Product Description

Disney Legend Charles Ridgway looks back on over forty years of working with the Mouse, from Disneyland, to Walt Disney World, to Euro-Disney and beyond. Filled with light-hearted and hilarious reminiscences of famous people and outlandish publicity stunts, this memoir will delight Disney fans young and old.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #312249 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781887140676
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Author Ridgway spent four decades pushing Disney on millions of consumers worldwide, and this collection of "war stories" from the front lines of perhaps the biggest marketing success in history brims with insider info, but without once betraying the Disney name. It's to Ridgway's credit that his fondness for his subject-he writes kindly of almost everyone he met and worked with-doesn't detract from the integrity or appeal of the material. Occasionally, Ridgway's admiration for Walt Disney dips into adoration, but it's a sentiment that feels genuine-even if it is echoed throughout the company as detailed here, despite its size, its power and (largely unmentioned) accounts to the contrary. Fascinating asides delve into the personalities that fueled Disney's dream, as well as the newspeople and celebrities involved in Ridgway's PR efforts. Among numerous charmers, Ridgway's best story chronicles the intense, hilarious effort to train 50 newborn ducklings to "follow" the Donald Duck character in a 50th Birthday Parade. Other tales include the orchestration of parades and VIP galas; the impetus, construction and opening of attractions at both parks (including Ridgway's accidental early outing of the "Florida project"); and the arrival of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells. Entertaining throughout, Ridgway's prose is fluid and gentle, reflecting that sense of wholesome delight common to Disney creations, making this a rare behind-the-Mouse-ears exposé that's a real crowd-pleaser.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
A must-read tome...Reading Charlie's stories is akin to spending an evening or two with an old friend. -- Jeff Pepper, 2719 Hyperion, March 13, 2007

A treasure chest of memories, great stories, and interesting facts about Disney parks, Disney employees, Disney guests. -- Mike Scopa, MousePlanet.com, 3/16/07

A wonderful book will enthrall anyone who wants a front-row seat to the inner workings of Disney's publicity machine. -- Arthur Levine, About.com: Theme Parks, 3/27/07

Charlie gives a human side to a very corporate position...regales fun, and sometimes amazing, tales of working at Disney. -- Matt Hochberg, MGMStudios.org, March 16, 2007

Filled with light-hearted and hilarious reminiscences..., this memoir will delight Disney fans young and old. -- Independent Publisher, February 2007

I really enjoyed learning about some different aspects to even some well covered pieces of Disney history. -- Jason Dziegielewski, DisneyGeek.com, March 12, 2007

Readers...will find...plenty of marketing insights key to understanding Disney's attractions and public relations at its best. -- The Bookwatch, June 2007

Whether he's telling tales about William F. Buckley...or Cary Grant, Ridgway treats the reader to Disney at its brightest. -- Scott Holleran, BoxOfficeMojo.com, March 30, 2007

Review
Almost certainly the best American zoo guide to have been published in recent years.

Customer Reviews

A veteran "spinner" tells his story!
I met Charlie Ridgeway a few times when I was a travel writer, and he was the most genial host with genuine understanding of the writer's needs of any "press flack" I ever met. This book explains the reasons why and gives the outsider, whether a pro in PR or media or merely a fan of things Disney, a fascinating look into how and why the Mouse became what it is today. This is the kind of stuff PR people never learn, and old-time reporters are mostly not around to share anymore. Vitally important education for professionals in the media and public relations/press relations, a great read for all.

Take the book for a spin
Has there ever been an organization that had as many books written about it as Disney? From its movies, television and Broadway shows to its fabulous theme parks, even on to its corporate strategies; there are enough books to garner its own section of most bookstores. But still, most fans will scour the pages of any new tome in hopes of uncovering a small gem or two of knowledge. When a new book comes along that is penned by a true Disney legend, it is sure to be a treat.

Charlie Ridgeway began his Disney career as a press agent in 1955. He has attended openings of all the theme parks from the original Disneyland to the most recent park in Hong Kong. His fifty year association with Disney has resulted in a vast offering of experiences, and each one evolves into a story or two. So, it's easy to pick up Charlie's new book "Spinning Disney's World", and find yourself taken in.

Charlie devotes his time to stories focused on situations and stories directly related to his duties as press agent; whether it be guiding ducks down Main Street USA or posing Walt behind the wheel of a fire truck. So many of Charlie's "Adventures" are as globe-trotting as a James Bond novel but he remains as humble and accessible as possible. The book is a must for anyone interested in a career in public relations, especially when penned by the man who pretty much created Disney public relations from scratch. But more than likely, it is going to be read be fans (and detractors) of Disney.

At its heart, the book is a reminiscent journey through fifty years of a man s career - a career that he loved. At times, his memory hops around a bit, so the book can meander. But if you're willing to go along with Charlie, you're sure to have a good time.

Charles Ridgway is a 'Disney Legend' acknowledged by the Disney Company for his four decades of service to Disney
Charles Ridgway is a 'Disney Legend' acknowledged by the Disney Company for his four decades of service to Disney, so SPINNING DISNEY'S WORLD: MEMORIES OF A MAGIC KINGDOM PRESS AGENT is a key to understanding the Disney structure. Ridgway's ingenuity in publicizing and creating the Disney magic is revealed in chapters that cite Disney history and his major contributions. Readers need not be Disney fans to appreciate this survey: any business collection, especially those featuring public relations titles, will find SPINNING DISNEY'S WORLD holds plenty of marketing insights key to understanding Disney's attractions and public relations at its best.