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Walt's Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney
A immersive guide to the attractions and landmarks Walt helped create in his original Magic Kingdom!
Walt Disney’s personal imprint remains firmly intact at Disneyland. Walt's Disneyland allows guests to walk around Disneyland identifying the attractions and landmarks Walt championed, touching what he touched, and seeing his original Magic Kingdom through his eyes. Walt's Disneyland is organized land by land, clockwise, beginning with Main Street, U.S.A. then on to Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. A must-have to add to your Disney Parks collection!
Walt Disney’s personal imprint remains firmly intact at Disneyland. Walt's Disneyland allows guests to walk around Disneyland identifying the attractions and landmarks Walt championed, touching what he touched, and seeing his original Magic Kingdom through his eyes. Walt's Disneyland is organized land by land, clockwise, beginning with Main Street, U.S.A. then on to Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. A must-have to add to your Disney Parks collection!
- GenresNonfictionTravelHistory
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2021
23 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 12, 2022
I found myself smiling throughout this whole book. It truly felt like walking through Disneyland with Walt. The quotes are from people who knew and worked with Walt, which immersed me in the book even more. The pictures and colors in this book are beautiful. Reading this makes me want to return to the place that feels like home, Disneyland, right away. I loved this book.
November 24, 2021
Fascinating. A touch saccharine, but what else can you expect when a man becomes myth.
January 26, 2023
The best way to start your Disney trip is to finish this book. And you won't regret a single second cause it has been written so delightfully.. Like you are already in the parks with Mr Walt Disney himself.
February 6, 2026
Disney history books tend to be hit or miss. Some books have new information for devoted Disney history fans that they might have not even known/come across yet and some contain very basic general Disney knowledge. I am very pleased to say that this book falls into the former category. While I wouldn’t consider myself to be the most knowledgeable of Disney history, I would say that I am probably more knowledgeable than most with it being a special interest of mine. It can be hard sometimes to find books that provide new and interesting information on the subject or information that isn’t just regurgitated from other books of a similar Nature. This one sat on my shelf for a while and after randomly picking it up one day, I was very pleased to discover that it was a very thoughtful and well written book. The book really lets you get to know Walt Disney, especially in the lens of him creating the park and creating the experiences within it.
June 4, 2023
A good blend of storytelling text and photographic/visual guidance of Disneyland's various lands/areas and their history.
It's structured as a history, but the text isn't dry, because Walt's colorful quotes help drive the story forward, around humans.
Here are my ten favorite quotes from the book:
"Walt wanted his guests to participate in the show: 'In a sense, Disneyland is a stage -- a most unusual stage. Members of the Disneyland audience, unlike the audience at a motion picture or Broadway show, do not simply look on. They participate in the drama, adventures, or comedy. They walk onto the stage. They move through the sets. They touch the props." (24)
"'Bill, people aren't soldiers!' Walt instructed Imagineer Bill Martin. 'They don't turn in at sharp angles! Curve the sidewalks! Make the corners round!'"(31)
"I know more adults who have the children's approach to life... They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought--sometimes it isn't much, either." (48)
"[Walt] paid little attention to merchandising but he insisted on two things: all articles must be authentic to the period; and products had to be of good quality." (59)
"But that distance is measured not in steps or in hours; it is measured in personal experiences." (64)
"'He loved the little animals,' Herb Ryman adds, 'the little horses, ponies, and mules--they were really the first employees at Disneyland." (84)
"Walt wanted to do what he liked, but he wanted people to be happy...
...An Audio-Animatronics vulture was mounted on the wall. Microphones were hidden in the chandeliers, placed there with Walt's playful intention to interact with his guests.
The idea was basic magic: a cast member would be in the adjacent room, listening to the conversation and responding as the voice of the vulture.
