Kevin Yee Walt Disney World Earbook 2013

Kevin Yee is one of my favorite independent authors and publishers. Walt Disney World Hidden History: Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes is a perennial favorite and should be in every Disney library.

Since 2010, Kevin has been publishing The Unofficial Walt Disney World 'Earbook which looks at the Walt Disney World Resort month-by-month and catalogs the changes and additions.

The 2013 edition has just been released and it is well worth the purchase. A full review is coming soon to Mice Chat and Communicore Weekly.

• Jeff and I review of the 2012 'Earbook
• My review of the 2011 'Earbook
• My review of Walt Disney World Hidden History: Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes

Kevin Yee's Top Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris

For most of us Walt Disney World fans, a trip to Disneyland Paris (DLP) is a pipe dream. Besides the cost, there is the language barrier and the navigation of a foreign culture.

Kevin Yee, one of the most prolific Disney authors, has penned an ebook that will make it easier for anyone who wants to make a trip to Disneyland Paris. Top Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris is a quick and easy read that will give you the confidence and tips to have a successful, fun and (hopefully) a less stressful trip.

Kevin takes us step-by-step from the De Gaulle airport to Disneyland Paris. He explains the transportation to Disneyland Paris--what to avoid and how to do it easily and in the least expensive way. He also discusses how to book a DLP hotel and what can be expected. Resorts in Europe offer different services and include different packages and you don't want to over pay or not get the right package.

He doesn't offer a lot of tips about visiting the park, but he does give some great advice about the DLP Fastpass system and how to navigate the park in a smarter way. There is some discussion about how to attack the rides and how to make the trip more effective. Kevin is more concerned with making sure you get to DLP without hassle so you can enjoy one of the most beautiful Disney theme parks ever built.

Kevin's book is a good choice if you want to see what a trip to Disneyland Paris would be like--even if you're not planning a trip just yet. It also might be the thing that makes you decide to book a trip to Disneyland Paris.

I did receive a print copy of this book for the purposes of the review.

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George is a Mice Chat Travel Consultant powered by Fairy Godmother Travel. Call him at 336-287-8114 or email him at George@FairyGodmotherTravel.com for a free, no-obligation quote for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney or Disneyland Paris!

Jason's Disneyland Almanac 1955-2010, a Book Review

• Jason's Disneyland Almanac by Jason Schultz and Kevin Yee. 2011. 320 pp.

Jason's Disneyland Almanac is one of the most amazing resources about Disneyland ever created.

And not just because Jason is a fellow librarian, either.

More or less, Jason started this project in 1995 with a timeline. As he continued to do research and discovered new sources, the timeline developed into an almanac that saw its beginnings at the impressive Disneyland Nomenclature blog (started in 2008). Kevin Yee, the prodigious author, former Disneyland cast member and Disney historian spent time helping Jason craft this monumental work.

So, what's an almanac?

An almanac is a listing of climatological data, planting dates, anniversaries, tide tables and other interesting facts.

So, a Disneyland Almanac?

I know that you won't be doing any planting at Disneyland, so why would anyone make a Disneyland almanac? In this case, Jason and Kevin have produced a massive volume that covers park hours, weather, openings, closings, events, dedications, debuts, endings and famous visitors. Pretty unbelievable and pretty geeky (and I mean that as the highest compliment).

One of these days is extremely important. Can you guess which one?

So, why would you want a Disneyland almanac? 

This is truly a source for the Disneyland fan that needs to know everything. It is a major research tool that will quickly and succinctly provide you with some of the basic information about a specific day at Disneyland. Of course, the geekiest details are included, as well. This book is designed as a handy reference to pinpoint anything special that might have happened on a given day (like an attraction or shop closing). There is an index that provides quick access to dates featuring attractions, celebrities and notable Disney employees

From the entry for 1987:

Star Tours was not just another major attraction, however; it was the first of its kind. This was the first motion picture simulator used in a theme park setting. It was so new, in fact, that the simulator had to be described to the public by analogy as a cross between a roller coaster and a movie. 

The park stayed open for a complete 60 hour stretch to herald the debut of Star Tours. Visitors could purchase a regular-priced ticket at any point during the extended party, and then return later as though it were one long weekend day. This was the second such 60-hour party, the first having come a year earlier to welcome Captain EO.

The entry from 1979 about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:

Another roller coaster joined the Disneyland mountain range in 1979, in the form of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The new attraction replaced Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, which had been a more gentle train ride through different landscapes and vignettes of animals. The atmosphere had been the main draw for the Mine Train, but this focus was not destined to last. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad provided not only atmosphere, but an entire "backstory" which explains the ride elements in a more cohesive narrative. Local Indians referred to the mountain as Big Thunder because of the frequent rumblings we would call earthquake, but which were attributed by the Indians to a haunting. True to form, our mine train hurtles out of control and unmanned around the mountain, culminating in an earthquake we experience directly. This switch away from mere atmosphere to a preference for story was no accident; around the same time, the ride designers who had worked with Walt were increasingly retiring, and a second generation of "Imagineers" were now charged with making their own creative decisions.

