FROM THIS WEEK'S DISNEY NEWSLETTER, THE "ASK DAVE" SECTION:


YOUR QUESTION

I was wondering if you could recommend any books that tell the history of building the Disney Parks. What went in first? What were the surprising issues that came up?

- Dana, 29, Kennesaw, GA

DAVE'S ANSWER

Probably the most useful books for Disneyland history are Randy Bright's "Disneyland: Inside Story" and David Mumford and Bruce Gordon's "Disneyland: The Nickel Tour." Jeff Kurtti wrote "Since the World Began" about Walt Disney World. There are also books on the architecture of the Disney Parks, such as Beth Dunlop's "Building a Dream."


Dave, Dave, Dave. Why are you recommending out of print books that will either be extremely expensive (prohibitively so to anyone only casually interested in Disney history and Imagineering) or damn-near impossible to get hold of altogether? The prices for Bright's book that I can find online range from $80 to $400, and don't get me started on The Nickel Tour. We all continuously hear about how it's best book ever put together about Disneyland, but good luck finding something in good condition for less than $500 (if you see that listing for a new copy for less than $300 on Amazon and think it's true, I've got a bridge that I think you might be interested in.)

What about the Imagineering book with the foreword by Marty Sklar? Or the Mountains book? Or even Kurtti's Legends of Imagineering book? All of these are available at reasonable prices, and, I believe, still in print. I don't think I've even seen a copy of The Nickel Tour in the Archives library, but believe me, I'll be looking closer the next time I go over. It's probably the only way I'd ever see it.

How cool is that? So pretty... too bad it costs $100, serves no discernable purpose except to collect dust on your shelf and look pretty, and the "affordable" packages that would allow you to try to buy it start at about $45 and go up to $795 (though for the top three you do also get hotel rooms.) The Art of Disney Parks event looks really cool, but unless there's a significant cast member discount, odds are I won't be there. Even if there will be awesome stuff, like a few of the 50s in Mickey heads that hung all over the park during the big celebration, including the web from the Haunted Mansion, the Tiki's 50th and the Indy tin model on auction. And a "Dream Sale" where smaller 50th keepsakes will be offered. There are so many cool things in the merchandise and auction categories, including some truly gorgeous original art, that I'm not even posting pics of them, you'll just have to go look for yourself.

Sigh. I'm keeping the dates in September open all the same.

Oh! And wouldn't this be just perfect in a $35 print on my wall? I love it, but don't worry Dad, I'm not even thinking about the $4,700 original or the $580 giclee on canvas reproduction.

makkura of boundlessrealm has created maybe the best shirt ever.

playmayt and casketgirl, this is for you.



I also know many other grown-up Mouseketeers. If you're into the Haunted Mansion, this is for you, too.

I dream about hanging them on my walls.

The artist who created them, Elizabeth Ito is participating a really cool gallery show opening tomorrow in Alhambra. It's called After These Messages and is a tribute to Saturday morning art. It runs February 10th through March 6th, so even though I probably can't make it tomorrow (tickets to Desk Set at the Alex Theatre in Glendale already) I hope to make it down there at some point to check it out. Perhaps it could be combined with brunch at NBC Seafood to make a day of it...