Name: The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World
ISBN: 9781440587801

Susan Veness

Complete with secret tips from Disney's Imagineers--from where to find all the hidden Mickeys to the truth behind Madame Leota's ring at the Haunted Mansion--this tell-all handbook provides an insiders take on popular park, as well as maps of all four parks highlighting hidden surprises. Original.

Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World

Sure, it's the Happiest Place on Earth, but how much do the 45 million-plus people who visit the Disney World theme parks annually really know about it? From where to find all the hidden Mickeys to the truth behind Madame Leota's ring at the Haunted Mansion, learn all about the hidden magic that permeates these fabulous resorts in this tell-all handbook. Readers also get the insider's take on: The smell of home-baked cookies on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom The Fountain of World Friendship in Epcot that contains water from rivers and oceans around the globe Walt Disney's opening day speech tapped out in Morse Code in Frontierland The eco-friendly benches (recycled milk jugs) in the Animal Kingdom Two versions of The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios Complete with secret tips from Disney's Imagineers, this book is the perfect in-park companion for Disney World fans.

Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom

Andrea Mack

The book describes itself as a guide to hidden Walt Disney World treasures, no matter if you’re just going to the parks for your first time or if you’re a well-seasoned WDW fan like me. 

If you’re a first time visitor to Walt Disney World, then it’s a good guide to inform of all the extra things that Disney does to help make their parks so magical.

Unfortunately, I was more than a little disappointed by this book. Many of the hidden secrets in the book are things that you don’t really have to go out of your way to notice – nor are they meant to be secrets at all. For example, when you’re in the Upsidedown Open House scene in Journey to Imagination, the book tells you to look at the paint pots – they’re Figment Pigments. This isn’t really something that is secretive or hidden. 

I also felt that the author didn’t put in much effort in researching the book, as there are a fair number of errors. The book mentions that in the Vins de France shop in the France Pavilion there is a little rat character tucked away. The book incorrectly names this character as Ratatouille. The rat is actually named Remy, from the film Ratatouille. In another section the book mentions that there is a hidden suite in Cinderella Castle that is only being used for storage. The book was published in 2009, but Disney officially announced that this space would be refurbished into an actual suite for guests in 2006. It was then offered up as a prize in the Year of a Million Dreams contest in 2007. 

The book also contains a lot of the author’s own commentary, which normally would be alright, with one exception. When the author speaks about Off Kilter, a Celtic rock band inspired from Canada’s own musical traditions, she insinuates that this is a stretch on Canadian culture and that it’s not appropriate for the pavilion. As a Canadian this was a slap in the face. Celtic roots play a huge part in Canadian heritage, making up a good portion of Canadian folk music – particularly on the East coast. It’s to the point that it influences much of our popular music. The most well known of which are Spirit of the West, the Rankin Family, or Great Big Sea. And while I can’t fault the author for not being an expert in Canadian culture, I think if I were writing a book I might do a bit more research before making remarks like that. 

A fair amount of the book is dedicated to the history of the parks. Had I known that, I probably would not have gotten this book. 
The book might be suitable for first timers to the parks, who wouldn’t necessarily realise that if they slowed down for a few minutes and took the time to look around they would discover a whole realm of detail. 

My final rating of this book is 1/5 stars, because personally I didn’t like it. But if you’re a first timer to WDW you might enjoy it.

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom

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