It’s really hard to imagine Disneyland without any visitors. It’s like an empty Time Square or a vacant Vegas Strip.
Walt Disney often said when he was building Disneyland that there was one thing missing: People. He knew the crowds would bring the place to life unlike any amount of architectural detail or period-perfect costumes.
I drew on many behind-the-scenes trips to Walt’s wonderland while writing “Backstage Disneyland.” Over the years, I’ve toured backstage by golf cart, watched parade rehearsals after hours, toured Walt’s private apartment, traversed the submarine tunnels and slipped in the back doors of rides.
Disney always had one strict rule whenever I was backstage: No photos. The unwritten rule was that I would focus my reporting and writing on what happened “on stage” - Disney’s theatrical way of referring to the public area of the park. With “Backstage Disneyland,” I break through that fourth wall for the first time.
My favorite backstage moment happened more than 20 years ago when I was a young reporter covering the city of Anaheim - and by extension, Disneyland. I spent a whole night after the park closed working on a story about Disneyland after dark. The highlight: Climbing under the Mad Tea Party tea cups while the ride was undergoing routine maintenance.
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Sample chapters
Prologue: Once Upon a Time
Chapter 1: Wonderful World of Disney
Chapter 2: A Whole New World
Chapter 3: Exile on Main Street USA
Chapter 4: Evil Plans
Chapter 5: Real Princesses of Disneyland
Chapter 6: Action Figure
Chapter 7: Code R
Chapter 8: Common Foes
Chapter 9: Peace, Love & Mickey
Chapter 10: Operation Death Star
Chapter 11: Frozen Ever After
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