Rating: 
Summary: One of the best "behind the scenes" books about WDW
Review: As a student of politics and media and an avid Disney fan, I was thoroughly impressed with Prof. Fjellman's ability to balance criticle analysis with a general love of Disney's products. For those of us who enjoy learning about the dangers of Disney's corporate machinery yet still love walking down Main Street, this book will not dissappoint. With an obvious passion and love for Disney, Fjellman dissects WDW operations with the language of someone who knows something is bad for him, yet doesn't seem to mind. For many of us, this sentiment is reality. Like Fjellman, many understand that Disney can be manipulative, overbearing, and self-promoting. However, people don't seem to care. It is an amazing phenomenon and Fjellman does a wonderful job explaining why it exists.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Book on Walt Disney World
Review: At times, "Vinyl Leaves" can be as magical as the theme park that it seeks to decontruct. Throughout the text, Stephen Fjellman's tone shifts often from witty to sentimental to cynical--but at all times, it remains an intellectual commentary on a place many people would never even think to look at in such "mature" ways. This is a cultural, political, and economical history of Walt Disney World from the earliest plans through the publication time of this book (1992). Despite this hefty doctoral thesis subject matter, the text rarely drags and can sometimes be downright magical. Written in 1992, "Vinyl Leaves" is also a unique period piece, capturing a highly detailed snapshot of the Walt Disney World of the late 1980s/early 1990s. As frequent visitors know, WDW is ever-changing and certain ride removals or renovations can rob a die-hard Disney fan of a piece of their past. With such rides as "Horizons" which was closed in Epcot Center in the mid-1990s, Fjellman delivers a three-to-four page description of the ride, literally second-by-second, thus preserving a classic Disney attraction that will never see the light of day again. Putting aside all of his wonderful theories and commentaries, the sheer value of these deliciously vivid ride and show descriptions is worth the price alone. If you love Walt Disney World, do yourself a favor and buy this book and read every single word. It is honestly the closest book I've ever read that captures the essence of a real trip there.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Book on Walt Disney World
Review: At times, "Vinyl Leaves" can be as magical as the theme park that it seeks to decontruct. Throughout the text, Stephen Fjellman's tone shifts often from witty to sentimental to cynical--but at all times, it remains an intellectual commentary on a place many people would never even think to look at in such "mature" ways. This is a cultural, political, and economical history of Walt Disney World from the earliest plans through the publication time of this book (1992). Despite this hefty doctoral thesis subject matter, the text rarely drags and can sometimes be downright magical. Written in 1992, "Vinyl Leaves" is also a unique period piece, capturing a highly detailed snapshot of the Walt Disney World of the late 1980s/early 1990s. As frequent visitors know, WDW is ever-changing and certain ride removals or renovations can rob a die-hard Disney fan of a piece of their past. With such rides as "Horizons" which was closed in Epcot Center in the mid-1990s, Fjellman delivers a three-to-four page description of the ride, literally second-by-second, thus preserving a classic Disney attraction that will never see the light of day again. Putting aside all of his wonderful theories and commentaries, the sheer value of these deliciously vivid ride and show descriptions is worth the price alone. If you love Walt Disney World, do yourself a favor and buy this book and read every single word. It is honestly the closest book I've ever read that captures the essence of a real trip there.
Rating: 
Summary: Clever analysis of the 'American Mecca'
Review: For the reader who is interested in Disney World as a part of American culture, this book puts forth some provocative concepts. It is not necessarily easy reading, and it won't be the first place to come if the reader is looking to dish about Disney trivia. It does, however, present some challenging ideas about Disney's effect on America in as objective a manner as possible, I think. If you want to stretch your mind, read it.
Rating:
Summary: Still THE scholarly standard...
Review: I keep hoping that Fjellman will update his seminal book to encompass all that has happened in the last ten years; I'll be the first in line when he does. I wrote my MA thesis at NYU on Disney using Fjellman as a prime source, and have used various chapters from Fjellman's book to teach graduate classes in museum studies, design, and architecture. Students in many fields find a lot to think about, discuss, debate, and apply to their thinking.Witty, engaging, balanced, factually accurate, yet still with a point of view... a great book all around. Other reviewers who complain about the writing level, or some of the more obscure academic theorizing, are missing the point. For a truly academic piece of literature, it is written in incredibly accessible, engaging, and clear style. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A Mickey Mouse Book About Walt Disney World
Review: I'm surprised to read that the "scholarly" Fjellman doesn't perpetuate the old chestnut about Walt being cryogenically frozen. As it is, he has his readers believing this ridiculous story about Walt making a series of films to be shown after his death to guide the company after he's gone. This is a respected author? My God, where are his sources? Hopefully if he comes out with a second edition, he'll correct such glaring errors as these.
Rating:
Summary: A Mickey Mouse Book About Walt Disney World
Review: I'm surprised to read that the "scholarly" Fjellman doesn't perpetuate the old chestnut about Walt being cryogenically frozen. As it is, he has his readers believing this ridiculous story about Walt making a series of films to be shown after his death to guide the company after he's gone. This is a respected author? My God, where are his sources? Hopefully if he comes out with a second edition, he'll correct such glaring errors as these.
Rating:
Summary: The ULTIMATE book about Walt Disney World
Review: In detail that's thorough, but never boring, Fjellman covers every aspect of the history of WDW--from the secret purchase of the land to what goes on "underground" on the property. VINYL LEAVES is a must-have for those interested in all things Disney -- and for those who aren't interested, either.
Rating: 
Summary: Consider why you would read this book
Review: This book has two parts with a weak relation that binds them. The academic focus of the book is about culture, marketing and consumerism. The second part is a detailed look at WDW, particularily the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and MGM. This book is pre AK. The binder is that disney is a company, that sells a product. If you think this book is interesting keep in mind if you do not want to read purely academic lecture on commerce, that could relate to Kleenex just as well as it does Disney, you are getting twice as many pages as you desire. One note is if you do not read at a high level (well above the NY Times) the vocabulary is difficult. For the Disney material alone this is definitely a 5 star book (I especially liked the details about setting up Reedy Creek), but the references from Adam Smith and Marx among others disrupted the worth of the book, hence a three.
Rating:
Summary: Great imagineer and business model info
Review: This is not a tell all/behind-the-scenes gossip book. It reads like a business venture case file with some interesting bits of Disney design and innovation thrown in. The author gives equal wonderment to the imagineers' genius as to the company's business decisions. Also, this book was the catalyst for a to take a side trip to Celebration, Florida after our last Disney vacation in Dec 2001. The book peaked our curiosity to see Walt's real/intended version for a prototype community of the future.
|
