The Disney Company is a force to be reckoned with these days and honestly has been for decades. For those out there who believe that Disney is “just a movie company” or “just a theme park” or “just Mickey Mouse” you are sorely mistaken! This company’s innovative strides across various entertainment industries were all rooted from one man’s dreams and ambitions. Seeing so many of his ideas realized and ultimately elevated in epic proportions makes me wonder what Walt must think of all of this!

Disney history has always been something that has fascinated me. It’s fair to say that I’ve been learning as much as I can about this company (especially its theme parks) for almost two decades! Believe it or not, the history is so rich that still to this day I learn new things. I really just can’t get enough when it comes to learning about Disney!

I think this initial interest stemmed from a coffee table book my parents kept in our living room called Since the World Began. This book was published in 1996 and focused on the four (or at the time three and an idea for a one) parks of the Walt Disney World resort. The 90’s photos of my favorite destination have since become remnants of the theme park’s past and often a source in my Disney Throwback posts, but I truly believe this book was the start of my passion for all things Disney history!

Now with a home of my own, I’ve continued my Disney coffee table collection (you can find most of my collection here!) and my latest addition is a pretty cool book. For someone who collects so many Disney books, I’m really not a big reader! I much prefer lists and round-ups and if I’m still interested in more details I’ll continue my search. As a list lover, Top Disney is right up my alley!

Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney, From the Man to the Mouse and Beyond was created by author Christopher Lucas and is a one stop shop for tons of Disney History nuggets. Lucas takes the various aspects of Disney’s history and breaks them down into quick, yet detailed lists! 

The list topics are broken up into seven sections: Walt Disney, The Disney Company, Disney Films, Disney Characters, Disney Cast Members, Disney Television/Other Media, and Disney Parks and Attractions. Each of these sections is home to a multiple top ten lists that fall within the specific category! For example, under Walt Disney’s section you can find top ten lists about topics like Walt Disney Quotes, Important Places Related To Walt’s Life, and Key Moments in Walt’s Life. 

This book includes corresponding imagery which helps to connect you with the topic at hand whether it be an attraction, movie, or Disney executive. What I loved about this Disney reference is Table of Contents! If I get curious about an aspect of Disney history, in a matter of seconds I can be directed to the perfect list to answer my question.

Top Disney is currently available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle form! (Click here to grab your copy.) If there’s a Disney history buff in your life (or if that history buff is YOU) this book would be the ultimate addition to any collection. It’s books like these that make it even easier to share some of Disney’s rich history with those who may not be as into the company!

The back cover of Top Disney boasts this book as “The Only Disney Reference You’ll Ever Need” and I’d have to say I agree. Although there may be more in-depth books on one aspect of Disney history, this collection really establishes an initial deep dive that could lead you to grow your collection even more! It’s truly outstanding that Christopher Lucas was able to put almost a century of historical details into one 200-page book. 

If Top Disney sounds like a must-buy for your coffee table book collection, grab your copy here! Interested in even more Disney literature? Check out this post from last year on some of my favorite Disney books!

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Which Disney History Books Are Your Favorite?