This is one of the more niche titles that I have reviewed at Imaginerding. Not only is the title very specific, but the audience is limited, as well. This isn't a bad thing, it is just a shame that a lot of people will not add this to their Disney library due to the scope. Granted, you won't pick up this book for leisure reading, but you will be using it to check dates, special events and to confirm details. If you are Disneyland historian, researcher or enthusiast, then you need to own this book.

By the way, did you figure out the inspiration for the cover design?

The author provided a copy of this title for review.

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Kevin Yee's Earbook 2011, a Review

• Unofficial Walt Disney World 'Earbook 2011: One Fan's Review in Pictures by Kevin Yee. 2011. 164 pp.

Sometimes, with a book review, I just want to tell you that this is one of those important books and you just need to buy it. Of course, that isn't always the best track; so, let me validate my opinion.

What Kevin Yee has presented is something that I wish had been written every year of Walt Disney World's existence. Any time spent at the more popular Disney history blogs will validate my point: Disneyland is a very well documented place and Walt Disney World is not. Most of the early 1970s Walt Disney World has been lost to researchers as we struggle to find dates of shop openings, celebrations and closings. This is why Kevin Yee's 'Earbook is so important.

Besides Jeff Kurtti, there is no one as prolific as Kevin Yee when it comes to writing about Disney theme parks (with over ten titles to his name). Kevin spent 15 years as a castmember at Disneyland before moving to Orlando and has been writing ever since. I reviewed one of his more recent books, Walt Disney World Hidden History, here.

Kevin has compiled photographs and details about every major event that has happened in 2011. The majority of the book is dedicated to covering the changes that happened to each park. Kevin follows with a section  for the resorts, Downtown Disney, events and Fond Farewells. Included is a timeline of all major happenings over the year and a few snapshots of prices, daily events and merchandise. Frankly, I never would have thought of taking pictures of merchandise with their prices, but it is a brilliant idea.

The Unofficial Walt Disney World 'Earbook 2011 is a title that researchers and historians are going to worship over the next 20 years. Kevin has assembled a directory of minutia that would be difficult to find in just one place. Of course, it is hard to prognosticate what the internet of the future is going to look like, but this book should still be a valuable resource.

Kevin provided additional pages of the book. Enjoy!

The author provided a review copy of this title.

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Book Review: Walt Disney World Hidden History, Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes by Kevin Yee

Walt Disney World Hidden History: Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes by Kevin Yee. 2010. 226 pp.

About the Author
Kevin Yee, a former Disneyland castmember, is an author and Disney Theme Park Historian. He publishes the Ultimate Orlando blog and is a columnist at MiceAge. He is one of the most prolific theme park-related authors with over 10 titles, including: Mouse Trap: Memoir of a Disneyland Cast Member and the 101 Things You Never Knew About... series.

The Review
Yee know his Walt Disney World details. The book has over 200 pages dedicated to the trivia, minutia, history and details of the theme parks and resort area. Sometimes, I think a review should be as simple as "This is a fun read and you will enjoy it." In this case, that is true, but I should qualify the review with more than that.

Do you know where the last two ticket booths in the Magic Kingdom are?

The book is presented park-by-park and area-by-area. We start at the Magic Kingdom Entrance Plaza and find ourselves strolling under the train station and down Main St. USA. Yee points out the details that honor the builders of Walt Disney World and the little details that make the magic even more arresting. From there, Yee takes us on a journey through each land, reminding us why we love the parks so much.

Have you seen the not-to-subtle nod to the World of Motion in the Test Track queue?

The presentation is fairly simple and is geared towards a blog-reading audience. This is not a slight towards Yee; it was very insightful to present the information in small chunks that the reader can enjoy.  This is a book that you can skip around or read land-by-land. It would be ideal to read on your flight to Orlando or to read in the hotel the night before you head to a specific park. Plus, this is a great way to impress your friends and family as you share your new found Walt Disney World knowledge. He also included photographs to help you identify the areas in question. Unfortunately, this is the major negative point of the book because the photos are in black and white. Granted, color photos would have been very cost-prohibitive and not completely necessary.

Did you know there was a scale model of the Gully Whumper Keel Boat somewhere at Fort Wilderness?

Yee also presents a few other goodies in the book. One section is devoted to attraction dates, including all of the former attractions. Another section lists all of the names on the windows on Main St. USA. They are listed by street. The index is broken down by attraction, so you can quickly find your favorite. There is even a small section dedicated to some other place called Universal, or something. Not quite sure what that is.

Where is the reference to Mortimer Mouse at the Disney Hollywood Studios?

Yee presents a work that straddles every Disney level, from the novice to the most veracious and ardent Disney Nerd (yes, nerd with a capital N). No matter how many blogs or books you've read, you are guaranteed to run across something you haven't seen before.

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