Hidden Treasures of Walt Disney World Resort Hotels: Histories, Mysteries & Theming

This book is NOT a travel guide nor is it designed to help get discounts, pick the best room, review the restaurants, rate the swimming pools or anything else related to things that a good travel agent or travel website can help you accomplish. This book recounts some of the history, storytelling and theming details about some of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels that has rarely if ever been documented. Information on over two dozen WDW resort hotels including DVC properties is shared. Utilizing exclusive interviews with Imagineers, architects and cast members who were involved with the WDW resort hotels, Disney historian Jim Korkis reveals the back stories and hidden-in-plain-sight themed details. Learn about the first Disney managed hotels in Central Florida before Walt Disney World even opened. Enjoy the complete descriptions of over a dozen WDW resort hotels that the Walt Disney Company announced but never built. Discover the stories behind the Kukui Nut Tree at the Polynesian, the miniature carousel at the Boardwalk, Walt Disney's personal miniature railroad cars at Wilderness Lodge and the portrait of Andrew Jackson at Fort Wilderness. Find out how the Golf Resort evolved into Shades of Green and The Disney Village Resort transformed into Saratoga Springs after a brief moment as the Disney Institute. Ever wonder why the traffic signs on WDW property are purple or about Hotel Plaza Boulevard or if the swimming pools have back stories? If so, the answers are only in this book.