Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real (Paperback)

~ The Imagineers (Author) "A raging fire begins with a mere spark..." (more)
Key Phrases: concept rendering, ride system, concept sketch, Walt Disney, Disneyland Paris, Magic Kingdom (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Both of these heavily illustrated books look at two less celebrated sections of the Disney empire, and the rare artwork that both contain is their strongest asset. Canemaker's book is on the people who created preliminary sketches "that explore the visual possibilities in a literary property." These possibilities for any proposed cartoon include the visual style of the film, how the characters will look, the way a major scene could be portrayed, and so on. Specific sketch artists have put their individual stamp on the entire look of the finished film in such cases as Sleeping Beauty, Bambi, and Night on Bald Mountain. In addition, they have created memorable minor characters, such as Pocahontas's raccoon pal and Beauty and the Beast's Mrs. Potts. Canemaker primarily concentrates on the feature-length cartoons, and he gives special attention to Fantasia. By chronologically examining the life and work of the significant sketch artists, he ably demonstrates their contributions. An interesting look at a neglected aspect of the Disney films. With a combination of imagination and engineering skill, the Imagineers create all elements of the Disney theme parks, from the rides, attractions, shops, and restaurants to the signs, light fixtures, trash cans, and landscaping. Starting with Disneyland and continuing up to the present day, this book attempts to show how "imagineering" created so many memorable experiences. Even with the aid of copious illustrations?never-before-seen artwork from the Imagineering Division's own files?the act of imaginative creation is difficult to re-create, and this work doesn't completely succeed in showing how the Imagineers brought their creations into being. It is further hampered by a once-over-lightly writing style. But that is a minor quibble in what for the most part is a fascinating before-the-curtain-rises look at the Disney theme parks. Both books are highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries.?Marianne Cawley, Enoch Pratt Free Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

"Imagineering" is a coinage of the Disney corporation that denotes the combination of imagination and engineering it employs to create the attractions in its theme parks. This big, lavish artbook spans four decades of imagineering, from the relatively unsophisticated rides, such as Main Street U.S.A. and the Matterhorn, with which Disneyland opened in 1959, to the high-tech, special effects^-inspired rides at Disney-MGM Studios (many concepts that never got off the drawing board also appear). It takes readers through the entire imagineering process, from original idea, through blueprints and scale models, to actual construction--all illustrated by hundreds of concept sketches, character designs, architectural drawings, and other artwork. It goes to show: the Disney crew puts impressive effort into providing simple fun for tourists. Chock-full of the behind-the-scenes info and trivia Disney fans love, the book is a fascinating display of state-of-the-art theme park development and stimulating incitement for Disney-bound vacationers who want more than travel guides will give them. Gordon Flagg --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Disney Editions; 1st Edition. edition (September 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786883723
• ISBN-13: 978-0786883721
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 9.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,474 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #14 in	Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Architecture
  #25 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Graphic Design > Animation
  #62 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Drawing & Modelling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautifully Illustrated and Informative Book!, April 27, 1999

By A Customer

If you are looking for a book to explain how Disney makes the magic come to life, you've found the right book! This book is filled with fantastic photographs, sketches, paintings, and other products of Disney's Imagineering. A "coffee table book" actually worth reading! The Imagineers give away a lot of their secrets, but don't expect to learn it all. Just when you think you've cracked the Imagineer's vault, they change the subject on you. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a "behind-the-scenes" look at how the Disney parks were made into the wonderful places they are today.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the most inspirational and motivating book I've read, January 30, 2001

By	"uvawahoo" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This is the BEST book I have EVER read. I'm 14 years old and ever since I came back from Walt Disney World in 1999 after seeing the Millennium Celebration, I have wanted to be an architect for Walt Disney Imagineering. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Disney or wants to be an Imagineer. It has inspired and motivated me to be the best I can be and to look at everything as an oppritunity to see and learn new things. I have never wanted to be an Imagineer more since reading this book. It gives you a beautiful and rare collection of WDI drawings and paintings and what it's like to be an Imagineer. They explain the jobs there and tell you what it was like to work for some of their biggest projects. I was sad when I finished this book! Each page motivated me to turn to the next and keep reading until my eyes fell out! There are inspiring quotes from Walt Disney and the Imagineers themselves. The the Best and Only book on Walt Disney Imagineering.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for any aspiring "imagineering designers"!, October 14, 1998

By	Ken A. Goldenberg (Huntington Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is an absolutely fantastic inside look at the design process of Disney Imagineering. The book details the past, present and future projects along with great anecdotes from the Imagineers themselves. The book is also filled with rich pictures, illustrations, and sketches from projects both built and left on the "shelf". As one who wishes to pursue a thempark design career, this book acts as a great reference tool and both inspires and motivates your creative juices.

-Ken G.