strodder, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have never been to Disneyland or world. This book is over 500 pages on Disney. I really enjoyed seeing the attractions, where to eat, and so much more. An a to z guide to Disney.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Disneyland from my first time visiting the park in 1966. I’ve gone from 1 day visits with ticket booklets to multiple day visits and at times annual passes. This is, as the title says, an Encyclopedia for anything and everything about Disneyland. It isn’t meant to be read cover to cover and not a guidebook for planning your next visit. But it will tell you about rides and attractions, when they were developed, opened, updated or closed. If you remember a store, food place or attraction that is no longer at Disneyland you can learn about it here. There are plenty of photos, over 300 and my main interest was the historical information. This has seemingly been through different editions and although it says updated the copyright is from 2017. For true Disney enthusiasts. Thank you to NetGalley and Santa Monica Press for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[George Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of the best Disneyland books. Everyone should own a copy of it.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Disneyland Encyclopedia was fascinating to read! It’s an exhaustive book encompassing both information for trip planning, but also all of the history of Disneyland since the 60’s. I loved reading about all of the transformations that have occurred since then.

I love DisneyWorld and cannot wait to visit Disneyland one day and all the maps, photos, information and history in this thick guidebook are incredible and something I’d purchase before I take a trip there!

Thanks to Santa Monica Press and Chris Strodder for the opportunity to read an arc. It was VERY detailed and helpful guide!!

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was so much fun.

I read this one the day after my recent trip to Disneyland and it's chock full of fun facts.

My favorite bits were the retro ones - info on past attractions that no longer exist, and some that just never actually broke ground.

I also definitely loved the nostalgia of remembering things that were there when I was a kid.

The book is perfect for folks new to Disneyland or those of use who have gone for years.

Loved this.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for both The Disneyland Book of Lists and The Disneyland Encyclopedia.
I decided to create a common review as these books are best read together as they supply tons of information, trivia and ideas for a trip to Disneyland.
The made me want to be there.
Useful and informative
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you're not a Disney fanatic, there's something of interest for everyone in this book. Chris Strodder has complied a comprehensive look at everything Disneyland-related in this encyclopedia. Each alphabetized entry has intriguing facts and inside info about the Anaheim-based park. As someone who grew up in Southern CA, this brought back so many memories of attractions, shows, and restaurants that were around when I was a kid (and many that are no longer there). I also really enjoyed learning about rides that existed when the park opened or in the decades before I was born. This book really gave me much more of an appreciation for what a visionary Walt Disney was (and the people on his team who brought to life so many elements of our culture that hadn't existed previously).

There were two downsides to this compilation in my opinion: the pics were sort of random and often didn't do a great job representing the entry they were describing. There were a lot of missed opportunities for fun images that would better illustrate the magic of the park. And secondly, one of the darker aspects of Disneyland that I've always been fascinated with is the accidents and even tragic deaths that have occurred at the park over the years. This may sound macabre, but I felt like it did a disservice to the true history of the park by not mentioning most of these incidents that have transpired.

Overall, though, this book was an interesting collection of facts, and I'm definitely inspired to head to the park after reading this!

*Free ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Disneyland Encyclopedia is the definitive collection of all things Disneyland. It features every imaginable attraction even snack carts that are currently there or once was in operation. If you are planning a trip to the happiest place on earth then I highly recommend this guide. It is filled with well researched history and some little known trivia of the place and people involved in Disneyland. In the 3rd edition there is 50 new entries and 300 new photos along with Mousecellany sidebars that highlights unique trivia, facts, and little known secrets. I think this is perfect for children to use for a research project or who just have a desire to learn about Disneyland. As well, Strodder’s The Disneyland’s Book of Lists is an excellent companion to this book and helps enrich the learning experience. I also enjoyed the photos throughout the guide and it’s easy to navigate A-Z chronological presentation.
I give this 5 out of 5 mouse ears!
Thank you NetGalley and Santa Monica Press for this eARC.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a exciting informative read for every Disney fan. I found it quite comphrensive and entertaining. The author has extensive detail in every area , land and history. Even the small details are here that make Disneyland so special over the decades. It was fascinating to read about the history behind atttactions and even our favorite places in Disneyland. As avid Disney fans I was thrilled to l.earn so much I did not know about the park. A must read for all Disney fans . Well done to the author. I appreciate the extensive reasearch and time the author did for this wonderful book.


