I recently visited California, where I had one of the most amazing experiences of my Disney career. Imagineer Vanessa Hunt gave me a tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Art Library vault in Glendale. This place houses the original art of the most iconic images from Disney Parks’ history. Incredible! Vanessa shared that fellow Imagineer Danny Handke and she have written a book for Disney Editions called “Poster Art of the Disney Parks.” This hardcover book, with cover designed by Imagineer Glendon Lee, is coming to Disney Parks at the end of May. I asked Danny about the role that attraction posters have played.
“Attraction posters entice, excite and educate guests with a preview of the adventures and experiences inside the Disney Parks,” explained Danny.
“When Disneyland park opened in 1955, it was difficult for guests to understand what a ‘theme park’ was. The Disney Imagineers needed a solution to portray their attractions to a diverse audience. The idea to use posters at Disneyland’s Main Entrance was the perfect solution.”
The book was in development for four years! They conducted extensive research by interviewing close to 20 people, including current and former artists. Vanessa said that they put extra effort into making a beautiful book that all Disney fans could enjoy.
“We made an extra effort to ensure the posters in the book were printed as color accurate as possible,” continued Vanessa. “We even found a box containing several poster concepts that had never been published until now. The most challenge part was identifying artists. While many unidentified posters artists were later identified during our interviews, there are some that remain credited to ‘Unknown Artist.’”
I asked Danny about his favorite poster.
“I love the Tokyo DisneySea posters,” said Danny. “They are interesting because they reflect an overall cohesive design, but are stylistically individual to each land. Not many fans are familiar with the Tokyo DisneySea posters, so we hope everyone will appreciate this unique chapter in the book.”
Vanessa said her favorite poster comes from the Disneyland Resort.
“I love all of them, but the one that catches my eye every time I open the drawer is the Grand Canyon Diorama poster from Disneyland,” explained Vanessa. “The colors are absolutely beautiful and the train design is fantastic!”
Which is your favorite attraction poster? I vote Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room!
Comments
Is there updated release date for the book? I checked at two stores on main street last Friday 6/8 and so far they are not in.
This is a definite purchase for me. About 2-3 years ago I started buying a poster or two on each trip to Disneyland. At $35 (unframed) each I really think they are some of the best souvenirs for the money. My favorites are The Haunted Mansion, Alice’s Mad Tea Party, and The Finding Nemo Submarines.
I’ll be attending the Cars Land preview event on June 10th and hope to be able to get the new Radiator Springs Racers poster. I’ll be looking for this book as well! Where is Off the Page located in DCA?
@Kaylyn – There are only a few posters for Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the book.
@Brendan – That’s awesome! I also love the posters; I only wish I had more wall space in my apartment. 🙂 Glad to hear you are attending the preview. I can’t wait to go … one day. Off the Page is located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area.
Must have! I’ve already added it to my “Must Set Aside Money For” list for my trip in October! Will it feature any posters from Animal Kingdom? I love that park!
Will there be a difference in the version sold at Disney Parks and the version sold at a bookstore or Amazin? Like will the national market book be a second printing? I want a First Edition of this book and want to know if I need to find someone going to WDW this summer to pick it up for me or if I’m safe to pick it up later. Thanks,
Paul
@Bryan – There are only a few Epcot posters … one, however, was something I’ve never seen. Something about an attraction once named Century 3. Amazing!
@John – You may want to check the Art of Disney locations. If there are any remaining, they may be located there. I can’t recall seeing any of those tin sign replicas remaining but I also wasn’t looking for them. I have placed a call to the Art of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. If I find out more info, I will share.
@Zachary – I guess you could take the poster out of the book if you really wanted. But they wouldn’t be full-sized posters. The book measures approximately 14″ tall by 11 1/2″ wide.
@Paul – The versions sold at Disney Parks and on the national market will be the same. I spoke with Betsy from our product development team who said that both Parks and national market would be first editions. Disney Parks just happens to be carrying the book a few months before the rest of the world. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
Oh I HAVE to have this, I adore any Disney art.. My Shag drinking glasses should be in my Cureo I love them that much!
Will it have posters inside that can be pulled out so I can hang on my wall?
I will be getting a copy of this wonderful book, but what I really want to know is if there are any reproduction posters available from Disney? They don’t even have to be Full-size.
Back in October, for the 40th anniversary of WDW, there was a set of 3 Tin Signs of park posters released but I never saw them while at WDW. Are they still available anywhere?
Are there any Epcot posters in there? I’ve love to see some from the early days, and then from the 90s too.
This book looks amazing. I am a huge fan of Disney poster art, and my all time favorite is the Jungle Cruise 🙂 I’m biased though because I was a Jungle Cruise Skipper during my Disney College Program.
I have a lot of those framed on my walls. They are my favorite art! So excited for the book.
Oh and I love the 20k leagues under the sea posters from WDW
this will be a definite purchase!!!
To me, these poster were not attraction posters…but TRAVEL posters. Much like the WPA National Park serigraph posters. Shall I first travel to Africa and the Amazon?…or out west to the great frontier? Or perhaps score get some pixie dust and travel to Fantasyland. Sounds like a great book, hope it has my old stomping grounds in it, the Tahitian Terrace…or maybe the TT it didn’t have one.
