Mouse Tales: A Behind-The-Ears Look at Disneyland

I've seen some reviews claiming that this book is "Disney bashing", but let's be honest. If you think Disney hasn't (and still does) suffer the same issues, problems, pranks, lawsuits, and everything else that most all companies face.. you're an idiot. Disney is a brand, and to some more hardcore fans, a lifestyle. But the image it portrays of family and fantasy cannot protect it from reality. That should be a given.There is some really good history in this book. There are some interesting stories of hijinks and pranks, unfortunate incidents, and some behind the scenes details that aren't readily known by most. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. I'm not really that much of a reader, but it was difficult to put down. Admittedly, I am the Disney fan in my family, but I think anyone with even just a passing interest in Disney would enjoy the book.

I first read about this book in a "true crime" magazine during 1992, but it was a few years before I could obtain a copy--I started working in the Middle East in 1994 and it was a bit hard keeping up with the latest books at the time. Yup! Instant gratification takes too long!David Koenig's book answered a lot of my questions about what working at Disneyland was like--he also raised more questions about "The Happiest Place On Earth." I've never been more than a guest at Disneyland: a few friends, a nephew and my sister-in-law worked there. This is a history book--so I wasn't expecting 1997 ticket prices. I'm unsure when my 15th printing was published. A treat was the foreward by Art Linkletter, one of the television hosts who broadcast the opening day show on 17 July 1955. I had no idea that there had been labor strikes at Disneyland--I didn't know about the Yippie riot that closed the park on 6 August 1970. The many law suits that "Mouse Tales" chronicles shows that Disneyland is an American icon--people sue Disneyland in order to sue America? Was this what Walt had in mind when he designed the place as a playground--and as a force for social change?News media people have a negative world view--they claim it is the only way they stay in business. Koenig didn't pull any punches on the negative, yet he managed to paint Disneyland in a positive light. Or it could be that I'm simply obsessed with the place. Isn't "obsession" having a longer attention span than the person who labels you "obsessed?" The feeling of belonging among Disneyland cast members is stronger than in most of corporate America--nearly as strong as in military units, and stronger than the bond felt by most students for their high school or college class. Part of this is that Walt's spirit still guides--the cast at Disneyland makes every effort to promote the Disney experience for the guests. The major reason for disappointment at Disneyland is that the guest expected to "do it all" and is overwhelmed by the selection of attractions (over 60!)--impossible to do in a single day. I took a friend to Disneyland for Columbus Day, 2002, and we logged 48 attractions, rides, shows, plus both Fantasmic! and the parade--it was a long day, I knew the park well, and severe California wildfires left a pall of smoke that blotted out the sun and kept attendance low. My friend was a bit fried by the hectic pace--he passed out as I drove out of the parking lot--sheer exhaustion! "Mouse Tales" was a factor enabling us to cover so much ground in one day--and something like a dozen of the attractions were closed that day for maintenance.David Koenig loves Disneyland. The last words in "Mouse Tales" make his feelings clear:"[T]he shortcomings and selfisheness tha go along with being human don't disappear just because you visit or even get a job at whatt may well be the Happiest Place on Earth."

We have read this book as a family it’s really interesting and passes the time while in lines at Disneyland

This book is absolutely fascinating! If you've ever been to Disneyland and find that it still gets you excited when you think of going back, this book is for you.There is so much interesting information. I thought I knew quite a bit about the Magic Kingdom. But, this book goes deeper behind the scenes. It exposes the good, the bad and the ugly. It is not a put down of the park. But, it does let you know from first hand interviews with former employees that it's had it's share of problems. This makes you appreciate all the hard work the Disney team does to make your day in the park seem "Magical".Chapters like "Fatal Attractions" and "Tragic Kingdom" go into detail about those "down played" accidents and deaths. I remember hearing a little about some of them and wondering how things turned out. This book gives you the details, including the law suits which were filed.Though I'm absolutely NOT a history enthusiast, I loved the history of Disneyland. Did you know that opening day was actually not so great? Do you remember the Flying Saucer ride and wonder why it disappeared? The answers are all here without the candy coating.This book is the Special Golden Anniversary Edition. There are only 4,000 copies of this edition. This makes it a special collector's item for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary. I plan on buying the sequel book, too. It's hard to put this one down once you start. So, you better buy them both now so you don't have to wait for the next part like I am.

