Introduction

From a young age, we fell in love with the idea of the ride. No matter which theme park or carnival that we visited, we knew that the mechanical wonders that we boarded were special treats, some of the best parts of childhood. Even something as simple as the rockin’ horsey at the grocery store that cost a quarter still provided a certain oomph that made us feel special.

For many of us, that sensation never diminished. We loved rides then, and we still love them today. Whenever a new one opens, we rush to experience it for the first time. Then, we circle back to our favorites and ride them again. Theme park fans are an eclectic bunch. We want the new hotness, but we adore the comforting embrace of the classics.

I’m just like you. I love these thrills and want as many of them as I can get. Some vacationers travel to exotic destinations, foreign countries where they can learn other cultures. Well, I’ve been to my share of international locales and hope to go back one day. When I plan my next trip, however, I still circle back to the wide world of Disney. I loved it as a kid, and I never outgrew it as an adult.

I’m also someone who wants to know how things tick. I’m not someone who can rebuild a car engine like my brother or maintain a nuclear power plant like my other brother, but I share their interest in the mechanics of moving parts. I want to know what’s under the hood.

Just as importantly, I want to position myself in the same spot as Imagineers back in the day when they planned the next great Disney ride. I seek to understand the challenges that they faced. It’s the best way to appreciate what these visionaries accomplished when they built the most iconic theme park attractions of all-time.

Walt Disney and his team don’t receive all of the credit, though. Humanity’s lust for thrill rides existed long before Disneyland opened its gates to the public. In fact, fans of Space Mountain owe a great deal of gratitude to Russian sledders. Their passion for quick, borderline suicidal trips down Russian mountains was an unlikely starting point for the modern roller coaster.

The first chapter of this book will recount the fittingly circuitous path that led to the great coaster wars of modern times. It’s an oddly nationalistic argument, too. From there, I’ll deconstruct the mechanics of nearly 30 of Disney’s most famous attractions. I’ll evaluate everything from engineering to manipulation of the senses. The goal is to demonstrate just how meticulously Imagineers plot ride immersion.

Disney wants you to believe in what’s happening. They seek to bring back some of that childish wonder that you lost along the way. They know that when they do their job right, they’ll deliver a ride experience that makes you feel like a kid again. Let’s go behind the ride to learn all of the tricks they’ve performed over the years to achieve this ambitious, noble goal.