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One Day at Disney: Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe
Discover what it's like to report to work every day for The Walt Disney Company. Step behind the scenes to immerse yourself in one "ordinary" day at Disney. In addition to the book, the Disney+ team was on hand to capture stories along the way. A full-length documentary and 52 short-form episodes expand the profiles and delve deeper into the essence of what it's like to be a Disney cast member.
On a Thursday in 2019, a small army of photographers and videographers scattered across the globe to capture what goes on beyond those tantalizing "Cast Members Only" doors - whether eavesdropping on historic endeavors or typical tasks. All the photos in this book were taken on that single Thursday, beginning early in Tokyo and following the sun around the world through Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris, Madrid, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and dozens of places throughout the United States. More than 40 hours after it began, the day ended as the sun set on the Aulani resort in Hawaii.
On that day, some 80 Cast Members agreed to open up their workshops, dressing rooms, kitchens, cubicles, TV studios, labs, locomotive engines - and some even more surprising and diverse work spaces. They also shared their stories: childhood dreams and chapters, career pivots and triumphs, workaday hurdles and joys. It was just a day in the life, as extraordinary as any other day at Disney. As any Cast Member can tell you, a Disney job is less a destination than a limitless journey. And for just One Day at Disney, we can all tag along for the ride.
On a Thursday in 2019, a small army of photographers and videographers scattered across the globe to capture what goes on beyond those tantalizing "Cast Members Only" doors - whether eavesdropping on historic endeavors or typical tasks. All the photos in this book were taken on that single Thursday, beginning early in Tokyo and following the sun around the world through Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris, Madrid, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and dozens of places throughout the United States. More than 40 hours after it began, the day ended as the sun set on the Aulani resort in Hawaii.
On that day, some 80 Cast Members agreed to open up their workshops, dressing rooms, kitchens, cubicles, TV studios, labs, locomotive engines - and some even more surprising and diverse work spaces. They also shared their stories: childhood dreams and chapters, career pivots and triumphs, workaday hurdles and joys. It was just a day in the life, as extraordinary as any other day at Disney. As any Cast Member can tell you, a Disney job is less a destination than a limitless journey. And for just One Day at Disney, we can all tag along for the ride.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 3, 2019
27 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 8, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
When I first heard about this book I was beyond excited because I actually have the old One Day at Disney book that Disney put out in 2000. That book shows one day at the Disney parks.
This book goes above and beyond the parks and shows cast members in all areas of the company. I loved the range of people and jobs they showcased. One of my favorites was Thomas Self, who checks the underwater mechanics of The Jungle Cruise. Who knew that Disneyland had divers to do that? My other favorite was Cyril Soreau, who is a fruit and Vegetable sculptor at Disneyland Paris. Aside from park jobs, jobs in Imagineering, television/film, hospitality, and live entertainment were all featured.
The write-ups on each person were incredibly well done. I felt like I really got to know each person and what made them and their job unique.
The book itself is a massive coffee table book that is absolutely gorgeous. The pictures are stunning. It is definitely a book you will want to proudly display.
Overall, this book is perfect for fans of all things Disney. It gives fans an exclusive behind the scenes look into the magic of Disney.
When I first heard about this book I was beyond excited because I actually have the old One Day at Disney book that Disney put out in 2000. That book shows one day at the Disney parks.
This book goes above and beyond the parks and shows cast members in all areas of the company. I loved the range of people and jobs they showcased. One of my favorites was Thomas Self, who checks the underwater mechanics of The Jungle Cruise. Who knew that Disneyland had divers to do that? My other favorite was Cyril Soreau, who is a fruit and Vegetable sculptor at Disneyland Paris. Aside from park jobs, jobs in Imagineering, television/film, hospitality, and live entertainment were all featured.
The write-ups on each person were incredibly well done. I felt like I really got to know each person and what made them and their job unique.
The book itself is a massive coffee table book that is absolutely gorgeous. The pictures are stunning. It is definitely a book you will want to proudly display.
