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Theme park books; read anything good lately?

Matt N

Matt N

TS Member
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Mako (SeaWorld Orlando)
Hi guys. We already have threads for theme park documentaries and theme park TV, but a lesser covered element of theme park media is theme park books. So I thought I’d start a thread to talk about theme park books, and some of our favourite theme park related reads. I don’t know if we have many bookworms on here, but I certainly enjoy a good read, so I thought this might be a nice thread to make!

In terms of what I’ve been reading; I recently finished Theme Park Design by David Younger, and I have to say it was brilliant! It is quite technical, and set out almost like a textbook, with over 500 large (larger than your usual paperback/hardback) pages, so it’s perhaps not for the faint hearted, but if you have even the vaguest interest in how theme parks and attractions are designed, then it’s a terrific read. I can almost guarantee that you’ll learn plenty of things you never knew about before reading; I know I certainly did!

But I’d be keen to know; have you read any good theme park books lately?
 
This may not be the kind of book you had in mind but I had to share this as my daughter absolutely adores this book and we had fun both reading it. I’d highly recommend this for any of you guys with kids (such as [mention]Themeparksandy1981 [/mention] ).

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As for more serious books I still haven’t read John Wardley’s book Creating My Own Nemesis yet but I’m planning to pick it up soon.
 
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Managed to find a UK shop selling this after not buying it at the park and was a slight saving. A nice book detailing the history of the park.

Also picked up 'the fun is just beginning' the book produced to mark Cedar Points 150th anniversary in 2020.
 
This year I've finally read John Wardleys autobiography which was very good. There was a lot of stuff about his theatre based work, which was fine but took up a sizeable amount of the book. The theme park content was excellent but felt a tad rushed.

Also read the Making Thorpe Park by Chris Atkinson which was a pleasant surprise. Very informative and a nice nostalgia trip.

Edit to add: It's a very limited genre from what I can see on Amazon, nothing else is really grabbing my attention other than the two I've already read.
 
Tales from the Towers by Nick Sim has been on my Amazon list for ages but I've not read it.
Same goes for his book on Universal Orlando.

Its not a book but the website Yesterland.com is fascinating for a history of old and refurbished Disneyland (California).
 
It's probably a bit dated now, but A Century of Fun by Peter Bennett is a really good book about the history of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Dreamland Remembered and Pleasureland Memories are also decent reads.

Disney U by Doug Lipp and The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney by J Jeff Kober are a couple of my favourite books about customer service in the theme park industry (and I've read most of them). Always Cedar Point was another good read. Work in Progress by Michael Eisner has some interesting insights.

Edit: I do like really niche books about theme parks that tell you the sorts of things you wouldn't get anywhere else. Particularly insights into how they're managed. Most books about theme park management are exclusively about Disney, but there are a few others like Love Works by Joel Manby and The Myth of Employee Burn Out by Matt Heller. I also like books about very niche aspects of theme park management, for example Of Mouse and Men about how Disney train their costume characters, or In Service to the Mouse which goes into the early marketing strategy for Disneyland.
 
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Danny said:
Always Cedar Point; A Memoir of the Midway is a fascinating read and actually quite inspiring. Written by a former staff member who documents his 40-year career and working his way up to General Manager, with some great tidbits particularly in the earlier days when Corkscrew and Gemini were the headliners.
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Seconded, this was a really enjoyable read for me earlier this year. And it is a different perspective on theme parks than other books that I have read.

I've got and read many a good theme park book. If you are a Disney fan, I can strongly recommend all 3 of Marty Sklar's books.
 
I have a literal bookcase full of theme park books, many of them Disney Editions. The most beautiful book I own is the "Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality" by Alain Littaye (RIP) and Didier Ghez. It really is magical (and unfortunately now out of print).

Roland Mack's book "King of Fun" is a very interesting read for those of us who hold Europa Park close to their hearts. I had no idea before reading the book just how pivotal Blue Fire, and the technology behind it's development, were for the company's progression.
 
