Customer Reviews

Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So this is the real story of EuroDisney... I have to admit that I never even thought (hoped ? forget it...) to find such a well made book on this particular topic. It's fascinating, how Lainsbury packs all the different contents and perspecticves into a single, compact book. Comprehensive, informative and above all, entertaining; you'll really enjoy reading it. It's too sad that it only consists of about 200 pages, but hey... it's really well worth a try. If you are curious about the history of EuroDisney/ Disneyland Paris and searching for a comprehensive, interesting source, this is your book of choice.

This is the result of thorough research. All the sources I once used for my own literature report have been used in this book and added to that information, are interviews with people like Tony Baxter, Ward Kimball, Bill Cottrell, Tim Delaney and Card Walker; people who were in key positions when important decisions were made about this European Kingdom, as negotiator, designer or imagineer.

A lot has been written about the park, and many people still believe it was a mistake to build it, primarily based on negative journalism. This book sticks to the facts and is intended for people who like to go beyond those rumors. If you are looking for a book to help you plan your trip to Disneyland Paris, this is not the book for you, but for researchers into international marketing and business, this is an essential volume.

This is a great book, well documented and footnoted. Plenty of information for the Disney novice. There are anecdotes and paraphrases which imply first person research, but the notations are useful in clearing up issues.

A strong argument in favor of the theme park as a diversion and entertainment and not as an entity to spread American philosophy or forced culture. This is a compelling thesis for a talented author.

A little pricey, the book is a fine compliment to other books in the Disney library.

Lainsbury is a brave author for not following the mainstream thought of attacking Disneyland Paris, just because it has seemed the thing to do since the project was first announced.

He used a complete library, and did a good job of compiling the sentiments contained in those other works. Having written a literature report on Euro Disney myself, I appreciate the references he has included in this book and the added information from first-hand interviews with big names like Marty Sklar, Tony Baxter, Bill Cottrell, Tim Delaney, Ward Kimball and Card Walker.

Don't look for any pictures in this book and one third of its pages are bibliographical notes, but if you are seriously interested in the real story of Euro Disney Resort, this book should be on your shelf.

If you're a theme park enthusiast, the description of the design phases of Eurodisneyland are particularly detailed. If you're a Disney fan, this is a rare chance of looking backstage to discover hidden aspects that will boost your respect for the genius behind the magic. If you're a marketing student, this case history is enough to feed your thoughts for years. And if you're a sociology scholar, "Riding the Black Ship" is better. Warning: no mice, fancy photos and/or hypocrisy inside.

Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland is extremely well researched, with interesting backgrounds and developments preceding the opening of Disneyland Paris (DLP).

However, the book is published in 2000, but the last information on DLP in the book date back to November 1994, which is almost ten years ago!

The final chapter furthermore has very little to do with the European park, because it focuses solely on the development of the Walt Disney Company in the States.

The notes, bibliography and index take up one-third of the whole book. It shows how thoroughly Andrew Lainsbury's research has been, but represents a disappointment for the reader who expects 100 pages more on DLP.

Finally must be said that although Lainsbury worked in the European park, the book is written from an American point of view on Europe, which shows in Lainsbury's sometimes negative appreciation of French culture.

The book is definitely a recommendation for everyone interested in the development and initial years of Disneyland Paris, but is too short and covers too few years to be satisfying for the interested reader.

The story of Euro Disneyland is an exciting topic and therefor I purchased 'Once upon an American dream'. I was both dissappointed by both content and style. I am affraid that even a high school student would have written a more superior and more enticing storey. Please do not waste your money on this book.

To fully comprehend creation of this park read "Keys to Kingdom"...Michael Eisner..how he lost them..the 2nd such biography,it contends this venture had serious faults