Buying Disney's World

The Story of How Florida Swampland Became Walt Disney World

By: Aaron Goldberg

Narrated by: Susan L. Crawford

Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

In November of 1965, after numerous months of speculation surrounding a mystery industry that had been purchasing large amounts of land in central Florida, Walt Disney finally put an end to the rumors. He announced to the public his grandiose plans for the thousands of acres he had secretly purchased.

For the 18 months prior to the announcement, Walt entrusted a small group of men to covertly make these purchases. Next, they were tasked with drafting a legislative act to submit to the state of Florida that would allow Disney to wield nearly absolute legal control over the property under a quasi-government municipality.

Staying true to its storytelling roots, Disney wove a tale of mystery centered around a high-ranking CIA operative, who was rumored to have been, just a few short years before, the paymaster behind the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba.

This savvy and well-connected CIA agent became the de facto leader for the group of Disney executives and attorneys who orchestrated and executed a nearly perfect plan to keep Disney’s identity a secret from the public by utilizing aliases, shell corporations, and meandering travel itineraries, all in an effort to protect the company’s identity during the land acquisition process.

As told through the personal notes and files from the key figures involved in the project, Buying Disney’s World details the story of how Walt Disney World came to be, like you’ve never heard before.

From conception to construction and everything in between - including how a parcel of land within Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort was acquired during a high-stakes poker game - explore how the company most famous for creating Mickey Mouse acquired central Florida’s swamps, orange groves, and cow pastures to build a Disney fiefdom and a Magic Kingdom.

©2021 Aaron H. Goldberg (P)2021 Aaron H. Goldberg

A must read for Disney Fans.

Really interesting insight into how Walt Disney World came to be. The back story has some familiar names, and a couple twists. Well written and concise history of the WDW origin.

Great Disney History

I feel know a lot about Disney history having worked for the company for many years and been a Disney Traditioneer. I learned a ton about the construction and history of Walt Disney World from this book! Highly recommend!

For Disney fans

The story is very thorough and interesting. The only thing that kinda bothered me was the narrator sounds like she’s reading to children.

Florida needs to leave Disney alone

This needs to be read or heard by every Floridian and each need to tell the Florida legislature to leave Disney alone.
Mike Phillips

10/10

Outstanding pacing, very enjoying narrator.
Fairly quick book packed with amazing details underlying the purchase of Disney World property in Florida

Fun and entertaining

This book is a fun and entertaining story! I loved learning about the how and why they made some of the decisions about Disney World!

Modern Disney should take lessons

A fascinating story of hard work, creativity, perseverance and empathy. A reminder of what made the Disney company great and the titans they lost.

Grant book

Entertaining book with lots of great information. For anybody that loves Disney, history and lore this is a great book. Written in a way that makes it easy to read and enjoy.

Walt

Great listen for Disney fans! I agree with another review that says it feels like it’s read as a children’s book. Maybe better as a traditional read.

Very interesting. Couldn’t stop listening.

Couldn’t stop listening to learn all about the beginnings of a beloved park. Highly recommend