That´s definitely the case with this next book! A perfect book for dreaming away a dreary winter day is what I´ve ordered up for us this visit. These are not professional reviews, so no stars or ears or other ratings systems. Just more of a casual look at the titles in my collection. So, come along and check out what I´ve taken Off the Shelf for us to enjoy today!
Today´s Book: The Disneylands That Never Were
Author: Shaun Finnie
Publication: www.lulu.com. ©2006
Amazon.com link: The Disneylands That Never Were
The recent release of “blue sky” concept art in the Walt Disney Company´s 2006 Annual Report has set the internet communities buzzing with the possibilities of new attractions and parks. As Bob Iger himself says, “Some will be open soon, some may never be built, but all of them will give you a unique window into what´s on the horizon at Disney, and what our Imagineers have on their drawing boards.” Shaun Finnie´s The Disneylands That Never Were does similarly, looking back over the shoulders of the Imagineers and revealing what was on but never left their drawing boards throughout the years.
Starting back at the earliest concepts for Disneyland, Mr. Finnie takes the reader on a tour of dreams, plans, and things that almost were part of the Disney theme parks empire. Some of the stories you may be familiar with (or may remember reading online, as Mr. Finnie is a frequent contributer to many Disney websites), such as the planned addition of Edison Square and Liberty Street to Disneyland, but have you ever heard of the Moonshine Express? This concept for a Country Bears log flume ride, where guests would be given `rifles´ to shoot at the Bears´ moonshine stills never was built, partially because Disney executives got concerned that the idea of guests encountering angry drunken wild bears with guns just might not be a good fit for Disneyland.
The Disneylands That Never Were is full of fascinating nuggets like that. Variations on attractions that didn´t make it into the final versions. Attractions that never got further than concepts. Attractions that did make it to the point of almost being built, but had the plug pulled on them. Whole theme parks that were imagined but not realized. Stuff that was started in one dream, and eventually realized in another fashion. Not only ideas for Disneyland, CA, but for parks all around the world. Things you wish you could have seen – and a few things you might be glad you can´t. And knowing how Disney rarely throws away an idea, insight into things that yet might be.
Unfortunately, the one thing you can´t do in this book is see what the Imagineers were dreaming up – no pictures at all in the whole book! Some of the volumes listed in the extensive bibliography do have illustrations, so if you are just starting out your Disney book collection, this book is a good jumping-off point. After reading about all the amazing things Disney could imagine, this book will leave you wishing for even more.
Have you read this book? Or do you have a suggestion for something I might want to add to my bookshelf? Discuss it in our Disney Books sub forums!
Pat is on the DisneyWorldTrivia.com staff, and you can read about her here.
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