Building Magic - Disney's Overseas Theme Parks

by William Silvester

This is the HARDBACK version. This is the exciting, behind the scenes story of the overseas Disney theme parks. Discover why they were built where they are, who wanted them constructed and the problems and controversies that were faced in the building and expansion of these magical places. The first Disney theme park outside of the United States opened near Tokyo, Japan in 1983 and expanded to include a second park, Tokyo DisneySea in 2001. The second was erected in 1992, just outside Paris, France under the name Euro Disneyland, changed its name to Disneyland Paris a few years later and added a second venue, Walt Disney Studios Park, in 2002. The third opened as Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005 and a fourth, in Shanghai, China, welcomed the public in mid-June, 2016. Here you will find the background story of each park from preconception to opening day followed by a tour of the park pointing out what is there, what is new, what is different from the U.S. parks, what is the same, and in many cases, what is coming in the future, to give readers an in depth look at the history and future of the overseas Disneylands. Building Disney's Overseas Theme Parks also answers the burning question, "If I've been to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is it worth my while going to the overseas parks?" Find the answer inside.

416 pages, Hardcover

Published July 15, 2016

Reviews

[Kellyanne Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the research that went into this book. It would have benefited from a little editing as a few parts were repetitive. I hope the author releases another edition as the parks expand and includes more about Shanghai Disney.

[Hots Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly-researched, well-executed.

Concise, and to-the-point. Informative.

Not laced with fluff, marketing speak, or unnecessary graphics.

Full of behind-the-scenes stories across continents and generations.

Great anecdotes and backstory, from Chiharu Kawasaki's rose gardens to Masatomo Takahashi's party budget for convincing Uruyasu fishermen to relinquish land.

Brimming with well-told stories, little-known factoids, and whirlwind tours.

I enjoyed this one thoroughly and can recommend it to anybody interested in cultural differences from theme park to theme park, as well as those pursuing theme park development themselves.