13 Disney Books I Look Forward to in Second Half of 2021 Including Walt Disney World 50th Coffee Table Book
This article was last updated September 17th, 2021
Hi everyone!
There are a lot of Disney books to look forward to in the second half of 2021! With Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary kicking off on October 1st, a number of the books are geared toward the World’s Most Magical Celebration. Most of these books are also aimed toward adults, but not all. This is an evolving list, depending on if any books are delayed or new books are added (and I expect a couple of more of the latter soon). Here are my 13 most anticipated books so far for 2021, and all are available for preorder.
Projected release date: September 28th, 2021
Disney says of this book, this must-have coffee table book paints a robust portrait of the Florida resort, through vibrant voices and rare Disney theme park concept art, photographs, and ephemera. As someone who has visited the parks regularly since 1977, I can’t wait to see what is included!
Disney World at 50: The Stories of How Walt’s Kingdom Became Magic in Orlando
Projected release date: October 12th, 2021
This book is from the Orlando Sentinel, which offers a unique viewpoint. From the publisher: Featuring historic coverage and over 100 photos from the Orlando Sentinel archives, the commemorative edition is a visually stunning chronicle of the place where dreams come true.
Walt’s Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney
Projected release date: November 16th, 2021
Marcy Carriker Smothers wrote the wonderful Eat Like Walt in 2017 and now offers up what I know will be another well research and interesting book. She is also a very nice person who I’m happy to call a friend.
Not Just a Walk in the Park: My Worldwide Disney Resorts Career
Projected Release Date: November 9th, 2021
Disney Legend James Cora passed away in March, months before the publishing of this book. He had an extensive Disney career and the book will be about the global theme park and resort expansion. From Disney: Not Just a Walk in the Park: The Creation of Disney’s Global Resorts is the first-ever documentation of Disney’s rise as a worldwide powerhouse in destination recreation and cultural export; and the circumstances, events, and individuals who brought it all to life.
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Projected release date: November 16th, 2021
Dave Bossert has another book in the pipelines, this one on Imagineer Claude Coats from Old Mill Press. From the publisher: Claude Coats: Walt Disney’s Imagineer—The Making of Disneyland: From Toad Hall to the Haunted Mansion and Beyond is the story of artist and designer Claude Coats who, for more than half a century, was one of the most prolific creative talents at The Walt Disney Company and, arguably, the most accomplished.
Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World special edition is sold out on shopDisney now but a regular edition should be available for the release date. It is available for preorder on Amazon but it won’t release there until April 5th, 2022.
Projected release date: September 28th, 2021
With more than 60 recipes, this comes from Pam Brandon, Marcy Carriker Smothers and the Disney chefs and is a shopDisney exclusive. From the publisher: The 2,500 copies of the First Special Edition of Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World have been individually numbered and include a bonus booklet showcasing menus from around Walt Disney World from the past 50 years.
Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide (Birnbaum Guides)
Projected release date: September 21st, 2021
This is the official guidebook of Walt Disney World. It isn’t the most comprehensive book, but it makes a wonderful souvenir guide and includes coupons.
The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Cookbook & Entertaining Guide
Projected release date: August 31st, 2021
This book is part cookbook, part guide for throwing a The Nightmare Before Christmas themed party. The publisher is Insight Editions, who says: No matter the occasion, this book will help you take your next dinner or event from routine to inspired—with a little help from Jack Skellington, Sally, Sandy Claws, and all their friends in Halloween Town.
Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts
Projected release date: December 7th, 2021
This book coincides with an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by the same name. I love Disney, France and art so it is right up my alley. From the publisher: How Walt Disney and the Disney Studios wove the aesthetics of French decorative arts into the fairy-tale worlds of beloved animated films, from Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast and beyond.
The Disney Afternoon: The Making of a Television Renaissance (delayed into 2022)
The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Projected release date: October 19th, 2021
This had been delayed as well previously but it looks like it is on track now for October. There are 512 pages, more than 200 interviews, and over 500 production photos (and more) in this two-volume set.
Projected release date: September 7th, 2021
While not an official “Disney” book, the description mentions that the book will delve intimately into her relationship with Walt Disney – and of course, her films with the Walt Disney Company. The book is almost 400 pages and I expect will have a wide range of topics outside the Disney realm as well.
The Haunted Mansion (Disney Classic) (Little Golden Book)
Projected release date: July 13th, 2019
Little Golden Book has been offering some fun Disney parks books geared towards kids (and fans of all ages). After it’s a small world and Jungle Cruise, this is the third Little Golden Book Disney attraction book this year. I wrote a review of The Haunted Mansion Little Golden Book here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney Classic) (Little Golden Book)
Projected release date: July 13th, 2021
I’m a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas and I wrote a review of the book here.
My list will be evolving over the coming months as dates may change and new books introduced.
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