Saturday, October 4
The original and still best Lost Disneylantis site is Yesterland. Not quite as good, but of interest to Walt Disney World fans is Walt Dated World.
I went to abebooks.com, did a vanity search for "ride theory" and found the following...
1. Howland, Daniel, Editor
The Journal of Ride Theory Vol. 1 No. 1
1993. Pamphlet VG Amusement Park Rides, Tourist Attractions, Transportation, Urbanism, Semi-Satirical Eggheaded Theoretical Hoo-hah. Bookseller Inventory #113673
Price: US$ 10.00
2. Howland, Daniel, Editor
The Journal of Ride Theory Issue two
1993. Pamphlet VG. Bookseller Inventory #113674
Price: US$ 10.00
3. Howland, Daniel, Editor
The Journal of Ride Theory #3
1993. Pamphlet VG: printing offset to cover. Bookseller Inventory #113675
Price: US$ 10.00
$10 each?! Here's a cheaper alternative, email me, and I'll sell you the first four issues for $2 each, and the fifth for $3. If you want the CD, there's a link on the left column. Sheesh.
1. Howland, Daniel, Editor
The Journal of Ride Theory Vol. 1 No. 1
1993. Pamphlet VG Amusement Park Rides, Tourist Attractions, Transportation, Urbanism, Semi-Satirical Eggheaded Theoretical Hoo-hah. Bookseller Inventory #113673
Price: US$ 10.00
2. Howland, Daniel, Editor
The Journal of Ride Theory Issue two
1993. Pamphlet VG. Bookseller Inventory #113674
Price: US$ 10.00
3. Howland, Daniel, Editor
The Journal of Ride Theory #3
1993. Pamphlet VG: printing offset to cover. Bookseller Inventory #113675
Price: US$ 10.00
$10 each?! Here's a cheaper alternative, email me, and I'll sell you the first four issues for $2 each, and the fifth for $3. If you want the CD, there's a link on the left column. Sheesh.
Friday, October 3
A list of amusement parks in India.
One of the endearing things about Indian writers of commercial copy is their tendency to tell you everything, in lavish detail. Did you know, for example, that Veega Land's liquid waste management plant is capable of treating 1 lakh litres of raw effluent per day, in accordance with the standards fixed by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board?
One of the endearing things about Indian writers of commercial copy is their tendency to tell you everything, in lavish detail. Did you know, for example, that Veega Land's liquid waste management plant is capable of treating 1 lakh litres of raw effluent per day, in accordance with the standards fixed by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board?
Tuesday, September 30
The Church of the Reflection at Knott's Berry Farm is moving off the grounds. Walter Knott had the Gold-Rush-era chapel moved into the park in 1955 when the First Baptist Church of Downey outgrew it. The last service will be held next Sunday, and then the chapel will be rebuilt across the street from the park. A roller coaster will open on the old site in 2004.
From the New York Times, Jun 28, 2003:
" 'You look through the window and see Jaguar ride by and you want to get on it,' Scott Callahan, 15, said of another of the five roller coasters at this amusement park, 25 miles south of Los Angeles.
"Scott and others have been known to succumb to temptations like these after Sunday services. But most who attend this church pass on the rides, either because they work at the park or because amusement is not what they seek. It is the word within that beckons.
"Parkgoers are welcome at the church, but visitors have to call ahead to be admitted without the $42 adult ticket, and they have 30 minutes to sign out after services end.
"...the last time the church was filled was a year and a half ago when a newspaper article said Knott's Berry Farm relied on an honor system to keep worshipers from attending the park. The church pews were quickly and briefly filled with people attracted by a free ride to the rides."
Man, I'm an atheist, and even I think that's wrong.
This leaves, I think, the Robert F. Thomas Chapel at Dollywood as the only church inside an amusement park.
Unless you count amusement parks which are churches, like this.
From the New York Times, Jun 28, 2003:
" 'You look through the window and see Jaguar ride by and you want to get on it,' Scott Callahan, 15, said of another of the five roller coasters at this amusement park, 25 miles south of Los Angeles.
"Scott and others have been known to succumb to temptations like these after Sunday services. But most who attend this church pass on the rides, either because they work at the park or because amusement is not what they seek. It is the word within that beckons.
"Parkgoers are welcome at the church, but visitors have to call ahead to be admitted without the $42 adult ticket, and they have 30 minutes to sign out after services end.
"...the last time the church was filled was a year and a half ago when a newspaper article said Knott's Berry Farm relied on an honor system to keep worshipers from attending the park. The church pews were quickly and briefly filled with people attracted by a free ride to the rides."
Man, I'm an atheist, and even I think that's wrong.
This leaves, I think, the Robert F. Thomas Chapel at Dollywood as the only church inside an amusement park.
Unless you count amusement parks which are churches, like this.
# posted by Dan @ Tuesday, September 30, 2003
I read two books on Disney theme parks over the weekend; here are short reviews.
Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland by Andrew Lainsbury
University Press of Kansas, 2000
Not bad at all. Well researched, tips a little on the side of how good Disney is, but doesn't shy away from the negatives. A good chapter on designing the park explains why Frontierland is so damn big. Covers the park's near failure, and Frank Wells financial re-structuring to save it.
Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando by Richard E. Foglesong
Yale University Press, 2001
Excellent history of Walt Disney World and its relationships with surrounding governments. The analogy the author uses is marriage, and in this case, not a very happy one. Disney plays the role of the husband, who really doesn't care much about the wife as long as his needs are met. For example, Disney builds a new amusement park when the Orlando area is already at 100% employment. Orlando gets stuck with building low-income housing for the employees.
One premise for which I'd like to see more evidence is that Disney had no intention of ever building EPCOT as a city of tomorrow; it was just a leverage tool to get the self-government they wanted. The only document offered as proof is one internal Disney report where Walt crossed out "permanent residents" and wrote "TEMPORARY residents" -- not completely compelling. Still, that's not the linchpin of the book, so I'll let it slide.
Interesting detail I gleaned from this book: The original site for Walt Disney World was St. Louis, but one of the city's movers and shakers blew it. He apparently told Walt, "Any man who thinks he can build an attraction that is going to be a success in this city, and not serve beer and liquor, ought to have his head examined."
After reading this book, I'm convinced St. Louis lucked out.
Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland by Andrew Lainsbury
University Press of Kansas, 2000
Not bad at all. Well researched, tips a little on the side of how good Disney is, but doesn't shy away from the negatives. A good chapter on designing the park explains why Frontierland is so damn big. Covers the park's near failure, and Frank Wells financial re-structuring to save it.
Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando by Richard E. Foglesong
Yale University Press, 2001
Excellent history of Walt Disney World and its relationships with surrounding governments. The analogy the author uses is marriage, and in this case, not a very happy one. Disney plays the role of the husband, who really doesn't care much about the wife as long as his needs are met. For example, Disney builds a new amusement park when the Orlando area is already at 100% employment. Orlando gets stuck with building low-income housing for the employees.
One premise for which I'd like to see more evidence is that Disney had no intention of ever building EPCOT as a city of tomorrow; it was just a leverage tool to get the self-government they wanted. The only document offered as proof is one internal Disney report where Walt crossed out "permanent residents" and wrote "TEMPORARY residents" -- not completely compelling. Still, that's not the linchpin of the book, so I'll let it slide.
Interesting detail I gleaned from this book: The original site for Walt Disney World was St. Louis, but one of the city's movers and shakers blew it. He apparently told Walt, "Any man who thinks he can build an attraction that is going to be a success in this city, and not serve beer and liquor, ought to have his head examined."
After reading this book, I'm convinced St. Louis lucked out.
