Top 10 Non Travel Books about Disneyland

Date: Thursday October 25, 2007
Posted in: Books

Disneyland becomes inevitably part of everyone’s life whether they realize it or not. Disneyland is constantly present on our consciousness and it has contributed greatly to the culture as we know it today. Some examples about how Disneyland has affected the lives of millions of people from around the world can be seen in these books:

  1. The Astonishing Power of Emotions by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks – Disneyland is seen as a place where anything is possible.
  2. Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin – the journey of one man is told here and Disneyland is part of his personal architecture
  3. Tree of Smoke: A Novel by Denis Johnson – this book is an extreme novel about adventure. There is also an audio version of this book that you might find interesting.
  4. Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas – there is a Disneyland anywhere in various parts of the globe so it becomes part of the consciousness of people around the world. In particular, this book is set in France with some reference to Disneyland Paris.
  5. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein – would you consider Disneyland part of capitalism? Well, if it is, then it is capitalism in a good way.
  6. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman – Disneyland has been in existing for a long time already and this book demonstrates an example on events have happened in Disneyland through the years.
  7. 1,000 Places to see in the U.S.A. and Canada Before you Die by Patricia Schultz – when it comes to must-see places around the U.S.A. or even around the world, Disneyland would always come up. It is a place where fantasies come to life. People should never miss a chance to visit Disneyland.
  8. The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them by Freedom Writers and Zlata Filipovic – find out how to change the world through writing through inspiration and perseverance
  9. Heaven by Randy C. Alcorn – he states that even Disneyland, “the happiest place on earth, closes its gates at night.”
  10. The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One that Isn’t by Robert I. Sutton – there are many icons and establishments around the world that changed the world around them, Disneyland is definitely one of those as can be seen on this book.


Top 10 Disney Imagineering Books

Date: Tuesday October 16, 2007
Posted in: Imagineering

Imagineering is the concept that brought Walt Disneys dreams alive. Imagineering, originated by Disney himself describes the combined effect of both imagination and engineering. At a beginning of the Disneyland project, Disney put together a team of best architects, play writers, engineers, musicians, theatre personalities; all experts from the infrastructure and entertainment fraternity, whom he called as imagineers. They were the people who would imagine and create a wonderful world filled with fun and food for thought. There are a whole lot of Imagineering books written by the Imagineers themselves and by a few others, which give the spectator an insider’s view of the various facilities at Disneyland. Lets have a look at the top 10 Imagineering books.

  1. Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look At Making the Magic Real by ImagineersThis book offers an insight to the technalities involved in designing amusement parks, accompanied by a whole lot of colorful illustrations and pictures of the buildings and rides in Disneyland.
  2. The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World by The Disney Imagineers The book, true to its name is a field guide to the Magic Kingdom, detailing the story behind the creation of each themed land and its attractions. Also, minute details are highlighted along with the Imagineers’ personal experience that went with them.
  3. The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World by The Imagineers and Alex Wright This pocket guide doesn’t overburden the reader with technicalities. However, it does present the reader with a whole lot of facts and considerations that went into the creation of the Future World and the World Showcase pavilions at the Epcot Center.
  4. The Imagineering Workout: Exercises to Shape Your Creative Muscles by The Imagineers This book is actually on what it takes to be an Imagineer. It contains hints on how to hone and apply creative skills and also few project ideas that could be tried out firsthand. The book, though intended for students will keep people of any age group occupied.
  5. Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show by John Hench, Wendy Lefkon, and Peggy Van Pelt From the design of Mickey to the Haunted House and the Pirates of the Carribean, the behind the scenes thought and execution has been highlighted elaborately.
  6. The Imagineering Way: Ideas to Ignite Your Creativity By The Imagineers Another book on the creative process, that shares with reader the basics on creativity. The contents are in the form of essays written by the Imagineers.
  7. Walt Disney’s Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park By Kurtti, Jeff The book is an introduction to all Imagineers who worked at Disney, with their work experiences and contributions highlighted in detail. It also gives an insight into their working conditions during the early Disney days.
  8. The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World by The Imagineers Another addition to the Field Guide series, the book offers a behind-the-scenes look into the attractions of Animal Kingdom and also a whole lot of interesting things to look out for on your next trip, lest you miss them.
  9. The Disney Mountains: Imagineering At Its Peak by Jason SurrellThe book provides an insiders view to all the Mountain Attractions at the Disney Parks worldwide. It may not be as exhaustive as the earlier works by the same author.
  10. Designing Disney’s Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance By Neil Harris, Erika Doss, Yi-Fu Tuan, Greil Marcus

This book is not about Imagineering though. It offers a picture of how the architecture of the theme parks influence and was influenced by architectural trends around the world.

So, these are a few books that offer an insight into the Imagineers world. Do try and read them if you havent already done so.



Top 20 Secrets Most People Don’t Know About Disneyland

Disneyland is a magical place for anyone to visit. Everyone knows about Disneyland, in fact, a lot of people claim to know these areas intimately because they had been to Disneyland time and again. However, there are still some little known secrets in Disney that will amaze you and probably even make you wonder why you never noticed these secrets before. Here are the top 20 secrets most people don’t know about Disneyland:

  1. Alcoholic beverages are not sold in Disneyland – In addition, alcoholic beverages are not sold because they want to keep Disneyland as wholesome as possible for the whole family to enjoy.

  2. Gums are not sold inside Disney - it is bothersome for visitors to scrape gums off their shoes and Disneyland realizes this so they do not sell gum inside the area

  3. Litters inside Disney are immediately cleaned up by a maintenance crew that are costumed

  4. Walt Disney has private apartments in the area – when Disneyland was being constructed, the founder wanted to be near to see its progress thus he lived in the area.

  5. Disneyland has different themes – when you enter one area of Disneyland to another, you will notice that going into each of these places is a whole new experience.

  6. No Pepsi in Disney – Coca-cola has a deal with Disney for them not to allow the competing products to be sold.

  7. Special birthdays – birthday celebrants can expect a special celebration in Disneyland

  8. Get balloons for free at Disney –balloons that are lost will be replaced for free

  9. Free coffee refills – when you buy coffee in the early morning, just keep the cup and it will be refilled for free throughout the day

  10. Great view of the nightly Fantasmic show – go to the Disney Gallery to see an unobstructed view of the nightly show

  11. Hidden Magic – the Mad Hatter Shop contains some hidden magic that will surprise the guests but actually, everything is a result of lighting tricks.

  12. Hidden Mickeys – there are hidden Mickey Mouse ears found all over Disneyland.

  13. Club 33 – there is a very exclusive private club in Disneyland to entertain important guests

  14. Alcoholic beverages – this is connected to number 12, alcoholic beverages are only allowed inside the Club 33, it is prohibited throughout Disneyland

  15. Limited members in Club 33 – there are only about 400 members in Club 33 and there is around 5 years waiting time to get membership in this club

  16. Disneyland is full of surveillance equipments

  17. Strict about their image – Disneyland takes good care of its image as a destination for families.

  18. Disneyland used to have a very strict dress code - men with long hair were barred from entering

  19. A topless woman? – this photographic image can be seen at the background of Rescuers

  20. Disney is one of the best places of earth



Top 20 Attractions at Disneyland in California

Date: Monday October 1, 2007
Posted in: Disneyland

Disneyland, in Anaheim California is a magic land where adults and children enjoy alike in the company of their favorite Disney characters. The rides, shops, restaurants and other entertainment shows are bound to keep everyone happy. The whole terrain is divided into eight themed regions, each offering its own share of excitement. There are about 60 rides, 50 shops and 30 restaurants spread across these regions.

 

MainStreet USA

This region takes you back in time to US in the early 1900’s. Steam Engine Ride on ‘Disney Railroad’ and classic cartoons at the ‘Main Street Cinema’ are attractions of this region.

Frontierland

Crash through an old gold mining town in the ‘Big Thunder Mountain railroad’ in an open rail car, take a thrilling trip to the ‘Tom Sawyer Island’ aboard the Twain Riverboat or Sailing ship Columbia, sing along and dance to the performance at theGolden Horseshoe Revue’; Lots of activity at Frontierland.

Adventureland

Explore the remote amazonian forests in ‘Jungle Cruise’, climb through to the ‘Tarzan Treehouse’ that is about 80-feet tall, and follow the footsteps of Jones to locate the Temple of the Forbidden Eye in the ‘Indiana Jones Adventure’. Soak in the jungle sounds at the ‘Enchanted Tiki Room’. Adventure is in the air!

Fanstasyland

Get ready to enjoy fantasy adventures with Pinocchio, Alice, Peter Pan and Mr Toad. Ride on one of the world largest caroussel King Arthur Carrousel’ and enjoy the ‘Princess Fantasy Faire’ theatre. ‘Matterhorn Bobsleds’ roller coaster ride however, is not for the weak at heart.

New Orleans Square

Quiet elegance and subdued excitement characterize the atmosphere here. Visit the ‘Disney Art Gallery’, enjoy the company of the ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ while on a slow moving ship, and get spooked at the ‘Haunted Mansion’

Critter Country

Ride a water log at Critter country’s ‘Splash Mountain’. A thrilling ride down the mountain, you are bound to get wet on this ride.

Tomorrowland.

Experience a slice of the ‘Future’. Check out the fast paced racetrack at ‘Autopia’, space travel at the ‘Space Mountain’, technology advances at ‘Innoventions’ and fight the enemy in ‘Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters’

Toontown.

Visit your favorited toon character homes and also take a ride in the Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin’.

There are select locations in these regions where you could meet the Disney characters. Check on the Fast Track passes which allow fast access to a few select rides. Also each ride has specific height requirements. A few of them may not allow wheelchairs aboard. While you are busy with all these rides, be on time to catch up with the ‘Remember Dreams Come True’ fireworks’, the ‘Fantasmic!’ show and theWalt Disney’s Parade of Dreams’. True’ fireworks