domingo, 26 de setembro de 2010

Everything You always Wanted to Know about Walt Disney world!

Everything You always Wanted to Know about Walt Disney world!: "UPDATE! New titles added.



A frequent request we receive at 2719 Hyperion/Imaginerding is for books about the history of Walt Disney World. While there isn't one book that covers it completely, there are several titles you can digest that will give you a very good picture. There are a lot of titles available and they come from different sources; check out the ones that look most interesting.



The definition of a bibliography is:
a complete or selective list of works compiled upon some common principle, as authorship, subject, place of publication, or printer.

--http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bibliography
This bibliography is by no means a complete list of books available on Walt Disney World; I have only added books that I own. Feel free to leave a comment if I have missed something good!



You can always keep up with the Walt Disney World-related titles we have reviewed by clicking here.





General Interest

The books included in this set focus on more than just Walt Disney World. I consider each title an essential part of any Disney enthusiast's library.







History

The following titles are specific to Walt Disney World and cover more than just an attraction. The Kurtti, Koenig and Beard titles are a must!



  • Beard, Richard F. Walt Disney's Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow. 1982. This is the book that every fan of Epcot should own. An amazing amount of conceptual artwork and photos of the park during its first few months. In-depth information on the pavilions and anecdotes from the Imagineers. There are three editions: a pre-opening, post-opening and a short version. The difference in the post- and pre- is whether some of the pictures are in-park photos or close-ups of models.




  • Emerson, Chad. Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World. 2009. Emerson takes an in-depth and straightforward look at the creation of Walt Disney World. It covers the purchase of the land and the political machinations tat took place. It includes a great timeline and listing of key players. You can read my review here.


  • Gordon, Bruce; Kurtti, Jeff. Walt Disney World Then, Now, and Forever. 2008. Theme Park Exclusive. Gordon and Kurtti have written a history/souvenir guide for Walt Disney World. It does act more like a family scrapbook than a history book, until you delve into its pages. You can read my review here.

  • Mannheim, Steven.Walt Disney and the Quest for Community. 2003. This book could almost be considered a biography of the Epcot that could have been. Mannheim writes a very through-provoking and enjoyable work on Walt Disney's plans for EPCOT Center and how they germinated and became reality (or didn't, in some cases). You can read my review here.

  • The Story of Walt Disney World, Commemorative Edition. Various Years (1971, 1973, 1976). An official publication that looks at the first few years of Walt Disney World. It focuses on the building of the Magic Kingdom, the resorts and the rest of the vacation kingdomBulleted List. It has a great stylized map and lots of pictures.

Attraction Specific



  • Broggie, Michael. Walt Disney's Railroad Story: The Small-Scale Fascination That Led to a Full-Scale Kingdom. 1998. Broggie presents a fascinating look at Walt's Railroad--part biography and part theme park history. The majority of the book focuses on the Carolwood-Pacific, but Broggie does discuss the Magic Kingdom and Ft. Wilderness Railroads. You can read my review here.




  • Leaphart, David. Walt Disney World Railroads Part 1: Fort Wilderness Railroad. 2010. David has compiled an monumental and magnificent look at the Fort Wilderness Railroad. A must for any fan of Fort Wilderness, trains or early Walt Disney World anecdotes. Visit the author's website for more information.


  • Leaphart, David. Walt Disney World Railroads Part 1: Fort Wilderness Railroad Gallery Companion. 2010. A companion guide to David's work on the Fort Wilderness Railroad. More pictures than you can shake a stick at!


  • Surrell, Jason. The Disney Mountains: Imagineering At Its Peak. 2007. Surrell takes an in-depth look at every Disney mountain, from Matterhon to Everest, with side trips to some un-built mountains.




  • Surrell, Jason. The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies. 2006. If you are a fan of the Haunted Mansion, you need to own this book. Surrell starts at the earliest concepts and takes us through to the final incarnations, step-by-step. The concept art is wonderful.




  • Surrell, Jason. Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies. 2006. An in-depth history of Pirates of the Caribbean, from concept stages to Disneyland Paris. We experience all versions of the attraction through the script, artwork and photographs.

Artwork

There would be no Walt Disney World without these artists.





Miscellaneous

Detailed-inspired travel guides, academic treatises and amazing photographic titles. Usually more of a time-capsule than a history title.





Don't forget to stop by our site and leave some Disney Geek love!


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sábado, 11 de setembro de 2010

New expansion plans at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

New expansion plans at Busch Gardens Williamsburg: "By Cameron Saunders: Busch Gardens Williamsburg and its water park, Water Country USA, are to announce an expansion and renovation plan later this month. The park's website claims they are 're-imagining the look and feel of some of the most recognizable areas of Busch Gardens and revitalizing both parks with new attractions for your enjoyment'. Details will be released on September 18.

Here is a teaser video. And I mean teaser... It tells nothing. But here you go:


Any ideas what they mean by re-imagining the look and feel of some of the most recognizable areas of Busch Gardens?



"

Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora teased for The Disney Channel

Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora teased for The Disney Channel: "

Was just sent a teaser trailer for the new Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora segment coming to The Disney Channel.



I’m intrigued. I’m hoping there’s some Swedish Chef action too. I’m thinking Iron Chef battle spoof.





Halloween Costumes for Kids at AnniesCostumes.com



Discuss this post, and anything else related to Disney, at the TownSquare Forums.


Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora teased for The Disney Channel

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terça-feira, 7 de setembro de 2010

Harry Potter: Here’s to shorter lines after Labor Day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Harry Potter: Here’s to shorter lines after Labor Day at Universal’s Islands of Adventure: "

For months, I’ve suggested to locals that if they wanted to avoid giant crowds at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, they should until after Labor Day. It’s true of all our theme parks, of course. School is back in session across most of the country and that generally means less congestion in the attractions.


I ran out to OIA this afternoon and proved myself right. Sorta. It’s certainly less crowded, but there are still a few lines to contend with. Upon entering the park, the board of wait times up front said it was 60 minutes for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, 20 minutes for Flight of the Hippogriff, 10 minutes for Dragon Challenge. By the time I hoofed it back to WizWoHaPo, they had subtracted 10 minutes from both FJ and Hippogriff.



More surprising: at 1:30 p.m., there were nine people waiting in line at the butterbeer cart. It was still being served at Hog’s Head and the satellite outlet near Hogwarts.



There was a longer line outside Ollivanders wand shop but not nearly the summertime throng. If you’ve been there, you know the line snakes from outside the front door (beneath that sign), between buildings for a loop or two, then up the hill. The man in white shirt and jeans in this picture was the end of the line this afternoon. … I’d estimate it was a 30 minute wait. (Sidenote: Remember that fire hydrant in the construction phase of Wizarding World? It was in the temporary queue for the entrance of Dueling Dragons. Seems like ages ago.)



A quicker, though less magical, is the wand cart between Hogwarts and the Hippogriff coaster. At this point, there was no waiting. There also were wands available again at the Trading Company store at the front of the park.


Dervish & Banges had a small out-the-door line, and Filch’s was crowded even though the Forbidden Journey ride was on a hold. No line at Zonko’s. And the line did not go out the door for lunch today at Three Broomsticks, although when I stuck my head in, most tables were full. (Sidenote: The posted occupancy for Three Broomsticks was once a fanciful 123 — it’s now posted as 463. Makes sense.)


So, the lines are shorter, the weather will get more agreeable (C’mon, October!) … It could be time for the locals to descend.




"