As a lifelong Disneyland fan and a former Cast Member (1996-2005), I cannot recommend this book enough. It gives you tons of great history of the park, from the infamous to the scandalous, the hilarious to the momentous. It's not nearly big enough to encompass all of the park's amazing history, but for the information it does give you, it's worth it. Be warned, though - this book reveals a lot of information that is unbecoming of The Happiest Place on Earth. Author David Koenig covers events that are part of the park's history but don't mesh with the illusion of perfection, including murders, fights, riots, lawsuits, accidents, and after-hours shenanigans.The author underwent years of research to make this book happen. Nearly all of it comes from newspaper clippings and public documents. Much of it also comes from first-hand Cast Member stories. Some of those stories are decades old and only tell one point of view. For that reason, some of what you read should be taken with a grain of salt, since memories fade or are altered for preservation. That doesn't mean they're fake, or that the information is any less interesting. If you enjoy scandal and notoriety, then this book will have you salivating. If you love Disneyland the way it is and don't want to know what goes into making the magic, then this book is not for you. If you do decide to read it (and I hope you do), then know now: once you start, you won't be able to stop.

For those that have visited a Disney Park whether it be in California or elsewhere, David Koenig's "Mouse Tales" should be of interest by letting you into areas both operational and corporate not accessible to those entering through the turnstiles.Starting with a concise account of how and why Walt Disney conceived and built his 'Palace of Dreams' the book deals with the many challenges and problems encountered by the architects and Imagineers in creating Walt's 'Utopia',and evolving the cast of characters that ensure that the dream is shared by the tens of thousands of daily visitors.There are a multitude of narrated incidents involving the use of the various rides and some of the crassly stupid things that visitors do whilst in the Park (as do staff sometimes) that cause danger to themselves and innocent bystanders as well as causing mass inconvenience when a ride has to be temporarily closed down. There is a close correlation between being of a young age, high alcohol consumption and doing something reckless that causes these incidents some of which, regrettably result in serious injury and death.Some visitors look upon Disney as a potential 'cash cow' to be milked for as much as possible and a section of this book deals with some of the numerous lawsuits that are threatened or brought each year and the robust defence put up by the now well experienced Disney lawyers that ensures that only the genuine claims receive recompense.A thumbnail sketch is given on the parks other than Disneyland, Anaheim, particularly the not as successful as expected Disneyland Paris and The California Adventure.Of interest to those who have visited a Disney Park, but those that have not might not get the same 'feel' for this book, and, quite possibly could be deterred from going, although it should be borne in mind that for the many millions of annual visitors, the type of occurrences reported in this book are miniscule.

This is a must for any Disney parks enthusiast. I have never visited Disneyland (a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, though!) but I was still able to thoroughly enjoy all aspects of this book. I have my doubts about how true some of the stories are, but whether they are true or not, they are very entertaining and make you feel like you're backstage with the cast members!

If you've EVER been to either Disneyland or Disneyworld you MUST read this book. It's a "read out loud" to your partner book and an absolute hoot and cringe making at the same time. Then when my husband read it, he red it out loud to me too and it was still funny and still made me cringe at the same time.

I got a special edition book limited to 4000 copies that looked completely new and for a fifth og the retail price. I am extremely pleased with my purchase.

A super interesting read for those who enjoy the House of Mouse. Reasonably balanced and not as blanketly anti-Disney as I had feared. Fun. Don't expect it to rock your world. Good bedtime reading.