Theme Park Design

Behind the Scenes with an Engineer

By: Steve Alcorn

Narrated by: Steve Alcorn

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Have you ever gone to a theme park and wondered, "How did they do that?" At last there's a book that tells you. Theme Park Design reveals the secrets behind some of the world's greatest attractions. Take a peek behind the scenes, with a theme park engineer. Aimed at theme park enthusiasts, the book features behind the scenes information based upon author Steve Alcorn's 35 years designing attractions. The story follows the development of an attraction from "Blue Sky" design to opening day. Along the way it reveals the engineering tricks used to build many fan favorite rides. "This book shows you the secrets behind the magic," says Alcorn.

Theme Park Design explores ride control, mechanics, audio, video, lighting, special effects, animated figures, art direction, and much more, with insider commentary. The author illuminates the fast-paced world of theme park design through tales of calamity and triumph, sprinkled with many humorous anecdotes. He also offers career tips on becoming an Imagineer. A must-listen for every theme park enthusiast!

©2010 Theme Perks Inc (P)2013 Theme Perks Inc

What goes into a theme park?

Steve Alcorn is the perfect person to read his own book, since it's written in his voice. I did find it helpful however to speed up the audio to X1.25 to keep the pace up.

Pretty fine.

The recording has a few moments with strange noises, like licking lips or stomach growls, but otherwise well done! It's an interesting peak at the wide breadth of engineering jobs in the world of themed entertainment. Some of Alcorns opinions are what I call "Disnelitist" and he seems to have a friendly disdain for the non-engineering professions in the industry. overall though, it's informative and entertaining. In addition, the book contains some of the best advice I've ever heard when it comes to getting your resume to be taken seriously.

fantastic insight

great behind the scenes view of how theme parks and their attractions are planned and built

GULP

I can't get over the author's tendency to smack his lips, lick them, and make very audible gulps before talking. It's otherwise okay :P Don't care much about his personal stories, but the actual amusement park information is cool.

Interesting But Not Easy

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

"Theme Park Design" contains some interesting content for the theme and amusement park fans. The delivery can be a little hard to listen to at times.

laugh out loud funny

flew through it. felt like he was talking directly to me. very inspired to keep chasing those dreams!

He's an expert

I think there are millions of theme park enthusiasts and some of the enthusiasts write books; this guy on the other hand is a total expert and he did a great job of sharing his career experiences and details of all aspects of theme park rides and how the parks operate. A very professionally done book.

Wonderful story, and delightfully narrated

Nice overview for theme park design process people and outcomes. The story takes you inside the environment of theme park design.

Hugely Enjoyable and Informative

Brilliant, listened to it twice over back to back, and will probably start it again tomorrow. Dry enough for someone as sad as me to find interesting, humourous enough to keep my child like levels of attention up.

really enjoyed

Felt a bit 'listy' at times but that's perhaps the best format for this content