Overall, this book is perfect for fans of all things Disney. It gives fans an exclusive behind the scenes look into the magic of Disney.
December 30, 2019
I love Disney so much 🥺🥺🥺
March 3, 2022
Everything you can see inside the theme parks, but we haven't seen before, even though we're attentive visitors.
It's the look of stories we don't follow, or we don't know. It's a book to stay in sight and be consulted all the time.
It's the look of stories we don't follow, or we don't know. It's a book to stay in sight and be consulted all the time.
June 17, 2020
Such a fun read! Incredible to think about all the different jobs going on all day long at any given point in time at the whole of Disney enterprises. It was so interesting to read about various cast members' backgrounds, journeys to Disney, and their current Disney jobs. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 2, 2022
Ever wanted to know what kind of careers exist at Disney? With Disney, the sky is as limitless as your imagination. Whether you like designing, helping others, performing, creating, love new technologies or just want to ingest all things Disney, check out this mini-Documentary of 52 careers of real people (some of whom I know) who help keep the magic alive and that is just the very tip of the iceberg of careers!
Filled with hundreds of photographs, take a glimpse into the international sensation of this company and its devoted "cast members" who bring the magic to all every day!
Filled with hundreds of photographs, take a glimpse into the international sensation of this company and its devoted "cast members" who bring the magic to all every day!
April 3, 2020
I really enjoyed reading the stories of the people who work for Disney and the various jobs they do. I found it to be inspiring.
April 1, 2020
pooled ink Reviews:
One Day at Disney is a fascinating global look into what goes on in just one day at Disney and the expansive truth of it will drop your jaw. Stunning pictures that draw you in and dazzle your imagination, perspectives and personal pieces that give a foundational dose of reality upon which the magic is crafted, and page after page of experience and behind-the-scenes content that will have you clutching this book to your chest leaving you lost in thought in the endless dreams and “What if’s” that its stories will inspire. An utterly intriguing must-read for any Disney fan.
Find out more about One Day at Disney by visiting my tour stop! https://pooledink.com/2019/11/19/blog...
One Day at Disney is a fascinating global look into what goes on in just one day at Disney and the expansive truth of it will drop your jaw. Stunning pictures that draw you in and dazzle your imagination, perspectives and personal pieces that give a foundational dose of reality upon which the magic is crafted, and page after page of experience and behind-the-scenes content that will have you clutching this book to your chest leaving you lost in thought in the endless dreams and “What if’s” that its stories will inspire. An utterly intriguing must-read for any Disney fan.
Find out more about One Day at Disney by visiting my tour stop! https://pooledink.com/2019/11/19/blog...
February 3, 2020
Super fascinating read! I’m knocking a star off because the book is so big it’s hard to hold comfortably and because I would have liked to see more profiles on “everyday people.” It was interesting to see facets of the company I’d never thought of before, but more frontline theme park and retail CM features would have been nice.
December 16, 2019
Beautiful, well-photographed coffee table book highlighting different Disney cast members, both those behind-the-scenes and those on stage. Has inspired my children to find more nuances in their future Imagineering dreams.
February 16, 2021
When snowy winter weather has me stuck inside and wishing for a little sunshine, one of my first reactions is to turn to my go-to sources of smiles and laughter: Disney. No, that doesn’t mean going to one of the parks (I wish!), but it does mean that I pull up a movie or show on Disney+ or listen to some of my favorite theme park area music (the music from Tomorrowland is a particular favorite of mine). This week, however, I found myself pulled towards a Christmas present I had yet to crack: a copy of One Day at Disney. The coffee table book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the magical jobs of dozens of Disney cast members from all across the world on an “ordinary Thursday in 2019.” From performers in Spain, New York, and Hawaii and wardrobe specialists in California and Hong Kong to engineers, animators, and creators across the world, One Day at Disney shows off the countless facets of the beloved company while showcasing those whose hard work and dedication make the magic happen.