@Rochelle – How incredibly cool! Thank you for sharing 🙂
@D. – Agreed! The posters are beautifully designed. I think you will be happy to find your old stomping grounds represented!
I’m looking at my copy of the Enchanted Tiki Room poster right now. It’s in the same room as my computer. My husband’s uncle was a voice for the Hawaiian War Chant from the tikis. I love hearing him!
Looking forward to picking this up at WDW!!!!! This sounds like something really special!
This is a GREAT idea!
What Day is this coming and for what price?
@Brian – We don’t have a firm release date at this point. But from my understanding, you may begin to see the book at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in late May, early June (more likely early June). Retail is $40.00.
Any chance we’ll see an increase in the offerings at the Art on Demand posters? I’d love to be able to purchase some of these in full size.
WDW Fan Boy Tim
#16 – 10:30 AM PST – And just how many “Disney Dollars” will it take to purchase this inestimable treasure pray tell?? It sounds like something I would definitely will be interested in!!
Looking forward to getting mine on our WDW visit in September!
How much will this be? This looks awesome!!!
@Amy – Thanks for the heads up. The book will be carried at Disney Parks only for a few months. It will then be released to the national market in the Fall.
@Kathleen – I did the same thing!! I loved those maps. The early EPCOT Center one is incredible. Casey Jones, an artist with Disney Design Group, has it hanging on his office wall now. Lucky!!
@Jennifer – The book will be carried at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. I don’t know of any plans at this point to carry it via the Disney Parks online store – http://www.DisneyParks.com/Store
@Stephen – The book in incredible. I just finished looking at it this morning and you will be thrilled. Great posters from Tokyo Disney Resort! Makes me want to visit that place again.
@Tyler – The book will retail for $40.00. And trust me, it’s beyond awesome … like be-awesome!!
Already pre-ordered this. Can’t believe it’s taken so long for something like this to be made. Love that the Japanese Tower of Terror poster is in there, I love that version.
Oh my ! I cannot wait til this comes out! Love the posters, we have to look at all of them every time we go !!
I definitely MUST have this book!! Will it be on sale online at all or just at Disneyland??
I am so excited to get a copy!!
When I was a kid my favorite thing was the illustrated maps of the park. I had these huge maps of Disneyland on the walls of my bedroom watching the changes over time. I would love to see those come back.
Amazon has it for Pre-Sale. Release date September!
Mine is preordered!!
I can’t wait to get this book! I’ve always wanted to have the old attraction posters in my home, this will do until I get that home! 🙂
Must. Have. BOOK!
The new book, Poster Art of the Disney Parks looks really amazing! What a great piece of Disney history to own! Do you know how much the book will cost, and if we can order it online or by calling the Disney Parks Merchandise number once it comes out in a few weeks?
@Paul and Randy – The book will retail for $40.00. It measures 14-inches tall by 11 1/2-inches wide. It’s a fantastic oversized book which really makes for a great presentation of the artwork.
I spoke with Betsy, the product developer for media at Disney Theme Park Merchandise, about the locations. It will be carried at locations that currently carry an assortment of books. Examples include Disneyana on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland, Off the Page at Disney California Adventure, Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and more.
Another option would be to contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Merchandise Guest Services once the book is released. Their contact information is 1-877-560-6477 or email: merchandiseguestservices@disney.go.com
I will be down in the world in the end of June and I am hoping to pick this up when I am there. I have always loved the posters! Do you know where it will be sold and how much it will be?
I always loved seeing the posters in the railroad tunnels at the entrance to both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. It added to the anticipation!
Is there some way to tell the decision makers about making a book of the Annie Leibovitz promotional photos? I’d love to have a book of those.
Thanks
How did I know your favorite attraction poster would be the Enchanted Tiki Room? 😉 Awesome post! I’m sure your visit to the WDI Art Library was very magical.
I’d have to say… my favorite attraction posters are The Haunted Mansion (WDW) and Spaceship Earth.
@Thomas – Yes. The book contains art from Disneyland Resort Paris. I’m unsure, however, if it will be carried at the Resort. I know that it is coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World for sure.
@Diana – I would look in select locations that already carry an assortment of books. I know there are locations on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland or Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney Marketplace in Florida. The book will be carried at Disneyland and Walt Disney World only for a few months. It will then be carried via the national market later this year.
@Erica – Right on! Just wait – the book is beautiful and you will love, love, love the artwork. I don’t want to spoil it but needless to say, you will be thrilled. 🙂
Will you only be able to purchase this from certain places in the parks, or will you be able to buy it online anywhere?
We are planning a trip in October, will they still be available then?
Will this book also contain Disneyland Paris art and will it be available there?
@Thomas – I spoke with Vanessa again who shared a few more fun facts about the book:
– Currently, the book will only be released in the US but it does contain posters for Disneyland Resort Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
– There are close to 300 posters and poster concepts in the book.
– There are several “never before seen” posters including a very special poster courtesy of Drew Struzan who did the artwork for the Indiana Jones Adventure. It looks amazing! There is even a poster concept for Horizons, my all time favorite attraction!
– Almost all of the original 1950s Disneyland posters were re-scanned for this book, allowing them to be printed with accurate colors for the first time since the original silk-screens were displayed in the Park. And it shows! The quality of the printing and the colors in the book are gorgeous!
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