Customer Reviews

Building a Dream: The Art of Disney Architecture

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is about Michael Eisner's patronage of big namearchitects 1985-1995. There's lots about Michael Graves, RobertA. M. Stern, Gehry, Gwathmey and that ilk. If you think this slaphappy stuff is architecture, this is a fine book about it. As an architect for Disney 1975-1983, I have a huge admiration for, say, Bill Martin, Dave Ott and Glenn Durflinger's Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. You won't find much about that kind of Disney architecture in this book. Ms. Dunlop is the architecture critic for the Miami Herald and based on her acknowledgements, she didn't talk to anyone who actually knew anything about Disney architecture. There are a few pages on Disneyland and even Kem Weber's utopian design for the Disney Studio (1939), but Dunlop gets all breathless only about the Venturi inspired junk that Eisner pays top dollar for these days. Even the great work they are doing today, such as Indiana Jones or the Twilight Zone hotel aren't treated with any interest. It's just sad that one of the few books on the subject was written by someone who doesn't appreciate it.

I thought that the authors focus on non-park buildings was a refreshing break from other books. The ability to design the ideas of Walt Disney into the buildings used by the company itself, not just the guests, is a very interesting topic often overlooked by other authors. The architecture found in the parks is also facinating but I feel that this book focuses on the more overlooked buildings. I found the authors views on these buildings interesting and well thought out. The photographs are very impressive and often are of areas that the average guest would not be able to access. Overall, I think that anyone interested in understanding Disney as a company and how they have worked the 'Magic' into every aspect of these buildings will enjoy this book.

All I can say is that this one is an absolute great book for all the people who are interested in Disney-Architecture. I have read this one for several times now an I always find new facts when I read it again! Highly recommended!

This will look great on your coffee table but dont expect to see a complete treatment of the subject. Too much coverage on "traditional" buildings such as Disney offices and resort hotels. Not enough coverage of the attractions and the parks themselves. Rather than cover the facinating topic of Disney architecture and the role it plays in guests experiences, the author dwells on their favorite architects.

Ms. Dunlop, presented with a topic that spans many academic fields, discusses Disney architecture essentially from the Eisner years. She begins by discussing the origins of Disneyland, such as the hub and Ryman's initial drawing. Architecturally she covers Weber's Burbank building (briefly) through Arquitectonica's All Star resorts. The meatiest chapter discusses the stories behind the Swan & Dolphin, as well as the hotel planning for Disneyland Paris. Second to that, the Beach and Yacht Clubs are covered basically from the point of view of Stern. The Grand Floridian is mentioned briefly, the Polynesian and Contemporary are essentially skipped.
The WDW Casting center and Team Disney buildings are covered well too.
Aside from short views on the castles, the only other park features discussed is Main Street and its impact on American society.
What sets this book apart from Imagineering-based books are the architect interviews and a deeper academic look at theory of the Disney parks; using Alexander Moore predominantly. Academic based books in the field (Marling, Fjellman) incorporate those types of sources. Readers who are moving beyond the Disney-authenticated books may be confused by these references, even if Dunlop does a proper job of putting them into context, though the essays are required reading for further exploration into the Disney park phenomenon.
However limited the book may be in terms of the works it focuses upon, the true limitation to making this a very good book is the lack of criticism of the architecture, either by the author or by quoted sources. Only occasionally will there be any sourced criticism of a work. No counterpoint is offered, which automatically makes for a restricted total understanding of the importance of themed architecture.
The inclusion of the architects' stories make this book worth a read (at least from a library). If there was a little more balance to the architectural discussion, at least from a slightly more technical archtecture-view, this book would have been a bookshelf standard.

Outlining the brains and bases behind the fantastic institution of Disney architecture, "Building a Dream" covers all of the basics, giving credit to the creative geniuses behind the mythical Disney charm. Providing the delightfully exaggerated imagery that we have come to love in full color (when applicable), "Building a Dream" shall remain the true enthusiasts' God-book for quite a while. From the Swan and Dolphin to the Sleeping Beauty castle, this book has what you need.

I'm very happy with the book. It's great.
Got the product in Brazil before the deadline and in perfect condition.
Thank you so much. I'm sure I'll be happy to do business with you again.