The book is split into eight chapters, each following a three hour period beginning at midnight. This setup is a nod to the international nature of Disney and the Cast Members around the world. While American workers are still fast asleep, Cast Members in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong are in the midst of their day, and the structure of the chapters around time periods allows the book to easily feature these international workers. It also allows a few particularly unique jobs to be featured, such as Thomas Self, an attraction machinist at Disneyland who performs his underwater maintenance overnight so as not to be seen by guests and destroy the illusion, and Anthony Salvaggio, part of Disneyland’s window display team who works through the night and into the wee hours of the morning to make it appear as if the seasonal and holiday window displays magically appear overnight.
As the book moves throughout the day, readers are introduced to Cast Members of all positions and all parts of the Disney company. This includes more recent acquisitions such as Marvel and Lucasfilms in addition to the parks, the animation studios, and merchandising. I personally didn’t care so much for the pieces on the television and film personalities as I feel that these individuals are already well-known; yes, the book did show a more exclusive look at the roles they play as part of the Disney company, but I was much more interested in the “regular” Cast Members who aren’t splashed across screens and magazines, whose names I only know because of this book. That being said, the organizers of this book did make these Cast Members more of the main focus, but I would have rather met a half dozen more of them rather than getting pieces on Robin Roberts or Brie Larson, especially because some of the people included have such amazing jobs.
Take Cyril Soreau, for example. Cyril is a fruit and vegetable sculptor at Disneyland Paris, a position he created for himself by combining his passions for food and drawing. Or security host Peter Dufour who gets to meet military veterans as part of the Flag Retreat ceremony he participates in each day. Or Kenneth Ko, a member of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s custodial team who brought the amazing cement water art feature to his home park. The range of jobs at Disney is just astounding, and I loved reading about how the different Cast Members made the jobs their own and really embraced their role in the magic. The gorgeous photography makes these stories shine even brighter, and I could definitely go for another coffee table book just of random park shots and Cast Members going about their day.
One Day at Disney proves that Disney is a place for people from all different backgrounds and interests. It’s also a place where even the smallest or strangest passions can lead to a dream career. A young girl who loved making her own stuffed animals can create interactive animatronic creatures. A scientist researching organic synthesis and polymer can help create a new synthetic skin that makes an robotic alien shaman seem incredibly lifelike. A ranch hand can find herself driving Cinderella’s Coach and ensuring a bride’s big day is as magical as she’s always dreamed. Everyone can find their place at Disney, and every job is important in helping the magic run smoothly. One Day at Disney proves this fact and has fun doing it. If you’re a Disney fan, you need this beautiful book in your collection.
The book is split into eight chapters, each following a three hour period beginning at midnight. This setup is a nod to the international nature of Disney and the Cast Members around the world. While American workers are still fast asleep, Cast Members in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong are in the midst of their day, and the structure of the chapters around time periods allows the book to easily feature these international workers. It also allows a few particularly unique jobs to be featured, such as Thomas Self, an attraction machinist at Disneyland who performs his underwater maintenance overnight so as not to be seen by guests and destroy the illusion, and Anthony Salvaggio, part of Disneyland’s window display team who works through the night and into the wee hours of the morning to make it appear as if the seasonal and holiday window displays magically appear overnight.
As the book moves throughout the day, readers are introduced to Cast Members of all positions and all parts of the Disney company. This includes more recent acquisitions such as Marvel and Lucasfilms in addition to the parks, the animation studios, and merchandising. I personally didn’t care so much for the pieces on the television and film personalities as I feel that these individuals are already well-known; yes, the book did show a more exclusive look at the roles they play as part of the Disney company, but I was much more interested in the “regular” Cast Members who aren’t splashed across screens and magazines, whose names I only know because of this book. That being said, the organizers of this book did make these Cast Members more of the main focus, but I would have rather met a half dozen more of them rather than getting pieces on Robin Roberts or Brie Larson, especially because some of the people included have such amazing jobs.
