A new two-disk DVD set has started appearing on the store shelves at Walt Disney World. Titled “Magic Kingdom — Imagineering the Magic” these disks tell the story of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and how many of the attractions came into being.
Disk One features legendary Imagineers such as Marty Sklar, Bob Gurr, and Tony Baxer (and many others) discussing how this magical place came into existence. On a personal note, a friend of mine from my Club 33 days, Kevin Rafferty, now an Imagineer, also appears in this DVD.
The story begins by discussing “Project X” and how the Florida property was secretly purchased. Then, each land of the Magic Kingdom is discussed and we’re given insight on how the various attractions were selected and designed.
Disk Two is more of a hodge-podge of information. Chapter One tours the Cinderella Castle Suite.
Chapter Two contains the original news conference where Walt, Roy, and Florida Governor Burns announced Walt Disney World.
In Chapter Three we see a portion of the film Walt made shortly before his death as he describes his plans for the Florida property. In addition, leaders from U.S. Steel and RCA speak to the media, discussing the part they’ll play in the building of Walt Disney World.
Next we see a film of Roy Disney’s Dedication Speech given on October 23, 1971.
Chapter Six is titled “Mickey’s Trivia Tour.” In reality, it’s a quiz to see if you’ve been paying attention to the information presented on the two disks. All of the answers are covered before reaching this selection.
The final chapter contains over forty artist renderings of the various lands and attractions of the Magic Kingdom.
This DVD set is intended for the general Disney tourist. It gives just enough detail to educate, without boring. My blogs and much of the Allears.net website give much more detailed information. But I wouldn’t let this stop a hard-core Disney fanatic (like me) from purchasing these disks. Wonderful archival footage is presented and it’s great listening to the actual Imagineers, those men and women who designed the Magic Kingdom, discuss their work.
I purchased my disks at the Animation Gallery shop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, it will be available at all of the parks and Downtown Disney. The cost is $24.95.
Also available is a similar two-disk set titled, “Disneyland Resort — Imagineering the Magic.” I would really suggest you buy the park you’re most familiar with first, then decide if you want the other. But any true Disney fan will want both.
hey jack
Great blog on the dvd. I can’t wait to get it and see all the old press info and tour of the cinderella suite. keep up the great work!
Hi Jack,
Thanks for the heads-up and great info!
Also: In your most recent comment you mentioned the “Updated Tiki Room” and it was at that point when I slapped my head and said aloud “That’s! what we forgot to do today while we were at the Magic Kingdom!”
I just arrived home from Disney about 90-mins. ago after having a great two days there. We even accomplished a little more than we planned on (believe-it-or-not), but just now realised that we forgot to go see “Tiki Room.”
I planned on seeing it because we haven’t been in to see it for about 6 years or so and now you’ve got me wondering if they’ve made any changes since our last viewing. Has it been updated in that time?
Thanks. ~ Johnny.
I’ll probably end up with this one just for the news conference, US Steel and RCA interviews – things I’ve never seen.
I had heard some not so nice things about the original Imagineering DVD they put out a year or two ago and sounds like this one may be continuing that tradition.
Jack’s Comment:
In my blog I said “This DVD set is intended for the general Disney tourist.” I said this because much of the disk contains nothing new for hard-core fans. In addition, the Imagineers have put a positive spin on everything — things like the updated Tiki Room and Stitch Encounter — which most people don’t like. I admit, I raised my eyebrows at some of the things they said.
If you’ve read the comments, some have written in to say the disk isn’t that good or worth the money. I’m sure in their opinion, it’s not. If you’re looking for a “critical” critique of Disney, you’re never going to find it in an official publication.
But if you can take the information for whit it is, something that’s intended for the general public, I think there is enjoyment to be had in this set. Plus, I’ve never seen the footage of the news conference before and I enjoyed that. (I’m sure the “general” public found this portion boring.)
Hey Jack!
Thanks for the DVD Review. Looks like an informative DVD set for Disney fans. Will be picking up my annual pass (couldn’t resist the 3 months free deal!) during February, so may have to check this out! I’m curious to see the old clips you talk about.
-Kirsitn
I could see myself buying this, would be cool to see all the old press related stuff, and the tour of the castle suite! I was actually surprized by the price of this, I thought it would go for way more! Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Jack,
This looks like a really cool dvd for a fanatic. It would be fun to see the original press conferences, dedication speeches, and video on the Florida Project that Walt made before he died. I’ll agree that it seems like a Disney junkie will have heard all the info before, but perhaps the video clips make it worth it. I’ve only seen the bits of video shows in One Man’s Dream and in the preshow for Carousel of Progress.
Plus, a tour of the Castle suite. Cool.
You can purchase it as well as other DVDs and CDS known to be seen at WDW and other parks at
http://www.disneystore.com/disney-parks/movies-music-books/c/311000/
jack:
I felt that this DVD could have been a home run 38 years in the making but hearing the Imagineers discuss how the TIki Room transformed into a masterpiece mad me lose my lunch.
All of the information can fit onto half of a DVD and they sell it as a 2 DVD.
For those of us who have been to Disney recently and aren’t going back for a while, is there a way to purchase these online?
Jack’s Answer:
You can call 407-824-4321 option 7 and order Walt Disney World merchandise for home delivery. You will need to provide a complete description of the item and the name of the store where you saw it.
Th host of this DVD is VERY annoying!
Not worth the price…
Jack’s Comment:
I agree with you. The host is annoying. I have no idea why Disney selected him. But I felt he was overshadowed by the interviews with the Imagineers.
Thanks for the info Jack – I’ll be back at WDW in exactly two weeks, so have added this to my ‘shopping list’! 🙂
Cara
Portsmouth, England