Three Years in Wonderland : The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park

While the success of Disneyland is largely credited to Walt and Roy Disney, there was a third, mostly forgotten dynamo instrumental to the development of the park—fast-talking Texan C. V. Wood. __Three Years in Wonderland__ presents the never-before-told, full story of "the happiest place on earth." Using information from over one hundred unpublished interviews, Todd James Pierce lays down the arc of Disneyland's development from an idea to a paragon of entertainment.In the early 1950s, the Disney brothers hired Wood and his team to develop a feasibility study for an amusement park Walt wanted to build in southern California. "Woody" quickly became a central figure. In 1954, Roy Disney hired him as Disneyland's first official employee, its first general manager, and appointed him vice president of Disneyland, Inc., where his authority was exceeded only by Walt. A brilliant project manager, Wood was also a con man of sorts. Previously, he had forged his university diploma. A smooth-talker drawn to Hollywood, the first general manager of Disneyland valued money over art. As relations soured between Wood and the Disney brothers, Wood found creative ways to increase his income, leveraging his position for personal fame. Eventually, tensions at the Disney park reached a boiling point, with Walt demanding he be fired.In compelling detail, __Three Years in Wonderland__ lays out the struggles and rewards of building the world's first cinematic theme park and convincing the American public that a $17 million amusement park was the ideal place for a family vacation. The early experience of Walt Disney, Roy Disney, and C. V. Wood is one of the most captivating untold stories in the history of Hollywood. Pierce interviewed dozens of individuals who enjoyed long careers at the Walt Disney Company as well as dozens of individuals who—like C. V. Wood—helped develop the park but then left the company for good once the park was finished. Through much research and many interviews, __Three Years in Wonderland__ offers readers a rare opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women who built the best-known theme park in the world. While the success of Disneyland is largely credited to Walt and Roy Disney, there was a third, mostly forgotten dynamo instrumental to the development of the park—fast-talking Texan C. V. Wood. Three Years in Wonderland presents the never-before-told, full story of “the happiest place on earth.” Using information from over one hundred unpublished interviews, Todd James Pierce lays down the arc of Disneyland's development from an idea to a paragon of entertainment.

In the early 1950s, the Disney brothers hired Wood and his team to develop a feasibility study for an amusement park that Walt wanted to build in southern California. “Woody” quickly became a central figure. In 1954, Roy hired him as Disneyland's first official employee, its first general manager, and appointed him vice president of Disneyland, Inc., where Walt’s authority only exceeded Wood’s authority. A brilliant project manager, Wood was also a con artist of sorts. Previously, he had forged his university diploma. A smooth-talker drawn to Hollywood, the first general manager of Disneyland valued money over art. As relations soured between Wood and the Disney brothers, Wood found creative ways to increase his income, leveraging his position for personal fame. Eventually, tensions at the Disney park reached a boiling point, with Walt demanding Wood be fired.