Take Cyril Soreau, for example. Cyril is a fruit and vegetable sculptor at Disneyland Paris, a position he created for himself by combining his passions for food and drawing. Or security host Peter Dufour who gets to meet military veterans as part of the Flag Retreat ceremony he participates in each day. Or Kenneth Ko, a member of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s custodial team who brought the amazing cement water art feature to his home park. The range of jobs at Disney is just astounding, and I loved reading about how the different Cast Members made the jobs their own and really embraced their role in the magic. The gorgeous photography makes these stories shine even brighter, and I could definitely go for another coffee table book just of random park shots and Cast Members going about their day.
One Day at Disney proves that Disney is a place for people from all different backgrounds and interests. It’s also a place where even the smallest or strangest passions can lead to a dream career. A young girl who loved making her own stuffed animals can create interactive animatronic creatures. A scientist researching organic synthesis and polymer can help create a new synthetic skin that makes an robotic alien shaman seem incredibly lifelike. A ranch hand can find herself driving Cinderella’s Coach and ensuring a bride’s big day is as magical as she’s always dreamed. Everyone can find their place at Disney, and every job is important in helping the magic run smoothly. One Day at Disney proves this fact and has fun doing it. If you’re a Disney fan, you need this beautiful book in your collection.
February 15, 2022
My family loves Disney -- the theme parks, the movies, the characters. So when this book came out we certainly wanted to check it out. Many other families we knew were buying it up immediately, hopeful that their kids would enjoy it. While I did enjoy it, I'm glad I didn't rush out and purchase it at full price. I ended up requesting it from the local library instead. That was the right choice for us.
The book is a series of one or two page profiles of people who make the magic at Disney, across its many methods of entertaining fans. The concept is to take you through a day at Disney, around the world. This idea was nice in that it covered the parks and news outlets around the world, allowing a brief focus on many aspects of Disney, not just say, Magic Kingdom or Disneyland, for example.
My favorite pages were about everyday folks who keep the parks running and make a great experience for guests, like the retired nurse who works on Main Street USA in Orlando, or the actress who portrays Dory in the Finding Nemo show at Animal Kingdom. The photography is an important aspect of the book, and I enjoyed that as well. This would make a great coffee table book, but I'm not sure it's really meant to be the kind of book that you sit and read cover to cover. I found myself skimming over quite a bit of the text and focusing on what interested me most.
I'll be returning this to the library, and not making a purchase. It was fun but there are many other books out there to read. And while my kids occasionally peered over my shoulder and asked a couple of questions, this was not one that was geared towards children, and it's not something I think they would ever pick up on their own to flip through more than once or twice.
The book is a series of one or two page profiles of people who make the magic at Disney, across its many methods of entertaining fans. The concept is to take you through a day at Disney, around the world. This idea was nice in that it covered the parks and news outlets around the world, allowing a brief focus on many aspects of Disney, not just say, Magic Kingdom or Disneyland, for example.
My favorite pages were about everyday folks who keep the parks running and make a great experience for guests, like the retired nurse who works on Main Street USA in Orlando, or the actress who portrays Dory in the Finding Nemo show at Animal Kingdom. The photography is an important aspect of the book, and I enjoyed that as well. This would make a great coffee table book, but I'm not sure it's really meant to be the kind of book that you sit and read cover to cover. I found myself skimming over quite a bit of the text and focusing on what interested me most.
I'll be returning this to the library, and not making a purchase. It was fun but there are many other books out there to read. And while my kids occasionally peered over my shoulder and asked a couple of questions, this was not one that was geared towards children, and it's not something I think they would ever pick up on their own to flip through more than once or twice.
September 2, 2020
A companion coffee table book to the Disney+ series "One Day at Disney" . Disney fans will enjoy the profiles of cast members who have "dream jobs' and what it took to get there. The profiles span a wide variety of park jobs and those in the entertainment/tv side. Overall, it does show the wide variety of jobs that members have such as underwater mechanic, boat driver for parades, chocolateirs, animators, production assistant, sports announcers. I do wish it had shown a few more regular and entry level positions - the ice cream vendor, the hotel front desk, the ride attendant.
