Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World | David Koenig

Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World | David Koenig | Realityland Review

books:

Realityland: True-...

	Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World David Koenig Bonaventure Press, 2007 - 334 pages average customer review:based on 30 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Interesting and Entertaining - Not for Disney fanboys

This is a provocative and entertaining look at the way Disney intruded on Central Florida, created its own government, and exerted its will on a quiet sleepy Florida town. Did everything happen the way the book says? WHo knows...Koenig has plenty of direct sources. More than likely more accurate than the "disney authorized" books out there that spout only the Disney partyline. In particular there are volumes of union records and complaints that are a goldmine for this type of material, since Disney hid all these things from the public, but they are all available as public record.

The chapter on injuries and deaths in the land of WDW is especially interesting -- using primary police records and EMS logs, it clearly catalogs Disney's years and years of paying off casualties and their familes, and points its way directly to the terrible relationship Disney currently has with the Orlando media.

This is a great and fast read for those who aren't necessarily Disney Fanboys...i.e. if you think that everything at Disney is covered in pixie dust, then by all means avoid this book. Like Disney Wars a few years back, this is a no-holds barred look at the disfunction that often runs rampant in large corporations. The chapter on the building of the first series of hotels in itself demonstrates the countless hirings, firings, and shady business relationships that WDW's creators encountered. All of it public record for those who care to look.

Filled with plenty of trivia, it will appeal to those fascinated by Disney, but not necessarily blinded to exploring corporate greed and commercialism. Not for everyone.

for more information click here

Realityland Review

I just finished reading this book and I am extremely satisfied with it. I read it with the preconceived notion that unlike the Disney or Imagineer made books, this one would be more practical and not sugar coated, and it turns out the book met my expectations. There was rarely a dull topic discussed and I personally found the focus on EPCOT to be the most interesting.
Unlike Disney produced books which label EPCOT to be a product of its intentions, Koenig's behind the scenes approach to why EPCOT was rather a symbol of Disney's turn away from "trying to change the world" to merely "trying to entertain" is informative and believable. He appositely uses abundant sources from former and current Disney employees and undoubtedly compiles a comprehensive history of the Walt Disney World Resort, both its accomplishments and perceived failures. If you are a Disney fan who believes that everything in Disney World was created in the exact same way that it was originally intended to be, I suggest you read this book.
In my mind, the only slight downside to this book was that it wraps up the 1990's and current decade rather fast, while summing up Disney's post-Walt paradigm transition in an extremely brief concluding page or two. Nevertheless, this book is a must for any Disney fan who wants to understand the company and its goals better.

for more information click here

MICKEYMOUSE FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a Disneyophile from the word GO!!!!!!!!!
I have been to Disneyworld over 20 times (which is nothing compared to some people) and plan on working there when i retire. I have dreamed of being a part of the Disney TEAM since I was there in 1972 and soon I will be working for the MOUSE. This book is fantastic and gives an inside look at things that one would never ever realize. This is a winner all the way.....and I will order many more of these for Christmas gifts this year. KUDOS to the author for such hard work and insight!!!!!!!!!!!
I know a lot about Disneyworld and this man is incredible in his accuracy.
BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT and escape from REALITY for a while...while you learn about REALITYLAND

for more information click here

Very happy with book

I thought this book was well-written and easy to read. I liked how the author compiled the range of stories from all sorts of individuals. While I suppose some of the stories could be fictional, as another reviewer states, the book is still fun to read.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6

products you might be interested in