Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens [Hardcover]

Kevin Markey (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Disney landscapers are artists who use flowers as their paint and foliage as their clay to transport guests to different lands and different times. Disney's landscape artists know the right plants to create rugged, genteel, even spooky settings-often just yards apart. For the first time ever, the master gardeners of Disney will offer home gardeners their tips for creating impressive landscapes. Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens will be the perfect memento for garden lovers and a stunning source of inspiration and appreciation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Disney Editions (March 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786855525
• ISBN-13: 978-0786855520
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disney Secrets Still Secret, July 13, 2006

By 

mzloolue "Bookish Bore" (Cottonland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens (Hardcover)

I was very excited when I received this book; however, the excitement was short lived. The information in the book is very basic. For example, the book devotes two pages to explaining the USDA zones and another two on how to plant a tree. About the only secret was the directions for making the floating planters from Epcot and since I don't have a pond they were interesting, but not too useful.

Also, the pictures were beautiful, but I wished that the plants in the photos and the locations had been identified. It devotes four pages to the Haunted Mansion gardens, but then doesn't identify the variety of the Haunted Mansion's prolific red roses.

Many of the photos were taken at the 2005 Epcot flower show and I enjoyed reliving the experience through the photos.

If you go to WDW and are amazed at the gardens and have no idea how they do it, then this book would be useful. If,however, you have a good basic idea about how the gardens are created and maintained, then you will not discover many secrets with this book.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait!, July 3, 2006

By 

Richard Gray (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens (Hardcover)

After many delays, this book finally arrives in glorious hardcover format. If you've ever been to a Disney park, you'll appreciate that a lot of effort has gone into making it bright and beautiful and green all the year 'round. This book is far more than just a collection of photos showcasing these gardens, although it does serve that function in part, but it is really more of a gardening guide for the reader. It isn't quite like your traditional garden book either, but it does provide handy hints as to how to make your own potting mix, when the right time to plant is and so forth.

After a brief introduction about the history of the parks, the book goes on to cover specific topics such as building an entry arbor; selecting the right plants for your region; planting a productive potting garden; and getting the right colour/border mixture. From there, a great section entitled 'Setting the Mood' examine the ways in which you can re-create the 'feel' of a Haunted Mansion through to Tomorrowland by choosing the right plants and arranging them. The 'International Flora' section concentrates largely on the World Showcase at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida, while the final section, enticingly titled 'Trade Secrets', examines how they make those topiary animals and floral portraits, such as the one at the Main Entrance of Disneyland. Maybe one day your garden will look as good as Disney's - of course, I'd be nice to have the land and money they have too.


Probably for serious Disney Park enthusiasts only, and those that have an eye for gardening. To be honest, I just enjoy looking at the pictures.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Photography, March 10, 2007

By 

M. Scupin (Gainesville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens (Hardcover)

But, I wanted to know more about specifics that take place in the Disney's horticultural arena. Also, why talk about the oldest specimen on property (a yucca in the Mexico pavilion over 250 years old) and then not have a photograph. I am a serious gardener and an avid Disney fan. As an annual passholder I travel down to Walt Disney World 4-6 times a year. As much for their gardens as anything else. I was really hoping for more in depth knowledge of horticulture at Disney. A lot of information in the book is very basic. If you love Disney and love plants then I would still recommend this book for your collection. Just be prepared that you are not going to receive the "inside look" that I anticipated.