For instance, someone might say, 'I wonder what I should have for lunch.' And the vulture would answer, 'Have the tomato soup!'" (110)
On the Haunted Mansion: "But we are out collecting the ghosts. We're going to bring ghosts from all over the world. And we are making it very attractive to 'em, hoping, you know, they'll want to come and stay at Disneyland, so we're putting in wall-to-wall cobwebs and we guarantee 'em creaky doors and creaky floors." (113)
"Walt has always felt that--he always had us feel that there was a magic in caring for other humans. Caring for the whole human condition. Walt was one and Roy, too, believed in good conquering evil." (117)
"Look, the thing that's going to make Disneyland unique and different is the detail. If we lose the detail, we lose it all." (123)
"I think it's characteristic of Walt that rather than have somebody else take that trip down and then give a report, he himself insisted upon going down with me." (127)
"The ideas of Walt Disney himself continually bubbled as he spent more time at the site, and one had to be ready at a moment's notice to adjust, change, add, or subtract some element... I doubt if this procedure could have been followed successfully on any other project on earth; but this was Disneyland, a sort of Fairyland, and Walt's belief that the impossible was a simple order of the day so instilled this spirit in everyone that they never stopped to think it couldn't be done--they just did it, and with amazing speed." (129)
"No use talking about the future unless you build it. Someday, there'll be PeopleMovers like this around every city, and in every airport. Move more people efficiently. Leave cars behind." (137)
If I had any complaint about the book, it would be the overglorification of Walt Disney the leader, and not enough about the struggles and difficulties he faced motivating such a large horde of workers and partners to get the lands built. There is mention of challenges here and there, but nothing convincingly real of the sort that you might apply to a real-life project in today's day and age.
Still an enjoyable read nevertheless!
It's structured as a history, but the text isn't dry, because Walt's colorful quotes help drive the story forward, around humans.
Here are my ten favorite quotes from the book:
"Walt wanted his guests to participate in the show: 'In a sense, Disneyland is a stage -- a most unusual stage. Members of the Disneyland audience, unlike the audience at a motion picture or Broadway show, do not simply look on. They participate in the drama, adventures, or comedy. They walk onto the stage. They move through the sets. They touch the props." (24)
"'Bill, people aren't soldiers!' Walt instructed Imagineer Bill Martin. 'They don't turn in at sharp angles! Curve the sidewalks! Make the corners round!'"(31)
"I know more adults who have the children's approach to life... They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought--sometimes it isn't much, either." (48)
"[Walt] paid little attention to merchandising but he insisted on two things: all articles must be authentic to the period; and products had to be of good quality." (59)
"But that distance is measured not in steps or in hours; it is measured in personal experiences." (64)
"'He loved the little animals,' Herb Ryman adds, 'the little horses, ponies, and mules--they were really the first employees at Disneyland." (84)
"Walt wanted to do what he liked, but he wanted people to be happy...
...An Audio-Animatronics vulture was mounted on the wall. Microphones were hidden in the chandeliers, placed there with Walt's playful intention to interact with his guests.
The idea was basic magic: a cast member would be in the adjacent room, listening to the conversation and responding as the voice of the vulture.
For instance, someone might say, 'I wonder what I should have for lunch.' And the vulture would answer, 'Have the tomato soup!'" (110)
On the Haunted Mansion: "But we are out collecting the ghosts. We're going to bring ghosts from all over the world. And we are making it very attractive to 'em, hoping, you know, they'll want to come and stay at Disneyland, so we're putting in wall-to-wall cobwebs and we guarantee 'em creaky doors and creaky floors." (113)
"Walt has always felt that--he always had us feel that there was a magic in caring for other humans. Caring for the whole human condition. Walt was one and Roy, too, believed in good conquering evil." (117)
"Look, the thing that's going to make Disneyland unique and different is the detail. If we lose the detail, we lose it all." (123)
"I think it's characteristic of Walt that rather than have somebody else take that trip down and then give a report, he himself insisted upon going down with me." (127)
"The ideas of Walt Disney himself continually bubbled as he spent more time at the site, and one had to be ready at a moment's notice to adjust, change, add, or subtract some element... I doubt if this procedure could have been followed successfully on any other project on earth; but this was Disneyland, a sort of Fairyland, and Walt's belief that the impossible was a simple order of the day so instilled this spirit in everyone that they never stopped to think it couldn't be done--they just did it, and with amazing speed." (129)
"No use talking about the future unless you build it. Someday, there'll be PeopleMovers like this around every city, and in every airport. Move more people efficiently. Leave cars behind." (137)
If I had any complaint about the book, it would be the overglorification of Walt Disney the leader, and not enough about the struggles and difficulties he faced motivating such a large horde of workers and partners to get the lands built. There is mention of challenges here and there, but nothing convincingly real of the sort that you might apply to a real-life project in today's day and age.
Still an enjoyable read nevertheless!
February 22, 2022
As Disneyland fans will happily remind you, Disneyland was the only Disney theme park where Walt walked when it was open to the public. Even now, more than 55 years after Walt’s death, the Park still has many attractions and other spots that Walt played a part in creating or that were added as tributes to him - provided you know where to look.