In many ways it was a very cool "what should I be when I grow up". It shows how many 'traditional' career paths end up in a specialized role. And how 'untraditional' career paths lead to cool places.
In many ways it was a very cool "what should I be when I grow up". It shows how many 'traditional' career paths end up in a specialized role. And how 'untraditional' career paths lead to cool places.
May 31, 2023
One Day at Disney introduces loads of people who work in all the many different Disney areas. There are of course those who work in the parks... and also some who work for ESPN. Or Marvel. Or Broadway. The photographs of the people and places were amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at each one and reading the descriptions. I had the joy of visiting Disney World (Florida, USA) a few years ago, and this book brought back so many happy memories of a wonderful trip with my family.
(My only tiny quibble is the layout. It's separated into three-hour chunks, but then not a lot of mention is given within any chapter to the time of day. I think it would've been better organized by role or by geographic location. Just my two cents.)
(My only tiny quibble is the layout. It's separated into three-hour chunks, but then not a lot of mention is given within any chapter to the time of day. I think it would've been better organized by role or by geographic location. Just my two cents.)
March 31, 2021
I’m a huge fan of the Disney parks & behind the scenes books so subsequently own many coffee-table books of this genre. Whilst One Day at Disney is beautiful to look at, there’s just too much Disney-owned property/franchise stuff covered here on top so it comes off somewhat promotional.
Sure, Marvel, ABC, ESPN & much more are part of the Disney Family but for a book like this, I’d personally prefer far more insight from the cast members working on & in the parks, resorts & cruise ships.
Perhaps that’s a personal preference & there is a wide spread of folk featured here but there are so many more incredible Disney books out there which fill my Disney fix so much more than this
Sure, Marvel, ABC, ESPN & much more are part of the Disney Family but for a book like this, I’d personally prefer far more insight from the cast members working on & in the parks, resorts & cruise ships.
Perhaps that’s a personal preference & there is a wide spread of folk featured here but there are so many more incredible Disney books out there which fill my Disney fix so much more than this
October 21, 2020
This was a dazzling book that was a bit sad to read during the current Covid pandemic. This book features about 100 Disney employees that run the gamut from greeters all the way to the CEO of the Disney company. Each employee's job is showcased as well as a brief background of how they got into the job. The pictures are bright and vibrant and the content is very interesting. I sadly wondered if many of them are still working during this crazy time. This is a great book for a Disney fan who wants a glimpse into some of the behind the scenes magic that takes place.
February 24, 2021
This collection of stories give a great overview and insight to a day of Magic with Disney. In 24 Hours, we see many different people and jobs all across the world. We even get to highlights from ABC and ESPN. One wish would be ore stories from Non-Manager employees that we meet at the parts. Overall, it is a wonderful day at Disney and a great read for any Disney Fan.
I did follow up and watch the Disney+ episode and shorts created from the stories in the book and that made them come even more to life!
I did follow up and watch the Disney+ episode and shorts created from the stories in the book and that made them come even more to life!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2022
I love the idea, but despise the execution. There is an enormous emphasis on the big names, the performers with name recognition, the cast members with titles using "director," "head," "principal," "president," making the book read like a pandering, desperate waste of marketing. How about the ride operators, the clerks, the janitorial staff, the secretaries and admins, the lighting and sound techs, the interns and college program participants? Literally millions of people make the machinery run, and this book focused almost solely on the middle-management and above.
March 24, 2025
This book was amazing and inspiring and interesting! It all takes place "one day at Disney" - a Thursday in 2019, and each page is about a different person who has a different job at Disney. There are great photos included so you really get a sense of who the person is and what they do. What truly amazes me is how many different types of jobs there are at one company - from baking to sewing to gardening, sports, news, design, acting, engineering, etc. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it!
