Book Review: Building a Company by Bob Thomas

The cover of the book Building a Company by Bob Thomas

It’s common thinking among some Disney fans that Walt Disney had the artistic vision while his brother Roy watched the money. This statement is accurate, but it diminishes both sides of the relationship. The Disney brothers kept each other in check, and their combined power led to incredible success.

Roy was eight years older than Walt and protective towards his younger brother. That feeling would continue past Walt’s death in 1966. Roy came out of retirement to ensure that Walt Disney World happened, and he died soon after its 1971 opening. His story doesn’t receive the same attention as Walt’s, but it is equally fascinating.

Bob Thomas helped to shorten that gap with Building a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire, released in 1998. This book told the Disney story from a different side and offered a three-dimensional look at Roy. Thomas was the right guy for the job; he has written multiple books about the company, including Walt Disney: An American Original in 1994.

A Surprisingly Nuanced Portrayal

I only learned about this title a few years ago and cannot believe it arrived way back in 1998. It’s an official Disney release, so the overall perspective is positive. Even so, Thomas’ depiction of Roy and Walt has enough depth to avoid painting them as fictional angels. This is always a challenge given the hyperbole surrounding Walt.

The 359-page book is a surprisingly easy read, which isn’t easy given the ground Thomas is covering. He begins with the family’s early days after arriving in this country in 1834. The mostly chronological story goes all the way to Roy’s death in December 1971 and a little beyond. It’s an ambitious tale that strikes a tricky balance between giving details and not getting stuck in a particular era.

There is no point where you start thinking “Let’s just get to Disneyland!” Each stage in the brothers’ lives and the evolution of their company has its own share of challenges and successes. I did not realize just how much they struggled to stay afloat before creating Mickey Mouse. They were truly lean years, and that time helped to shape Roy’s concerns with each of his brother’s new risky ventures.

A Wealth of Research

Thomas’ past work in writing about Disney for the Associated Press gave him plenty of material for use in this book. It is filled with quotes from those conversations and the Disney Archives that wouldn’t be possible for most authors. This brings immediacy to a story that doesn’t feel like an old historical tale. Thomas offers insights on family life and some major conflicts between Roy and Walt.

They went months without talking to each other and spoke only through messengers. Both were headstrong, and that persistence led to their success. Thomas explains Roy’s brilliance as a negotiator, and those skills helped create the Reedy Creek Improvement District and nearly unchecked power for Disney in Florida.

A shot of Roy Disney from the Disneyland: Secrets, Stories, & Magic documentary — Roy O. Disney’s story offers a fascinating view of Disney history.

A Must Read for Disney Fans

Whether you are just a fan of the parks or obsessed with Disney history, there is plenty in Building a Company to warrant your time. It’s out of print but available very cheap from online retailers. Thomas knows how to tell a story and connects us with the emotions Roy was feeling at each pivotal moment. This isn’t a dry history with unrelenting accolades about the brothers’ genius. Much of the material is familiar since it concerns Walt, but we’re viewing these events from a new perspective.

Roy approached Disneyland and the films differently than his brother. They were partners with interconnected goals but took varying approaches. Thomas shows us how they differed but also explains they ways they worked together to create the massive business we know today. Disney’s success feels even more remarkable after reading this book; there were so many hurdles that could have ended the dream.

Business rivals, a brutal labor strike, and the economic realities of war are just of few of many obstacles that could have taken them down. This book reminds us how tough the road was for Walt and Disney, and learning those struggles made me appreciate their incredible achievements.

Additional Thoughts

Here are some other interesting aspects of this book that deserve a mention:

Following Disneyland’s opening, workers discovered another $2 million of bills stuck in drawers. I can’t think of a better way to characterize the chaos surrounding the park’s opening. Walt made so many last-minute changes that the bills were too much for the contractors to organize.
Roy’s battles with the artists at CalArts are incredible and rarely discussed in Disney history. Nude swimming and marijuana were not everyday things to the buttoned-up guy. The fact that Roy stuck with it showed just how much he wanted to honor Walt’s memory.
It is also surprising to read tales of Walt falling prey to corrupt businessmen who took advantage of him while in Kansas City. Roy’s comment from a 1968 interview about how Walt “would have gotten mired down with crooks” provides fascinating insight about the foibles of such a revered man.
The effort required for Roy to lead the Disney World construction is amazing when you consider that he was well into his 70s at the time. He had strong people working under him, but the challenges were huge while costs keep rising. It took sharp financial planning to even cover expenses by the end.