Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making More Magic Real

by The Imagineers, Walt Disney Company

How can you make dreams come true? Or transform a fantasy into a colorful, exciting world that visitors can move through, touch, and enjoy? Such fabulous work is the daily business of Walt Disney's Imagineers, a core group of creative and highly skilled professional wizards who combine imagination with engineering to create the reality of behind the dreams that comprise the Disney theme parks. In this sequel to the best-selling Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind-the-Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real, the Imagineers serve up another dose of magic with an even closer look at who they are, what they do, and how they do it, illuminating their theories and explaining the tools they use, and where and how they use them. Contained within this deluxe tome are rough drawings, conceptual models, and behind-the-scenes stories showcasing Disney's newest attractions and innovations from the inside out. There's also an exclusive peek inside the Research and Development Lab to see what new magic will soon be appearing.
The Imagineers tell their own stories, as well as how they got there, what they do on a daily basis, what they show their friends in the parks, and how you can learn what it takes to become an Imagineer.
Presented in a large, lavish format, this book is sure to be a must-have for every Disney collector.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Business, History, Coffee Table Books, Reference, Architecture

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Maud van der Ven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the pictures and this book made me realise why I love Disney as much as do! would I have liked a little more explanation and fun facts? also yes.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful book. It's amazing to read about all the work that goes into making a place like Disneyland so wonderful. I cannot wait to visit Disneyland again later in the year.

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

So saccharine I got a toothache, but still a fun read. Okay, more a “look at pictures” than a “read.”

[Cale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well done coffee-table size book full of concept art and photos from across the Disney empire, filled with commentary about Imagineering and the skills, creations, and considerations involved. It's the second in the series, so it focuses on post Epcot development, up through 2010 (Hong Kong Disneyland being the most recent topic covered). The art is fascinating and the photos well done, and everything is produced very well. It's an appealing collection that will fire anyone's imagination if they have any interest in Disneyana. It actually had a lot more content and meat to it than I initially expected when I picked it up. Definitely worth a look for Disney fans and amusement park fans in general.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of why I wanted to be an Imagineer when I was little. Guess that will have to be my second career!

[RParrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAGIC put inside a book!!!!!


Good:
The book is massive, and holds all the teachings, principles, and artwork of Walt Disney Imagineering! If that doesn't excite you then don't read this book. The artwork is amazing and is full of concept art, early sketches, and colorful masterpieces! The book is written by Imagineer Joe Rhode's wife and features incredible insights into the making of the parks (especially Animal Kingdom).

Bad:
Is dated of course, since they can't keep updating every new addition they make to the parks. The book doesn't go too in depth into any specific rides or theme park as a whole, since it more so focus on the entirety of all of Disney's theme parks.

Personal Opinion:
For anyone interested in the creative process, hoping to become an imagineer or love disney concept art; this is the story for you! I have re-read this book more then I can count, and have studied the artwork and teachings inside it. Only problem with the book is it is expensive and massive, so I have to keep it carefully stored so I don't ruin the cover or pages of it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ANY FAN OF IMAGINEERING!!!!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fun read about the work that goes into making Disney magic! I really enjoyed that the book didn't just focus on the American parks, but went into detail about Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney. It was especially interesting reading about how certain rides or gimmicks had to be re-imagined for a foreign audience, as the material didn't always translate well into another culture. And of course, the concept art sprinkled throughout is beautiful and fascinating.

I'll be honest, I skipped the afterword by John Lasseter.

[gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

imagineer, the best career, the career I dreamt of since I was a kid. I felt blessed to read this and get it for Christmas-the concept art being included and some unseen schematics made me so incredibly excited. every little detail is explained and they do it all so incredibly well. imagineers are the gift that keep on giving, you guys change the world and have such an impact and it means the world to us, knowing how much they do makes me so thankful and truly truly makes me wish I was an imagineer.

[Hots Hartley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beautiful book with lots of colorful photography and concept art, but I would have liked more depth in the text: more stories, more individual people, more conflict. I was expecting a story but got a scrapbook. My favorite part was the secret emails and the concept sketches of individual lands in Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Good reference material, not so much for aspiring creators looking for insight into how to build a theme park.

[Nicki Bonczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to "One Day at Disney", this book focuses on the Imagineering Team at Disney. Versus taking a deep dive into specific attractions, it took us into the engineering process and how our favorite Disney moments come to life. The formatting of the book made it a more difficult read but the pictures and captions were an amazing tough.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of anecdotes about the process and projects of Walt Disney Imagineering, cover the mid 1990s through the early 2010s. Predates Disneyland Shanghai but Hong Kong Disney is included. Lush with photos, concept art and storyboards. Lots of behind the scenes of Imagineers at work.

[Kyra | Scales And Tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a giant Disney nerd. This was a nice informative read with tons of pictures.

[Lady Brainsample · Rating 4 out of 5]

YESSS GIVE ME ALL THE PRETTY PICTURES OF DIDNY WORL.

[Jason G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource on imagineering and Disney as a whole.

[Amy Doolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most visual representation of how amazing the imagaineers are.

[Ania Grande · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful book, with a lot of concept arts, anecdotes, and advices - reinforced my dream to become an imagineer one day (and if you can dream it, well......)

[BANANA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It is a non-fiction book that gives an inside look on the job of a Disney Imagineer. I recommend this book to anyone who likes the inside scoop on something. This book gives tips and tricks on the job, and also teaches great life lessons. It shows awesome pictures on how props, costumes, and special effects are made, and has an introduction written by Mark Skylar, Disney Legend. I give this book a 5/5 because of how well it was written, along with stunning pictures to go with the text.

[Mickey Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo! I was a big fan of the original book that came out in the 90's so I was excited to finally see an updated version. This book offers a beautiful, behind-the-scenes look at everything it takes to truly make theme park magic. Well done!

[Velozeto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para fans del Imagineering, esa profesión tan bonita.

Me habría gustado mucho más detalle; no deja de ser, en el fondo, un libro publicitario :/ Pero es precioso.

Versa sobre los últimos parques y novedades.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish this book made me happy. Beautiful images, great behind-the-scenes tidbits, and nothing but magic. My imagination is fired up and my Disney dreams are even bigger after reading this (if you can believe it.).

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anybody that would want to make rides for disney would absoluetly love this book

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coolest Book EVER!!!!!

[Κonstantinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book, I have ever laid eyes on, about WDI future, past and present!!

[ManDIY's Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful book ever! <3

[Richard Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am amazing and insightful book. I plan keep a version in my classroom to share with my students.

[TheReadingDemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that talks about every little detail of making the parks and cruises, hotels and simply the magic, come to life. I absolutely loved it!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done! Fantastic images, descriptions and accounts.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'd have loved to read something more in-depth because I'm kind of a secret Disney fanatic and I'm thrilled by boring technical details. Nonetheless, this was a nice look at some of the work Disney puts into their theme parks (with minor attention paid to their cruises and etc as well). Nice coffee-table book, if you're a Disney fan and coffee-table book kind of person.