**Disclosure – I received these books for review purposes from the Disney Book Group. All opinions are my own.
The holidays are right around the corner! Last minute gifts can be quite stressful. This year, make sure to gift a few Disney Books! These books are perfect for Disney fans- so they are sure to be a hit this season!
As a life-long Disney fan, these books are extremely interesting, sharing stories of how Walt Disney’s vision was brought to life by amazingly creative people. With real stories – and pictures! – from Dick Nunis and Leslie Iwerks(Ub Iwerks granddaughter), these books are like stepping back in time. The Poster Art book is a stunning coffee table book – sure to complete any collection. Be sure to check these out!
Walt’s Apprentice: Keeping the Disney Dream Alive- written by Disney Legend Dick Nunis
- $22.22 on Amazon with Prime with delivery before Christmas
Walt’s Apprentice: Keeping the Disney Dream AliveWalt’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.This first-person narrative is presented as a series of wide-ranging vignettes. Some vignettes focus on personal, character-shaping events, such as the injury that ended his collegiate football career. Other stories touch on national events, such as Nikita Khrushchev’s derailed visit to Disneyland, the decision to close the park following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan’s assistance in expediting the visa process for cast members staffing the Epcot World Showcase. Few people have enjoyed a life so immersed in Disney magic.
These stories share that magic through the memories of one of the original doers and dreamers.
- The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering
- written by: Leslie Iwerks
- $15.99 on Amazon Kindle
The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney ImagineeringThe 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.”
- Poster Art of the Disney Parks, Second Edition
- by: Danny Handke, Vanessa Hunt
- $37.99 on Amazon Prime with delivery before Christmas
Poster Art of the Disney Parks, Second EditionAn expanded and updated second edition of the stunning collection of posters from Disney theme parks around the world! Features more than 85 new posters and concept art pieces and a lively narrative about their behind-the-scenes development.
Disney attraction posters have been an important means of communication since Disneyland began displaying them in 1956. These eye-catching pieces of artwork adorn the parks with flair and style, and are displayed to build excitement and disseminate information about the newest additions to the Disney landscape. As evidenced by the evolution of the attraction posters, art styles and design techniques have certainly changed over the years. These characteristics also differ from continent to continent. Posters from EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland exhibit the nuances in presentation that give each park’s pantheon of posters its signature look and story.
This expanded and updated second edition is a must-have for anyone who loves the original book, for Disney collectors, and for students of the arts. Find inside:
An incredible collection of original attraction posters from Shanghai Disneyland
The extensive and graphically bold collection of EPCOT posters first unveiled at D23 Expo 2019
Posters featuring attractions and lands inspired by storytelling from Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel
A variety of vibrant voices quoted throughout the book, with interesting insights about the development of the posters over the years and the interconnection among art, typography, and graphic design–Disney style.
A Disney blooded, crafty, fun-lovin’ wife/mom/organizer/planner, etc who is obsessed with all things Disney 🙂 Maria grew up with the Magic Kingdom and has loved watching WDW evolve into what it is today. A firm believer in the Power of Pixie Dust, she is the owner of The Disney Driven Life – A Community for Neurotic Disney People & a d.i.y. crafty blog, Carousel of Projects – create~inspire~share.
