Book Review: Walt Disney World Then, Now, and Forever

Walt Disney World Then, Now, and Forever by Bruce Gordon and Jeff Kurtti. 2008, 184 pages.

This book is a theme park exclusive; getting your hands on a copy might be a little more expensive than other Disney-related books. Unless you are visiting or have a friend there, you will have to pick it up on the secondhand market, which will increase the price. If you are able to visit Walt Disney World, you might need to ask a castmember to get it for you.

Bruce Gordon and Jeff Kurtti should be very familiar authors to Disney enthusiasts. Before Bruce passed away, he was an Imagineer and had created a solid body of work that will be treasured for years to come. Jeff is a Disney historian, author, consultant and award-winning producer. Bruce and Jeff worked together on the book until Bruce's passing. Jeff finished the title for the July, 2008 release.

The format for this book is based on the impressive Disneyland Then, Now and Forever title that was released in 2005. Throwing out the traditional souvenir guidebook format, the authors chose another path. This book reflects the feeling of a family scrapbook--not just your most recent vacation, but a lifetime of vacations to Walt Disney World. They share the photos and text based on larger themes, as opposed to theme park or resort: imagination, traditions, surprises, adventure, wonder, movies, thrills, music, innovations and dreams & makers. Looking at the resort in this light allows the authors to connect attractions in different ways, instead of geographically.


This book shines as a souvenir guide that highlights the aspects of past vacations. The layout is very appealing and contemporary. It sets itself above most other Disney-related guides through the design and presentation. The book conveys a lot of energy and excitement. The writing is crisp and informative. It is a very general overview of Walt Disney World and a lot is covered in minor detail. There are plenty of photographs from throughout the resort's history--a few which were new to me.

One of the weaknesses of the book is that 184 pages is not enough space to dedicate to the history and current state of Walt Disney World. You get the feeling that a majority of attractions and resorts get glossed over. This has to be from a space and money standpoint. I imagine that a Walt Disney World version of the Disneyland book would need to be close to 500 pages or sold as four to five volumes. I can imagine that Bruce and Jeff had some difficult choices to make about what to include--overall, I agree with everything presented; I just wish there had been more.
Naturally, I wanted to compare this guide with the Disneyland version. Although the books have similar approaches, themes and DNA, they are covering resorts with differing audiences and histories. Both do an excellent job of catering to their intended audience. The Disneyland version offers more for the hardcore Disney enthusiast and the WDW version is geared more for the lay Disney fan.

Bottom Line: As presented, Walt Disney World Then, Now, and Forever is a fresh breath in the line of souvenir guides. It is rather light-weight on the hidden details and minutiae, but serves the purpose of being a vacation scrapbook very well. I would recommend this book to the completists or if you are looking for a very general look at Walt Disney World. It is a light read that is easy to digest. The pictures are beautiful and you will enjoy this title many years from now.

Other Walt Disney World books I have reviewed:

• Realityland by David Koenig
• Walt Disney and the Quest for Community by Steve Mannheim
• Walt Disney World, the First Decade

Geek-End Update, Saturday, November 15, 2008

• Daveland posts a Pirates mystery at his Pirates blog. Any thoughts?
• Steve from the TAG blog posts a short interview with Charlie Downs.
• Major Pepperidge from Gorillas Don't Blog posts some great photos from the 1964-1965 World's Fair. He also posts some great Disneyland attraction posters.
• Ryan at the Main Street Gazette shares an article about Dave Smith and the archives.
• Didier Ghez at the Disney History blog hips us to a forthcoming book.
• Foxxfur at Passport2Dreams offers us the beginning of a thesis statement. Pretty heady...

Did I Say Candy?

Apparently, I spoke very highly of the candy from Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on the WDW Radio Show with Lou Mongello.

Colin, from The Disney World blog contacted me about donating some candy to my, uh, personal cause. Since Colin works for a major candy company, he has access to some great stuff.

As long as Lou doesn't come asking for his 10%.

Thanks Colin!

Way Back!

A very faithful reader sent in some scans of her August 1985 trip to Walt Disney World. I thought it would make a fun series over the next couple of weeks.

I love the clothes and the line to get into the Universe of Energy.

Book Review: Disneyland, Then, Now and Forever

Disneyland Then, Now, and Forever by Bruce Gordon and Tim O'Day. 2005, 192 Pages.

