https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/15/disnefried/#dialectics
'No one writes about Disney theme parks like Foxx Nolte; no one rises above the
trivia and goes beyond the mere sleuthing of historical facts, no one
nails
the essence of what makes these parks work – and fail.
I first encountered Nolte through her blog,
Passport to Dreams Old and New,
where her writing transformed the way I viewed the project of these giant,
elaborate built environments. It was through articles like this one – about the
sightlines from bathrooms! – that I came to truly understand what design
criticism means:
<
https://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-awkward-transitions-of-disneyland.html>
While her work on queue design transformed how I thought about waiting,
scarce-goods allocation, and the psychology of anticipation and desire:
https://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2010/12/third-queue.html
But I
really knew her for a kindred spirit when I read her masterful analysis
of the historical context and enduring power of the Haunted Mansion:
<
https://passport2dreams.blogspot.com/2010/05/history-and-haunted-mansion.html>
A decade after that Haunted Mansion post, Nolte published
the definitive
history of the Haunted Mansions,
Boundless Realm, the very best book ever
written on the subject:
https://pluralistic.net/2020/11/09/boundless-realm/#fuxxfur
This year, Nolte came back with another short, smart, endlessly fascinating
history of Disney World,
Hidden History of Walt Disney World:
https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467156189
There are many histories of Walt Disney World, but none are quite like this.
Nolte – who worked at the park for many years – combines her insider's view
with her deep historical knowledge and yields up a "hidden history" that will
forever change how I look at the built environment and the natural landscape it
sits atop.'
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
