Disney's Land

By: Richard Snow

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

A propulsive and “entertaining” (The Wall Street Journal) history chronicling the conception and creation of the iconic Disneyland theme park, as told like never before by popular historian 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. In Disney’s Land, “Snow brings a historian’s eye and a child’s delight, not to mention superb writing, to the telling of this fascinating narrative” (Ken Burns) that “will entertain Disneyphiles and readers of popular American history” (Publishers Weekly).

Intriguing and fun

Loved all the stories. It’s a well researched and artfully told story of Disneyland, as well as some about Walt himself.

great history

loved it. great story on the history of the park and how Walt came up with several ideas

Very thorough, definitely in the top 3.

A very well put together compendium, and a silky smooth 12 hour yarn. I listened to it while building a frame for my 6 foot Abraham Lincoln audio animatronic blueprint, which came out far more detailed and perfected than previously planned, because Walt's story inspires inspiration itself. This telling of it deserves more eyes and ears. If you're new to Disney History, start here. If you're a Disney History veteran, there will be at least one thing you haven't heard before.

Fantastic history of Disneyland - great attention to detail

I have many Disney books in my collection. This is one of the better ones. Snow gives a great attention to details. Great read!

Very interesting content

Lovely story about the creation (idea, construction, challenges, etc.) of Disneyland, theme park that inspired many more parks to be created.