Disney A to Z: The Updated Official Encyclopedia [Hardcover]

David Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Disney a to Z

The ultimate encyclopedia of every person, place, and thing in the history of Disney, this captivating guide has more than 6,500 entries and 1,000 photos and illustrations, many in color.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

You may well know that Mickey Mouse's first appearance was in the 1928 cartoon Steamboat Willie, but do you know where Donald Duck made his debut? With the help of Disney A to Z: The Updated Official Encyclopedia, you'll know that Donald made his first appearance in 1934's Wise Little Hen--and that his middle name is Fauntleroy. This wonderful book contains hundreds of illustrations and nearly 3,000 entries covering all aspects of Disney's world, from brief synopses of all the Disney cartoons, films, and television programs to the names of the restaurants and shops at the Disney theme parks and the names of all 39 original Mouseketeers. Compiled by Dave Smith, Archives Director for the Walt Disney Company, this book is the definitive guide to Disney. For example, a glimpse under the letter "P" reveals that Prince Charming was the prince in Cinderella, Prince Eric fell for Ariel in TheLittle Mermaid, Prince John was the "phony King of England" from Robin Hood, Prince Phillip kissed Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty--but that the prince in Snow White was simply called "Prince" (He shouldn't feel bad--the evil queen was simply called "Queen."). At times the book is a bit too mouse-eared--Rita Moreno's entry reads "Actress; appeared on television in episodes of Zorro"--but all in all it is an excellent resource. Chock-full of interesting information, Disney A to Z is a treat for Disneyphiles and trivia buffs alike. --C.B. Delaney

From Library Journal

In the vast world of Disney, things change every day. Smith, founder (in 1970) and director of the Walt Disney Archives, created his first compendium (Disney A-Z: The Official Encyclopedia, LJ 11/15/96) to help staff archivists keep up. This new edition (whose publisher is a Disney company) updates and expands an already comprehensive volume, covering movies, TV, key personnel, attractions, and other company ventures. Most entries are brief and informative, providing facts but little descriptive content or analysis, although longer discussions accompany articles on Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, and other company icons. Browsing this piecemeal history of Disney is like watching a review of America in the television age. With 300 new entries covering new (Mulan, Flubber) and old topics missed in the first volume, this edition is the best source for Disney trivia. For reference and circulating collections.?Kelli N. Perkins, Herrick Dist. Lib., Holland, MI
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Disney Editions; Upd Sub edition (August 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786863919
• ISBN-13: 978-0786863914
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Pop Culture

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another good Disney reference encyclopedia, June 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Disney A to Z: The Updated Official Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Alongside John Grant's Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters and Leonard Maltin's The Disney Films, this encyclopedia is a great Disney reference source. It is filled with hundreds of photographs and illustrations from the Disney Archives, and has obviously been extensively researched. It has a great deal of wonderful information. Wonderful research material if you want to be the next Dave SMith or John Grant or Loenard Maltin!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most intruiging Disney book I have ever read., December 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Disney A to Z: The Updated Official Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Dave Smith creates a good picture in your mind about what Disney has been like since 1923. I have a much better idea of the company. It would so incredibly hard to find all this wonderful information.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Disney Resource, February 22, 2003

By 

D. Allen "meeko_2003" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Disney A to Z: The Updated Official Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This encyclopedia by Disney archivist Dave Smith has everything you would want to know about Disney's films, theme parks, television shows, and more. At a length of over 600 pages, this book overflows with information, most of which one might wonder why anyone would need to know. Questions such as "what Disney film was released on October 3, 1927?", "what Disney film stared Sean Conery before he landed the role of James Bond?", and "what stage show played at Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland Theater starting in 1984?" are all answered in this book, along with literally thousands of others. This book is a great resource for any Disney fan and a fascinating look at the evolution of the Walt Disney Company.