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Theme Park Press

@theme_park_press

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The leading independent publisher of Disney books: its history, media, and (yep) theme parks! 📘🏰 Est. 2012, a division of @bearmanormediaofficial.

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Who are we? We’re Theme Park Press! The world’s leading independent publisher of Disney books.

Now we know what you’re thinking: “You’re just starting out and you’re already the world’s leading independent publisher of Disney books?” To which WE’RE thinking: “Thanks for already thinking of us as the world’s leading independent publisher of Disney books!” But we’re also thinking, “We’re not just starting out, we’ve been around since 2012, and were recently — 2024 — acquired by @bearmanor.media (who just happens to be the world’s leading independent publisher of Pop Culture books)!

All that said, yes, we ARE just starting out here on Instagram.

But it won’t be long before you’re thinking of Disney then immediately thinking, “I bet Theme Park Press has a book on this subject!” And that’s a safe bet. Or we’re in-process on it! Or let us know the next subject you’d like us to tackle!

Head on over to our website themeparkpress.com to see our full catalog that includes guidebooks, memoirs, fiction, popular history, scholarly works, family favorites, and many other titles written by Disney Legends, animators and artists, Mouseketeers, Castmembers, historians, academics, executives, bloggers and vloggers, even first-time authors. After all, we ARE the world’s leading independent publisher of Disney books.

And we love chatting about what we do, so drop us a line, any time!
. by @theme_park_press

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a year ago

Ever spotted this on the stagecoach outside Galaxy’s Edge? Know its lore? taken in Disneyland by @theme_park_press

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2 days ago

Happy 55th birthday, Walt Disney World!

That is, the Magic Kingdom opened on this date in 1971.

Designed to supplement Disneyland, Walt Disney originally planned what was then known as EPCOT and was originally planned to be a living, working city. When Walt passed in 1966, his wonderful brother Roy continued with “the Florida project,” albeit as a second theme park, known today as The Magic Kingdom. Construction began in 1967.

The Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Hotel, and Polynesian Village Resort all opened on October 1, 1971 with the elaborate, grand opening on October 23rd (those photos here). At the ceremony, Roy dedicated the property and declared it would be known as “Walt Disney World” in his brother’s honor. He said, “Everyone has heard of Ford cars. But have they all heard of Henry Ford, who started it all? Walt Disney World is in memory of the man who started it all, so people will know his name as long as Walt Disney World is here.” The Magic Kingdom largely followed the same layout as Disneyland, with many duplicate attractions (famously without Pirates of the Caribbean which was, in time, rectified).

The flagship destination of Disney’s worldwide corporate enterprise has become a staple of American popular culture. It is the most visited vacation resort in the world with an average annual attendance of 49 million (with The Magic Kingdom being the most visited theme park in the world for the past two decades). The opening of Walt Disney World made Florida THE major global tourist destination. It is the largest single-site employer in the United States and has generated billions in revenue.

An evolved version of EPCOT (then known as EPCOT Center) opened in 1982, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then known as the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park) opened in 1989, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998; all of which have continued to be as cherished as built-upon including, of this year, massive renovations across all the parks.

Here’s to another 55 years and beyond.
. taken in Walt Disney World Resort by @theme_park_press

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3 days ago

Disneyana? A bank? NOT forced perspective? He was FIRED? Let’s dive in. taken in Main Street Disneyland by @theme_park_press

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5 days ago

Safe to shower in Cars Land? Gimme a Brake! 🚿 🔪 🚗 😂 taken in Cars Land - Disney California Adventure by @theme_park_press

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9 days ago

Anyone else see this? Did you know what it means?

@marvel @marvelstudios @avengers @disneyparks taken in Avengers Campus by @theme_park_press

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12 days ago

RIP, Bob McLain.

Theme Park Press is deeply saddened at learning of his passing. McLain owned and operated Theme Park Press for twelve years, making it the largest independent publisher of Disney books (and not just Disney but including Knott’s and Universal and and and around the world).

In 2024, McLain decided that Theme Park Press should be led by Ben Ohmart, publisher of BearManor Media, and Ohmart was pleased to purchase the imprint. McLain made the careful decision to sell Theme Park Press to Ohmart as BearManor Media was and remains the leading vintage pop-culture publisher. McLain said at the time, “The future of this very special publishing imprint is bright.” And Ohmart said at the time, “I’ve loved what Bob has done for years and I admire the hell out of his book titles. I want to thank Bob for thinking of me to buy the Park, and I will do everything I can to make the books and this publishing label a hit.”

Indeed, Theme Park Press continues to grow.

This week, in response to McLain’s passing, Ohmart posted, “It’s a sad day to report that Theme Park Press’ founder, Bob McLain passed away last week. His ex-wife informed me this morning, and I wanted to tell you all. Long had I admired his work in setting up his business … Bob’s work on every book was so professional and exciting and made with love, you could tell. I hope to continue his legacy and make TPP what he wanted it to be - the premiere place for theme park books that will be enjoyed and studied for generations, long after I too am gone. Rest in peace, sir. Your legacy will live on.”

Thank you, Bob McLain. We indeed — all — continue writing in your honor.
. by @theme_park_press

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24 days ago

New book alert!

‘Travels with Goofy’ is a Magic Journey through the Wonderful World of Disney.

"Are we there yet?"

Who hasn't heard those words? (Usually uttered by a grouchy young passenger in the backseat of a car stuck in traffic on a hot summer day!)

If you're anything like retired journalist and Disney author Chuck Schmidt, you remember those days fondly. After all, isn't GETTING there half the fun?

Inspired by Disney Legend Marty Skla,, Schmidt takes us on a magic journey to, from, and around Disney’s wonderful world in his latest book, ‘Travels with Goofy’ (his seventh for Theme Park Press!).

