Disney Theme Park Books - Forthcoming

[Loomis]

Just noticed a few new listings for Disneyland/theme park related books on Amazon.

First up, there is this fascinating one for March 2007 with the enticing title of The Disney Mountains : Imagineering at It's Peak.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

No description, but I think we can imagine what it might cover! Can't wait! It is written by Jason Surrel, who did the excellent books on Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.

Another newly added title appears to be Disney Editions' The Art of Disneyland (Hardcover), supposedly due out September 2006. Hopefully this is a wider release of the book that is presently only available as a theme park exclusive.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Disney Editions also has a WDW book coming out in October called Walt Disney World: Where Magic Lives 2006 (Paperback).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Of course, there is also the Imagineering Field Guide to WDW follow-up, The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World for June.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Speaking of WDW, there's this fluffy duck: Expedition Everest Yetiology Journal

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Finally, from the "Where the hell is it?" files - Jeff Kurti's Walt Disney's Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park, which was meant to be out at the start of March.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

[AwallaceUNC]

Thanks for posting... these sound quite exciting, the imagineering books in particular. I had no idea an Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot was in the works. Hooray!

-Aaron

[Loomis]

Just an update to this old thread.

The book, Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens, has been missing since its originally slated date of March 1.

Amazon finally emailed this week to tell me that it has been shipped.



I'm really looking forward to it!

[Fidget1234]

hey- thanks for sharing.

love it when Disney shares stuff like this w/ the public.

[The Little Merman]

Ooh! Fun. I love these types of books.

*tlm

[Loomis]

Jeff Kurti's Walt Disney's Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park, which was meant to be out at the start of March, is now saying it will be out in January 2007. Bummer. It is meant to be a fairly definitive guide from all accounts. Hopefully it won't be "theme park only".

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim


On a related note, an updated edition of Disney A to Z, aptly called The Disney a to Z: Updated Official Encyclopedia is said to be out September 1 this year:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

[Loomis]

I may as well slip in a couple of reviews while I'm here. These will end up in a round-up, I'm sure, but this saves time later.

Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens (Disney Editions - June 2006): After many delays, this book finally arrives in glorious hardcover format. If you've ever been to a Disney park, you'll appreciate that a lot of effort has gone into making it bright and beautiful and green all the year 'round. This book is far more than just a collection of photos showcasing these gardens, although it does serve that function in part, but it is really more of a gardening guide for the reader. It isn't quite like your traditional garden book either, but it does provide handy hints as to how to make your own potting mix, when the right time to plant is and so forth.

After a brief introduction about the history of the parks, the book goes on to cover specific topics such as building an entry arbor; selecting the right plants for your region; planting a productive potting garden; and getting the right colour/border mixture. From there, a great section entitled 'Setting the Mood' examine the ways in which you can re-create the 'feel' of a Haunted Mansion through to Tomorrowland by choosing the right plants and arranging them. The 'International Flora' section concentrates largely on the World Showcase at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida, while the final section, enticingly titled 'Trade Secrets', examines how they make those topiary animals and floral portraits, such as the one at the Main Entrance of Disneyland. Maybe one day your garden will look as good as Disney's - of course, I'd be nice to have the land and money they have too.


Probably for serious Disney Park enthusiasts only, and those that have an eye for gardening. To be honest, I just enjoy looking at the pictures.

Around the World with Disney (Disney Editions - May 2006): Previously available as a Theme Park exclusive, this attractive hardcover volume does just what the title promised - takes you around the world with Disney. With the exception of the Hong Kong park, all of the theme parks are represented: Disneyland, Walt Disney World Florida, Tokyo and Paris. By no means a perfect book - it spends some 12 pages on the Carousels of the parks, while it only spends 8 on the unique and variety Haunted Mansions, Pirates of the Caribbean and Tower of Terror combined - it reads more like an in-park souvenir guide than a serious comparison of the parks. If you are content to simply look at pictures of the theme parks, and given how far I am from a Disneyland pictures will have to suffice for now, this is a beautifully presented pictorial of the Disney parks that is easy to recommend as a gift or a coffee table book. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more in-depth overview of the park, you may have to look elsewhere.

[Loomis]

Found a few more upcoming books on the parks or mentioning the parks.

Birnbaums offer the 'official' Disney word on the parks, and here are some for their cruise lines as well:

Birnbaum's Disney Cruise Line 2007 (Birnbaum's Disney Cruise Line) (Paperback)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World) (Paperback) (1 October 2006)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide) (Paperback) (1 October 2006)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids By Kids) (Paperback) (1 October 2006)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids) (Paperback) (1 October 2006)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... /ref=nosim

[Gurgi30]

I just received the Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at WDW today and it looks great. It has lots of pictures and talks about the process of making the attractions along with lots of little tidbits on things you wouldn't necessarily notice. I haven't read much yet but it certainly looks good.

[MichaeLeah]

I may as well slip in a couple of reviews while I'm here. These will end up in a round-up, I'm sure, but this saves time later.

Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens (Disney Editions - June 2006): After many delays, this book finally arrives in glorious hardcover format. If you've ever been to a Disney park, you'll appreciate that a lot of effort has gone into making it bright and beautiful and green all the year 'round. This book is far more than just a collection of photos showcasing these gardens, although it does serve that function in part, but it is really more of a gardening guide for the reader. It isn't quite like your traditional garden book either, but it does provide handy hints as to how to make your own potting mix, when the right time to plant is and so forth.

After a brief introduction about the history of the parks, the book goes on to cover specific topics such as building an entry arbor; selecting the right plants for your region; planting a productive potting garden; and getting the right colour/border mixture. From there, a great section entitled 'Setting the Mood' examine the ways in which you can re-create the 'feel' of a Haunted Mansion through to Tomorrowland by choosing the right plants and arranging them. The 'International Flora' section concentrates largely on the World Showcase at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida, while the final section, enticingly titled 'Trade Secrets', examines how they make those topiary animals and floral portraits, such as the one at the Main Entrance of Disneyland. Maybe one day your garden will look as good as Disney's - of course, I'd be nice to have the land and money they have too.


Probably for serious Disney Park enthusiasts only, and those that have an eye for gardening. To be honest, I just enjoy looking at the pictures

Hey Loomis,

Thanks for the review. I have always tried to make my gardens look as nice as those at WDW. I love the gardens there. I think I will pick this up based on your recommendation.

There is something else other than just land and money that you need to have a garden like Disney--you also need a lot of time.

[JEANYLASER]

i can't wait for the 2007 guide book of disneyworld.

[Loomis]

Hey Loomis,

Thanks for the review. I have always tried to make my gardens look as nice as those at WDW. I love the gardens there. I think I will pick this up based on your recommendation.

There is something else other than just land and money that you need to have a garden like Disney--you also need a lot of time.

Not a problem. I enjoy buying and reading them, so only fair to impart a bit of wisdom...or at least random rantings

The book does offer a few nice practical tips, but as you said - time makes all the difference in the world. Nice to look at though (the book that is). Hope you enjoy it!