Anybody else into park history?

[shakespear]

It all started with me when I discovered that 20,000 leagues closed.

Now I find myself researching alot of stuff on the web. I really miss some of those old rides, and some are before my time (1st trip in 86)

Anyone else do this?

 

[grinningghost]

Yes, I'm quite the Disney history geek. My DH thinks it's funny. I try to read every book I can find on the Disney Company. It's just all so fascinating to me. I guess you understand.

 

[disney2003]

Any recomendations on books for Disney. I love finding out what I can. I'm particularly interested in Walt himself, and the business of disney.

TIA

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by disney2003
Any recomendations on books for Disney. I love finding out what I can. I'm particularly interested in Walt himself, and the business of disney.

TIA

For info on Walt:

"Walt Disney An American Original" by Bob Thomas

"The Magic Kingdom- Walt Disney and The American Way of Life" by Steven Watts

"The Story of Walt Disney" by Diane Disney Miller (really hard to find)

For info on the parks, Imagineering, hotels:

"Walt Disney Imagineering- A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic" by the Imagineers (AWSOME book)

"Disneyland Inside Story" by Randy Bright (hard to find-$$)

"Walt Disney's Epcot- Creating the New World of Tomorrow" by Richard R. Beard

"The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park" by Melody Malmberg

"Disneyland Paris From Sketch to Reality" by Alain Littaye and Didier Ghez (Beautiful pictures)

"Window on Main Street- 35 Years of Creating Happiness at Disneyland Park" by Van Arsdale France (hard to find)

"Designing Disney's Theme Parks-The Architecture of Reassurance" by Karal Ann Marling

"Building a Dream-the Art of Disney Archetecture" by Beth Dunlop

"Vinal Leaves-Walt Disney World and America" by Stephen M. Fjellman (textbook like-hard to find)

"Since the World Began" by Jeff Kurtti

E-Ticket Magazine
Persistence of Vision Magazine


Yes, I have all of them and many more

I am still searching for:

"Disneyland World of Flowers"

"Gardens of the WDW Resort"

"Florida's Disney World- Promises and Problems"

"Inside the Mouse-The Project on Disney"

Way too much $$$ on E-bay/the internet.

 

[KristinU]

Excellent book list PatriciaH!

I was lucky enough to take a class from Karal Ann Marling at the University of MN - it was offered through the Art History dept. and called The Art of Walt Disney - it was a great class which started me on my obsession! Luckily my husband took her class too so he is equally obsessed with all things Disney.

 

[eeyore0062]

Oh yes!!! I have books on the history of WDW... "Since the World Began" and The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park". I also have Official and Unofficial Guides for years 1993, 1198, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

I also bought the "Walt Disney Imagineering- A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic" for my dad, who is an engineer for Christmas one year.

I am sorry they don't carry these books at the Disney Store anymore, because that is where I usually bought them.

Now that we will be living closer to Disney, I can more easily continue my collection.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by KristinU
Excellent book list PatriciaH!

I was lucky enough to take a class from Karal Ann Marling at the University of MN - it was offered through the Art History dept. and called The Art of Walt Disney - it was a great class which started me on my obsession! Luckily my husband took her class too so he is equally obsessed with all things Disney.

We saw the show in NY that the book was for and it was wonderful!

I went crazy for about a year building up my Disney book/magazine collection but it was getting out of hand with the $$$$. Now I have a few that I really want and look for every now and then online.

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
Now that we will be living closer to Disney, I can more easily continue my collection.

I wonder if you will find a lot more at used bookstores, garage sales, etc.. around Florida too. My DH always says when we move to Florida we will find a lot more books on WDW around. Maybe collectors scoop them up though.

 

[meuseman]

Great list patricia -

I am currently reading vinyl leaves. its hard work to get through, but very rewarding. for a breeze, try Eve Zibert's "The Unofficial Disney Companion." It's not bad.

 

[eeyore0062]

I wonder if you will find a lot more at used bookstores, garage sales, etc.. around Florida too. My DH always says when we move to Florida we will find a lot more books on WDW around. Maybe collectors scoop them up though.

That is an excellent idea... I will have to look into it! Thanks

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by meuseman
Great list patricia -

I am currently reading vinyl leaves. its hard work to get through, but very rewarding. for a breeze, try Eve Zibert's "The Unofficial Disney Companion." It's not bad.

I will look for that one. Vinal Leaves started my Disney book obsession I saw it in Barnes and Noble in 93 and am really glad I bought it as it is hard to get now! It is pretty wordy but has really interesting ideas.

 

[Golter]

I like the park history stuff too, I was born 09/30/71 one day prior to opening. I have the 10//15//71 LIFE magazine commemorating the opening and the original "The Story of Walt Disney World" published in 1971. It actually has concept drawing of EPCOT.

 

[kdibattista]

This is awesome!!!! I want to run out to the bookstores!!!