Chuck has covered Disney for more than 45 years; first in print and then on-line in his ‘Still Goofy About Disney’ blog for @allearsnet

Much like Sklar’s ‘Travels with Figment’ book, detailing his many trips during his 54-year career, ‘Travels with Goofy’ dives into the adventures -- and misadventures -- Chuck and his family have experienced traveling the Disney road … beginning with the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair to see the four Disney shows there … to visiting Walt Disney World for the first time in 1972 … and the overwhelming sadness of returning there just days after the terrorist attacks in 2001.

‘Travels with Goofy’ showcases a storm passengers endured on the Mediterranean Sea while sailing on the Disney Magic, as well as a few mishaps during Chuck’s 12-plus career as a Disney Store cast member!

Want more? How about getting stuck in the Orlando airport … trekking across a rickety rope bridge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park with Nile crocodiles sunning themselves right below ... losing tickets on Amtrak’s Auto Train to a scam artist … or dodging a California wildfire during a trip from Disneyland to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco!

‘Travels with Goofy’ proves that getting to, from, and around Disney is often as exhilarating as a Disney attraction!

We're sure you'll enjoy the ride. Now, please watch your head and step! You've arrived!

‘Travels with Goofy’ is available on Amazon.com. taken in Walt Disney World Resort by @theme_park_press

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a month ago

Happy birthday, ‘Big Thunder Mountain!’ Yep, the wildest ride in the wilderness premiered at Disneyland on this date in 1979.

We all know Walt loved trains. Well, he also loved the Old West. So, in 1956, he proudly unveiled ‘Rainbow Ridge’ and, as its center, the ‘Rainbow Caverns Mine Train.’ It was well-received but Walt knew it could be improved. Hence, 1960’s ‘Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland’ that included more than 200 animatronics.

Following Walt’s passing in 1966, his brother Roy and team focused on birthing Walt Disney World which was to have a large, multi-attraction land from Imagineer Marc Davis called Thunder Mesa. But when Floridians found out they didn’t get ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ Imagineers scrambled to make that happen … leaving Thunder Mesa on the back-burner.

“On the front of [Thunder Mesa, Marc] had the appearance of a mine train ride,” said Imagineer Tony Baxter. “I was very inspired by that, and I knew I had to extract it without offending Marc.” Work on Thunder Mesa took another back-burner for ‘Space Mountain’ but Baxter convinced executive Card Walker this “mine train” was worth saving. Walker agreed and ‘Big Thunder’ became Baxter’s project. Liking what he saw, Walker asked Baxter if he could do the same at Disneyland. “Well, yeah, sure!” Baxter smiled.

Disneyland’s ‘Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’ opened on this date in 1979 with Walt Disney World’s in September 1980. Guests were thrilled then and remain thrilled today … including in Hong Kong and Paris!

And in the original Disneyland? Guests can still visit Rainbow Ridge. Imagineer Ray Spencer said, “We dug out all the blueprints from Imagineering and we went through, worked with the carpenters and the crews, and recreated those buildings from the ground up.” Imagineer Bill Martin remembered, “Walt and Lilly would often walk along those little buildings when they stayed at the park overnight.” So you bet it’s fitting indeed those facades remain in the original ‘Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.’
. taken in Big Thunder Mountain Railroad by @theme_park_press

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Thank you so much for the Oswald love we’ve seen in just the first couple of days!

Here are some of the comments so far. Keep ‘em coming!

And stay tuned for more info on @disneyhistoryguy’s book, ‘Oswald: 100 Years of Disney’s Lucky Rabbit,’ coming in February!
. taken in Disney California Adventure Park by @theme_park_press

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Announcing ‘Oswald: 100 Years of Disney’s Lucky Rabbit!’

In honor of his centennial – and the release of the @jonfavreau series on @disneyplus – we’re proud to announce David Richards’ new book arriving February 2027.

From Oswald’s 1927 creation to the 1928 Disney “betrayal,” to the decade-plus of shorts that followed THAT, to a sportscaster trade, to the 2006 Disney Return (and beyond), this is THE untold story.

Theme Park Press is thrilled to publish Richards’ comprehensive history tracing Oswald's creation by Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks, his surprising 80 years as a Universal-Walter Lantz character, Disney's dramatic 2006 deal to reclaim the rights, and everything in-between (and since).

In February 2027, as millions enjoy the new adventures of Oswald on Disney+, we hope you’ll enjoy this new book detailing the character’s amazing 100 year history involving classic animators like Disney, Iwerks, Lantz, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, LaVerne Harding, and others. (Did you know Harding was one of the first major women animators?) There are stories here for first-timers and deep-divers alike!

Such as?

- The first color cartoon featured Oswald in 1930, two years before Disney!
- Oswald was the mascot for the 1936 USA Men’s Olympic basketball team!
- Oswald graced Navy fighter planes in World War II!
- There was an Oswald craze in Japan when Universal rolled out merch featuring a blue rabbit in yellow shorts!
- Disney tried at least twice to bring Oswald to the small screen before successfully launching the upcoming Disney+ series!
- And, yep, you heard it at the @disneyd23 ‘Legends’ show: Disney traded Al Michaels for Oswald in 2006!

This has been a passion project that grew out of Richards’ interest in the Disney company origin, and his astonishment there were over 150 ‘Oswald’ films made AFTER Disney left the series!

So imagine what ELSE he found!

It’s all here in this definitive history. ‘Oswald: 100 Years of Disney’s Lucky Rabbit’ details the 190 shorts, cameos, many side projects, video games, comic books, merchandise, and more made with this now classic character.

I hope you’ll join us in February 2027 as we celebrate Oswald’s centennial!
. by @theme_park_press

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