This book quickly jumped into the list of my favorite Disney-related books. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disney's inaugural park, Disneyland Then, Now and Forever looks at the history of Disneyland with a rather unique twist. It replaced the traditional souvenir guides that you could purchase at the parks. Earlier guides were presented as a companion to your vacation. Usually, they saw minimal changes throughout the years. In this instance, it is so much more.

The unique aspect is that it takes us through the past five decades of Disneyland Resort. Not only do we look at the attractions, but we see the traditions of Disneyland as they have changed and progressed throughout the years. This book is also one of the first sources to show you what attractions existed before the current ones.

Take the section on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, for instance. It covers every attraction that stood in that area since the beginning of the park: Big Thunder, Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland, Rainbow Caverns Mine Train and the Stage Coach and Pack Mule trails. Full-color, full-page photos that show the attractions, the ride vehicles and the landscaping. It is a wonderful way to look at Disneyland--you get a better sense of how the park was arranged and how it has evolved through the years.

What was there before Big Thunder? Nature's Wonderland.

As a Disney enthusiast, my only criticism is also one of the book's main strengths: the layout. Like previous publications that Bruce Gordon has created, Disneyland Then, Now and Forever is artistically and stylistically beautiful. The modern page layouts are inviting and attractive. The information is presented in a readable and entertaining format. Yes, the artwork presented is one-of-a-kind and was never before published--but I kept longing for larger shots and less large-scale pictures that got lost in the fold. I know, I can't have everything!
It is almost shocking to run across a shot of Tomorrowland with wide avenues and not a current building in site. Seeing where the park has been and where it is now is wonderful; I can almost imagine the excitement that guests of the past felt walking towards the Moonliner Rocket.

The book offers plenty of surprises: concept art, the infamous ride posters, rarely seen photos, some intriguing secrets and some less secret secrets. All-in-all, this book offers something for everyone. Even if you are a Walt Disney World only fan, seeing Disneyland presented with such love and excitement will open your eyes to the Magic Kingdom's older sibling. Remember, there would be no Walt Disney World without the successes of Disneyland.


The authors take us on a journey through most of Disneyland's history. Throughout the journey, we share snapshots as if in a scrapbook of our vacations. We see how Disneyland has grown and how it has changed. Some moments are wistful and some are potent. But honestly, was the Dairy Bar any different from Club Cool at Epcot? All of the current attractions (from the 50th Anniversary) are covered--there is more presented than just Disneyland's history. This is quite a remarkable look at an amazing theme park.

Bottom Line: Anyone who has spent time at the Disneyland Resort needs Disneyland Then, Now and Forever on their bookshelves.It is not as comprehensive as The Nickel Tour or Disneyland: Inside Story, but it offers a very accessible history of Disneyland. It is a nostalgic and heart-warming trip through Disneyland's first 50 years. You won't regret owning this book--there has not been anything else published like it.
Other Disneyland books I have reviewed:

• Disneyland Inside Story by Randy Bright
• Disneyland The Nickel Tour by Bruce Gordon, David Mumford, Roger Le Roque and Nick Farago
• Mouse Tales and More Mouse Tales by David Koenig
• The Art of Disneyland by Jeff Kurtti and Bruce Gordon
• The Disneyland Hotel, The Early Years by Donald Ballard
• Welcome Aboard the Disneyland Railroad by Steve DeGaetano
• Window on Main Street by Van Arsdale France

Geek-End Update, Saturday, November 8, 2008

• Doc Terminus at Passamaquoddy updates us on the Studio Tour.
• Daveland has some photos of the playground at the Disneyland Hotel--from 1956.
• Mark at TagToonz shares some photos of a very early storyboards.
• Dis Hippy at words of a Dis Hippy posts an article about the history of the Haunted Mansion.
• Didier at the Disney History blog interviews Gene Sands, co-author of the new book on Wally Boag.
• Big Brian at Mousin' It Up gives a lesson on early Disneyland postcards.
• Cory from Voyages Extraordinaire posts an essay on the novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
• David at BoingBoing links to a post about a working replica of the Nautilus.
• Alain at Disney and More shares artwork from a former Imagineer. He follows up with a second part about Mickey Ville!
• Wade Sampson at MousePlanet posts a wonderful essay about the origins of the Disneyland-Alweg Monorail.
• Looking for a NEW career? Try animation! Stephen at the ASIFA Animation Archive has posted a scan of 16 page brochure about becoming a cartoonist.
• Major Pepperidge at Gorilla's Don't Blog shares a rare interior photo.
• Ryan at Main St. Gazette has a post about the opening ceremony of the Japan Pavilion.
• Jack Spence begins a series comparing Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Book Signings @ Disneyland!

