Disneyland Resort
A Celebration of New Magic and Fond Memories
Despite having a small Diamond Celebration sticker on its cover, Disneyland Resort A Celebration of New Magic and Fond Memories has nothing to do with Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary. Also, despite it being by two of the most genius Disney historians on earth, it is not by any means a history of Disneyland. The only history part is the timeline in the back of the book, but I’m telling all of you Disney history buffs, it’s worth the price of the book ($24.95).
Now I’ve told you what it’s not. Here’s what it is: This is a hardcover pictorial souvenir of Disneyland, but from the Disneyland Resort of two years ago. Do you remember the Pictorial Souvenir books? If you’re old like me, they’re a fond memory. I’d get one on every annual visit, and paw over them the rest of the year until they were ragged and torn. This is akin to those, and to the hardcover souvenir books about “Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center” that one could buy at Walt Disney World in the 1980’s, but with much, much better writing, photography and layout, fantastic quotes, and a definite love for the place.
There are a few things that I find puzzling, but they’re things that the average guest, for whom this book is aimed, probably won’t notice. “A Celebration of New Magic and Fond Memories” The “New Magic” (Hatbox Ghost, Peter Pan and Matterhorn enhancements, etc.,} aren’t in here. In fact, nothing from the past year and a half, at least, is in here. Neither are “fond memories”, unless it’s memories of recent visits? But again, that’s nitpicky. Then there’s “Dumbo the Flying Elephant Attraction“, “King Arthur Carrousel Attraction“, “Peter Pan’s Flight Attraction“, “it’s a small world”. It says Dumbo’s near “King Arthur Carrousel” not near “King Arthur Carrousel Attraction“. The nomenclature is all over the place. I’m getting all <name redacted> about this, aren’t I? I suspect this was Editor stuff, not Author stuff. The annoyances are minor and will only be noticed by annoying people like me. But to people like me, it’s really glaring.
On to the good stuff, and there is so. much. good stuff. Man, this book is a treat for Disneyland fans. Tim and Kevin know where to find the good stuff, and it’s in here. The lion’s share of the book is present-day Disneyland Resort. Each area and attraction gets a solid description, which includes influences from film or animation if called for. You can tell that this was written by someone who knows and loves this place like the back of his hand and loves it deeply. This wasn’t someone sitting in a cubicle. Quotes from notables such as Diane Disney Miller and Pete Docter are peppered throughout the book, describing how Disneyland has influenced them and what the different parts mean to them. It may have been conceived of in Marketing, but it’s obvious that this book is a genuine work of love. I didn’t get a free review copy, I paid for this book with my husband’s hard-earned money. I’d do it again. I learned something from it, and saw beautiful images I’d never seen before. I recommend it.
Walt Disney Records
The Legacy Collection: Disneyland
This one isn’t labeled for the 60th. There’s probably another one coming for the actual anniversary. Cross those pingies. This is part of the Legacy Collection. The timing was just coincidental, so they put it in the stores now, and people scooped it off the shelves like crazy. If you own the 50th Anniversary box set and the last Parks CD (thank you Jeremiah Good and Eric Scales for the down low!) you probably have everything, music-wise, but if you’re a completionist, you’ll want this. Also, there’s a booklet in here by Stacia Martin that I think is worth it; she is a Disney history goddess and I want to be like her if I ever grow up. The booklet also has artwork by Lorelay Bove (Big Hero 6, Wreck it Ralph, Tangled), whom I consider the only artist even close to inheriting Mary Blair’s crownfloral hard hat. I got this CD in a press packet but would have picked it up anyway. I hear it’s still available at World of Disney (JG) and Paradise Pier Hotel (PS).
I would like to listen to it again, but a certain daughter of mine borrowed it after hearing Beauty and the Bees and has not returned it.
Track Listing:
Disc One:
Disneyland Park
1. Walt Disney’s Dedication of Disneyland
2. All Aboard!
3. Married Life
4. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
5. Let’s Dance at Disneyland
6. The Tiki, Tiki Room
7. Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
8. Swisskapolka
9. Tarzan Medley
10. Yo Ho (A Pirates’ Life for Me)
11. Grim Grinning Ghosts
12. The Bear Band Serenade
13. Splash Mountain Medley
14. The Great Outdoors
15. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
16. Hello Everybody
17. The Rainbow Caverns
18. Once Upon a Dream
19. The Fantasyland Darkride Suite
Disc Two:
Disneyland Park:
1. Matterhorn Yodelers
2. it’s a small world Clock Parade
3. it’s a small world
4. Steamboat Willie
5. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
6. Nation on Wheels
7. Miracles from Molecules
8. Star Tours
9. There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
10. Space Mountain
11. Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters
12. Submarine Voyage
13. The Throne Room
14. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience Theme
15. Space Mountain
Disney California Adventure Park
16. Suitcase and a Dream
17. Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
18. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
19. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Theme
20. Soarin’
Disc Three
Disney California Adventure Park
1. The Bakery Theme
2. A Bug’s Life Suite
3. Beauty and the Bees
4. It’s Tough to be a Bug
5. The Little Mermaid Medley
6. Seasons of the Vine Medley
7. Midway Mania
8. The Cleaner
9. California Screamin’
10. Welcome to Radiator Springs
11. Funiculi Funicula
12. Radiator Springs Racers
Disneyland Spectaculars
13. The Main Street Electrical Parade
14. Fantasmic!
15. Closing
Have you picked up either of these titles? I’d love to hear your thoughts!