Imagineering Field Guide to the MK: REVIEWS

[civileng68]

Ok,

I now have this book and have "skimmed" it but not fully read it yet.

I read some not so great reviews on this book, on this site, and have to say that I really feel they are not justified.

I know as much if not more about Disney than most people do, even on these boards. However, I did not know MANY of the things in this book.

Im not looking for "secrets" but the little things that you just never thought of. If you are looking for secrets, you can find them anywhere. This book will have "some" things you have heard before or read before if you are a Disney fanatic. However there are some things that you will NOT have likely heard. The following is just one example. It is nothing much but VERY small item from the book.


***********************SPOILER WARNING********************




Example: Pg. 45 talks about the theming of the water buffalo over top of the building on the Tiki Room. It says:

"The view from the west": The finials on the roof of the Enchanted Tiki Room tell a great story about dealing with visual intrusion. The building resides entirely within Adventureland, so the South Pacific styling is appropriate. The rooftop, however, is visible from Frontierland, so a choice was made. An Asian water buffalo was used as the basis for the sculpture, with the intention that from Frontierland the figures would look enough like Western longhorn so that they would not cause a visual intrusion and spoil the view-or the story-from that side. Visual intrusions can be handled in this way as opposed to always being screening off from the areas of the Park for which they are a problem.

So, as you see, that is not really a "secret" but something that you have possibly never thought about, but will want to notice the next time you are there. It is cool to see how thoughtful the Imagineers were in placing theming around the park.

They discuss soooo many things and I really find it hard to believe that someone could read this book in 45 minutes as they have claimed and actually take the time to enjoy what they are reading. It's pretty detailed and I personally find it great reading and look forward to taking it into the park with me.

My personal rating: 1-10

New Learned Information - 7
Readability - 10
Enjoyment - 9
Handiness - 8
Secrets - 6
Overall Quality of the item for the price paid: 10

 

[ssdeverell]

You are so right. I was just telling my husband the same thing last night. I still have to read the ToonTown and Tomorrowland sections, but I think this book is going to cause me to slow down and notice the little things more. I find it very interesting.

 

[civileng68]

Another thing is........whenever it discusses something, it has a picture of it as well.

 

[crow11ad]

How much is this book and does anyone know if it is at Barnes and Nobles now?

 

[ssdeverell]

It is 9.95. My B&N did not have it, but they had 5 on order.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

It's a very easy read and extremely enjoyable. I liked it!

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I haven't seen the book, but have heard about through posts on The Dis. Is it more of a coffee table book? Meaning, can I open it to any page and learn a neat little tidbit, or do you have to actually read through it to understand it?

I was thinking of getting for my father, who loves Disney and how much work goes into the little details that most people will never notice. However, he doesn't have the time or desire to sit down and read a book.

 

[jordgubben]

I just received my book yesterday and read it last night. I can see how people could read it in 45 minutes. It's extremely easy to read.

I found the book very good. There was some information that was new to me and some that was not (bearing in mind that I frequent the disboards, have a WDW trivia book and Magical Moments trivia game, and have taken almost every backstage tour, it didn't surprise me that this book included things I already knew.

Is it a coffeetable book? Well, the way that you describe it yes. You can open it up to any page and learn an interesting little fact. In fact, I will be the first to admit that I did not read the book in page number order but instead jumped from section to section.

The book is not like a coffeetable book in that I think of a coffeetable book as a larger book with lots of picture that people only even end of owning because they receive them as a gift. This book is a smaller book (about the size of a folded park map actually) and while it does have picture on every page, there are certainly more words than just captions. It's definitely set up in more of a guidebook style.

Considering the book is priced at $10 I think it's a great little thing to pick up and enjoy. Perfect read for the plane ride down or even to keep with you and look through while in line.

I'm definitely looking forward to the books on the other parks. If you want to see detail, wait until you hear about all the detail in Animal Kingdom!

 

[civileng68]

I haven't seen the book, but have heard about through posts on The Dis. Is it more of a coffee table book? Meaning, can I open it to any page and learn a neat little tidbit, or do you have to actually read through it to understand it?

I was thinking of getting for my father, who loves Disney and how much work goes into the little details that most people will never notice. However, he doesn't have the time or desire to sit down and read a book.

It's definately a type of book where you can flip to any page and learn.

It's not a progressive book. It's whatever you are reading for the moment matters.

It's designed to take INTO the parks with you. It's small and portable. You can take it in and look as you go. The book is divided in sections, Main St. , and all of the lands, so whereever you are in the park you can go to and read.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

DH and i finished the book in record timing, and although enjoyable and verry cool not worth the money we paid. Probably would've been better to check it out at the library. I was hoping for some more insider info.

My personal rating: 6
New Learned Information - 4
Readability - 10
Enjoyment - 7
Handiness - ?
Secrets - 3
Overall Quality of the item for the price paid: 4

 

[sodaseller]

I haven't gotten it away from my DD9 yet, but she is loving it and repeating most of it

 

[civileng68]

not worth the money we paid.

Each person is completely entitled to their opinion but, how can it not be worth the money? I think that's the factor that makes it so buyable. I mean I would never pay $19.99 for it (just an example) because I already know so much. However, I paid $7.00 for mine and to me, I think just having it, even if I didnt read it, is worth that much money.

I think it's truly enjoyable and I don't see how someone could possibly know everything already that was in the book.

Again, it's all about what you are looking for. Dont buy it for secrets. Buy it to find out what the Imagineers were thinking when they designed things in the park. That's what it's for, NOT secrets.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Argh, I need to get this book, but I don't want to order online. I ordered it from B&N, but it's still taking forever

 

[oogie boogie]

Ooooooo....this would be perfect on the plane to slowly get ourselves amped up for when we do finally get there! Great suggestion! I'll prob end up reading it b4 the trip just cause I'm so impatient!! HA!