The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World (An Imagineering Field Guide) Paperback – June 1, 2006

Okay, this book doesn't reveal EVERYTHING--anybody want to sit through a few years of algebra and other basic engineering courses? The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World opens by descibing what an Imagineer is and does. The many disciplines are mentioned, and there is a helpful glossery in the front. The next chapter is an overview and history of Epcot (my favorite Disney theme park). The remaining chapters are: Future World Center, Future World East, Future World West, and World Showcase. In each chapter, the Imagineers describe the concept for that section of Epcot and how they developed the concept into the attractions.A theme park is more than thrill rides--a theme park is an integrated set of stories. Colors, lighting, textures, shapes, props, scents, sounds, and even the pavement are all used to tell a story. How many shades of white are present at the American Adventure? (See pages 98-99) Why four shades instead of just one? How is forced prospective used at the American Adventure to promote realism? (Page 103) Canada and Mexico are the "bookends" to the World Showcase--see Page 95 to see what they flanked in the concept stage, and why that object moved.Spaceship Earth evokes the 1939 World's Fair (page 31) and traces the development of communications. Page 37 reveals why Florida's frequent rainstorms don't stream down the sides of Spaceship Earth. Speaking of space, Mission:Space is described on pages 48-50.A brief bibliography is on Page 128, and a graphic index of sorts is on the back cover. I really need my bibliographies and indexes!I intend using "The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World" on my next Walt Disney World visit to see Epcot through the eyes of the Imagineers.

This book is great for the Disney fan in your life. I bought all 3 in the series for my husbands birthday & he can't put them down. If you have never been to the parks they will be a little hard to follow, but if you are Disney fan's like us you will definitely love them!

Definitely a must for all WDW groupies of this fantastic park, great behind the scenes info on the entire grounds of EPCOT, and extensive input on how much thought, detail and hard work goes into each and every exhibit. Being Annual visitors it will give my family & friends a more appreciative, better and distinctive view of what we see and enjoy at EPCOT.

If you love Walt Disney World and enjoy a little behind the scenes trivia, then this book is for you. Beautifully printed with pictures and lots of insights to how my favorite park has evolved. Fun stuff to pass the time with.

I'm a certified Disney nut who enjoys reading about anything Disney - films, Walt, and (of course) Walt Disney World. That said, I bought "The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom" about a year ago, and I really enjoy it. I think it evokes the magical feeling you get when you walk down Main Street USA. If you can't be in The World, taking a virtual walk through it isn't a bad option.Since I enjoyed that book so much, I wanted to buy the "Epcot" version. I was curious to see how good a job it would do at describing Epcot's origins - IE, go back to the EPCOT days and discuss Walt's determination to build a city that would function more efficiently than the cities of his day did. I thought the book did a decent job with that. It doesn't spend a huge amount of time on the subject, but I think that's appropriate. It's meant to be a happy (and brief) overview of a neat place, not an avenue through which to lament the EPCOT that could have been.Epcot visitors will expect the book to be divided into two basic sections - Future World and World Showcase. It is. It talks about the three different sections of Future World (East, West, and Central), and it provides information on each World Showcase pavilion. Other topics - like Kidcot stops and Illuminations - are also considered. Tidbits of information are presented on all major attractions. I thought that it skimped a little bit on a couple of headliners, particularly Mission: Space and Test Track.The biggest 'con' I associate with this book is that, for me, it fails to evoke the feeling that you get when you're at Epcot. The biggest 'pro' is that it's an informative, fun read about Walt Disney's most ambitious undertaking. For $10, it's a worthwhile addition to your Disney library.

While it has a lot of information, I guess I was expecting more about Epcot attactions themselves rather than what went into the concepts about Epcot. Everything is more about concepts, but broad strokes without a lot of facts or numbers. Even the discussions about how things got off the drawing board aren't exactly intriguing to the point you say "Hmmm, that's interesting".For instance, the coverage regarding Mission Space is like 2 pages. And with the small size of the book, that is pretty small. I would have hoped that there would have been some information about how they came up with the concept or about the mechanics of the whole ride. Instead, it was more like reading about someone thinking out loud about it and not very indepth. For a ride that costs in the hundreds of millions, I find it hard to believe that this is all they have for us.Froced perspective seems to be about the only topic that gets in depth coverage from attraction to attraction. Yes, we know!! We get it!! All the buildings are built with forced perspective. Never heard that one before :)I guess what you can say is that if it was written by Imagineers, the engineering discussions are quite light and its heavy on artistic concepts.Neat and an interesting book overall. But I don't think it compares to the previous Magic Kindom guide by the Imagineers. I bought that one and I guess I was expecting more of that kind of information and facts.

I like these books. I love disney and like to know a little back stories to the parks. For disney fans. Alot of info from a different perceptive

Great book

For anyone who enjoys knowing behind the scenes and hidden treasures of Epcot before they visit.

I'm a huge Disney fanatic and have visited all parks a number of times.This little book gives you a great insight to how the parks were in the past and how they are in the present. The Imagineers who have put this great book together are the people behind the rides. Not only do they supply us with the story behind the rides but how they have altered and why.There are some great illustrations in the book both in colour and in black and white, showing the beginning concept to the completed design.Whether you have been to this park or not this book provides a great through the eyes of the people who have designed it, the Imagineers. :-)It's great book to add to any Disney collection. :-)

Being a Disney/Epcot fan, I love anything that talks about this subject. I have to admit I was expecting more in-depth, behind-the-scenes, facts about the park though. The small book format is neat since you could bring this on your future trips to the park, but most of the information inside is known to anyone who has visited before.I still enjoyed reading about the concepts and some of the hidden facts. Overall, it's a neat book to have in your collection, just don't expect too many details to come out of it.

Another book to be read before attempting to navigate Walt Disney World's Epcot. The book containg lots of information on attractions and entertainment presented at Epcot as well as eateries and character interaction. Book arrived within time frame on amazon page and in good condition.

Bought this for my partner who worked in Epcot. As someone not always easy to please when it comes to Disney he loved it!