Authors of book: Daniel Handke and Vanessa Hunt
I was so excited when I read this book was coming out! I pre-ordered my copy on Amazon and sat and waited for it to arrive (well not exactly), but I was excited! When I received it I was thrilled…. it is a large, heavy, hardcover book filled with brightly colored posters from past to present. The foreword is written by Tony Baxter which seems fitting considering his longevity with Disney and creative development in WD-Imaginnering background. The opening chapter gives you the background of Disney Parks Posters; since the opening of Disneyland, Disney has used these posters to create excitement and educate guests about current and upcoming attractions and restaurants. It moves onto screen printing which I was completely unaware of given my ignorance in the process that takes place in creating these works of art. The following chapters are organized by “lands” within each parks “kingdom” and the ending two chapters dedicated to Tokyo Disney Sea and Disney’s California Adventure.
Each chapter begins with a brief explanation of historical poster usage within that particular area; as you turn the pages the art work will detail the year created and author (if known). A nice touch are Walt’s quotes topped above the Magic Kingdom chapters. with additional quotes from designers and Disney legends placed throughout. I would of enjoyed a little more commentary or accounts of how the poster process came along before the final design was unveiled. But in all I was very happy with the presentation.
The nostalgia from past attractions that are no longer with us, live in some of these posters.
I have always loved walking through the train station tunnel and checking out what attraction posters are being displayed. You can spot these posters throughout your visits just keep your eyes opened.
If you are enthralled by Disney history, art and or parks you will be pleased with this much more than coffee table book.
~Maureen