In compelling detail, Three Years in Wonderland lays out the struggles and rewards of building the world's first cinematic theme park and convincing the American public that a $17 million amusement park was the ideal place for a family vacation. The early experience of Walt Disney, Roy Disney, and C. V. Wood is one of the most captivating untold stories in the history of Hollywood. Pierce interviewed dozens of individuals who enjoyed long careers at the Walt Disney Company as well as dozens of individuals who—like C. V. Wood—helped develop the park but then left the company for good once the park opened. Through much research and many interviews, Three Years in Wonderland offers readers a rare opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people who built the best-known theme park in the world. While the success of Disneyland is largely credited to Walt and Roy Disney, there was a third, mostly forgotten dynamo instrumental to the development of the park--fast-talking Texan C. V. Wood. Three Years in Wonderland presents the never-before-told, full story of -the happiest place on earth.- Using information from over one hundred unpublished interviews, Todd James Pierce lays down the arc of Disneyland's development from an idea to a paragon of entertainment. In the early 1950s, the Disney brothers hired Wood and his team to develop a feasibility study for an amusement park Walt wanted to build in southern California. -Woody- quickly became a central figure. In 1954, Roy Disney hired him as Disneyland's first official employee, its first general manager, and appointed him vice president of Disneyland, Inc., where his authority was exceeded only by Walt. A brilliant project manager, Wood was also a con man of sorts. Previously, he had forged his university diploma. A smooth-talker drawn to Hollywood, the first general manager of Disneyland valued money over art. As relations soured between Wood and the Disney brothers, Wood found creative ways to increase his income, leveraging his position for personal fame. Eventually, tensions at the Disney park reached a boiling point, with Walt demanding he be fired. In compelling detail, Three Years in Wonderland lays out the struggles and rewards of building the world's first cinematic theme park and convincing the American public that a $17 million amusement park was the ideal place for a family vacation. The early experience of Walt Disney, Roy Disney, and C. V. Wood is one of the most captivating untold stories in the history of Hollywood. Pierce interviewed dozens of individuals who enjoyed long careers at the Walt Disney Company as well as dozens of individuals who--like C. V. Wood--helped develop the park but then left the company for good once the park was finished. Through much research and many interviews, Three Years in Wonderland offers readers a rare opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women who built the best-known theme park in the world. Three Years In Wonderland Is The Fascinating History Of The Happiest Place On Earth. Using Information From Over One Hundred Unpublished Interviews, Todd James Pierce Lays Down The Story Of Disneyland's Development. The Success Of Disneyland Is Largely Credited To Walt And Roy Disney, But There Was A Third Man Instrumental In The Development Of The Park: A Fast-talking Texan, C.v. Wood. In The Early 1950s, The Disney Brothers Hired Wood And His Team Of Economists To Develop A Land-use And Feasibility Study For An Amusement Park In Southern California. But Wood Quickly Became A Central Figure In The New Disney Project. In 1954, Roy Hired Him As Disneyland's First Official Employee, Its First General Manager, And Appointed Him Vice President Of Disneyland, Inc. Wood Was A Brilliant Project Manager, But He Was Also A Bit Of A Con Man. He Was A Smooth Talker, A Man Drawn To Dirty Jokes, An Executive In The Entertainment Business Who Saw Money As More Important Than Art. His Personality Was In Many Ways Opposite Of Walt's. As Relations Soured Between The Disney Brothers And Wood, Some Of His Con Man Instincts Returned: Wood Began To Siphon Money From The Disneys Into His Own Bank Account, Extort Funds From Disney Lessees, And Use His Vp Position For Personal Benefit. In Compelling Detail, Pierce Lays Out The Struggles And Rewards Of Building The World's First Cinematic Theme Park. This Early Experience Between The Disney Brothers And Wood Is An Untold Story Of Hollywood History. Pierce Has Interviewed People Who Enjoyed Long Careers At The Walt Disney Company And Those Who Helped Open Disneyland But Did Not Remain. For The First Time, Their Stories Are Woven Together To Detail The Development Of Disneyland-- How The Story Ends -- The Other Walt Disney -- From Animation To Amusements -- The Money And The Land -- And Still Nothing Is Built -- Conflicts And Construction -- Grand Openings -- Walt And Wood. Todd James Pierce. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Three Years in Wonderland is the fascinating history of the 'happiest place on earth.' Using information from over one hundred unpublished interviews, Todd James Pierce lays down the story of Disneyland's development. The success of Disneyland is largely credited to Walt and Roy Disney, but there was a third man instrumental in the development of the park: a fast-talking Texan, C.V. Wood. In the early 1950s, the Disney brothers hired Wood and his team of economists to develop a land-use and feasibility study for an amusement park in Southern California. But Wood quickly became a central figure in the new Disney project. In 1954, Roy hired him as Disneyland's first official employee, its first general manager, and appointed him vice president of Disneyland, Inc. Wood was a brilliant project manager, but he was also a bit of a con man. He was a smooth talker, a man drawn to dirty jokes, an executive in the entertainment business who saw money as more important than art. His personality was in many ways opposite of Walt's. As relations soured between the Disney brothers and Wood, some of his con man instincts returned: Wood began to siphon money from the Disneys into his own bank account, extort funds from Disney lessees, and use his VP position for personal benefit. In compelling detail, Pierce lays out the struggles and rewards of building the world's first cinematic theme park. This early experience between the Disney brothers and Wood is an untold story of Hollywood history. Pierce has interviewed people who enjoyed long careers at the Walt Disney Company and those who helped open Disneyland but did not remain. For the first time, their stories are woven together to detail the development of Disneyland"-- Provided by publisher