‘The Disney Interviews, Volume 1’ highlights Disney legends in one-on-one conversations
“The Disney Interviews, Volume 1” is a new book filled with one-on-one conversations with Imagineers, artists, actors, musicians, magic-makers, and Mouseketeers who worked for and with Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company.
These conversations feature a variety of voices from across the Disney canon, including those who worked on the Disney Parks, movies, television series, as well as those who were instrumental in preserving Walt’s history and legacy. The book is written by Lou Mongello, founder of WDW Radio.
“This book is not only a testament to Walt Disney and his vision,” said Mongello, “but a celebration of the talented and dedicated individuals that worked hard to deliver a smile to faces of millions.”
Some of the interviews featured include:
- Julie Andrews – Star of “Mary Poppins,” personally hired by Walt Disney
- Marty Sklar – Former creative leader of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), and Walt Disney’s “right hand man” as writer of personal materials for Walt Disney to use in publications, television, and special films, including the film showcasing Walt’s vision for Walt Disney World and Epcot
- George McGinnis – Last Imagineer personally hired by Walt Disney, and show designer for attractions including Space Mountain in Disneyland and Walt Disney World
- Lonnie Burr – Member of the Original Mickey Mouse Club
- Alice Davis – Designer and creator of costumes for animated figures for attractions including “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Dave Smith – Founder of the Disney Archives
- Charles Ridgway – Disney Legends, Director of Press and Publicity for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and who helped launch the Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, and Epcot Center in 1982
- Al Konetzni – Artist, marketing executive, and character merchandising “idea man”
- Bill “Sully” Sullivan – Went from ticket-taker to Operations Supervisor at Disneyland, as well as director of Epcot Center operations, and VP of Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World
- Richard M. Sherman – Academy Award-winning composer and songwriter of more than 200 songs for 27 films and two dozen television productions, including “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” “Winnie the Pooh,” and Walt Disney’s “Wonderful World of Color,” as well as a series of top ten hits and theme park attractions including Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room and the iconic “it’s a small world”
- Ralph Kent – Artist, marketing genius, creator of the Mickey Mouse watch, Imagineering Director, and Disney Legend
- Tom Nabbe – Started as of of Disneyland’s original cast members in the role of Tom Sawyer, working his way to becoming manager of the park, and eventually Magic Kingdom and Epcot in Walt Disney World
“The book features the interviews, as well as stories about how these interviews came to be,” added Mongello. “There are some great stories about what went before and after the recordings took place. It’s an interesting ‘peek-behind-the-curtain.'”
The paperback version of “The Disney Interviews, Volume 1” can be purchased at Amazon for $14.99, or the Kindle version for $4.99.
To learn more about the book, visit DisneyInterviews.com.
