Building a Dream: The Art of Disney Architecture

Rating:
Summary: A great book about Disney-Architecture
Review: All I can say is that this one is an absolute great book for all the people who are interested in Disney-Architecture. I have read this one for several times now an I always find new facts when I read it again! Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A non park-architecture focused book
Review: I thought that the authors focus on non-park buildings was a refreshing break from other books. The ability to design the ideas of Walt Disney into the buildings used by the company itself, not just the guests, is a very interesting topic often overlooked by other authors. The architecture found in the parks is also facinating but I feel that this book focuses on the more overlooked buildings. I found the authors views on these buildings interesting and well thought out. The photographs are very impressive and often are of areas that the average guest would not be able to access. Overall, I think that anyone interested in understanding Disney as a company and how they have worked the 'Magic' into every aspect of these buildings will enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: "The Aspiring Disney Architect's Bible"
Review: Outlining the brains and bases behind the fantastic institution of Disney architecture, "Building a Dream" covers all of the basics, giving credit to the creative geniuses behind the mythical Disney charm. Providing the delightfully exaggerated imagery that we have come to love in full color (when applicable), "Building a Dream" shall remain the true enthusiasts' God-book for quite a while. From the Swan and Dolphin to the Sleeping Beauty castle, this book has what you need.

Rating:
Summary: Should be Eisner/Disney Architecture
Review: This book is about Michael Eisner's patronage of big namearchitects 1985-1995. There's lots about Michael Graves, RobertA. M. Stern, Gehry, Gwathmey and that ilk. If you think this slaphappy stuff is architecture, this is a fine book about it. As an architect for Disney 1975-1983, I have a huge admiration for, say, Bill Martin, Dave Ott and Glenn Durflinger's Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. You won't find much about that kind of Disney architecture in this book. Ms. Dunlop is the architecture critic for the Miami Herald and based on her acknowledgements, she didn't talk to anyone who actually knew anything about Disney architecture. There are a few pages on Disneyland and even Kem Weber's utopian design for the Disney Studio (1939), but Dunlop gets all breathless only about the Venturi inspired junk that Eisner pays top dollar for these days. Even the great work they are doing today, such as Indiana Jones or the Twilight Zone hotel aren't treated with any interest. It's just sad that one of the few books on the subject was written by someone who doesn't appreciate it.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book, lopsided view though
Review: This will look great on your coffee table but dont expect to see a complete treatment of the subject. Too much coverage on "traditional" buildings such as Disney offices and resort hotels. Not enough coverage of the attractions and the parks themselves. Rather than cover the facinating topic of Disney architecture and the role it plays in guests experiences, the author dwells on their favorite architects.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book, lopsided view though
Review: This will look great on your coffee table but dont expect to see a complete treatment of the subject. Too much coverage on "traditional" buildings such as Disney offices and resort hotels. Not enough coverage of the attractions and the parks themselves. Rather than cover the facinating topic of Disney architecture and the role it plays in guests experiences, the author dwells on their favorite architects.