I highly recommend this to everyone seeking more Disney information. Thank you to. the publisher, the author and to Net Galley..

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have actually read at least one of the previous editions of this book. I love that they update it, and it is the main source I've ever used for information on all things Disney. I gave one as a gift to my son in law, who works at Disneyland, and he also learned things...which says something. Highly recommended for any Disney fan, visitor, or just someone interested in Disney.
Thank you to Santa Monica Press and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kristen Cook - A Book Ninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Disneyland Encylopedia is a book that would be helpful for someone who would like to know more about Disney and would like to be able to speak the Disney lingo. Disney has a unique set of definitions and terms that the average person would like not know and this book does a nice job at breaking it down.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. I've never been to Disneyland, but this book definitely gave a feel for the park. From the use of maps, timelines, and photographs the author creates a way to show anyone the fun of the park. It was nice to see how things were added and changed to the park since it's opening day. I thoroughly enjoyed this informative book. It is really worth the read. And would be a good source to write about different people and places tied to the park.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third Edition of the quintessential Disneyland reference book. This is the updated version from 2017.
It states on pg. 7: Introduction to the Third Edition: "There are still plenty of avenues to be explored." I hope that the author, Chris Stodder continues offer updated editions.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

An updated content-rich resource on everything you'd want to know about Disneyland, complete with lots of photos, a comprehensive index, and an exhaustive bibliography. I'm using this to plan my first trip to the park!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Disneyland Encyclopedia by Chris Strodder may be unofficial, but it contains every single fact you can imagine or need about Disneyland. With this plethora of information, you can satisfy your curiosity or be completely prepared for any situation you might encounter at the park.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. Extremely well done.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I just glanced through the pages, this is an excellent way to learn an incredible amount about Disney and Disneyland and the perfect book to use for planning a trip to a Disney park.

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for any Disneyland fan! I do wish the pictures were in color because when you think of Disney it’s bright and fun.

[Jessica M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, easy to read guide to Disneyland. My family plans on visiting soon, and I'll need to purchase a hard copy to take with me!

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book as a lover of Disney park history. Obviously, this is a niche topic, so I wouldn't suggest it for just anyone. But if you are a lover of the park and want to know everything about the park and its history, this is the book for you. I wish the pictures had been in color, but they were high quality either way.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a wonderfully comprehensive and amazingly detailed encyclopedia of everything Disneyland. From trash cans to Magnolia Park, guest relations to Grad Nite, all eras, restaurants, attractions, Imagineers, and trivia are covered. You know you have a good Disneyland fact book when the first page is a diagram showing every incarnation of how the word Disneyland was written. This review is for the third edition that added/updated entries but removed the lists to put them in their own book.

The entries are alphabetical but there is also an index in the back if you can't find the exact wording of what you are looking for. Indeed many areas/aspects of the park have changed names. There are also maps for reference in case you are not a frequent Disneyland visitor. There is also a guide to the terminology of Disneyland: attraction, cast members, dark ride, wienie, etc.

Obviously, Disneyland Park fans will absolutely love spending time going through all the entries and cross checking against their own knowledge and memories. But I also feel this would be a fun way for anyone, Park neophyte or seasoned veteran, to spend extra time while waiting in lines, learning more about the attraction you are waiting for or anything in its vicinity. There are wonderful insights to be had throughout.

Many entries have black and white photos and several have call-out boxes to point out fun facts. In addition to the A-Z entries, there is a bibliography for those wanting to go deeper on some subjects.

In all, I can't imagine any Disneyland Park fan not owning this book. There's just too much great information that can really enhance a park experience (or bring back fabulous memories for those who have visited through the decades since the 1955 opening). I especially appreciated how honest, detailed and thorough (but not overly wordy) the entries were (which can only be achieved through an unofficial source). Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.