General Information:

Media Type: Book
Type: Backstage/Behind the Scenes
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Geek's Thoughts: What a great a book. I really enjoyed the last book by Jason Surrell - Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Moview so I was looking forward to this one that takes a look at Pirates of the Caribbean, which happens to be one of my favorite Disneyland attractions. This book does not disappoint. It is divided up into three sections. The first discusses the history of the attraction and how it came to be in Anaheim, Orlando, Tokyo, and Paris. The second section is a virtual ride through. It discusses each scene you encounter. The final section looks at the movie and gives a couple hints at the films to come.

 

Much of the history I had heard before in one form or another over the years, but some of the concept art and constructions photos I had not seen before. The read through of the attraction was great and it really makes you think about what you have seen and want to go again. The weakest section for me was that on the film. It is ok and covers how the film came to be, some of the casting and filming challenges as well as the special effects and storyline. But I found it missing something.. not sure what I want to read but something... maybe a more detailed accounting of the nods to the attraction in the film or something.. just not sure, but that section made me feel like something was lacking. The other two more than overpower the third though and make this book a great read for disneygeeks who enjoy the attraction, park history, or even the movie.

Table of contents: Disneyland and the Magic Kingdoms

• Charting a Course for Adventure
• Rascals, Scoundrels, Villains & Knaves
• Setting Sail for Florida and the Far East
• The European Invasion

• The Port of New Orleans
• Laffite's Landing
• The Blue Bayou
• Approaching the Waterfall
• Entering the Grotto
• Dead Man's Cove
• Hurricane Lagoon
• Crew's Quarters
• Captain's Quarters
• Treasure Room
• Ghostly Grotto
• Bombarding the Fort
• The Well
• The Auction
• The Chase
• The Burning Town
• The Jail
• The Arsenal
• The Upramp

• Return of the Swashbuckler
• Jerry and the Pirates
• The World of Pirates of the Caribbean
• Chilling Effects
• The Pirates Cast Off
  
  
• Charting a Course for the Future