NEWS RELEASE September 26, 2017 WALT DISNEY’S PILGRIMAGE WILL FASCINATE READERS! DETROIT AREA, MICHIGAN—A unique book that geographically chronicles the life of Walt Disney has just been published. Entitled Walt’s Pilgrimage, the nearly 400‐page book was written by Disney researcher and metro Detroiter, Christopher W. Tremblay, Ed.D. The book was inspired from the college course that Tremblay developed and teaches for Western Michigan University’s (WMU) Lee Honors College. In addition, eight WMU students and the WMU Director of Archives contributed to the content. About the Book The book is a combination travel guide, biography, and history book. While there are more than 50 biographies written about Walt Disney, this book takes a unique approach. It enables Disney fans to travel in Walt’s shoes from his birthplace to his gravesite, and everywhere in between throughout North America. It features more than 70 chapters and highlights more than 275 sites connected to Walt Disney throughout the United States (from Alaska to Hawaii), Canada, and Mexico. It offers insights about significant places like Disneyland, various Walt Disney museums – as well as places that never came to fruition – like Mineral King and St. Louis’ proposed Riverfront Square. Foreword Written by a Disney Family Member The Foreword was written by Walt Disney’s son‐in‐law, Ron Miller, who also serves as President of the Board of the Walt Disney Family Museum, which was started by Walt’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller. “I am grateful to Christopher for helping impart the true story of Walt Disney …. I hope that you are inspired by Christopher’s book and by Walt’s story,” stated Ron Miller, who Tremblay first met in 2015. “This book enables me to honor Walt Disney. Since I was a child, I was impressed by Disney’s contributions to our world. This has been a labor of love to research and publish,” said Tremblay. Unique Features of the Book At the end of every chapter is “Walt’s Passport,” which enables readers and travelers to check off the places they visited in each city. Twelve icons help readers navigate each of the sites. For example, they identify sites that are post‐death tributes to Walt, places to stay, and places that require an admission fee. The book can be purchased at https://www.createspace.com/7270508. With the publication of the book, Tremblay also launched a corresponding website: waltspilgrimage.com About the Author Dr. Christopher W. Tremblay is a 1994 graduate of the WMU Lee Honors College and the School of Communication (a 1999 master’s degree graduate) and has been fascinated by Disney since his parents took him to Walt Disney World when he was 5 years old in 1977. During his undergraduate studies, Tremblay participated in the Walt Disney World College Program (WDWCP) in 1993, where he spent a semester learning all about the Disney enterprise and earned his “Ducktorate Degree” and the Rachel Imilio Scholarship for designing a new theme park called “Downtown Disney.” In 2015, Dr. Tremblay developed and first taught Walt’s Pilgrimage, a course in the Study in the States Program for students enrolled in the Lee Honors College at WMU. He is a member of the Disney College Program Alumni Association and a shareholder of The Walt Disney Company. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Michigan‐Dearborn. This is the first book Tremblay has authored. About the Graphic Designers The book features the work of three graphic designers. Kevin Robert Ryan of Detroit designed the book cover, along with 25 maps. Chelsey Miller of Superior, Wisconsin, designed the 12 icons that appear throughout the book. Maya Sheth of Novi, Michigan, designed the special stamp for Walt’s Passport. First in a Series This book is the first in a series that Tremblay has planned. A children’s version, Walt’s Pilgrimage Jr., is nearing publication. A trivia book based on the Pilgrimage, Walt’s Suitcase, is in progress. The International Edition, which will highlight Walt’s visits to Europe and South America, is in development. Tremblay is available for a book‐signing event. To make those arrangements, contact him at [email protected]. .