Enter Marcy Carriker Smothers. About 5 years ago, Marcy wrote “Eat Like Walt”, a book about Walt’s favorite culinary delights; the book contained a section on the various places at Disneyland where Walt could (and in many cases, did) have something to eat. In her latest book, Marcy goes beyond discussing food to create a guide to finding those places in the Park where Walt played a part in making his dream a reality.
Marcy’s book breaks down the book into a brief pre-history of Disneyland, from the famous “lost weekend” with Herb Ryman to opening day, followed by a visit to each of the lands that existed in Walt’s lifetime, using quotes from Walt and people who knew and worked with him to explain his involvement with each of the places in the Park mentioned. In the cases of locations that have been changed since Walt’s time, Marcy notes the name changes that have occurred, so you can at least find the places referenced if not the actual attraction or item. The book also includes a section with brief biographies on some of the folks who worked with Walt (and who are quoted in the book), as well as fun extras like a list of the reasons Walt was given by other amusement park operators as to why his plans for Disneyland wouldn’t work.
“Walt’s Disneyland” is a fun and quick read, beautifully illustrated with many photos of Walt and his associates at the Park (with the bonus that many of those folks are identified in the photos). Marcy’s writing style is deliberately casual, coming across almost as if you were walking around with the folks quoted as they shared their memories with you; however, there are lots of references in the back of the book in case you’d like to go back to the original sources of the quotes to learn more.
I really enjoyed “Walt’s Disneyland”. I like to think that I’ve learned a lot about the Park over the years, but I learned some things about the Park that I didn’t know from Marcy’s book. I also like that the book includes many quotes from Walt’s wife Lillian and his daughter Diane - it’s nice to hear a little of their perspective on Walt.
I know some reviews of the book have complained about it being a soft-cover, but given that Marcy’s hoping you’ll bring the book with you to go to the Park and see what she wrote about for yourself, the choice makes sense to me. This would be a great book to bring along if you want to skip the attraction queues for a day and take your own walk in Walt’s footsteps! Highly recommended!
Enter Marcy Carriker Smothers. About 5 years ago, Marcy wrote “Eat Like Walt”, a book about Walt’s favorite culinary delights; the book contained a section on the various places at Disneyland where Walt could (and in many cases, did) have something to eat. In her latest book, Marcy goes beyond discussing food to create a guide to finding those places in the Park where Walt played a part in making his dream a reality.
Marcy’s book breaks down the book into a brief pre-history of Disneyland, from the famous “lost weekend” with Herb Ryman to opening day, followed by a visit to each of the lands that existed in Walt’s lifetime, using quotes from Walt and people who knew and worked with him to explain his involvement with each of the places in the Park mentioned. In the cases of locations that have been changed since Walt’s time, Marcy notes the name changes that have occurred, so you can at least find the places referenced if not the actual attraction or item. The book also includes a section with brief biographies on some of the folks who worked with Walt (and who are quoted in the book), as well as fun extras like a list of the reasons Walt was given by other amusement park operators as to why his plans for Disneyland wouldn’t work.
“Walt’s Disneyland” is a fun and quick read, beautifully illustrated with many photos of Walt and his associates at the Park (with the bonus that many of those folks are identified in the photos). Marcy’s writing style is deliberately casual, coming across almost as if you were walking around with the folks quoted as they shared their memories with you; however, there are lots of references in the back of the book in case you’d like to go back to the original sources of the quotes to learn more.
I really enjoyed “Walt’s Disneyland”. I like to think that I’ve learned a lot about the Park over the years, but I learned some things about the Park that I didn’t know from Marcy’s book. I also like that the book includes many quotes from Walt’s wife Lillian and his daughter Diane - it’s nice to hear a little of their perspective on Walt.
I know some reviews of the book have complained about it being a soft-cover, but given that Marcy’s hoping you’ll bring the book with you to go to the Park and see what she wrote about for yourself, the choice makes sense to me. This would be a great book to bring along if you want to skip the attraction queues for a day and take your own walk in Walt’s footsteps! Highly recommended!
June 13, 2023
This book made me want to return to Disneyland! I should begin by saying that I am in no way an expert on Walt Disney or Disneyland and as such cannot comment on the accuracy of this book. However, it did seem well researched from a bookworm’s perspective. There are thirteen (or so) pages of Endnotes which cite the source the author used to collect quotes and images. She thanks a Librarian for helping her compile these sources, as well as employees of the Walt Disney Archives and multiple Disney themed museums. Her sources seem trustworthy.
