I was curious about how they continued Disney after his passing. It was interesting to learn that he wanted it to stay in the family and who he wanted to run it. Learning more about the team of animators and how they developed their team was eye opening. It was the controversy between Ron Miller and Roy Disney that I found to be heartbreaking. I just wish there had been more info about more recent years like Disney Plus and Disney World. Still, this book was packed with information and was well researched.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

This was a fantastic look into what happened after Walt Disney died, it was a fascinating look into what happened after. I never really thought of what happened after as I really only knew after that. The writing was perfectly done and was glad the overall feel worked with the concept. Neil O'Brien wrote this perfectly and was glad I read this.

As a lifelong Disney fan, I was interested in this title because I'm fascinated by how Disney continued operating after Walt died. That this book discussed the Black Cauldron was an added bonus because I really enjoyed that movie and the way it is based on Welsh mythology, but also the way its seen as the film that nearly brought Disney down is interesting as a concept. Reading about some of the films that were released in a post Walt world was of course the thing I was most excited for, but getting a closer look behind the curtain at CalArts and the animation department was fascinating and I now want to learn even more about that aspect.

This did definitely read like a case study at points with several sentences just listing elements. But as someone who is getting back into reading non-fiction it was well put together and definitely gave me more insight into a company that is near and dear to my heart.

I wish this book existed twenty years ago when I was doing a project on Disney for my degree, but then it would not have had some of the most interesting parts, that had happened within that time frame.
As one of the most interesting creators of films, media and products, the stories of Disney fascinate me. The book offers great information about what happened to the Disney company after the death of its founder. It was refreshing to read about topics other than the somewhat controversial Walt Disney, and see what happened to the company with its upside downs, and the insights about some of the work. I found some of the comments about teen films and streaming very inquisitive.
Overall, a good read.

After Disney was a very fascinating, informative read. As a big Disney fan, a lot of this was new information even for me. Some of the business chatter I skipped over because I don't care about that stuff. Overall it was an easy read, just be aware there is a bit of timeline jumping.

This was a fascinating read into the fraught time period just after Walt Disney's death but before the Eisner/Wells. The research is well done and the author gives enough detail to be interesting but not too plodding. Throughout it all is the existential crisis of the animation film departments as Walt's stepson Ron Miller takes the helm of the company.

The book is fairly chronological and begins with the death of Walt. New animated features were in the works (the Jungle Book - the last animated film Walt had a hand in) but Walt's brother Roy Disney had felt it would be impossible to continue without Walt. Ron Miller, however, championed the animation department and was able to convince the board for it to continue. His hopes were pinned on a new, more modern, and more bold animation direction in the form of an adaptation of a children's book series based on Welsh Legends, the Prydain series. The movie would be named after the second book: The Black Cauldron.

A lot of the book is about the studio learning to pivot, to become more modern but also retain Disney timelessness. Ron Miller wanted the studio to put out more movies and animation that would appeal to all ages and not be seen as 'unhip' or 'childish.' This led to the dark Black Cauldron movie but also to the creation of Touchstone pictures and more PG rated fare.

A sub thread is also about the issues between Ron Miller and Roy E Disney (some of Walt's Brother Roy O Disney). The present has not been kind to Ron Miller since history always favors the victor. Roy E Disney would eventually get Ron Miller forced out but this book makes some great observations about how good a job Ron Miller was actually doing with the company (despite Roy E's protestations otherwise). I enjoyed reading a much more balanced and fair view at the situation. The book follows the Disney company up until Ron Miller leaves and Michael Eisner/Frank Wells are installed as the new leadership.

In all, there is a lot to enjoy and learn here. It was especially interesting that everyone thought the Black Cauldron would be Disney's magnum opus animation and even advanced screenings were highly positive. Yet now it is considered one of Disney's worst. There are a lot of similar stories which the author helps explain in solid detail as to why they failed or succeeded.

In all, a great read with a lot of fascinating observations about the Disney company during that key transition period after Walt's death. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I really disliked this book. I felt like it was confusing as it constantly jumped back and forth through various timeframes which made it really hard to follow. I'm no stranger to Disney's background having just finished Neal Gabler's 912 page Walt Disney biography. But this one really missed the mark for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this ARC. All views and opinions are my own.

As someone who grew up watching Disney movies and going to Disney theme parks for vacations with my family, I was excited to read this book and learn more about Disney’s history as a business, and the stories behind the growth of the beloved animation department.

The author did a great job researching and getting input from past and present Disney players. There was just some chapters that I felt like too many names were mentioned, that it felt difficult keeping track of who’s who. I would appreciate if there was a short timeline or organizational chart included in the book that readers can easily refer to.

For fans of books like “Barbarians At The Gate”, “The Smartest Guys In The Room”, the film “Wall Street” and the show “Succession”, the chapters describing the attempts of corporate raiders to takeover Disney, as well as the power struggle between Ron Miller vs Roy E Disney did not disappoint.

Overall, I think this book has the potential to become one of those classic business case studies that describe how an iconic company like Disney continues to be relevant and adapts to changing trends and consumer preferences.

Post Hill Press provided an early galley for review.

Disney died just a year after I was born, yet as a child of the late-60's and early-70's his influence was a big part of my entertainment. Whether re-releases of classic films or the weekly TV shows, comic books and records and toys, the Disney brand was ever-present.

O'Brien does a fine job with his narrative. I enjoyed reading about the transition period which included some of the initial first-run Disney films I saw as a kid (The Aristocats, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Robin Hood). This book also educated me about the 1960's Lloyd Alexander juvenile fantasy novels from The Chronicles of Prydain series which was the source material for the 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron. This latter film also serves as the spine of O'Brien's narrative in covering the Disney era between Walt's departure and Michael Eisner's rise.

This is a fascinating read for those who enjoy looking behind the curtain.

I was still a kid when Disney World was being built in my state of Florida. As such, other than hoping to one day get to go and see Cinderella's Castle, I didn't give it much thought. Imagine my delight when many years later, I was able to not only visit there but attend a "Backstage Disney" class for teachers that took us, whoa, under that same castle and into what is really the first level of the park, the part underneath all the magical sights we see. Yes, it truly is a magical place.

Given that, it's amazing to look back via this book and discover the turmoil that was going on behind the scenes that made decisions of what would be filmed, when, and such details that we mere "guests", as Disney insists paying customers be called, never gave one moment's attention. I won't even attempt to summarize it all as it was long lasting and the names are both familiar and unheard. I definitely enjoyed getting to know some of those unknown faces via the book, giving me new insights into the germ of an idea for, say, Fantasia, or the comings and goings of people like Tim Burton of Nightmare Before Christmas fame. It's equally astonishing to realize how close we may have come to never seeing the likes of Beauty and the Beast or Lion King, among others. Disney's animation department may have been its heart and core at the beginning, with many of the animators being with Walt Disney even before Mickey Mouse, but its survival wasn't guaranteed by any means. You'll also learn of the Disney family's involvement, both token and active, over the years and the role they played in the survival of the park.

For the most part, it's an easy read, somewhat conversational in tone. That said, when the author delves into lengthy lists of names and facts, jumping back and forth in time a bit, I did find my eyes tending to glaze over at times. It'll probably depend upon how business savvy you are or interested in mergers and corporate structures and power struggles as to where you fall on that aspect. I was glad to see so many unknown to me names not only get credit, however, but be fleshed out as real people. Disney's magic is based around family values and it made it easier for me to care about what was happening to those involved, whether creative or management. Even the family had struggles with these aspects of what became a massively huge conglomeration of different parts and sections, many of them giving rise to the likes of, say, Pixar. It was quite nice to see Disney's daughter emerge more in her later years, making her feelings and ideas known, too. Family. That's the key to Disney magic and it seems like that despite all the disgruntlement at times, those who thrived remembered that concept. So, no simple, quick read, but one that will give you insight into what keeps that magic going and it isn't all pixie dust.

Bottom line, for those of us who grew up with Disney, whether watching the cartoons, nature shows, or usually child-friendly movies, this is an intriguing read. It even delves into how difficult it was to decide not only to stretch self-imposed limits as times changed, but how the reactions both within and without of the organization impacted those making them. For me, child of the pixie dust, of course, it was fascinating to read how the animators worked, the meticulous skill and attention required, not to mention how many re-draws were done in record time. And, yes, seeing the finesse and skills of early female animators gain their rightful place was also a "You go, girl!" moment. Thanks #PostHillPress for allowing me this sneak peek behind doors I didn't even know existed. That said, I still think fondly of the mantra we teachers took away from our workshop there which might be summarized as when the going gets tough, spread a little more pixie dust. More pixie dust for Disney, please. We need them all the more in this day and age.

As a lifelong Disney fan—someone who proudly wore Mickey ears as a kid and still hums "A Whole New World" unprompted—I couldn’t resist diving into this behind-the-scenes drama of Disney’s post-Walt era. This book reads like a real-life fairy tale, but with boardroom battles instead of magical castles, and it captures the pivotal moments that transformed Disney from a floundering family studio into the global powerhouse we know today.

I was fascinated to learn about Ron Miller, Walt’s son-in-law, who tried to honor the Disney legacy while wrestling with the changing times. As a kid, I never would’ve guessed that the Disney magic I loved so much—whether it was watching *The Little Mermaid* for the 100th time or begging my parents for one more ride on Space Mountain—was nearly extinguished during this tumultuous period. The tensions between Miller and Roy E. Disney felt like a real-life sibling rivalry, only with the fate of Mickey Mouse hanging in the balance.

The story of Disney’s animation department being on the brink of shutting down hit me hard. Can you imagine a world without *The Lion King* or *Beauty and the Beast*? It’s like imagining a childhood without Disney singalongs or Pixar tears. The “young talent” that saved animation went on to create some of my favorite films, proving that the Disney magic was far from gone—it just needed a little reinvention.

This book is a treasure trove for anyone who grew up with Disney and still finds joy in its magic. It’s a reminder that even the happiest place on Earth had its struggles, and those struggles led to the era of Disney we all adore today. If you’ve ever wanted to know the story behind the story, this one’s for you—grab your popcorn (or your mouse ears) and settle in!