Walt Disney World: A Portrait of the First Half Century

“In a manner that makes it distinct from most other books about the parks, the bulk of Portrait is not organized by park or land, but rather by themes: Nostalgia, Discovery, Fantasy, and Tomorrow. Within these categories, different sections of the resort are grouped together in sometimes unlikely, yet sensible combinations. Nostalgia includes Main Street and Liberty Square, of course, but also the Grand Floridian, Boardwalk resort area, and Port Orleans, as well as the overall original concept for Disney-MGM Studios (oh, how I miss it!)”–AllEars“Walt Disney World is a huge place with a lot of history and as such, many of the topics are really just touched upon throughout the four parks and many resorts. As much as the book is rooted in the past, it discusses the present day - from Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure to Pandora - The World of Avatar to Toy Story Land to what the book calls the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion (I had not heard that name before).”–MouseSteps“This is chock full of stories, nuggets, facts, quotes, photographs, captions, drawings, detailed renderings and top secret blueprints, current and historical, of all things Walt Disney World…”–ZANNALAND

Kevin M. Kern first began working with the Walt Disney Archives in 2011, and was hired by the department full-time in 2013. As the group’s manager of research, he currently works with historical documents and artwork, and helps to facilitate company legacy and outreach projects, including oral histories and the development and installation of museum exhibitions. He’s hosted special event programming for many business units across The Walt Disney Company, and has had his writing featured in numerous publications.

Tim O’Day is a successful writer, PR executive, ideation consultant, and event producer. His creative spark was behind creating a Olympic-size lap pool on Main Street, U.S.A. for US Olympian Michael Phelps, procuring a Disneyland “Star” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, placing “Dumbo” in the Smithsonian, securing Dame Julie Andrews as the Disneyland 50th anniversary honorary ambassador, and having the pardoned White House Thanksgiving turkeys retire to the Disney Parks. He has worked with almost all the Disney Legends and helped secure the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush for the legendary songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman in a White House ceremony.

Steven Vagnini joined the staff of the Walt Disney Archives as an archivist full time in 2010, after several years as a Walt Disney World Cast Member and an Archives intern. He has produced programs for D23 events, spoken to Disney groups, and written articles for various Disney publications (including working closely with Dave Smith on the latest version of Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia). In 2018, he transferred to the Florida-based branch of Walt Disney Imagineering.

Cover artist Fabiola Garza is a Character Artist at Disney Creative group in Orlando, Florida. During her career she has had the pleasure of working on The Little Golden Book for Pixar’s Coco and designing the beloved turtle, Olu Mei for Disney’s Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. She is the also author and illustrator of the award-winning children’s book, A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II . During her free time she enjoys ballroom dancing, the work of G. K. Chesterton, and contributing to Catholic publications and podcasts. Her favorite Walt Disney World attraction is The Haunted Mansion.