Authors: Daniel Handke, Vanessa Hunt
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Disney Editions
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
There is something just magically about Disney Parks. It may not be something that everyone can pick up on who visits the park but it is there if you take the time to open your eyes. Walking through Disney is such a magical experience, the sights, the music, the smells, the characters…the artwork. The poster art around Disney is so iconic and memorable, as well as timeless. This book is a tribute to all of those amazing posters that grace the park for the rides and shows. These wonderful works of art were created for guests by the Imagineers. The Disney Imagineers are legends and masters of their craft. There are able to tell a story of each attraction through their artwork and whisk away its audience to a magical place.
Disney’s attraction posters have always been critical part of attraction since Disneyland started displaying them in the late 1950’s. Not only are they eye-catching wonders but they also give you can insight into the world of Disney and what to expect from the park. One of the first attraction posters (and maybe the best) was for the ride Jungle Cruise. And they are still such a important factor in today’s times with the 2012 opening of Cars Land in Disney’s California Adventure. Those are just two of the posters that are reproduced and represented within this book. Also showcased is the wonderful art from “Tiki Room” and “Splash Mountain”, along with dozens of other posters from every decade since the 50’s.
I also really enjoyed watching the art styles and design techniques change over the years and yet still remain the same in a way. It just proves how timeless Disney is and how the art for these rides and shows are relevant today. In the book, it is doesn’t just focus on Disneyland and Disney World though there is showcasing from all different continents like Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. They show have each park has their own unique signature look yet still hold true the Disney charm and spirit lying within them all. My only real complaint about the book is that there is a bit of white space surrounding the artwork. Nonetheless Disney Editions scored again with another beautiful coffee table book. Upon receiving this book, my wife decided to spoof “Jaws” and tell me the following “We’re gonna need a bigger coffee table.”