The book focused on Walt Disney and his vision, creation, contributions, and love of Disneyland. The man had a serious passion and he went for it. Many people dream, but he took his dream and made it a reality, which is incredibly impressive. He cared down to the most minute detail and was a perfectionist to the core. He believed everyone was a child at heart and didn’t believe himself to be more important than his guests. All the quotes and stories featured bring his childlike sense of wonder and attention to detail to life and make you feel as if you knew him. He was proud of his creation until the day he died. His employees were so loyal that they continued to carry on his vision and legacy for years afterwards. It’s inspiring, really.
Overall, the book covers about twenty years. From 1953, when Walt started to turn his dream into reality, until several years after his death, as his Imagineers were still working on plans he had created within his lifetime. It focuses heavily on the attractions in the park, and the man himself in relation to it. There are many pictures of Walt within the park, with various guests, employees, characters, attractions, and happy park-goers. I quite enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to any dedicated Disney fans or even potential future park visitors who are curious about how the park was when it opened. 3.75/5 June 12 2023
The book focused on Walt Disney and his vision, creation, contributions, and love of Disneyland. The man had a serious passion and he went for it. Many people dream, but he took his dream and made it a reality, which is incredibly impressive. He cared down to the most minute detail and was a perfectionist to the core. He believed everyone was a child at heart and didn’t believe himself to be more important than his guests. All the quotes and stories featured bring his childlike sense of wonder and attention to detail to life and make you feel as if you knew him. He was proud of his creation until the day he died. His employees were so loyal that they continued to carry on his vision and legacy for years afterwards. It’s inspiring, really.
Overall, the book covers about twenty years. From 1953, when Walt started to turn his dream into reality, until several years after his death, as his Imagineers were still working on plans he had created within his lifetime. It focuses heavily on the attractions in the park, and the man himself in relation to it. There are many pictures of Walt within the park, with various guests, employees, characters, attractions, and happy park-goers. I quite enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to any dedicated Disney fans or even potential future park visitors who are curious about how the park was when it opened. 3.75/5 June 12 2023
February 7, 2022
I found out about this book when my local newspaper reported that a local author had access to many previously unpublished photos of Walt Disney and the creation of the original Disneyland Magic Kingdom, which opened in 1955. The book basically is framed as a tour of the park as it was in the first decade of its existence, guiding us to those attractions and other features that most interested the author because of its history or ways it illuminates how Walt envisioned the park.
One shouldn't read this book to obtain a definitive biography of Walt Disney. The author clearly loves him and what he and the park represent, which for her is for a time and place where one could leave the troubles of the world and simply have fun, hopefully with family and loved ones, and consider an idealistic world of what could be.
You won't get any information about the controversies surrounding him or his company, and none critical of the park itself. However, it is filled with wonderful photos and quotes from his associates, almost universally praising his vision, childlike wonder, creativity and passion for perfection, cleanliness and wholesomeness.
Recommended to those who love visiting Disney parks and want to imagine walking the park with Walt.
One shouldn't read this book to obtain a definitive biography of Walt Disney. The author clearly loves him and what he and the park represent, which for her is for a time and place where one could leave the troubles of the world and simply have fun, hopefully with family and loved ones, and consider an idealistic world of what could be.
You won't get any information about the controversies surrounding him or his company, and none critical of the park itself. However, it is filled with wonderful photos and quotes from his associates, almost universally praising his vision, childlike wonder, creativity and passion for perfection, cleanliness and wholesomeness.
Recommended to those who love visiting Disney parks and want to imagine walking the park with Walt.
November 25, 2023
If you're looking for a comprehensive overview of what went into creating Disneyland, this is not the book for you. I recommend Disney's Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World for that. However, I think this book is imagined to be like a tour of Disneyland as it was when Walt was still alive. As a "tour guide", Smothers provides interesting facts, but doesn't delve into the blood, sweat, and tears that it took to make the park. That said, it doesn't make it a lesser history. I think if this is the kind of thing you're looking for, it's great. The book is designed beautifully and it does have one thing up on other more history-focused works: pictures. Every single page of this book has a picture on it and every single picture has a description. That was probably the best thing about the book.
September 8, 2023
This is a sweet book with excellent pictures that is perfect for anyone who wants a light glimpse into the inspiration behind all the details in Disneyland. It literally does as the subtitle suggests and behaves as though you're walking through the park, section by section. Although it does go a little heavy on how amazing Walt was in every way (there is one spot, on page 106, in the caption to a photo where it quotes someone as saying "Walt was not easy to work for, but he was wonderful to work with" that stuck out to me like it may as well have been bolded because it was the closest thing to a criticism I'd seen so far) if you don't mind a bit of hagiography, it's still super interesting because he was such a detail-oriented creator. I definitely thing people who have gone to Disneyland and have any interest in its history would enjoy it. I received it as a present on my first visit to the park and it was really fun to read when I got home and still had it all fresh in my head.
February 19, 2022
I’m glad there is now a dedicated book to what Disneyland was like during Walt’s lifetime. I’ve read or heard of these attractions before, but often it’s followed by what the attraction was replaced with. I feel like I had a clearer picture of Disneyland from 1955-1966 without the distractions of comparing it to today. I also appreciated Smothers’ dedication to only using first hand accounts of Walt and Disneyland from the time. I’ve read a lot of Disney history and I was happy to find new stories and quotes I hadn’t read before. I was happy to learn several new things. The book is colorful and the text is well dispersed around the images. I liked the pace and that she moved around the park clockwise. The book is full of history without reading like a textbook. My only critique would be the font size was small. I definitely recommend this book to any Disney fan.
April 16, 2023
I took my time with this one, reading it in small bits and savoring the stories and quotes from people who worked with and knew Walt personally. Marcy takes through Disneyland from the concept stage through completion, noting the changes throughout the years and how long each attraction lasted. Organized from outside the park, up Main Street, and around the park, land by land, attraction by attraction, we learn more about Walt's direct involvement with every part of his park. Highly recommended for Disney history nerds.
April 17, 2023
This book is the perfect addition to the library of any Disney--especially those with a soft spot in their heart for Walt himself and his original Magic Kingdom. The special part about this book is that all pictures were taken during Walt's lifetime and often with Walt himself. And All of the stories and testimonials are taken from people who were one degree of separation from the man himself. I highly recommend this book; as a Disney lover myself, I found myself smiling on my lunch breaks and crying as well as I relive memories from this magical place.
April 18, 2022
From his dream, through the construction and opening, to his last day in the park, this is the story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland. Filled with pictures from the early days—1955 to 1960s—this book is full of interesting facts about the park, and how Walt made it a reality. Even you are a Disney nut, you’ll learn something from this work. The author is from my hometown, which is how I found the book—there was a write-up on her in the local paper. Well done, Marcy Smothers!
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February 21, 2022Book of the Mouse Club Podcast - February Selection. Received this as a Christmas gift from my wonderful co-host, Emily. This was a very easy read with a lot of unique photographs I had never seen before. Aside from the photos, there wasn't too much new information for me, but I liked the concept and layout. I would recommend it for any theme park fan to add to their personal collection.
June 15, 2024
What a charming book! I loved the variety of stories, photos, and other artifacts from the creation of Disneyland to Walt's death in 1966. While certainly not nearly in-depth as any of the biographies, I particularly loved the stories of Walt engaging with guests and staff (sometimes in disguise!) and the intention behind the design of the park to make it an immersive, engaging experience.
January 16, 2022
A must read for any Disney fan! Deeply researched with amazing photos. Another fantastic book from Marcy Carriker Smothers. I plan to skim through prior to my next Disneyland trip to create a list of things to go spot that I’ve never paid attention to before.
February 23, 2022
A wonderful walk in the park with Walt Disney! I loved reading about the different areas no longer in existence and about Walt Disney himself and what he imagined. I love anything Disney so this was a treat!
June 30, 2023
I enjoyed the photos.
Could this have been a good book….sure but whoever published this book saved on font size.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
Could this have been a good book….sure but whoever published this book saved on font size.
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
December 13, 2021
This book is so enlightening and moving - I can’t rate it high enough! Pure joy.
February 26, 2022
A fun, nostalgic read for any Disney lover. The first-hand accounts and photos really made me feel like I was there, with Walt in his Magic Kingdom.
April 29, 2022
If you are a fan of Walt Disney or Disneyland you will love this book. So many wonderful pictures, quotes and stories.
January 6, 2023
Excellent book on the history of Walt Disney and Disneyland .. This book is full of pictures which I enjoyed .
February 7, 2023
Must read/have for every Disney (parks) fan out there. An educative book on the history of Disneyland, including many photographs.
June 15, 2023
A wonderful book, with many good photos on how Disneyland was during the time that Walt Disney was still alive.
September 4, 2023
What a great history of the planning and building of Disneyland!
September 6, 2023
A beautiful, emotional, inspiring look at the man behind the park and the park itself.
January 17, 2024
I loved everything about this book! It is filled with stories, photos, and interesting facts—the perfect read for a Disney fan.
April 13, 2024
Vert interesting story of the history of Disneyland.
February 7, 2022
Interesting history of Walt’s era. Far from complete, but a compelling read with some amazing photos.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews