Site icon Jim Hill Media

“Imagineering Field Guide” packs big fun into tiny book

I know, I know. You’ve just put away this year’s Halloween costume. And you haven’t even finished eating all of the leftover trick-or-treat candy yet. So you’re really probably not be in the mood to hear something like this. But …

THERE ARE ONLY 52 SHOPPING DAYS LEFT ‘TIL CHRISTMAS! AIEEEEE!?! 

Okay. Now don’t panic. There are simple solutions out there. Easy ways to avoid the ordeal of going to the mall and then battling all of those other holiday shoppers in order to find the perfect gift.

Take — for example — all the Disney dweebs on your holiday shopping list. (Oh, come on. Admit it. You’re here at JHM reading a book review. So you gotta know a few Disney dweebs. Anyway … ) If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer for the hardcore Disneyana fan in your family, I can think of no better gift to give than Alex Wright’s “The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World” (Disney Editions, September 2005).

I mean, take a look at this book.

Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc.

It’s teeny, ain’t it? The perfect size to stuff in a stocking.

Ah, but don’t let the actual size of the “Imagineering Field Guide” fool you. Though Wright’s book may be small in stature, Alex has crammed an awful lot of amazing info into this 128-page paperback.

“Like what?,” you ask. Well, how about a practical lesson in forced perspective? You know, that design technique that the Imagineers use in Disney’s theme parks in order to make us think that certain structures are larger than they actually are.

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

Or — better yet — how about all the incredible concept art that Wright has chosen to illustrate the “Imagineering Field Guide”? Alex literally takes you from America’s past …

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

… right up to “The Future That Never Was.” All in an effort to show you how the Imagineers came up with the look of each individual land.

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

Of course, the real beauty of Wright’s book is that — while it is actually an excellent field guild (EX: Telling you where exactly to look in the lobby area of Cinderella’s Royal Table in order to spy the princess’ two favorite mice, Jacques and Gus-Gus) …

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

… But — at the same time — this paperback is still an excellent read once you’re away from the Magic Kingdom. Explaining in detail the many challenges that the Imagineers regularly face. Like how to design a new railroad station for Frontierland that embraces both the cartoony tone of “Splash Mountain” as well as the more realistic rockwork found nearby at “Big Thunder Mountain Railway.”

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

Or how you re-imagine a hit Disneyland attraction (I.E. “The Haunted Mansion”) so that it now logically fits into a brand-new locale: The Liberty Square area of WDW’s Magic Kingdom.

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

That (I think) is the most impressive aspect of “The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.” How Wright was able to craft his book so that it would appeal to both the theme park novice as well as the hardcore Disney information junky.

That … And Alex Wright does this really great thing. In that he actually credits all of the individual artists who created the concept paintings featured in the “Field Guide.” Take — for example — this beautiful image by George McGinnis. Which shows how the Skyway, the WEDway PeopleMover, the Autopia and Space Mountain will all work together in order to create the impression that WDW’s Tomorrowland is “a city on the move.”

Copyright Disney Enterprises, LLC

Isn’t it nice to finally know which artists at WDI are actually responsible for the look and the styling of each individual ride, show and attraction?

Anyway … I can honestly not say enough nice things about Alex Wright’s “Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.” There’s an awful lot of info and entertainment crammed into this teeny tiny paperback. And — given the book’s very affordable price (It’s retailing for $9.95) — it’s an extremely cheap way to please all those Disney dweebs that you have on your holiday shopping list.

Now … As to what you should get for that maiden aunt who lives alone and collects “Precious Moments” figurines … Hey, pal. You’re on your own.

Your thoughts?

Exit mobile version