Updated 04/08/08 ! *Book Club Discussion Realityland Intro - Chapter 13* About This Page:

[sparks74]

Originally Posted by Cheriemek

Love the book! I have a question - is the Preview Center still on property somewhere? If not, when did they take it down?

And when they talked about how best to do PR for the newly emerging park - I am surprised that the author didn't mentio the Walt Disney World (which at some point became The Wonderful World of Color). My dream to someday see Disney World began on that show. Didn't they talk about building DW ?

I would like to know where it is as well. I am sure I have ever heard anyone say where it is.

I do not remember the show you are talking about. But, I would think that if it was hosted by Walt then he probably spoke about DWD.

[stretch2864]

I am still on Chapter 3, but I love the descriptions of the proposed WDW resorts. Wouldn't it have been cool if they had built the other three resorts-the Asian, the Persian, and the Venetian?

[sparks74]

Originally Posted by stretch2864

I am still on Chapter 3, but I love the descriptions of the proposed WDW resorts. Wouldn't it have been cool if they had built the other three resorts-the Asian, the Persian, and the Venetian?

I was thinking that same thought earlier, then I wondered how cool it would have been to have built those at EPCOT. They would have been right at home there.

[stretch2864]

Originally Posted by sparks74

I was thinking that same thought earlier, then I wondered how cool it would have been to have built those at EPCOT. They would have been right at home there.

Maybe WDW still should incorporate those ideas into EPCOT area resorts. The Asian resort especially would be really cool and unique.

[PamelaK]

I didn't realize that they went to such lengths to bring "significance" to the surroundings, like with the rock and stone from the Boston area that is used in Liberty Square.

I loved their description of the "Disney Scoop." This hit home for me since I observed it in person. It was something I could really appreciate.

I was struck by how blatant the thefts of construction equipment and materials were. Now when Kambak and his crew were stealing materials and equipment, they were using it to build another part of WDW. That was just "reassigning" the materials and equipment. What the workers did was out right thievery. Especially when they realized that there was nothing Disney could do about it and they began bringing in the large "lunch" coolers for the express purpose of taking stuff home.

I loved Nunis's "get it done yesterday" approach to finishing WDW by opening day. Granted, not everything was finished, but it was built on time. Even when the Contemporary was being built and the contractors didn't want to lay the carpeting and tile, I loved how the Disney execs just brought the carpet and tile in and left it there. THe contractors then just laid it since it was there. LOL (Maybe I should try that with DD.)

I chuckled at the recounting about how the first golf tournament was started. When Quinn took Arnold Palmer to the roundhouse to see the trains.

It was rather poignant that Roy died 8 weeks after retiring, just after WDW was built when Walt had passed just before announcing to the world his grand plan.

I had to laugh about the traffic backup when the park opened and the state's response to it. They knew better when Disney said to have a plan for the holidays. LOL

I also found it interesting how they managed to get the state to fix the highway.

[DisneyFun-atic]

I thought the way got the state to fix the highway was pretty cool too, espcially releasing a song about it on the radio.

Also thought it was pretty funny that the construction workers stole the TV's that had signs on them saying they wouldn't work out of the hotels and then TV repair shops were being flooded with them.

The construction workers were definitely a rough buch and the amount of theivery was ridiculous. Like when Disney started making workers show their ID's to pick up their checks and there were tons of "workers" who didn't show up because other people were picking up the checks of fictitious workers.

[janicelovesmickey]

I just got thru chapter 7.
I have to say I love this book. I was laughing too at how they closed the roads and the response Disney gave.
It was sad though when Roy passed.
Interesting how they laid off all those workers just to rehire them a week or so later.
They were NOT prepared for the food services that is for sure. You'd never know it these days.

[Cheriemek]

I love this book! I will be boring my family with Disney facts for years. The video they talk about of Walt talking about EPCOT - I saw that on youtube. It was amazing the city that he wanted to create.

[stonewall]

This book has been a terrific read! I just wish that I had known WDW "pre-Eisner". As for the "resorts that weren't", don't they seem awfully similar to the hotels that Universal built?!

[DisneyFun-atic]

Originally Posted by stonewall

This book has been a terrific read! I just wish that I had known WDW "pre-Eisner". As for the "resorts that weren't", don't they seem awfully similar to the hotels that Universal built?!

If you haven't gotten there yet, wait til you read about the Universal/MGM rivalry.

[stretch2864]

I have to sneak in my reading of this book around studying for my classes, but I am thoroughly enjoying it! I just finished reading Chapter 3, and started laughing at the image of the woman using the bathroom at the Preview Center being blasted off her seat by a two foot high column of water! Now on to Chapter 4 before returning to my textbooks......

[stretch2864]

I was reading Chapter 6 last night, and I enjoyed hearing the history of the Contemporary. Can you imagine rooms there for $29 - $44 per night? I suppose, though, at the time that was expensive. I also enjoyed hearing about all the early amenities as the early hotel managers tried to run the Contemporary like a traditional 4 star hotel.

In Chapter 7, I started to laugh when the author was describing what was located in the Utilidors. He states that there were "separate locker rooms for men, women, and costumed characters." Maybe Mickey Mouse is "real" after all!

So where are the rest of you in the book?

[DisneyFun-atic]

I loved how they said that they were trying to run the Contemporary as an upscale resort with an expensive sit down restaurant but they had to add inexpensive meals because families were staying at cheap rodeside motels on the drive down just so they could afford to stay in a room at the Contemporary. But they were ordinary families and still didn't want to spend a lot of money at the hotel aside from their rooms.

Also, my hubby was reading about the plans for Epcot when they were trying to get sponsorship for the pavilions. It reminded me that when I was reading I thought they had some really cool attraction ideas that never got built, which would have made Epcot a lot more exciting. Too bad.

I finished the book but am having trouble remembering a lot about it. As other people spark my memory I'll add my own 2 cents.

[janicelovesmickey]

I got up thru chapter 7, I really need to start reading again, it just keeps getting better. maybe if I shut this down I would read lol

[sparks74]

Has anyone else been somewhat scarred by all of the accidents and deaths at WDW? It is still my happy place and I know that things happen, but... I will look at certain things and places differently from now on.