September 21, 2020
This is an interesting and fun overview of all the kinds of jobs at Disney (both the parks around the world and their affiliates) and what those people do. It is amazing to see the variety of jobs at Disney and when they work (note: people are working around the clock). It is 1-2 pages per person in each job. And the photos are amazing! If you are a Disney fan this is an interesting behind-the-scenes peek.
November 13, 2021
Definitely propaganda and frustrating when workers are fighting for basic rights at Disney. But also this book is about the individuals that work for Disney and they shouldn't be blamed for the monster that is the corporation.
With that in mind, this was a delightful coffee table read on the various jobs at Disney and the joy people take from them. I liked how a lot of employees started at part time or entry level positions and moved into roles with bigger leadership.
With that in mind, this was a delightful coffee table read on the various jobs at Disney and the joy people take from them. I liked how a lot of employees started at part time or entry level positions and moved into roles with bigger leadership.
April 15, 2020
So much fun to read about the wide range of people, positions and places that fall under the Disney umbrella. I appreciated the attention to diversity. This book feels a little bit bittersweet knowing changes will be necessary due to the pandemic crisis and wondering what parts of the company will remain at the end.
January 1, 2021
It was so interesting to read and learn about just some of the people that work at Disney. This is a great coffee table book. It did make me a little sad though because with Covid-19, I know some of these people did lose their jobs and that is super sad also because everyone in this book gives their heart to the magic of Disney.
PopSugar 2021- Book of a different format (coffee table book)
PopSugar 2021- Book of a different format (coffee table book)
October 23, 2022
An excellent companion to the Disney+ series which shows a glimpse into the lives of many different people working for the widely varied roles in the Walt Disney company, from the parks, to animation, from ESPN and ABC to Pixar and Lucasfilm, and from California to Florida to France to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
February 17, 2023
I sit in Aulani on my balcony and read One Day at Disney. The Disney-verse is vast and the book chronicles various roles.
My favorite is the creative technologist, Alice Taylor, working on advanced technology for storytelling; “because if you’re not failing at some thing, you’re probably not being courageous and inventive enough.”
My favorite is the creative technologist, Alice Taylor, working on advanced technology for storytelling; “because if you’re not failing at some thing, you’re probably not being courageous and inventive enough.”
February 7, 2024
I think this book was a great idea and a beautiful one. This book had me tearing up more than once (as will any Disney fans) as we learn more about dozens of the ways cast members make magic for people all over the world. I think this book did an excellent job encapsulating these experiences, but if you don’t have the book, I enjoyed the documentary and shorts on Disney+ just as much if not more.
January 27, 2025
A big coffee table book that gives you some insight on the people that work at Disney and other Disney related companies. Lots of photos and some interesting facts if you care about Disney. Some short captions gives you a person's hometown and favourite Disney ride or movie. A great way to learn more about Disney in photos.
February 22, 2026
I got this as a Christmas gift in 2024 and started it mid-2025. It highlights aspect of the Disney company all over the world from parks to television to Broadway shows. However,
Overall it was okay, but a bit dated. I was expecting it to be more Disneyland focused. It did make for good reading when I had only a short time to read or when I had nothing else to read.
Overall it was okay, but a bit dated. I was expecting it to be more Disneyland focused. It did make for good reading when I had only a short time to read or when I had nothing else to read.
April 3, 2020
So much love for this! I can’t say enough positive things so I may not even try other then this was a brilliant project to highlight the variety of hardworking Cast Members that collaborate to make the magic! Thank you so much!
April 19, 2020
Gorgeous book! Loved how they put it together and the work all these people do. It was very interesting. The photographs are spectacular. This is not a book to read all in one sitting. Read a few stories or a chapter at a time and savor the beautiful stories.
January 10, 2021
Disney has been in my life forever like many others. I have wanted to work at Disney for so long and seeing people who actually work there and see a behind the scenes look was amazing.
Loved this book!
Loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews