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The 10 Best Books on Walt Disney

Essential books on walt disney.

There are numerous books on Walt Disney, and it comes with good reason, he was an American animator, film producer, and entrepreneur. As a pioneer of the animation industry, Disney introduced several developments in the production of cartoons, and as a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned and nominations by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations.

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me…You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you,” he remarked.

In order to get to the bottom of what inspired one of history’s most consequential figures, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best books on Walt Disney.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler

Walt Disney was a true visionary whose desire for escape, iron determination, and obsessive perfectionism transformed animation from a novelty to an art form, first with Mickey Mouse and then with his feature films – most notably Snow White, Fantasia,  and  Bambi . In his superb biography, Neal Gabler shows us how, over the course of two decades, Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry. In a way that was unprecedented and later widely imitated, he built a synergistic empire that combined film, television, theme parks, music, book publishing, and merchandise. Walt Disney is a revelation of both the work and the man – of both the remarkable accomplishment and the hidden life.

Disney’s Land by Richard Snow

One day in the early 1950s, Walt Disney stood looking over 240 acres of farmland in Anaheim, California, and imagined building a park where people “could live among Mickey Mouse and Snow White in a world still powered by steam and fire for a day or a week or (if the visitor is slightly mad) forever.” Despite his wealth and fame, exactly no one wanted Disney to build such a park. Not his brother Roy, who ran the company’s finances; not the bankers; and not his wife, Lillian. Amusement parks at that time, such as Coney Island, were a generally despised business, sagging and sordid remnants of bygone days. Disney was told that he would only be heading toward financial ruin.

But Walt persevered, initially financing the park against his own life insurance policy and later with sponsorship from ABC and the sale of thousands and thousands of Davy Crockett coonskin caps. Disney assembled a talented team of engineers, architects, artists, animators, landscapers, and even a retired admiral to transform his ideas into a soaring yet soothing wonderland of a park. The catch was that they had only a year and a day in which to build it.

On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates…and the first day was a disaster. Disney was nearly suicidal with grief that he had failed on a grand scale. But the curious masses kept coming, and the rest is entertainment history. Eight hundred million visitors have flocked to the park since then.

Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas

Walt Disney is an American hero. From Mickey Mouse to Disneyland, he changed the face of American culture. His is a success story like no other: a man who developed animated film into an art form and made a massive contribution to the folklore of the world.

After years of research, respected Hollywood biographer Bob Thomas produced a definitive biography of the man behind the legend of Disney: the unschooled cartoonist from Kansas City who when bankrupt on his first movie venture and developed into the genius who produced unmatched works of animation, and ultimately was the creative spirit of an international entertainment empire that has enchanted generations.

Buying Disney’s World by Aaron H. Goldberg

In November of 1965, after numerous months of speculation surrounding a mystery industry that had been purchasing large amounts of land in central Florida, Walt Disney finally put an end to the rumors. He announced to the public his grandiose plans for the thousands of acres he had secretly purchased.

For the eighteen months prior to the announcement, Walt entrusted a small group of men to covertly make these purchases. Next, they were tasked with drafting a legislative act to submit to the state of Florida that would allow Disney to wield nearly absolute legal control over the property under a quasi-government municipality.

As told through the personal notes and files from the key figures involved in the project,  Buying Disney’s World details the story of how Walt Disney World came to be, like you’ve never heard before.

From conception to construction and everything in between – including how a parcel of land within Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort was acquired during a high-stakes poker game – explore how the company most famous for creating Mickey Mouse acquired central Florida’s swamps, orange groves, and cow pastures to build a Disney fiefdom and a Magic Kingdom.

The Imagineering Story by Leslie Iwerks

The highly acclaimed and rated Disney+ documentary series, The Imagineering Story , becomes a book that greatly expands the award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks’ narrative of the fascinating history of Walt Disney Imagineering. The entire legacy of WDI is covered from day one through future projects with never-before-seen access and insights from people both on the inside and on the outside.

So many stories and details were left on the cutting room floor – this book allows an expanded exploration of the magic of Imagineering. So many insider stories are featured. Sculptor Blaine Gibson’s wife used to kick him under the table at restaurants for staring at interesting-looking people seated nearby, and he’d even find himself studying faces during Sunday morning worship.

“You mean some of these characters might have features that are based on people you went to church with?” Marty Sklar once asked Gibson of the Imagineer’s sculpts for Pirates of the Caribbean. “He finally admitted to me that that was true.”

Walt’s Disneyland by Marcy Smothers

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.

Walt’s Apprentice by Dick Nunis

Walt’s Apprentice: Keeping the Disney Dream Alive is the memoir of Disney Legend Dick Nunis. It is a warm personal reminiscence of learning directly from Walt Disney for 12 years, followed by more than 30 years devoted to championing his vision and standards as the Disney empire grew.

The story covers Disney’s highlights, including the 1960 Winter Olympics, 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, and the development and opening of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.

Unlike other Disney books, this story is told from the perspective of operations rather than Imagineering. It touches on decisions that defined the guest experience and Disney’s reputation for quality in areas ranging from capacity and people-moving, training, delivering a consistent “good show,” food service, and more.

The Disney Story by Aaron H. Goldberg

Welcome to  The Disney Story , this gem among books on Walt Disney provides a decade-by-decade account of the man, the mouse, and the theme parks. From Mickey Mouse’s debut at the Colony Theatre in November 1928 to the opening of Shanghai Disneyland in 2016 – and everything in between.

The Walt Disney Film Archives by Daniel Kothenschulte

One of the most creative minds of the 20th century, Walt Disney created a unique and unrivaled imaginative universe. Like scarcely any other classics of cinema, his astonishing collection of animated cartoons revolutionized storytelling on screen and enchant to this day across geographies and generations.

This expansively illustrated publication on Disney animation gathers hundreds of images as well as essays by Disney experts, taking us to the beating heart of the studio’s “Golden Age of Animation.” We trace Disney’s complete animation journey from the silent film era, through his first full-length feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Fantasia (1940), right up to his last masterpieces Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) and The Jungle Book (1967).

With extensive research conducted through the historical collections of the Walt Disney Company, as well as private collections, editor Daniel Kothenschulte curates some of the most precious concept paintings and storyboards to reveal just how these animation triumphs came to life. Masterful cel setups provide highly detailed illustrations of famous film scenes while rare pictures taken by Disney photographers bring a privileged insider’s view to the studio’s creative process.

The Gospel According to Disney by Mark I. Pinsky

Religion journalist Mark Pinsky explores the role that the animated features of Walt Disney played on the moral and spiritual development of generations of children. Pinsky explores thirty-one of the most popular Disney films, as well as recent developments such as the 1990s boycott of Disney by the Southern Baptist Convention and the role that Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg played in the resurgence of the company since the mid-1980s.

The Walt Disney World that Never Was by Christopher E. Smith

On an alternate earth, Walt Disney World guests are taking in the thrills of Thunder Mesa, braving the Beastly Kingdom, marveling at Villains Mountain, and staying the night at Disney’s Persian Resort. Want to join them? This is your guidebook to the theme park that Disney never built.

In this unique, extensively researched book, Christopher Smith discusses the many attractions, shows, and resorts that were planned for Walt Disney World, from opening day to the present day, but that exist only in the minds of Imagineers.

You’ll find old “favorites” such as Thunder Mesa and Beastly Kingdom, as well as those lost to the pixie dust of time, like Dick Tracy’s Crime Stoppers, the Enchanted Snow Palace, and Buffalo Junction. Smith looks at the politics and internal struggles behind the decision to shelve each concept, and imagines what guests might have experienced.

If you enjoyed this guide to essential books on Walt Disney, check out our list of The 5 Best Books on Steven Spielberg !

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The Best Walt Disney Biographies

June 25, 2008 by Wade Sampson

    I recently added to my Walt Disney biography collection with an autographed copy of the just-released paperback edition of The Animated Man:  A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier. It’s a bargain for less than $15 at Amazon ( link ).

Barrier has always been one of my heroes and was the inspiration for me to start writing articles on animation history many decades ago when his legendary Funnyworld magazine was being published.  The paperback edition is a special treat because he has made corrections and additions to the previously published hardback edition (that is also in my permanent library).

However, there weren’t that many corrections and additions to be made because Barrier has a reputation for accuracy.  Despite the hype surrounding other recent Disney biographies, some folks forget that Barrier began his interviews and research in 1969, almost 40 years ago, and had full access to the Disney Archives, as well as to people who worked with Walt who had long since passed on to their great reward when others decided to begin work on their Walt biographies.

However, readers need to be warned that Barrier has a well-deserved reputation for being highly opinionated and those opinions are sprinkled throughout the text along with never-before revealed information.  Also, Barrier most interested in Walt’s work in animation (hence the title of the book) so those wanting fresh insights into Disneyland or other projects that fascinated Walt may be disappointed that they are not given greater attention.

If you are a fan of Walt Disney and want information that you know you can trust, then I definitely recommend you add this book to your collection and visit Mike’s always fascinating Web site at MichaelBarrier.com ( link ), where he continues to unearth treasures of Disney history. This recommendation comes from a guy who has dozens of Walt Disney biographies in his personal library from foreign editions to unpublished versions (and trust me, they deserve to be unpublished) to children’s biographies.

There are two other Walt biographies that you will also want to make sure you have in your library.  In 1955, Saturday Evening Post magazine approached Walt about telling the story of his life in a series of installments that would be “told to” staff writer Pete Martin who had done the same type of thing with other celebrities from Bing Crosby to Arthur Godfrey.

Walt wasn’t interested but realized that it would be a way to help his daughter Diane and her husband Ron Miller get enough money to buy a house if the series was formatted as if his daughter was telling the story of her dad’s life.

“Throughout that summer, Pete, Dad and I met in a poolside room at my parents’ home,”  Diane Disney Miller.  “Dad told the story of his life, occasionally interrupted by Pete, and Pete got it all on tape.  Although my father had given many interviews and was always willing and eager to talk about his life, this exercise presented an opportunity for him to offer the whole narrative—a story he loved to tell.  I was at times spellbound.  It was a precious experience for me and we did, eventually, buy our first home.”

Beginning with the November 17, 1956 edition, the “Saturday Evening Post” began an eight-part series titled My Dad, Walt Disney by Diane Disney Miller as told to Pete Martin.  She gives Martin full credit for shaping that raw interview material into such an entertaining series that with some editing it was issued by Henry Holt and Company in 1957 as the first book biography of Walt titled The Story of Walt Disney by Diane Disney Miller. 

For $5 you could buy a copy at Disneyland in the mid-1950s autographed by both Walt and Diane. (I also have the British and German editions in my library since they have different photos or photos cropped differently and a copy of the 1959 DELL paperback reprint.) 

Fortunately, for the 50th anniversary of Disneyland in 2005, Disney Editions released a reprint (ISBN 0-7868-5562-2) that unfortunately was not well publicized and appears to have gone quickly out of print.  Try to locate a copy because it also includes End Notes by Dave Smith of the Disney Archives that corrects and enlarges on some of the information since Martin took Walt’s information at face value and Walt was not always correct on titles or chronology.

The original edition of The Story of Walt Disney was out of print by the 1960s and the Disney Company decided that, with Walt’s death, there was a need for an official updated biography, especially since an “unofficial” and often critical biography titled The Disney Version by entertainment writer Richard Schickel appeared in 1968.

Card Walker, then president of the Disney Company, encountered Associated Press entertainment writer Bob Thomas at a UCLA cocktail party where the two men had gone to school and realized that Thomas was the perfect person for the job.

In 1973, Thomas was invited to lunch with a few Disney executives at the Disney Studio. They told him that two other writers had tried their hand at writing the official biography but both of the attempts had proven unsatisfactory.   

Walker represented the Studio and Ron Miller, who was then vice president of production, represented the Disney family and told Thomas that “You will have complete freedom to write Walt’s story as you see it.”  (Out of respect for the family in the final draft, Thomas left out the fact that Sharon Disney was adopted although that information now appears in the current edition.)

At the time, Thomas had written biographies of entertainment figures like Harry Cohn, David O. Selznick, and Walter Winchell.  However, this was the first time that Thomas would have full access to family members, letters, and official documents as well as others who might have refused to be interviewed if it were not an officially sanctioned project.

In the late 1950s, Thomas had written The Art of Animation book under Walt’s supervision to promote the upcoming film, “Sleeping Beauty.”  It was the first book to identify and showcase a picture of the famous Nine Old Men, as well as giving credit to a number of other Disney artists who had worked in obscurity for decades.   This original edition is much treasured by both animators and Disney historians. Later, revised editions in the 1990s are missing much of the fascinating technical information and illustrations of the original edition as well as the detailed information on “Sleeping Beauty.”

In 1965, Thomas was approached by a publisher who wanted a biography of Walt Disney geared for children.  While Thomas felt he would have to write the book based on file material, he soon discovered that Walt despite being busy with numerous projects was excited to participate and allowed Thomas to interview him at length four times during the writing of the book. 

“He seemed eager to sum up the lessons he had learned as a boy and tell young people how he applied them in his later life,” Thomas remembered in later years.

The book Walt Disney: Magician of the Movies was released in 1966 from Grosset and Dunlap as part of its “Pioneer Books” series of children’s biographies.   It was the first children’s biography of Walt and the first new biography of Walt in a decade.

For the biography that the Disney Studio wanted done, Thomas insisted on being a free agent and requested that his book not be labeled an official company biography. 

For An American Original , Thomas called upon his own acquaintance with Walt.  Walt had driven Thomas in a car through the ditches that would become Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise while Walt described what would be happening along the banks.  Thomas remembers being enthralled with Walt’s vision.   He also had the many interviews he had done with Walt over the years, including the four for the children’s biography.

In addition, he pulled from the Pete Martin interviews, as well as new interviews with people who had known Walt personally including Walt’s nurse, Hazel George, who had been a confidante of Walt’s. 

Sadly, for those of us who would like to study those interviews for greater insight into Walt, only about 15 of those interviews were ever recorded and transcribed.  Thomas only took reporter notes on many of the others who he talked with about Walt.  Fortunately, the interviews that survive will be reprinted in upcoming editions of the “Walt’s People” book series.  In addition, Thomas used notes from story conferences and organizational meetings for reference.

“Garson Kanin once told me that all my books deal with power. Thalberg, Cohn, Selznick, Hughes—all had tremendous power of a kind that is virtually nonexistent today.  Disney, too.  Some see him as a political conservative, some see him as a benefactor of mankind, some as a benevolent despot, some as the tyrant of the studio.  The truth is somewhere in between as it most often is,” said Thomas when the book was first published in 1976.

“Each life is different; each subject requires a different approach,” he said. “Cohn—his life was outrageous.  I had to use an almost documentary approach.  His audacity had to be offset by a more straightforward view.  Thalberg was not as exciting, but the dynastic elements of his family intrigued me.  With Walt, his daughter Diane told me that he once said he pitied his biographers because he had lived such a dull life.  I found myself going into the creative aspects of his life to try to explain where his creativity came from, how it worked.”

In some ways, Thomas’s book was a response to Richard Schickel’s book The Disney Version .

“I wanted to do an independent, objective book.  I don’t consider it an assault.  In many respects, I gave Disney high marks.  In any event, it is always good to have a second biography,” stated Schickel when Thomas’ book was released.

Maintaining a demanding schedule of writing four articles and two columns a week for the Associated Press, Thomas wrote the Walt biography on weekends and vacations.  Instead of working with index files as he had done when compiling his previous books, he adopted the same method of storyboarding material that Walt himself used for animated cartoons.  Thomas wrote three drafts and that was unusual compared to his previous books.

Author Ray Bradbury reviewed Thomas’s book for the Los Angeles Times in January 1977:

“And here’s a new book by Bob Thomas which tries to explain the mystery of a man who looked like a Kiwanis chairman, who became Charlemagne and Merlin and St. George, who killed a dragon to make it live forever.  I don’t, of course, for a moment believe that Uncle Walt can be explained.  Bob Thomas makes the best weather report he can on a man whose ups and downs would drive a billion barometers paranoid. 

“Thomas knew Disney when he was alive, has written two other books on Walt  and his arts and ideas, and this time out has talked with members of the Disney family as well as most of the animators, producers, directors and personal secretarial staff out at the studio.  The result is a calm and complete analysis of a free spirit who failed again and again and again in order to succeed.

It’s all here in Bob Thomas’s book.  The bouquets and the bombs…..If I have any carps at all it is simply that Bob Thomas’ book isn’t long enough, especially in those sections which describe the idea confetti tossing at WED and the resultant fallout into architecture and joys at Disneyland and Disney World.”

Decades later in 1998, Thomas wrote a companion book from Roy O. Disney’s perspective:  Building a Company:  Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire .  I don’t feel it as a strong a book and I don’t feel it gives as much insight into the underrated Roy as I wanted.

I think the fact that Bob Thomas’ biography of Walt has remained in print for more than 30 years is an even better recommendation than I could ever give it.   It is the first Disney biography I suggest to people who want to know more about Walt.   If you are interested in other biographies about Walt or just books about Disney history or Disney animation, then you should be frequently visiting Didier Ghez’s outstanding Ulitmate Disney Book Network Web site ( link ).

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The Best Books About Walt Disney

If you're looking for the best books about Walt Disney, look no further! This list has everything from biographies to behind-the-scenes looks at his life and work.

Do you love Walt Disney? Then you need to read these books about the man behind the magic.

These fascinating reads offer insights and stories that are sure to entertain and educate. Whether you're looking for a biography or a coffee table book, I've got you covered.

Keep reading to learn more about the best books about Walt Disney! I know you'll love them just as much as I do.

How I Choose

You want to read a good book about Walt Disney, but there are so many to choose from.

It can be hard to determine which book is the best one to read about Walt Disney. There are so many books on the topic, and it's hard to know which one will be the most informative and enjoyable.

I've done the work for you and picked out the five best books about Walt Disney based on reviews from readers like you. These books offer a variety of perspectives on Walt Disney's life and legacy and will keep you entertained while you learn.

I Am Walt Disney

Why i love it.

I am Walt Disney by Brad Meltzer is a biography of the man who created the Disney character and the world of theme parks and movies. The book begins with Walt as a young boy living in Marceline, Missouri. Using colorful illustrations by Christopher Eliopoulos, this book takes readers on Walt's life journey, from his early years to his early successes. Throughout the story, readers will learn more about Walt's determination and his love of cartoons and movies.

A Disney fan will enjoy the Easter eggs in this book. Hidden Mickeys are everywhere. In-jokes about Meltzer's own family are sprinkled throughout. There are references to other Disney properties throughout the book, including the famous Disneyland Hotel. And if you have a child who loves Disney, you will enjoy the book's celebration of the Walt Disney brand and all that it stands for.

This book will make you want to celebrate the man behind the iconic Disney character! The book contains a timeline of events throughout the life of the character, photos, and comic-book-style illustrations. It also highlights childhood moments that shaped the hero. There are plenty of fun facts and virtues about the hero, as well as the people who helped him become what he is today.

What You Should Know

This biography is written in a condensed manner and skips a lot of material. It spends about a third of its pages on Disney's life before he came to fame. There are many anecdotes and stories about his early days as an animator, from delivering newspapers to his life in Kansas City. While Oswald is not mentioned in the book, the author does briefly touch on his early years and how he came to be associated with Disney and his animated features.

As with all Disney bios, this one is not a dry read. It's full of colorful illustrations, which capture the essence of Walt's early years. While he struggled to make a living in his early days, his love of animated movies and creativity led him to eventually become the man who made the Disney empire possible. I am Walt Disney by Brad Meltzer will be an exciting read for anyone who wants to learn about the life and career of the man who made our childhoods so special.

Walt Disney: An American Original

Why I Love Walt Disney: An American Original is a compelling and entertaining biography about the man who changed the face of cartoons and entertainment forever. Bob Thomas paints a compelling picture of Walt Disney, from his humble beginnings to the heartbreak and pitfalls of his life. We see his dwarves, his castle, his evil villains, and his triumph over all odds. As we follow the life of Walt Disney, we learn a lot about what drives this incredible man.

Although Bob Thomas' access to Walt Disney was unrestricted, he did cover controversial aspects, including labor relations and politics. Although Bob Thomas does not go into exaggerated details, the book is a valuable addition to any Disney fan's library. It's a wonderful book that will make any Disney fan want to read more.

The biography includes sections that are based on interviews and correspondence. The correspondence includes documents that tell show contract negotiations and notes Walt provided to artists working on his projects.

Bob Thomas' book is full of fascinating details about the man behind Disney's incredible success, from his early days as a small-town cartoonist to his bankruptcy and life insurance. Even though his life was full of ups and downs, his determination led to the creation of Disneyland and Mickey Mouse, two icons of American culture. In this biography, you'll learn about Walt Disney's personal and professional struggles and how his dreams were shaped by his environment.

This book begins with Walt Disney's early years when he was still a child. Walt's father was an extremely difficult man to please, so he learned early on that hard work was necessary to become a successful cartoonist. He also had to leave home to serve in the war effort, so he learned how to deal with adversity. Thomas uses primary and secondary sources to paint a clear picture of the man, with both the ups and downs of his life. As a Disney fan, you'll be thrilled to learn all about the man behind the legend! The book is inspiring, fascinating, and even uplifting!

How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life

The Orlando Magic's vice president and manager, Pat Williams, has given inspirational speeches at major companies and written more than 100 books. Pat Williams started with nothing and built his dream from the ground up. His personal experiences as a Disney fan and the struggle to start an NBA franchise also inform the book's lessons.

As children, Walt and Roy worked for their father without pay, and this forced them to work all day, including weekends. They would get up early to deliver the papers for the day and then prepare for the next day's deliveries after school. Walt and Roy often dreamt about the snowstorms they were forced to endure as children. This book teaches us how to live our lives as if we were Disney.

In "How to Be Like Walt", Pat Williams cites six characteristics of Disney's genius. In fact, Walt Disney is a humble man. Once, while building Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland, he spotted a Louisiana native. Then he asked him if there was something missing that was missing from the Caribbean island. The worker told him that he missed the sound of crickets. So, Disney had his sound engineers add the sound of crickets to the ride. This is just one example of how Walt Disney was always looking to improve his product.

A humble and kind person, Walt Disney is still remembered as one of the world's greatest creators. Walt Disney was willing to give up his time and money to help others, and he also acted as a good example to others. His example continues to inspire us today.

While many people believe that Disney was a "visionary" and a "creative genius," few people understand his unique vision. Disney was a pioneer in the movie business, and he encouraged experimentation and discovery among his staff. He also believed in quality at all costs, hiring only the best people, and directing the final outcome. Disney was able to have a keen sense of what would sell and what the public would like to see.

This book offers lessons to help readers live more fulfilled lives. The book is a great choice for anyone interested in learning more about the life and legacy of the great Walt Disney.

Who Was Walt Disney?

It's not surprising that Disney fans love to talk about the man behind the mouse. Walt started admiring President Abraham Lincoln at an early age. He decided to pay homage to the president on Lincoln's birthday. In fifth grade, he converted his father's derby into a stovepipe hat with cardboard, borrowed his father's church-deacon coat with a swallowtail, and added crepe hair to his chin and a wart on his cheek.

Walt and Lillian Disney shared a wonderful love story. The couple was longtime lovers, raising two daughters and founding the Disney Company. While Lillian worked behind the scenes and took care of the home, Walt was in the public eye. Lillian preferred Walt's public engagement. Their marriage was a happy one. Despite his personal life, Lillian was an excellent wife and father. While it's hard to imagine that Lillian Disney wished to marry someone who was so private, they had a happy marriage.

The Walt Disney Company went from a small animation studio to an industrial giant. This entrepreneur was concerned with details rather than the big picture, and his earliest works showcased human emotions. His fascination with the ancien regime inspired the theme parks he created. But as his career progressed, the Walt Disney Company grew into a force to be reckoned with. During this time, his films inspired the creation of more animated movies and a global corporation.

If you've ever wondered who Walt Disney was, this biography by Whitney Stewart is the book for you. The book follows Walt Disney from his early years to his adulthood and shares his struggles and triumphs along the way. Detailed timelines and historical events provide background information. A list of Disney movies is also included. The book makes for a fun read. Whether you love Walt Disney or not, you'll enjoy this biography.

This biography is not endorsed by the Walt Disney Company, but it does feature a wealth of black-and-white illustrations. You'll learn that Walt Disney was an independent artist who loved life in a small town. While he was famous for the creation of Mickey Mouse and Disney World, he also had a steady personal life. This book will give you a glimpse into the life of this fascinating man. Walt Disney was a man who believed in himself and had the courage to follow his dream.

The Story of Walt Disney: A Biography Book for New Readers

As a young man, he had dreams of creating movies and making money from them. He studied animation and drew cartoons for his school papers. As an adult, he is still able to enjoy the fruits of his labor through his production company and theme parks.

Lilly was a flirt. Walt often spoke positively about her. He deferred to her authority in the house and even let her pick hotel rooms. Lilly Marie Bounds was born in Spalding, Idaho, on February 15, 1899. Until that point, she kept her age secret. She was three years older than Walt. This makes the story of their romance all the more compelling. However, the story is not without its ups and downs.

At the same time, Walt Disney was determined to be financially conservative but, at the same time, adventurous. He and Roy agreed to make live-action films. In 1954, they made the Oscar-winning film, Seal Island. Both were shot in England and featured actors such as Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Ralph Truman, and Walter Fitzgerald. Walt Disney's live-action films followed the storyboard method.

He was an inattentive student who drew all the time. He eventually decided to join the army and was sent to France to drive an ambulance. However, he was turned down due to his age, so he forged his birth certificate. After the war, he joined the Red Cross, and a year later he was sent to France to work as a driver for the Red Cross.

As a child, Walt Disney loved to draw, and soon started creating memorable characters that we love today. He spent the next half of his life entertaining millions of people through his creations and even became a surrealist himself. He became famous for his films and is now the head of Disney and Disneyland. However, you don't have to be a Disney fan to appreciate the magic that he has created.

Walt Disney wasn't exactly a genius when he started his business. He had failed in two previous ventures, but he had faith in his dream implicitly and unquestionably. He packed his favorite can of chili and headed for Hollywood. Throughout his life, his legacy will continue to inspire millions of people around the world. Hopefully, you can see how Walt Disney's legacy lives on today.

Honorable Mentions

We all know that the best books about Walt Disney are his own memoirs, but what about the other great books out there? and there have been a lot of great books written about the man and his legacy. Here are some of my favorites that didn't quite make it to the top of my list but are still worth reading.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination

If you've ever wondered why Walt Disney became so famous, this book is the one to read. Written by Neal Gabler, this biography will teach you everything you've ever wanted to know about the man who made cartoons popular. It also gives you a better understanding of what Disney was really like, and why his creations are so beloved today. You'll also learn why Walt Disney was a great businessman and a great inspiration.

Walt Disney's life was not a happy one, but it certainly helped him create his own vision of a perfect utopia. He calculated everything to make his creations as stable as possible and as exciting as possible for his audience. As such, his efforts were rewarded with the success of his theme parks. But what exactly was Walt Disney like? Whether he was a visionary or a control freak, Gabler is an insightful writer about the man.

The Disney Story: Chronicling the Man, the Mouse and the Parks

The book is a delightful story of how Walt and his family became the foundation for Disney theme parks and its iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Fans of Disney movies will find much to enjoy here. Goldberg's witty and entertaining writing will draw readers in with the stories of Disney characters and big-screen adventures.

Goldberg has devoted a great deal of time to researching the history of the Disney Company and offers a distilled version of its rich history. It is a good choice for Disney history enthusiasts or those who want to gain a better appreciation of the company. The book includes a wealth of reprinted articles from various media outlets. For an even greater insight into Disney's history, Goldberg offers a site containing original scans of these articles.

Throughout the book, Goldberg covers the major events of each decade. Highlights include the birth of Diane Disney, the introduction of Technicolor into Disney animation, and the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Goldberg has visited the Disney theme parks more times than he can remember. A must-read for any Disney fan.

Quotable Walt Disney (Disney Editions Deluxe)

You've probably heard of "quotable Walt Disney" before, but what exactly does this book mean? Well, this book is an in-depth exploration of Walt Disney's life and dreams. In it, you'll find out what makes this visionary tick and learn about the philosophies that guided his life. It's a great read and will leave you awestruck.

This is a collection of quotes from the man who made Disney famous, from his earliest childhood to his most famous work. These inspiring words capture the genius of Walt Disney and reveal how he pushed through discouragement and even bankruptcy to achieve his dreams. A collection of these quotes, the book's design makes it a delightful gift. Whether you are looking for a gift for a friend or family member, this book will satisfy both needs.

Dave Smith is the co-founder of the Walt Disney Archives and has been its chief archivist for over forty years. He is a frequent speaker at Disney events and has even written introductions to various Disney books. Dave Smith started answering trivia questions for the Disney fan community in 1983 with a column that began in Disney Channel Magazine. The column was carried on through several publications, including Disney Insider and the D23 Web site, and has been expanded into a full-blown book. He has also written Disney Trivia from the Vault, co-authored the Ultimate Walt Disney Trivia Book 1, and compiled 29 years of his renowned "Ask Dave" column for fans and readers.

Whether you want to relive the magic of Disney's magic by reading The Quotable Walt Disney by Dave Smith, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of the company. Dave Smith's background in history and the Walt Disney Archives have made him the definitive authority on Disney's history. So, whether you are a Disney fan or just a fan, this book will provide hours of enjoyment and educational value.

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney

"The Animated Man" is an extraordinary biography of the man who transformed the world of entertainment. Not only did Disney create an enduring legacy for animated films, but he was also a creative force who changed the history of American business. Michael Barrier's biography offers a fascinating look at the man who changed the face of entertainment forever. This is a must-read for anyone who loves Disney!

This book is based on decades of research in the Disney studio archives and interviews with 150 former coworkers dating back to 1922. The resulting portrait of Walt Disney is a compelling one, combining his own recollections with those of others. While the creator of the most famous Disney films of all time was far from perfect, his innovative methods and dedication to his craft earned him worldwide recognition.

Among the many insights revealed by Michael Barrier in his biography is that Disney fought for the interests of his employees, often sacrificing his own financial security to pay their bills. Although he fought against the studio's sour relations, he was willing to sacrifice his personal wealth for the welfare of his employees, even when it meant sacrificing a good career. Ultimately, he was right about the importance of his team's sense of adventure and was willing to take large pay cuts and accept lesser positions to make sure that his employees could stay happy.

The Animated Man: A Life of the Disney Company by Michael Barrier shows the evolution of animation and the role of Disney Studios. The author focuses on the three little pigs, which are among the most influential cartoons ever made. The Three Little Pigs is a revolutionary film that paved the way for the creation of character animation. The book compares the work of Fred Moore and Norm Ferguson, who were responsible for the animation of the cartoons. Likewise, a short film called The Pied Piper shows how the studio artists created Piggy and Mouse.

Walt before Mickey: Disney's Early Years, 1919–1928

If you are looking for an interesting biography of Walt Disney, you may want to read Walt Before Mickey Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928 by Timothy S. Susanin. Most Disney biographies start with the production of Steamboat Willie in 1928. This book covers Walt's life from this early period, as well as his early experiments with animation. The book begins with a brief overview of Disney's early years and includes a discussion of Walt's early successes and failures.

This biography reveals how Walt Disney struggled to create and produce animation for ten years before creating the iconic character. The author focuses on his reflections on these early years and examines the studios in which he worked, including the Kaycee and Laugh-O-gram, Disney Brothers, and several dozen of his colleagues. Despite his failures, he was a relentless worker.

A fascinating history of the life of the founder of Disney's famous characters. Before Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney had experience creating silent cartoons. In fact, he had created the first animated short, "Steamboat Willie," which screened at AMC Theaters Downtown Disney, the Cobb theater chain, and the Harkins and Logan theater chains. During this decade, the development of Mickey Mouse's character began.

There are a lot of questions that come up when you start reading about Walt Disney. I'm going to try and answer some of those frequently asked questions for you here, with a few recommendations of my own. So buckle up, because it's time to get started on this magical journey!

Why is Walt Disney so famous?

Walt Disney is famous because he was a pioneer in the field of animation. He also created some of the most iconic characters in American pop culture, including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. In addition, he was a successful businessman who built a global empire.

What made Walt Disney so successful?

Walt Disney was successful because he had a clear vision for his projects and he was willing to work hard to see them through. He was also a master of marketing and knew how to get people interested in his products.

What are some of the best books about Walt Disney?

Some of the best books about Walt Disney include The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney, Walt before Mickey: Disney's Early Years, 1919–1928, and Quotable Walt Disney.

What are some of the best movies about Walt Disney?

Some of the best movies about Walt Disney include Fantasia, Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, and Mary Poppins.

Why did Walt Disney create Mickey Mouse?

Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse because he wanted to create a character that would be recognizable around the world. Mickey Mouse was an instant success and helped put Walt Disney on the map.

How did Walt Disney make his first movie?

Walt Disney made his first movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, by using a process called cel animation. This process involved drawing each frame of the film by hand and then painting them onto cells.

What was Walt Disney's first theme park?

Walt Disney's first theme park was Disneyland in Anaheim.

How much money did Walt Disney leave behind for his heirs?

Walt Disney left behind an estimated $100 million for his heirs. However, much of this money was tied up in the company, and it was not easy for them to access it.

How did Walt Disney die?

Walt Disney died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at the family plot in Los Angeles.

When is Walt Disney's birthday?

Walt Disney's birthday is December fifth.

What was the last movie that Walt Disney worked on before he died?

The last movie that Walt Disney worked on before he died was The Jungle Book. He passed away before it was completed, but his team was able to finish it using his storyboards and notes.

What is the name of Walt Disney's first film?

Walt Disney's first film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

What was the first thing that Walt Disney ever animated?

The first thing that Walt Disney ever animated was a short film called Alice's Wonderland. It was based on the Lewis Carroll story "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."

What was the name of Walt Disney's first animation studio?

Walt Disney's first animation studio was called Laugh-O-Gram Films. It was located in Kansas City, Missouri.

What did Walt Disney do before he became an animator?

Before Walt Disney became an animator, he worked as a newspaper delivery boy, a farmhand, and a commercial artist. He also served in the Army during World War I.

What is considered the Walt Disney World Resort?

The Walt Disney World Resort is a collection of theme parks, hotels, and other attractions in Orlando, Florida. It is the most visited vacation resort in the world, with over 52 million visitors each year.

What is Walt Disney Studios?

The Walt Disney Studios is a film studio and a division of the Walt Disney Company. It produces live-action films, animated films, and television shows.

Is Disneyland and Disney World the same?

No, Disneyland and Disney World are not the same. Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California, and Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida. They are both owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company.

How does someone become a part of the Walt Disney Imagineering team?

There is no one specific path to becoming a part of the Disney Imagineering team. However, it is generally recommended that interested individuals have a background in fields such as architecture, engineering, or design.

What is a Disney cast member?

A Disney cast member is an employee of the Walt Disney Company. Cast members typically work in roles such as tour guides, character performers, and attraction operators.

The right book for you!

If you want to learn more about the man behind the magic, or are just looking for a good read about Disney parks, check out my recommendations above. Whether you’re a Disney superfan or just getting started, these books are sure to give you a new appreciation for the genius of Walt Disney.

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The 14 Best Books About Disney

Words cannot describe the indelible mark Disney has made on the world. From animation to theme parks, merchandise to multimedia, Disney is everywhere. But, perhaps the most effective, Disney has managed to triumph over our hearts.

Whether you’re looking for stories and history about Walt Disney himself or searching for insider info from a Disney cast member, we put together a list of the top 14 books about Disney that’ll keep your Disney fix alive and well for quite some time.

1. Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart

It has been said, “There will never be another Walt Disney.” But, if you’ve ever hoped of keeping his legacy alive, Who Was Walt Disney is an essential kick starter. Geared toward young readers, this truncated yet comprehensive mini-biography reveals the rags-to-riches tale of the man behind the magic.

2. Walt Disney: The Triumph of an American Imagination by Neal Gabler

One of the most insightful books on the man, the myth, the legend…Walt Disney. Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography, Neal Gabler’s magnum opus provides an in-depth glimpse into the life of America’s most beloved visionary. Take a journey through Uncle Walt’s imagination, stockpiled with dreams, disasters, achievements, and clandestine secrets.

3. The Nine Old Men: Lessons, Techniques, and Inspiration from Disney’s Great Animators by Andreas Deja

Do you love animation? Now you can learn from the best of the best. Walt Disney’s core animators, known as his “Nine Old Men,” created some of Disney’s most renowned works, altering the course of animation history forever. This clever cavalcade also helped define and refine the twelve basic principles of animation. Under their doctrine, follow Disney icon Andreas Deja as he presents lessons in drawing, story structure, technique, execution, and more. Each lesson will further broaden your creative perspective and expand your approach to character animation.

4. Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation by Mindy Johnson

Walt Disney transformed cartoons into masterworks. However, it would have never been made possible had it not been for the help of several gifted women. Focusing solely on talent, Disney summoned female artists to further develop his skill of storytelling. He invited and encouraged women to join the animation club for the first time in history. Featuring a multitude of private collections and accounts, as well as never-before-seen photography and artwork, this jubilant tribute redefines the history of animation, giving life to the integral artists whose contributions and history have laid dormant for far too long.

5. Walt Disney’s Disneyland by Chris Nichols

Once upon a time, Walt Disney dreamed of creating the ultimate entertainment epicenter. It would take countless artists, architects, and engineers to turn this dream into a reality. No one understands this better than award-winning writer Chris Nichols, author of Disneyland. Humbly providing a triumphant pictorial history, Nichols shares an endless score of documentation, private archives, and expertise to expose the enchanting tale of the happiest place on Earth.

6. Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real by the Imagineers

7. walt disney imagineering: a behind the dreams look at making more magic real by the imagineers.

Each of these books is an attraction in and of themselves. Assembled with the same tender love and care as the parks themselves, these fully illustrated textual celebrations of imagination and technical knowhow provide readers with a lavish array of architectural drawings, character designs, models, and original artwork. If you love the parks, these are the books are for you!

8. One Little Spark!: Mickey’s Ten Commandments and The Road to Imagineering by Martin Sklar

Marty Sklar, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, set out to create the Mouse Manifesto, Mickey’s Ten Commandments. This compilation of principles and philosophies would later be used as the ultimate code of standards for the creative organization. This book affords readers with insights and advice from Sklar, along with a myriad of Imagineers from around the world. If you ever wanted to spend a day in the life of a Disney Imagineer, now is your chance!

9. It’s Kind of a Cute Story by Rolly Crump

Full of panache, overflowing with whimsy and bursting with over 200 photos, It’s Kind of a Cute Story paints a vivid exploration of Rolly Crumps’ illustrious career as an Imagineer. Highlighting several accomplishments, including designing a plethora of Disney’s most famous attractions (The Haunted Mansion, Enchanted Tiki Room and Adventureland Bazaar), this colorful autobiography invites you to step into a cheerful narrative and take an unforgettable ride with a living legend.

10. The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic by Jason Surrell

There is only one ride in all of Disney history that possesses the mystical powers to assemble such a devoted and spooktacular fandom: The Haunted Mansion. Laden with rare conceptual sketches and comprehensive architectural drawings, Jason Surrell captivates readers with ghoulish delight, as he sends you on a backstage tour, from inspiration to reality.

11. DisneyWar by James B. Stewart

Backstabbing and backtalk take center stage as DisneyWar showcases the heroic victories and catastrophic failures of Michael Eisner, Disney Chairman, and CEO. Warning: This book contains several seedy scandals that almost set America’s most powerful media and entertainment company ablaze.

12. The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger

Indisputably one of the world’s most noteworthy CEOs, this memoir reveals valuable lessons in leadership, while delighting Disney fans and novices alike. This #1 New York Times Bestseller shines an introspective light on Iger’s guiding principles (optimism, courage, decisiveness, fairness), all of which can be attributed to his success.

13. Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt’s Dream Spotless by Ken Pellman

If you’ve ever been to Disneyland you’ve probably noticed how everything is clean and pristine! Here is a little insider info for you…it takes more than just pixie dust to get the job done. Teeming with heartwarming triumphs and heartbreaking tragedies, this affectionate memoir follows the real eyes and ears of The Happiest Place On Earth and the lives of those who live to keep the magic alive for their guests: the world-famous Disneyland Custodial Team.

14. From Dreamer to Dreamfinder: A Life and Lessons Learned in 40 Years Behind a Name Tag by Ron Schneider

Filled with stories of pain and glory, former Disney cast member, Ron Schneider, gives you a behind-the-scenes tour through 40 years in the entertainment field with Disney, Universal, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. This intimate autobiography is chock-full of love, laughs, and the inside scoop on how the magic is made. 

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Must Read Books for Fans of Walt Disney

Disney fans aren’t just fans of the parks and the movies. They are also fans of the man himself…Walt Disney. The driving force behind Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Like most Disney fans, I can’t get enough of the stories of his life and legacy. Fortunately there are more than enough books for fans of Walt Disney to keep us all busy!

There are so many books that I couldn’t possible list all of them. But here is a brief look at some of the best for the next time you are in the mood for a fun Disney book .

***This post includes affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy  for more information.***

Books for Fans of Walt Disney

Disney fans have so many books to choose from. Books about the parks, the movies, the imagineers, the animators, and more. But these books about the man himself are must-reads for fans of all ages.

Walt Disney Books for Grown Ups

LIFE Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom by LIFE Special

LIFE Magazine has followed Walt Disney’s career since the very beginning and in this all-new special edition, LIFE revisits both the man and the magic. It is a beautiful tribute to Walt Disney.

Quotable Walt Disney by Dave Smith

Fans of Walt Disney love to quote him. This amazing resource contains over 250 pages filled with Walt Disney quotes, from the well-known to the obscure, on just about every topic.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler

This award winning biography is full of facts and details about Walt Disney’s life. Author Neal Gabler shows us how, over the course of two decades, Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry.

Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas

Originally published in 1976, this biography is a fascinating and inspirational work that captures the spirit of Walt Disney and stands the test of time with its rare collection of photographs.

The Revised Vault of Walt: Unofficial Disney Stories Never Told by Jim Korkis

Filled with stories your probably haven’t heard, former Disney cast member and master storyteller Jim Korkis weaves his home-spun, entertaining tales, from the early years of Walt Disney to the present.

Walt Before Mickey: Disney’s Early Years, 1919-1928 by Timothy Susanin

In this biography, readers get a closer look at Disney’s earliest days as an animator. We learn about his years working in a variety of venues and studios, refining what would become known as the Disney style.

How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life by Pat Williams

If you are looking for a positive, light-hearted look at the life of Walt Disney, be sure to check out this honest but positive look at the man behind the myth.

Walt Disney Books for Kids

Who Was Walt Disney? by Whitney Stewart

The “Who Was?” series of books offers easy to read, yet thorough, biographies for children. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography reveals the man behind the magic.

I Am Walt Disney by Brad Meltzer

Young children can take a closer look at the life of Walt Disney in this picture book that focuses on the traits that made him great.

The Story of Walt Disney: A Biography Book for New Readers by Susan B. Katz

This brand new chapter book for children explores how Walt went from being a young boy growing up in the Midwest to a creative genius.

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I have six of your ten! All good reads.

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Delight in books that highlight The Walt Disney Company’s beloved stories and inspiring behind-the-scenes narratives spanning across the decades.

Disney 100 Years of Wonder Storybook Collection

Weird But True! Disney

The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder

Walt Disney: An American Original

The Official Walt Disney Quote Book

Art of Coloring: Disney 100 Years of Wonder

People Behind the Disney Parks

Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

Delicious Disney: Disneyland

13 Books About Walt Disney and the Disney Parks

Alex Luppens-Dale

Alex Luppens-Dale won the “Enthusiastic Reader Award” all four years of high school. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and received her MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. Her favorite genres are memoir, witches, and anything with cults. She lives in New Jersey. You can keep up with Alex's latest work at her website.

View All posts by Alex Luppens-Dale

I can enjoy the wonder I feel whenever I’m at Disney World while simultaneously being aware that Disney is a corporation that profits from my nostalgia. That is real. There have been plenty of high-profile issues, from theming a ride on Song of the South, a movie so racist they won’t even release on Disney+ in the United States, to the American history-themed park that never was.

With this list, I will take you beyond the annual guidebooks and into the history and lore that has kept me coming back (and spending more time on social media than is probably healthy). It feels like every white male senior executive at Disney has written a business book, which is not an area of interest for me, and the people who write books about Disney history are, frankly, not very diverse. In recent years, Disney has made more of an effort to highlight diverse voices in their licensed fiction, including books like Reflection by Elizabeth Lim and Almost There by Farrah Rochon, both part of their Twisted Tales series. There are many diverse creators who create content about Disney history online, too. Some of my favorites include PBAndJellyJenn on Instagram and BoundingWithTarri and TheHelenOfJoy on TikTok. There is also a documentary about Floyd Norman, Disney’s first Black animator. 

Hopefully, there will be more diverse perspectives published on this topic soon. In the meantime, here are 13 books to learn about the lore and history of Disney in all its complicated truth.

The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder by John Baxter

There are a lot of coffee table books put out by The Walt Disney Company itself, but this one looks beautiful. Published in honor of the company’s 100 th  anniversary in 2023, it showcases the history of the Disney company and includes concept art and photographs from Disney parks around the world. It was written as a companion to the currently-touring Disney100 exhibition .

The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering by Leslie Iwerks

This book covers the early years of Walt Disney Imagineering and contains the stories and details that were cut for time in the Disney+ documentary by the same name. Readers will discover the firsthand stories of the people who originated the role of Imagineer as they were building some of the best-known Disney attractions. There is also a section covering future projects for those who prefer to look ahead.  

Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World by Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen states that Disney is “so good at being good that it manifests an evil.” This is a view of the Disney machine from at Floridian who has witnessed firsthand the success of Disney World and the changes it has brought to Central Florida. It is important to remember that Disney is, of course, a company that will always act in its own best interest and has a vested interest in controlling its own press.

Disney Theme Parks and America’s National Narratives by Bethanee Bemis

This academic text was an instant purchase for me. Disney’s success is both an American story and a vehicle for exporting Americanness abroad. How much does nostalgia factor into the love for Disney and its parks? The book also explores how Disney has changed alongside with the American people.

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation by Mindy Johnson

A lot has been written about “Disney’s Nine Old Men,” the animators who created some of Disney’s most famous films. The book pulls back the curtain on the female artists who brought drawings to life. Disney established the first animation training school for women and, in that way, drew women into all disciplines of animation production. 

Women of Walt Disney Imagineering : 12 Careers, 12 Theme Parks, Countless Stories by Ginger Zee

This is a collection of stories from twelve women who worked in Imagineering for decades. They discuss the problems familiar to women in a male-dominated workplace and what it was like to work for Disney in a period of rapid expansion. This book is a fascinating read for anyone who has ever thought about working for Disney.

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier

A biography of Walt Disney that takes the reader from his Midwestern beginnings to his place at the center of American culture, this is a pretty in-depth read. Interviews for the book began two years after Disney’s death and show the layers of a complicated figure. This book has been frequently referenced as a more balanced portrayal of Disney the man versus the figurehead created by, well, Disney. 

The Sorcerer’s Brother: How Roy O. Disney Made Walt’s Magic Possible by Scott M. Madden

The story of Walt Disney is inextricable from the story of his brother, Roy. From handling the finances of the nascent Disney company to building Walt Disney World after his brother’s death, the Disney story would be very different without Roy Disney. Read this one to learn about the Disney brother whose statue is  also  in the Magic Kingdom. 

The Art and Flair of Mary Blair by John Canemaker and Mary Blair

Mary Blair was one of Disney’s best-known designers. You might know her artwork from It’s A Small World. This art book chronicles the work of an American artist who worked in décor, theme parks, advertising, print and more. 

Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow by Richard R. Beard

This is another a coffee table book, but it’s about EPCOT, which is my favorite Disney park. EPCOT, which was originally intended as a community for people to live in, has lived many lives over in its 40 years. This book contains the original concept art for exhibits that ended up being very different on EPCOT’s opening day.

The Haunted Mansion by Lauren Clauss, illustrated by Glenn Brogan

This children’s book takes the littlest readers on a ride through Disney’s Haunted Mansion. The text of the book contains actual quotes from the ride’s script and would be great for preparing a nervous child for their first visit to the mansion (speaking as someone who was once that nervous child). The tiny Disney fan in my life is particularly obsessed with this book, but similar Little Golden Books are also available for Space Mountain , Jungle Cruise and It’s A Small World . 

Disneyland on the Mountain: Walt, the Environmentalists, and the Ski Resort That Never Was by Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer

In the 1960s, Disney was looking to build a ski resort in Mineral King, California. This project came into being right at the rise of the environmental movement and the conflict made it all the way to the Supreme Court. This is a fascinating depiction of how a group of activists fought the Mouse — and won. 

The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion by Jeff Baham

This unapproved-by-Disney look at one of its most famous attractions features the central question about whether the ride was intended to be frightening or humorous. Bahm was able to interview several of the Imagineers who worked on the project. This is where you can read the stories behind some of the mansion’s most visible “residents” and the behind-the-scenes stories of the people who get to be there when the lights are on. 

These books will hopefully shed some light on why so many people are interested in Walt Disney and his theme parks. I go to Disney World to take a break from the real world but it is still part of the real world…and I don’t just get to forget that when someone hands me a Mickey Bar. 

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26 Books Every True Disney Fan Should Have in Their Collection

If you always know where to find the best Disney snacks (the correct answer is the Disneyland churro carts) and you would never mistake Goofy for Pluto, you may be obsessed with Disney . And, if you are always looking for ways to add just a little more Disney magic to your everyday life, we found the books that you are going to want to read.

Whether you're into the stunning costumes , the ahead-of-its-time animation, or the man himself, Walt Disney, these books will give you a glimpse through the looking glass into the history, the art, and the magic of Disney. Take a look, because you are going to want to add all of these to your collection.

— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company

Robert Iger became CEO of The Walt Disney Company in 2005, right when the company was facing some of its biggest challenges yet. With rapidly changing technology and competition more fierce than ever, Iger's leadership, dedication, and optimism got Disney to where it is today. The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company tells the story of how Iger reinvented one of the most celebrated companies in the world, all while doing so with courage and curiosity.

Walt Disney’s Disneyland

With a gorgeous visual history of the park, Walt Disney's Disneyland is filled with pictures from private archives and historical collections that document every step that it took to get the park built. From the concept to the launch, Walt Disney's Disneyland tells the tale of the happiest place on Earth.

The Disney Story: Chronicling the Man, the Mouse, and the Parks

With a decade-by-decade look into Walt and the parks, The Disney Story: Chronicling the Man, the Mouse, and the Parks tells all. From some of the company's most memorable moments to lesser-known facts, this book is filled with everything true fans have wanted to know.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2020

If you're looking for a comprehensive planning guide for your next Disney trip, look no further than The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2020 . With insider information on the hotels, restaurants, and attractions, this book ensures you don't waste a minute (or dollar!) while you're at the park.

Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service

The revised and updated edition of Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service informs readers on how to exceed expectations in the realm of customer service — something Disney has been doing for decades. With concepts and ideas not found in the traditional workplace, the company has soared to new heights in the industry. See how they did it here.

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies From a Life at Disney

Lee Cockerell, former executive vice president of operations for Walt Disney World, shares the lessons he learned about leadership and decision-making in Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney . From training employees to recognizing that great ideas come from all levels of a company, Cockerell's time at Disney taught him the leadership skills of a lifetime.

The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation

The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation offers a comprehensive history into the world of Disney animation. If you are into animation (or have an aspiring animator in your life), this is a must read.

Disney Villains: Delightfully Evil

Have you always identified a little more with the Evil Queen than Snow White? Disney Villains: Delightfully Evil celebrates all things wicked in the world of Disney, including their (evil) origins and how they were brought to life.

Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making More Magic Real

Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making More Magic Real gives readers a chance to see how Disney Imagineers bring the world of fantasy to life. You'll find drawings, conceptual models, and insider stories that reveal how Disney attractions are taken from concept to reality.

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse — The Ultimate History

They say it all started with a mouse, right? Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse — The Ultimate History takes you through Mickey's 90-year evolution, from the earliest sketches to the fun-loving mouse we know today.

Extra Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Extra Things You Never Knew You Never Knew

Attractions that never saw the light of day. Rumors that have been spread so far and wide that most Disney fans never question whether or not they are actually true (no, Cinderella Castle cannot be disassembled in the event of a hurricane). Jim Korkis addresses these and other secrets you've never been told about Walt Disney World in Extra Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Extra Things You Never Knew You Never Knew . If you like his work, check out his earlier books like Secret Stories of Walt Disney World and Other Secret Stories of Walt Disney World .

Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food

Yes, you can dine on burgers and ice cream cones when you visit Disney, but true foodies know the culinary delights of the Disney parks go far beyond such basic fare. Eat Like Walt: The Wonderful World of Disney Food brings to life the wonderful world of dining at Disney.

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation

Women have long worked behind the scenes in many industries, but Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation celebrates the extensive role women played in Disney's animated films from the very beginning. With never-before-seen photographs and artwork, this well-researched and aesthetically appealing book is an instant coffee table classic.

Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World

Somehow among all of his hard work, Walt Disney found time to travel the world (which most certainly had a direct impact on said work). Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World is a mostly visual account of his wanderings, accompanied by anecdotes and recollections from Walt and those who were lucky enough to interact with him on his travels.

Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career

Being an Imagineer seems like a dream job and, let's face it, it probably is. Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career takes you behind the scenes with 40-year Disney Imagineering veteran Kevin Rafferty. Kevin was involved in many of Disney's most memorable attractions, as well as Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway .

One Day At Disney: Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe

Disney Cast Members truly make magic for those whose lives they touch. From performers to veterinarians, One Day At Disney: Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe shows you what an ordinary (or not-so-ordinary) day in the life of a Disney Cast Member is really like.

Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt's Dream Spotless

Disneyland isn't just The Happiest Place on Earth, it's also the cleanest. Cleaning the Kingdom: Insider Tales of Keeping Walt's Dream Spotless , the memoir of two longtime members of the Disneyland custodial team, will show you exactly how they got it done.

Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai

If you love collecting maps at the Disney parks (they make great souvenirs), you'll want to pick up a copy of Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai . Some reviewers were disappointed that there weren't more images of those collectible maps, but the concept art and maps that are included will take you on a cartographer's journey through Disney history.

Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets

If you are your family's certified Disney expert, the 2020 version of Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets will bump your knowledge to the next level. They'll be beyond impressed when you point out the hundreds of Hidden Mickeys found throughout the Disney parks.

How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life

If, like so many others, you have always been fascinated by Walt Disney, How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life will give you a glimpse into the imagination, talent, and business savvy that helped Walt bring to life the world of Disney we know today. The lessons in this book can help to add a little extra magic to even your everyday life.

I Am Walt Disney

I Am Walt Disney is a kid-friendly biography that tells the story of the man behind their favorite mouse. Young readers will love learning about Walt's life — from his childhood in Marceline, Missouri, to the development of Disneyland and beyond.

Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks

Marc Davis in His Own Words: Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks tells the story of Disney legend Marc Davis. Marc began as an animator and went on to play an integral role in some of Disney's most popular attractions. Featuring never-before-seen works from the Imagineering archives and based on hours of interviews with Marc himself, this book is a must for any Disney history buff.

Yesterday's Tomorrow: Disney's Magical Mid-Century

With the opening of Disneyland in 1955 and numerous theatrical releases, the 1940s and 1950s were an important time in Disney history. Yesterday's Tomorrow: Disney's Magical Mid-Century demonstrates just how far-reaching Disney's style was in America's postwar era and still is today.

The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between

Costumes help to tell a character's story, but some costumes have their own stories to tell. The Art of Disney Costuming: Heroes, Villains, and Spaces Between shares the tales behind some of Disney's most iconic ensembles. There's even a full case study on the many iterations of Cinderella's ballgown, if you're into that sort of thing (we're pretty sure you are).

Travels With Figment On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams

Before his passing in 2017, Marty Sklar spent more than 50 years with The Walt Disney Company, making many notable achievements along the way. Travels With Figment On the Road in Search of Disney Dreams is Marty's first-person account of his acclaimed Disney career.

The Disneyland Railroad: A Complete History in Words and Pictures

No trip to Disneyland is complete without a tour around the park aboard the Disneyland Railroad. The Disneyland Railroad: A Complete History in Words and Pictures provides an in-depth education on the happiest locomotive on Earth.

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Atop ABC, a Personal Connection to Kamala Harris

The candidate is a longtime friend of Dana Walden, a senior Disney executive whose portfolio includes ABC News, the host of the next debate. ABC says she does not weigh in on editorial decisions.

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By Michael M. Grynbaum and Brooks Barnes

Reporting from New York and Los Angeles

On paper, the potential for a conflict of interest seems obvious: ABC News, the host of next month’s high-stakes presidential debate, falls under the purview of a top corporate executive at Disney who happens to be longtime friends with the Democratic nominee.

The executive, Dana Walden, first met Kamala Harris in 1994. Their husbands, Matt Walden and Doug Emhoff, have known each other since the 1980s. The Waldens — “extraordinary friends,” per the vice president — have donated money to Ms. Harris’s political campaigns since at least 2003, when she ran for district attorney in San Francisco.

“In many ways, Dana and Matt are responsible for my marriage,” Ms. Harris joked at a fund-raiser in April 2022 at the Waldens’ home in Brentwood, a wealthy Los Angeles enclave where Ms. Harris and Mr. Emhoff also own a residence. The Waldens, Vice President Harris explained, set up a couple who in turn had set her up with Mr. Emhoff on a blind date.

Ms. Harris’s Republican opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, recently sued ABC News for defamation, and he and his allies are often quick to accuse news organizations of bias when they are displeased by coverage.

ABC News says that any perception of a conflict involving Ms. Walden is not reality. The company says that the executive, who oversees 18 businesses across the sprawling Disney empire, is only involved in the news division’s corporate matters (like budgets and staff size) and that she has no say in editorial decisions.

“ABC News has built its longstanding reputation on journalistic integrity,” the network said in a statement. “All editorial decisions are in the hands of ABC News management and the seasoned journalists and producers of ABC, who hold themselves to the highest journalistic standards.”

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Disney's Goofy Character Isn't Actually a Dog—Or a Cow

Fun fact: disney's beloved character goofy is not, contrary to popular belief, a dog like his trusty friend pluto. nor is he a cow like clarabelle. find out his species..

This fun fact may make you go, “ Gawrsh !”

Disney 's beloved character Goofy is not, as many fans believe, a dog like his trusty pal Pluto, Mickey Mouse's loyal pet hound. Nor is Goofy a cow, like his girlfriend Clarabelle.

"He's not a dog," Bill Farmer , who has since provided the voice of Goofy since 1987, said on the Aug. 4 episode of Australian hosts Leigh Livingstone and Tim Iffland 's Popcorn Podcast With Leigh and Tim . "But he's a canine. So it's kind of like a wolf is not a dog but it's a canine. Same thing. 'Goofus Canis,' that's what he is."

The 71-year-old continued jokingly, "Or he's a 'mog.'

Barker has made similar comments in past years. In 2021, in response to a fan debate on the matter, he tweeted , "Goofy is certainly not a cow! Neither is he a dog!"

The actor also said in 2020 that Goofy was not a dog. "Goofy seems to be in the canine family in the same way that maybe a wolf is not a dog, but they also are in the canine family," he told Yahoo! Entertainment at the time, later adding, "He's just Goofy."

He was later redrawn to look younger and according to the Disney Parks' official blog , he later appeared in newspaper comic strips as Dippy Dawg (which rhymes with that animal he definitely isn't). His name officially became "Goofy" in 1939 with the release of the film Goofy & Wilbur , the blog noted.

Farmer made his debut as the voice of Goofy in the cartoon Disney's Doggone Valentine , a special that aired during the holiday in February 1987.

Over the next few decades, Farmer went on to reprise the role in projects such as the hit 1995 animated film A Goofy Movie and video games such as Disney Dreamlight Valley , in addition to numerous TV episodes.

The actor currently portrays Goofy in the ongoing Disney preschool-aged series Mickey Mouse Funhouse and is set to reprise the role in a reboot of similar show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse , which is due to premiere 2025. In addition to his voiceover work, Farmer, who has also voiced Pluto onscreen since 1990, hosts the Disney+ docuseries It’s A Dog's Life , which focuses on working dogs.

"I've done probably close to 3,000 or 4,000 different projects for Disney over the last 33 years as Goofy and Pluto," the actor said in a video shared on the streaming platform's YouTube page in 2020. "It made me think, well, I love dogs. There's probably got to be a lot of dog people out there that would love to find out about working dogs and what they do."

Read on for magical facts about your favorite Disney films, once of which features a cameo from Goofy...

1. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, just how far did Walt Disney go to make this 1937 film the fairest of them all? Miles. Having initially seen a silent film version of the fairytale as a teen, he made it his mission to put out the first feature-length animated film in U.S. history. When the budget for the three-year process ballooned to $1.5 million, he mortgaged his home to finance the production.  2. Sneezy was actually a last-minute substitution for another dwarf. Others that were  conceptualized and drawn , but ultimately cut include Snoopy, Blabby, Dizzy, Graceful, Hotsy, Jumpy and Biggy-Wiggy.  3. When Walt received  an honorary Oscar  for the film in 1939, it was designed as one standard statuette surrounded by seven miniature ones. 

4. Respect the glow up: The 1941 tale of an elephant who grew to appreciate the uniqueness of his oversized ears (based on the 36-page book, Dumbo the Flying Elephant) almost landed the cover of  TIME  with Dumbo  slated to be honored as Mammal of the Year . But after the attack on Pearl Harbor, editors decided to shift course. 

5. Long before Taylor Swift , Walt was king of the Easter eggs . WDP Circus, where Dumbo lands, is a (rather obvious) acronym for Walt Disney Productions.

6. At just 64 minutes it's one of Disney's shortest feature films and, thanks to ongoing war efforts, the budget was compressed as well, totaling just $812,000 .

7. Those horrified by the (decades-old spoiler alert!) early death of Bambi's mother aren't alone. Diane Disney   complained to her dad  about the inclusion only to be told he was following the narration of the book,  Bambi: A Life in the Woods . In response, she pointed out the liberties he'd taken in the past.  8. To get the life story of a fawn  just  right, animators watched nature films, took field trips to the Los Angeles Zoo, studied the movements of two deer donated to the studio and, in the biggest show of commitment, observed the decomposition of a dead deer.  9. After accepting what would be the role of his lifetime at age 6,  Donnie Dunagan , the voice of Bambi, went on to join the Marines and serve in the Vietnam War. Taking pains to never talk about his brush with fame ("Most of the image in people's minds of Bambi was a little frail deer, not doing very well, sliding around on the ice on his belly," he  noted to NPR's StoryCorps ) it came up when he was just weeks away from retirement as he respectfully told a general he didn't have time to complete an assigned task.  "He looked at me, pulled his glasses down like some kind of college professor," he recalled. "There's a big, red, top-secret folder that he got out of some safe somewhere that had my name on it. He pats this folder, looks me in the eye and says, 'You will audit the auditors. Won't you, Maj. Bambi?'"

10. Thanks to a mix of box office misses and overspending, by the tail end of World War II, the studio was millions in debt when it  decided to roll the dice  by spending $3 million to make a dressed up version of the folk tale. The reward: Adjusting for inflation, the 1950 flick has had a lifetime gross of more than $532 million and has continued to pay dividends with merchandise sales. Happily ever after, indeed.  11. Cinderelly is one of the oldest of the Disney princesses at the geriatric age of 19. (By contrast, Snow White is just 14.) Her shoe size, meanwhile, is a quite diminutive four-and-a-half.  12. What's in a name, really? Disney didn't bother with one for its lead's captivating mate. Prince Charming is simply Prince Charming. 

13. Remaking  J.M. Barrie 's creation in 1953 was very personal for Walt who'd  busted into his piggy bank  to see a touring performance as a young boy and then went on to play Peter in a school production.  14. The appearance of the actors cast to play eldest Darling child Wendy ( Kathryn Beaumont , who also voiced the titular character in  Alice in Wonderland ) and Peter himself ( Bobby Driscoll ) heavily influenced the animators' designs. Sadly, Driscoll suffered with addiction issues and died of heart failure at 31.   15. Despite what her name might suggest, Tinker Bell's  signature sound  was actually created by stringing together pieces of aluminum. 

16. Doggone if this wasn't the sweetest love story on four paws  inspired by  writer Joe Grant 's real-life Springer Spaniel, Lady. But it was Walt who came up with the moniker of the posh pup's unlikely paramour, crossing out the name "Mutt" in a script and scribbling down, "Tramp".  17. During the making of the 1955 feature, Disney offices went to the dogs, with live canines on hand to inspire animators.   18. The flick's most iconic scene was  almost left on the cutting room floor  with Walt feeling the shared spaghetti moment might be pushing the animals-with-human-emotions boundaries. Thankfully directing animator  Frank Thomas came up with the right recipe to save it.  

19. The film was a bit of a sleeper hit: After an initial disappointing box office, that led to an avoidance of animated fairytales until  The Little Mermaid  30 years later,  re-releases  in 1970, 1979, 1986 and 1995 made it the second-most profitable movie of 1959.  20. To keep the slumber metaphor going...it had quite the hibernation period. Initially conceived back in 1951, the painstakingly stylized drawings (thought to differentiate it from that other Disney princess film, Cinderella ) and Walt's insistence that each frame  be a work of art  meant it took  years  to bring the 17th century Charles Perrault fairy tale to theaters. Plus Walt was distracted by another small side project: Disneyland.  21. Trained opera singer  Mary Costa  provided the voice of Sleeping Beauty, but that was far from her only  high profile gig . After  Jackie Kennedy Onassis  heard her sing the national anthem at the Academy Awards, she was later asked to perform at  John F. Kennedy 's funeral. 

22. Just the bare necessities (the simple bare necessities): Bumbling Rocky the Rhino  was cut  from this 1967 adapted look at animal life because his scene came after orangutang King Louis and Walt didn't want back-to-back comedy scenes.  23. Composers  Richard and Robert Sherman had their sights set on  booking The Beatles  for the vultures' "That's What Friends Are For," but the Fab Four weren't interested in working it out.

24. This 1989 classic set off what is widely known as the Disney Renaissance. On the heels of  Oliver & Company ,  The Black Cauldron  and several live-action films in the  Herbie  franchise, the success of Ariel and co. was followed by extremely well-received '90s fare:  Beauty and the Beast ,  Aladdin ,  The Lion King ,  Toy Story ... 25. Give the opening scene with King Triton a rewatch: Eagle-eyed viewers (or, you know, those of us with the ability to press pause) can spot Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck in the underwater crowd, continuing the studio's popular tradition of giving nods to other members of its vast oeuvre. 26. Color was key for the ocean-set picture. According to  the official Walt Disney Company blog , Ariel's red locks were chosen to help differentiate her from  Daryl Hannah 's blonde mermaid in 1994's  Splash  and to complement the blue-green of her fin, a hue specially mixed by the Disney paint lab and named Ariel.  27. As for her facial features, those were inspired by then- Who's the Boss?  star  Alyssa Milano . "I didn't know that when it was going on," the actress  told  Wendy Williams  in 2013. "But they asked me to host  The Making of The Little Mermaid  and it came there that the drawing and likeness of  The Little Mermaid  was based on pictures of me from when I was younger, which is so cool!"

28. To create Belle, a woman formidable enough to tame the Beast, screenwriter Linda Woolverton borrowed inspiration from  Katharine Hepburn 's  Little Women  role. "Though the character of Jo is more tomboyish, both were strong, active women who loved to read—and wanted more than life was offering them," she  told the  Los Angeles Times . Her blue dress in the opening scene served as a nod to that. The only character in the cool hue it was meant to show how she wanted more than this provincial life.  29. Beast, meanwhile, was designed using an amalgamation of animals. Wanting him "to be based on something that was real," animator Glen Keane said, he has the brow of a gorilla, the head of a buffalo, the mane of a lion, the tusks of a boar, the legs of a wolf and the eyes of a once-entitled, now very trapped prince.  30.  Angela Lansbury 's Mrs. Potts was initially named Mrs. Chamomile because "we originally tried to find the most soothing possible association," producer Don Hahn  told  Vanity Fair . "But nobody could pronounce it." 

31. No cash, no royal lineage, no problem. With his wit, boldness and a sexy confidence, the titular character broke Disney's charming mold: "I could never understand why Snow White and Sleeping Beauty fell for those princes,"  said lead animator Keane  of wanting a worthy mate for Princess Jasmine. "Those guys were cardboard symbols, and the love relationship was assumed. We wanted there to be a how to the princess falling in love." 32. The role of brash parrot Iago was turned down by  Danny DeVito  and  Joe Pesci  before   Gilbert Gottfried   said yes. Genie, however, was completely designed for  Robin Williams , producers giving the legendary comic the hard sell ahead of the 1992 film.  Despite having only a handful of days open for recording, he provided producers with a lot to work with. "Robin had so much freedom, and [ad-libbing] was always encouraged," supervising animator Eric Goldberg   told  Entertainment Weekly . "He always gave us such a huge amount to choose from. He would do a line as written, but he would do it as 20 different characters." 33. Less confident were the actors behind Aladdin ( Scott Weinger , perhaps better known as D.J.'s Full House boyfriend) and Jasmine   ( Linda Larkin ), both convinced they'd be recast when admitting they weren't exactly professional singers. Instead filmmakers simply found musicians for the big numbers.

34. The first Disney animated feature not to be based on a book or fairytale, it went into production at the same time as  Pocahontas , the 1995 film  very  loosely borrowing from the biography of the real-life Native American woman. Many of the studio's top animators chose to work on the latter, feeling it'd be more successful, only to see Simba and his pride blow it out of the water with a nearly $1 billion gross.  35. Perhaps give some credit to Pumba? The warthog was the first Disney character to fart onscreen.  36. As to be expected, there were many edits to the original script. But perhaps one of the most notable is their decision to make the villainous Scar Mufasa's brother rather than just a random rebel. The switch, occurring after the animated character had been developed, accounts for the notable differences in their appearance.   37. That popular urban legend about a puff of dust spelling out the very un-Disney "sex"? Not quite. Producers later admitted they'd spelled out SFX, a tribute to the special effects team. Whoops. 

38. Though Pocahontas' story was most definitely Disney-fied, the 1995 film was a  bit  groundbreaking for the Mouse House as the first to feature an interracial couple. And at least Percy the pug was historically accurate with research director Mike Gabriel noting British  royalty used to tote small pup s with them at the time.   39. It was a true labor of love with some 55 animators tapped to create the lead character and each scene  written and rewritten  at least 35 times.  40. Unclear on exactly what a blue corn moon is?  Judy Kuhn , the musical voice of Pocahontas was in the same boat. As she  admitted to  Entertainment Weekly  in 2015, "I have always hoped someone could explain it to me."

41. Forever changing the way we look at our toys, the 1995 hit was the first feature-length computer animated film ever, catapulting Pixar into the spotlight. And it could have been  very  different. In early drafts, Woody was a ventriloquist dummy instead of a cowboy and kind of a d-bag, intentionally abusing toys.  42. A pre- Buffy the Vampire Slayer   Joss Whedon  was brought into the writers' room and came up with  one of the best lines : "You're a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity." He was also behind lovably neurotic dinosaur Rex.  43.  Tom Hanks  has a friend in brother Jim, who provides the voice for all Woody merchandise when the Oscar winner is otherwise entangled. "There are so many computer games and video things," he  explained on  The Graham Norton Show , "and Jim just works on those all year long."

44. The idea of a family of superheroes forced into retirement kicked around writer-director Brad Bird 's head for some seven years before he brought it to Pixar. Initially told "it would take 10 years and cost a gazillion dollars," as he put it, the 2004 flick far outpaced the $92 million budget and even nabbed two Oscars.  45. Historian and author  Sarah Vowell  scored the part of Violet, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl's daughter, after Bird  heard her  on  This American Life .  46. Technology had advanced so much by the time  Incredibles 2   came to the screen that they had developed a new hair program for more realistic-moving tresses (plus a whole team tasked with making sure they're flowing properly in each shot), more advanced-looking super suits and costumes detailed to the zipper and buttons. Pretty, uh, incredible, huh?  

47. Disney's first Black princess (in 2009!)  could have been played  by a true queen. But, according to  Confessions of a Casting Director  author Jen Rudin ,  Beyoncé  refused to audition for the part. After tryouts from  Alicia Keys ,  Jennifer Hudson  and  Tyra Banks , it went to Bey's  Dreamgirls  costar  Anika Noni Rose . The actress suggested the New Orleans-based Tiana share some of her attributes, so animators made her left-handed and gave her dimples.  48. Directors  Ron Clements and John Musker  pitched the concept (inspired by novel  The Frog Princess  and a Brothers Grimm fairy tale) to  Oprah Winfrey  during a Disneyland trip for fun (as you do) and the media icon was so into it, she ended up voicing Tiana's mother, Eudora.

49. A dream project some 70 years in the making, Walt first thought of adapting  Hans Christian Andersen 's  The Snow Queen  in 1937 and just couldn't, uh, let the idea go.  50. Animators did a lot of cool activities to ensure they got the characters juuuust right:  a sister summit  to better understand the relationship between Elsa and Anna, a crash course in meteorology,  a jaunt to Norway  to gather inspiration for Arendelle and a two-day field trip to Jackson Hole to study snow.  51. Once slated to be an evil queen with a blue face, spiky hair and a coat of weasels (which, sure), Elsa was shifted away from villain status after songwriters  Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez penned the oh-so-catchy "Let It Go". 

52. As they developed the 2016 film about the headstrong daughter of a Polynesian village's chief, filmmakers put together the Oceanic Story Trust. Made up of anthropologists, educators, linguists, master tattooists, choreographers, haka practitioners, master navigators, and other experts they'd met during research trips to the Pacific Islands, their role was to advise on all aspect of the region's culture. 53. Pua and HeiHei, included because of the number of pigs and roosters spotted on South Pacific research trips, were  voiced by actual animals .  54. Yes, actress Auli'i Cravalho bears a striking resemblance to her onscreen alter ego, but it's pure coincidence . The character of Moana was drawn before she was cast. Some things are just meant to be.