Customer Reviews

Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought that Jason Surrell's book about the Haunted Mansion was great, and this book is just as wonderful. Read about the original idea proposed for the 'walk-thru' version of the Pirates of The Caribbean ride, go through each scene of the actual ride and find out the differences between the California, Florida, Japan and Paris rides. There are many photos and illustrations throughout the book (some of which I've never seen before). The book ends with a section on the movie and points out certain scenes taken from the ride. Overall, this book is worth every penny! I am looking forward to Jason Surrell's upcoming book on the Disney Mountains (Space, Thunder & Splash)

Gives a great overview of the attraction and is the perfect companion to the book on the Haunted Mansion by the same author - a must have for Disneyland fans' personal library, and it is great timing that it is coming out now in the 50th anniversary year of the park !

I bought this book at the Magic Kingdom for my son, and wound up sitting in a restaurant by myself for an hour combing through the pages. There is so much wonderful behind-the-scenes info that I had a hard time putting it down! So many questions I've had since I was a little girl were answered, including some that I didn't know I wanted to know! For instance, why does Disneyland have two drops and one trip up a waterfall, as opposed to the Magic Kingdom version which only has one drop. (You'll have to read the book to find out) Also, there are great stories of how this group of animators had to produce three dimensional scenes and characters
when there was nothing around like it ever done before. It really makes you appreciate the work that went into this great attraction. I especially liked Alice Davis' recollections of the strange issues she had with the costuming.

The book is an easy read, and is filled with fantastic pre-opening photos.

I also bought the Haunted Mansion book and it is equally as fascinating. Both books are worth much more than they actually cost.

Jason, if you read this review, I'd love to see a book about the one year it took to create "It's a Small World", and the attractions at the 1964 World's Fair. I'd be first in line for that!

Lots o' great info on both the Ride @ the Disney Theme Parks + the Movie [wonder if they'll release future volumes including new chapters for the two PIRATE movie sequels?] ....

If you don't want to read the book, please buy it for the artwork
[best priced Disney Merchandise vs. what you will pay @ the Theme Parks] ....

~(^)~

This book really gives a good historical take on the greatest ride in the world. Mr. Surrell really gives deep understanding to the planning and execution of POTC. I would recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in Disney parks.

I love this book on the Pirate's of the Caribbean as there isn't anything else out there that has much information and depth as this one does. Lots of incredible information that begins before the Pirates of the Caribbean became a lifelong favorite attraction at the Disney parks and ends with the movie franchise and back to the parks again. This book is jam-packed with information and colorful photographs of the attraction and designs as well as artwork.

This is an amazing book, just like the one written about The Haunted Mansion ride. This book is a must for the Disney Park fanatic, but may bore the casual reader. Yes, it could be enjoyed by all, but again, it is more of an inside look to who designed and built the ride. Rather than just fun little facts, this is an indepth look at the creation and genious of the ride. It is a great read that the Disney Patrk Fanatic won't be able to put down until finished. I have spent manu a nights reading until 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. Awesome and informing. Just buy it and decide for yourself.

Know this first: I'm a huge fan of all things Disney, especially POTC the ride.

Imagineer Surrell's book is very well-done. This is one of those (along with his earlier work on the Haunted Mansion) that I go to again and again, like watching a favorite movie or listening to a favorite album. Maybe I'll notice on the 50th reading ONE MORE DETAIL I somehow missed...
I especially enjoyed the look at the other parks' version of the ride. Rock on, Jason!

Con: Woulda liked it in HARDCOVER.

Now, as with any OTHER topical subject, some of the info goes out of date the day the book is published, and will continue to "go stale". The 2nd, 3rd, and even talked-about 4th movies are, of course, not included. The much-publicized ride rehabs are not either. This is the same with Jason's earlier Disney's Haunted Mansion book (a good companion piece, by the way). That said, the HM book goes off into a hopeful description of the actually-miserable HM movie, touting it as the best thing since Bela Lugosi. This was written well in advance of the actual public release of the HM movie, I guess, so they were gambling the public would love what turned out to be a huge embarrasment. ( When I need cheering up, I sometimes imagine HM Director Minkoff at what I hope is his new day job, asking people if they want to add a cherry turnover to their order for just 50 cents more ). Okay, here's your soapbox back.

They shouldn't have pushed the HM movie so hard in THAT book.

Not so in THIS book: Because they "got burned" on the HM movie, there's a decidedly less-throat-cramming push for Curse of the Black Pearl, which, of course, in hindsight, they could have laid on thicker, now that the movie has generated some kind of Star-Wars-level cultural shift.

Buy the book. You know you want it.

I know I want more books on CLASSIC Disney attractions, and I only want 'em writ by Jason Surrell. Amen.

i have waited for this book since i was a child. the mansion book blew me away, but the minute it came out i was left wondering "where is the pirates one?!?" jason surrell does it again. now let's see some books on matterhorn, space, thunder, splash AND INDY. and hey, while you're at it - how about a definative club 33 book? disney fans are lining up, jason. don't dissapoint us!

If you are a Disney enthusiast or a Pirates of the Carribean fan, this book is for you. Jason Surrell does it again! His book on the Haunted Mansion ride is outstanding! This book takes you for the inception of the beloved Pirates Ride at Disney to the making of the movie, props, etc. The colorful pictures and background is excellent and I cannot wait for additional books! An awesome, informational treasure!