The Ultimate Guide to Dollywood by Erin K. Browne is the newest go-to guide for everything Dollywood. Nestled in the picturesque Smoky Mountains, Dollywood has earned its reputation as one of the most beloved theme parks in America, blending thrilling...
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75 Years of America’s First Theme Park
While on a recent visit to the park, I picked up a copy of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: 75 Years of America’s First Theme Park book by Jim Futrell, Ron Gustafson, Dave Hahner, Nell Hedge, Leah Koch. It celebrates the...
Continue reading...Book Review + Giveaway: The Independent WDW Encyclopedia – Magic Kingdom
The Independent Walt Disney World Encyclopedia, Volume 1: Magic Kingdom by Kevin Yee and George Taylor is an extensive, all-encompassing listing of attractions, restaurants, shops and other points of interest in the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World....
Continue reading...Giveaway and Interview: “Making Thorpe Park” Author Chris Atkinson
Making Thorpe Park: The Complete Unofficial Story of the Theme Park dives into the history of one of the UK’s largest and most popular theme parks. Written by lifelong Thorpe Park fan Chris Atkinson, the book explores the humble beginnings...
Continue reading...Six Reasons You Need to Read “The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2021”
If you’re a regular listener to the Coaster101 podcast, you know that we recently interviewed Seth Kubersky, author of the recently released Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2021. Now in its sixth edition, the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando is...
Continue reading...The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook Review
2020 has undoubtedly been a rough year for us all with the COVID-19 pandemic. This has especially been true for the amusement park industry, with parks across the country shuttering their doors for months, and Disneyland Resort in California having...
Continue reading...Book Review + Giveaway: The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World
In the recently released 3rd edition of The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, penned by Susan Veness, you’ll find more than 600 secrets and fascinating tidbits about Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. In this new...
Continue reading...Book Review + Giveaway: Imagineering an American Dreamscape
The concept of a theme park — although popularized by Walt Disney — extends far beyond the boundaries of Mickey Mouse and big-shot movie studios. Imagineering an American Dreamscape: Genesis, Evolution, and Redemption of the Regional Theme Park, by Barry...
Continue reading...First look at new Cedar Point book Rolling Through the Years
Looking for a Cedar Point book? There have been some good ones published over the years. Dick Kinzel’s book tells how he built the first 200, 300, and 400 foot tall roller coasters. More recently John Hildebrant’s memoir, Always Cedar...
Continue reading...7 Things I Learned About Cedar Point From John Hildebtandt’s Book
Earlier this year I read John Hildebtandt’s fantastic book, Always Cedar Point: A Memoir of the Midway. As John himself says, his book is not a history of Cedar Point nor a corporate history of the park, but rather his...
Continue reading...Flying Machines’ Nate Morrell talks massive Black Mamba coaster
Nate Morrell, CEO of Flying Machines Inc., is the designer of Black Mamba, the newest, scariest, most horrifying roller coaster in the world. Set to open at Adventureland in Virginia this summer, Black Mamba will surely be the coaster all...
Continue reading...Disneyland Encyclopedia Book Review + Giveaway
If a university ever offered a “Disneyland 101” course, The Disneyland Encyclopedia by Chris Strodder would be a solid textbook candidate. Full disclosure: I’ve never visited Disneyland — only its younger sister in Orlando. While Florida’s Magic Kingdom was no...
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