• Walt Disney World
    • The Lands of the Magic Kingdom
      • Main Street, U.S.A.
      • Fantasyland
      • Tomorrowland
      • Liberty Square
      • Frontierland
      • Adventureland
      • Mickey’s Toontown Fair (removed)
    • Epcot Future World
      • Spaceship Earth
      • The Land
      • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
      • The Imagination Pavilion
      • Inventions East (Coming Soon)
      • Innoventions West (Closing)
      • Universe of Energy (Coming Soon)
      • Misson: SPACE (Coming Soon)
      • Test Track (Coming Soon)
    • Epcot’s World Showcase
      • Mexico Pavilion
      • Norway Pavilion
      • China Pavilion
      • Germany Pavilion
      • Italy Pavilion
      • American Adventure Pavilion
      • Japan Pavilion
      • Morocco Pavilion
      • France Pavilion
      • United Kingdom Pavilion
      • Canada Pavilion
    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Disneyland Resort
    • The Lands of Disneyland
      • Main Street, U.S.A.
      • Adventureland
      • New Orleans Square
      • Frontierland
      • Fantasyland
      • Tomorrowland
      • Critter Country
      • Mickey’s Toontown
    • The Lands of California Adventure Park
    • 100 Days til Disneyland
  • Disney Planning Resources
    • Attractions Series
    • 100 Days til Disneyland
  • Pixie Vacations
    • Client Testimonials

My Dreams of Disney

Exploring Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond!

  • Request a FREE WDW Quote!
  • Contact Us
  • Disney Legends
  • Client Testimonials
  • On the Road with Mickey

Archives for March 1, 2013

Book Review: Design – Just for Fun

March 1, 2013 by Lee Beatens

Author: Bob Gurr
Binding: Hard Cover
Pages: 218
ISBN: 9780615553740
Publisher: APP-GurrDesign Publishing
Price: $58.95 US
Collector’s Edition: 0574 of 1000, signed
Synopsis:
The most thorough behind the scenes stories ever told about Themed Entertainment design at America’s favorite destination resorts – Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Tour, Spectacular Las Vegas and more.
Legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr, as Principal Designer for hundreds of Themed Entertainment projects, takes the reader behind the scenes:
• Learn how Disneyland developed the first Monorail in America.
• See how Universal Studios Tour Animated King Kong came to be.
• A Pirate Battle Show and Sinking Ship in Las Vegas – how did they do it.
• Get the story of the animated Abraham Lincoln at the NY World’s Fair.
• Meet the team behind the Los Angeles Olympics Flying Saucer.
And so much more… with a foreword by Marty Sklar.
Review:
I have to start off by saying that this book is for hardcore Disney fans ONLY! So if you’re a completest, and by that I mean someone who just has to know everything about everything, than this book is for you. Gurr holds nothing back in this tell-all book. And by that I mean he tells us about every bolt he used to create most of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions.
I admit I was geeking out when I started to read this book, but then I just got bogged down by the sheer detail that Gurr shares. It makes this a very hard read. To be honest, I read at least five other Disney-related books while reading this one, because I just had to take a break!
That being said, Gurr’s down to earth style of writing makes the book easier to get through. It’s just Bob talking with Bob’s personality clearly showing through. And that’s not a bad thing! Of course, if you’re a literary critic, than the grammar, spelling, and unnecessary repetition might drive you to distraction. But if you’re able to lighten up and just read along for the ride, it’s an entertaining enough book.
The real beauty of this book is in the pictures. These provide exclusive glimpses into the world of early Disneyland design, as well as into many post-Disney projects that Gurr was involved in. Such as King Kong at Universal Studios. Yes, he did once work for the enemy.
Conclusion:
With heartfelt apologies to Bob Gurr, I have to give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the read overall, but as I say, it’s not a book for everyone, and not an easy read. It’s unlikely to appeal to non-Disney people, and so I can’t rate it higher. But of course, as I said earlier, Disney completists will love it and rate it much higher!
I will say that the last section Adventures of Bob’s World was a great and fun way to end the book, and I found myself smiling and laughing as I read these parting shots.
I was fine with the fact that I had to buy this book from APP-GurrDesign to review it

Filed Under: Books, Reviews Tagged With: APP-GurrDesign Publishing, Bob Gurr, Books, Design Just For Fun, reviews

Subscribe to our Mailing List!

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Client Testimonials

About Me

Mike has been a Disney fan since his first trip to the Magic Kingdom in 1979 when he was 11 years old. Since that first trip, he has seen parks open, lands close, and attractions come and go, but one thing remains the same, his love for Disney is as strong as ever.

His Disney adventures caused him to start My Dreams of Disney because he wanted to document for his family and friends all of the special Disney Memories he has enjoyed with his family, and since that first post in 2010, Mike's hobby has become his passion!

Now a Travel Consultant with Pixie Vacations for over four years, Mike has helped many of his readers plan and have incredible Disney vacations of their own. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Also, connect with us on our Pixie Vacations by Mike Ellis Facebook page to submit a quote request or learn more about all of your possible vacation destinations!

View My Blog Posts

Our posts

March 2013
S M T W T F S
« Feb   Apr »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  

Disclaimer

My Dreams of Disney is a Disney Fan Blog, and is not in any way affiliated with Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney, or the Walt Disney Company. In it's purest form, My Dreams of Disney is a site showcasing the love I and my family have for Walt Disney's creative genius and the legacy he has left behind. If it weren't for Walt Disney, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, the other Disney parks spread across the world, and this site would not exist. Click to view our Privacy Policy.

Archives

Copyright © 2018 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in