I have the Made By Mack coffee table book, which I bought a couple of months ago. Then needed a coffee table to put said book on, so only just got round to doing that after recently moving home! It is very substantial though with lots of great photographs.
Sazzle said:
Roland Mack's book "King of Fun" is a very interesting read for those of us who hold Europa Park close to their hearts. I had no idea before reading the book just how pivotal Blue Fire, and the technology behind it's development, were for the company's progression.
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I've been on the lookout for this for a while, but have only ever found German and French versions as a paper copy and in the online shop, with the English version only available as a download. :(
 
Also, off-beat from the usual stuff. Some of the Disney Leadership Culture books are really good reading if you're interested in becoming a better leader/manager and instilling a positive work culture. I really enjoyed Lee Cockerell's "Creating Magic - 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney".

Some interesting insights from the operational side of the parks!
 
Reading Disney forums this book Amazon product ASIN 0965735354 also came in in discussion recently, as it covers Arrow starting up and the very first rollercoasters at Disneyland.
Seems to be only as an ebook but I'm adding it to the list of things that might be interesting.
 
Burbs said:
I have the Made By Mack coffee table book, which I bought a couple of months ago. Then needed a coffee table to put said book on, so only just got round to doing that after recently moving home! It is very substantial though with lots of great photographs.
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Had forgot about this book so just ordered it off the EP website.
 
Part of my bookshelf is piled high with theme park books from my university studies, so I'll just ramble off a bunch.

There are the rather academic publications like Theme Park by Scott A. Lukas and The Global Theme Park Industry by Anton Clave. Half are Disney based publications ranging from the magically sleeved Walt Disney Imagineering and The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic to A Mouse Divided about Walt's relationship with Ub Iwerks and the dense epic that is Disney War. There's also a big Efteling: Are We There Yet? book, Roland Mack: King of Fun, Alton Towers by Michael J. Fisher and The Watchers, plus Shire Books' Amusement Park Rides and many old brochures from European theme parks.

And, speaking of fiction like The Watchers, remember that novel turned TV miniseries John Wardley mentioned his job was the inspiration for in Creating My Own Nemesis, called Have Your Cake and Eat It? I bought a second hand copy out of intrigue and, quite honestly, I think it's my favourite book in the collection. Whilst it's clear the author did put some effort into researching the industry and his career, it gets hilariously raunchy and rom-drama messy. Find it, read it and gasp in horror :laughing:
 
The Made By Mack book is nicely presented but it lacked much in the way of substance for my liking. You’ll learn very little new, albeit it’s nice to look at.
 
Sazzle said:
I have a literal bookcase full of theme park books, many of them Disney Editions. The most beautiful book I own is the "Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality" by Alain Littaye (RIP) and Didier Ghez. It really is magical (and unfortunately now out of print).

Roland Mack's book "King of Fun" is a very interesting read for those of us who hold Europa Park close to their hearts. I had no idea before reading the book just how pivotal Blue Fire, and the technology behind it's development, were for the company's progression.
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Can you get the King of Fun Book in paperback? if so where?

I am currently reading 'Legends: Pioneers of the Amusement Park Industry by Tim O'Brien' and think its excellent. Short overviews in the style of an autobiography about great theme park people. Worth a read and really cheap for a new copy on WOB!
 
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RicketyCricket said:
This year I've finally read John Wardleys autobiography which was very good. There was a lot of stuff about his theatre based work, which was fine but took up a sizeable amount of the book. The theme park content was excellent but felt a tad rushed.

Also read the Making Thorpe Park by Chris Atkinson which was a pleasant surprise. Very informative and a nice nostalgia trip.

Edit to add: It's a very limited genre from what I can see on Amazon, nothing else is really grabbing my attention other than the two I've already read.
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Agree on Creating My Own Nemesis entirely. Making Thorpe Park is probably my favourite theme park book I've read, but Tales from the Towers is amazing too.
 
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joshwharding said:
Can you get the King of Fun Book in paperback? if so where?

I am currently reading 'Legends: Pioneers of the Amusement Park Industry by Tim O'Brien' and think its excellent. Short overviews in the style of an autobiography about great theme park people. Worth a read and really cheap for a new copy on WOB!
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I have had my English paperback version since 2015, and I think I purchased it online from the EP shop. I don't think it is available any more, sorry!
 
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