Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World, The (Paperback)

~ (Author), Imagineers (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: world showcase, forced perspective, Future World, Spaceship Earth, Test Track (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Second in this line of pocket-size paperbacks, this one answers the question: "What would it be like to walk through Epcot with an Imagineer by your side?" The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot provides that experience: pointing out details and telling stories, back stories, and Imagineering insights never before heard, condensed into a portable, easily referenced park guide. These user-friendly, beautifully illustrated guides are innovative and entertaining books that will enrich the guests’ time at the happiest places on earth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Disney Editions (May 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786848863
• ISBN-13: 978-0786848867
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,775 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The inside story on my favorite Disney theme park:, July 14, 2006

By	Alan D. Cranford (Carson City, NV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Okay, this book doesn't reveal EVERYTHING--anybody want to sit through a few years of algebra and other basic engineering courses? The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World opens by descibing what an Imagineer is and does. The many disciplines are mentioned, and there is a helpful glossery in the front. The next chapter is an overview and history of Epcot (my favorite Disney theme park). The remaining chapters are: Future World Center, Future World East, Future World West, and World Showcase. In each chapter, the Imagineers describe the concept for that section of Epcot and how they developed the concept into the attractions.

A theme park is more than thrill rides--a theme park is an integrated set of stories. Colors, lighting, textures, shapes, props, scents, sounds, and even the pavement are all used to tell a story. How many shades of white are present at the American Adventure? (See pages 98-99) Why four shades instead of just one? How is forced prospective used at the American Adventure to promote realism? (Page 103) Canada and Mexico are the "bookends" to the World Showcase--see Page 95 to see what they flanked in the concept stage, and why that object moved.

Spaceship Earth evokes the 1939 World's Fair (page 31) and traces the development of communications. Page 37 reveals why Florida's frequent rainstorms don't stream down the sides of Spaceship Earth. Speaking of space, Mission:Space is described on pages 48-50.

A brief bibliography is on Page 128, and a graphic index of sorts is on the back cover. I really need my bibliographies and indexes!

I intend using "The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World" on my next Walt Disney World visit to see Epcot through the eyes of the Imagineers.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not in depth., July 17, 2006

By	M. Pulaski "Disney Semi-Aficionado" (Runnemede, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While it has a lot of information, I guess I was expecting more about Epcot attactions themselves rather than what went into the concepts about Epcot. Everything is more about concepts, but broad strokes without a lot of facts or numbers. Even the discussions about how things got off the drawing board aren't exactly intriguing to the point you say "Hmmm, that's interesting".

For instance, the coverage regarding Mission Space is like 2 pages. And with the small size of the book, that is pretty small. I would have hoped that there would have been some information about how they came up with the concept or about the mechanics of the whole ride. Instead, it was more like reading about someone thinking out loud about it and not very indepth. For a ride that costs in the hundreds of millions, I find it hard to believe that this is all they have for us.

Froced perspective seems to be about the only topic that gets in depth coverage from attraction to attraction. Yes, we know!! We get it!! All the buildings are built with forced perspective. Never heard that one before :)

I guess what you can say is that if it was written by Imagineers, the engineering discussions are quite light and its heavy on artistic concepts.

Neat and an interesting book overall. But I don't think it compares to the previous Magic Kindom guide by the Imagineers. I bought that one and I guess I was expecting more of that kind of information and facts.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, May 23, 2006

By	Michaeleen R. Munrow "zefyr" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provides so many little details to how the imagineers designed Epcot. There are concept drawings/paintings/doodles to that really allows you to see the thought process to all the details that they thought up and we often overlook. They discuss how music was chosen for Future World to why certain colors were picked for building designs. I'm a big Disney fan and am always looking for something new that I didn't already know and this book an the Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom are great.