For all of my Disney Geek brethren on the West Coast...

Book Signings with Don Hahn & Jeff Kurtti

Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer, Don Hahn and Author & Disney Historian, Jeff Kurtti.

Disney authors, filmakers, historians and all-around good guys Don Hahn (l.) and Jeff Kurtti (r.)

Date: November 8, 2008Time: 9 AM to 11 AM

Location: Bonanza Outfitters, Frontierland, Disneyland Park

From the Press Release:

Join us as we celebrate the release of two very special books by Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer & Author, Don Hahn and Author and Disney Historian, Jeff Kurtti.

Don and Jeff will be on hand for a special appearance and signing from 9 AM to 11 AM at Bonanza Outfitters in Frontierland.

The Alchemy of Animation: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age is a step-by-step introduction to animated filmmaking from one of the foremost producers of animated features. By drawing upon more than seven decades of Disney's beloved classic animated films, this stunning book explores the role of directors, story artists, songwriters, and animators who each play an integral role in the creation of an animated feature. This book includes a special focus on the digital techniques of filmmaking and fresh, behind-the-scenes work from the most currently Disney films, including Chicken Little, Meet the Robinsons and Bolt, as well as showing other forms of animation such as the stop-motion of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach.

The Alchemy of Animation: Making an Animated Film in the Modern Age by Walt Disney Animation Studios Producer, Don Hahn will be available for $19.95 tax.

Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park
Although Disneyland was the idea of one man, Walt did not achieve this history-altering concept on his own. Using his innate talent for combining disparate skills and personalities, he assembled a creative team that blended imagination with engineering. Walt called this group his "Imagineers." Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park introduces a core group of the originators of Disneyland and the other Disney parks. It explores their individual relationships with Walt and each other, their creative breakthroughs and failures, and their rivalries and professional politics. This candid narrative of their lives and contributions to a very special form of entertainment illustrates why, half a century later, their work continues to be vital and important to millions of people every day all over the world. Lavishly illustrated throughout with rare and never-before-seen artwork and photographs, this book will further enrich the reader's appreciation of the exceptional talent behind Disneyland's creation and ongoing evolution.

Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park
by Author and Disney Historian, Jeff Kurtti will be available for $35, plus tax.
Disneyland Press Release

If anyone makes it out there and wants to get a signed copy for me...

You can read my review of Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends here.

Book Update

Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney by Lee Cockerell arrived yesterday. The reviews have been very positive!

Imaginerding on the WDW Radio Show

Listen to the Imaginerds on the WDW Radio Show as they join host Lou Mongello to discuss books, tips, theme park visits and anything else that comes to mind.

• Show #57, March 9, 2008. Lou and George discuss the top 5 Disney books that every geek should have. You can can get a list of them here.
• Show #58, March 16, 2008. Lou, Jeff Pepper, Eric Hollister and George discuss their trip to Disneyland. You will never guess what Lou steps in.
• Show #65, May 4, 2008. Lou, Jeff Pepper and George discuss the merits of going off-season vs. on-season.
• Show #69, June 1, 2008. Lou, Glenn Whalen and George talk about Star Wars weekends and how to make the most of the visit. You can see Glenn's awesome photo of the group here.
• Show #74, July 6, 2008. Lou and George discuss three Disney titles that examine the architecture of the parks. You can get the list of books here.
• Show #88, October 12, 2008. Lou and George hand out tips about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. And they talk about candy! You can get more info here.
• Show #95, November 30, 2008. Lou, George, Glenn Whalen, Tim Foster and Jusitn Muchoney discuss the Seventh of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• Show #96, December 7, 2008. Lou and I discuss Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe at the Magic Kingdom and other holiday spots.

Geek-End Update

• Daveland has celebrated his 800th post! Congrats to one of the friendliest and most enthusiastic bloggers ever!
• Princess Fee at DF'82 takes us on a journey to the Phantom Manor. She shares some great details here.
• Disney Gossip discusses a potential new transportation rumor for Walt Disney World.
• Colin at the Disney World blog takes a look at the history of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction.
• Matt at Paleo Future shares what 2050 might look like from a great 1984 Epcot book. I really want this book!!!
• Vintage Disneyland Tickets shares a great brochure on the Magic Circle attraction.
• Jeff at An Utter Waste of Time reviews Down And Out in the Magic Kingdom.
• David at Vintage Disney Collectibles has posted Part 3 of his series Walt and the Red Cross. I can only imagine the German Charge of the Garbage Brigade!
• Mike at the Jungle is 101 shares some photos of the backside of Main St.
• Michael Sporn posts some great concept art from Toot, Whistle, Plunk & Boom!
• Foxxfur at Passport2Dreams has posted some original fan art in honor of the Country Bears re-opening!
• Matterhorn from Stuff From the Park has some awesome photos of the Little Mining Town of Rainbow Ridge.
• Cory at Voyages Extraordinaire shares some spooky video treats for the readers!
• Floyd Norman at What to Expect reminisces about animator and director Art Stevens.
• Rob Richards at Animation Backgrounds posts some spooky backgrounds!
• Didier Ghez from Disney History shares an interview segment from the upcoming Walt's People Vol. 7.

Book Review: The Disney That Never Was

The Disney That Never Was: The Stories and Art of Five Decades of Unproduced Animation by Charles Solomon. 1995, 214 pp.

Charles Solomon is a well-known name in animation history and criticism circles. H e has authored articles for Rolling Stone, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, the New York Times and many other publications. He is also the author of two other well-known Disney and animation-related titles: Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation and Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animation.

The Disney That Never Was takes us into the Animation Archives to see and read about unproduced shorts and feature films. Solomon has collected sketches, storyboards, concept art and the stories behind the artwork. As stated in the title, we follow the history of unproduced films throughout the studio's long and storied past. Solomon divides the book by genre as opposed to strict chronological order. The groupings are logical when looking at the artwork: Mickey, Donald and Goofy; fairy tales; wartime films; Fantasia and its successors; and miscellaneous films.

Reynard from Chanticleer by Marc Davis

I enjoyed this book and found it wistful and exciting. Solomon explains that the unproduced animation and artwork could have been shelved for any number of reasons: perhaps the story wasn't strong enough; there weren't enough artists to complete the pictures; the characters might not have had the appeal; or it never made it past an initial meeting. The Disney Studio has always well-documented their meetings and has preserved almost all stages of artwork from the animated films. In particular, the Disney artists have always found it inspirational--and helpful--to study the original animation from Snow White and other classic films. When you read this title, you can only imagine how different the animation landscape might look if some of these films had been produced. Some cases make you wonder why the animation was halted.

Goofy from How to Be a Commando, artist unknown.

The Disney That Never Was is a reference tool that you will enjoy studying and reading for many years to come. Solomon is able to provide a fantastic look at how the animation process works and how the studio functioned during the animation heyday of the 1930's and 1940's. In some instances, ideas were shelved and used much later or were the inspiration for other projects. The sections on Chanticleer, Don Quixote and Hiawatha were eye opening about the process--animation-wise and politically--that the animation takes on its circuitous path to the big screen or as it is derailed.

Snake-villain from Hootsie the Owl, artist unknown.

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of Disney animation, then you need to own this book! Charles Solomon has raided the Animation Archives, interviewed animators and researched the stories to bring us some of the most exciting information about Disney animated films that were never produced. Although we only gain glimpses of some films--almost like a tease--there is not another resource that tells this many stories about the films we never saw or heard about until this book.

Geek-End Update, Saturday, October 25, 2008

• Jeff Pepper at 2719 Hyperion has a look at a 1939 ad for the San Francisco's Golden Gate Exposition.
• Michael at AllThingsDisney posts a review of a new hotel at Celebration.
• Andy at the Backside of Water shares a detail from the Backlot Express at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
• Oswald at Colorful Animation Expressions has a look at newly minted Disney Legend Walt Peregoy.
• Daveland posts a great 1955 aerial shot of Disneyland.
• Didier at Disney History shares two more upcoming books, including an update to the Imagineering book.
• Disneyalnd Nomenclature has a scan of an article about a 1974 Imagineer visit to Fantasyland.
• Craig from Earning My Ears reviews the book Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers.
• Foxx at Passport 2 Dreams has another great entry in her For Further Study series. She also posts a critical essay looking at Tomorrowland and the quest for the future.. Very eye-opening!
• David at Vintage Disney Memorabilia presents part two of his Walt and the Red Cross series. Fascinating!
• Vintage Disneyland Tickets posts a 1967 brochure of the Monsanto's Adventure Thru Inner Space.
• Greg at Mouse Tracks Online shares a scan of a special Donald Duck comic that he was part of.
• Stephen at ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive posts an astounding article by John Canemaker about Bill Tytla.
• Ryan at the Main Street Gazette finally reveals a little known detail about EPCOT Center.