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The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World: Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
by
Susan Veness
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, readers learn all about the hidden magic that permeates these fabulous resorts in this tell-all handbook. Readers al...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
June 18th 2009
by Adams Media
(first published 2009)
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Although the book Walt Disney World Hidden History: Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes provoked me into buying this book(I wish I could have given this book more than just the 5 most stars-and more close to 10 stars instead), this was an excellent book to read. I liked this book more than the former book. Although some points were explained better than the former book(which crossed over in SOME places), this book was a bit more fleshed-out as well as several additional points ad...more
I don't want to say that I'm a fan of Walt Disney World, but my friends and family refer to me as the "Disney Nazi" because of my knowledge of the parks, ability to plan vacation experiences based on individual preferences at the drop of a hat, and tendency to take people to the parks who have never been there before so I can experience the visit through their eyes. Oh, and I know the menus of every restaurant in all four parks. This book is an insider's look at the planning, creating...more
This is the book I've been reading lately during my mornings. It's actually my daughter's book, purchased during our June trip to Florida, and she found it so fascinating that I just had to read it too. I was skeptical at first because I fancy myself a pretty knowledgeable Disney World visitor, having been to the park at least 5 times in the past 20 years.
I've also read several Walt Disney biographies as well as related books and seen documentaries about how the parks were buil...more
I've also read several Walt Disney biographies as well as related books and seen documentaries about how the parks were buil...more
The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World was full of fun facts, a lot of which I had no idea about! The author definitely took her time researching this one. Everything in the book that she talks about she has seen firsthand and can verify it. For example, when describing particularly interesting "talking" water fountains, Susan writes: Now, standing on the pathway between Fountain of Nations and Mouse Gear, with the fountain to your right and the shop to your left, you will see two drink...more
The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World is subtitled Over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. I didn’t count them, but this book certainly is packed full of information. Reading this book was like opening up a whole new world for me. Not only have I never been to any Disney park, I can’t even keep straight which one is in Florida and which is in California. I really didn’t think I had missed much, but this book makes me want to pack up the famil...more
This book started off great, with the promise of looking further into a theme I've been studying since I was a little girl.
Susan Veness is a fan, but she isn't anything else. Her book doesn't read like something a person would actually have to study to create (which is proven by the fact that her reference material were only TWO other books. Seriously?) and her writing style isn't good enough to be taken seriously.
The book is super fun, and if you're a fan of the Disney parks, you wi...more
Susan Veness is a fan, but she isn't anything else. Her book doesn't read like something a person would actually have to study to create (which is proven by the fact that her reference material were only TWO other books. Seriously?) and her writing style isn't good enough to be taken seriously.
The book is super fun, and if you're a fan of the Disney parks, you wi...more
Anyone who's ever been to one of the Disney parks knows the incredible detail that went into creating them. They aren't your typical "amusement parks." It's like being in a whole separate world, and nothing is overlooked. Some of the details you can see yourself, quite obviously. But others are "hidden," and you have to know where to look. That's where this book comes in.
The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, by Susan Veness, is a guide for recognizing some of th...more
The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, by Susan Veness, is a guide for recognizing some of th...more
Being a big fan of Walt Disney World it was only a matter of time before I came across this wonderful book by Susan Veness.
Presenting hidden secrets as well as lesser known facts about all four Disney Parks you will learn a thing or two that you've never heard of before or might have simply overlooked when roaming one of the parks. And it's not just about finding hidden Mickey's, but about having an open eye for all kinds of details in attractions and its surroundings alike.
And trust ...more
Presenting hidden secrets as well as lesser known facts about all four Disney Parks you will learn a thing or two that you've never heard of before or might have simply overlooked when roaming one of the parks. And it's not just about finding hidden Mickey's, but about having an open eye for all kinds of details in attractions and its surroundings alike.
And trust ...more
This is a very informative book.. It seems like Susan took the time to write out every detail. Every sight, smell, sound. Things you would never even think of while riding rides or walking down the street. I have never been to Walt Disney World, but I don't even pay that much attention to my local theme park. This would be a good souvenir for a first timer or even a WDW veteran. With this book you could get a whole new perspective from Disney World. We plan on taking a trip next year, so I'm bru...more
If you are into Disney World, this may be a very interesting book for you. However, it's definitely for a certain type of fan. I think that someone who maybe has an annual pass and goes all of the time and already knows every minute little detail will already know some of what's in here. On the other hand, even if you go every few years and consider yourself a fan, I do think there is a lot here that will be new and interesting.
The idea behind this book is really good, but it unfort...more
The idea behind this book is really good, but it unfort...more
This book has a lot of little secrets, and I really enjoyed being able to learn about some of the smaller things that make Walt Disney World so great. The timelines were fantastic as well, and I had a lot of fun reading.
My only problem with this book was that it was a bit difficult to get through. I understand it's meant as a companion guide during your trip, but I don't think I'll ever take a book like this with me to Disney World. So reading it just to read it was a little difficul...more
My only problem with this book was that it was a bit difficult to get through. I understand it's meant as a companion guide during your trip, but I don't think I'll ever take a book like this with me to Disney World. So reading it just to read it was a little difficul...more
The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness
I received a copy of this book through BookSneeze. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.
If you know much about me, you know I'm a Disneyland fanatic!!! I love going to Disneyland (yes Disneyland, the one in California) as it close to my mom's home and my best friend, Brian, takes me all the time! In fact, I was just there for my birthday on October 23rd!!
This book ...more
I received a copy of this book through BookSneeze. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.
If you know much about me, you know I'm a Disneyland fanatic!!! I love going to Disneyland (yes Disneyland, the one in California) as it close to my mom's home and my best friend, Brian, takes me all the time! In fact, I was just there for my birthday on October 23rd!!
This book ...more
I have been to WDW four times in my life and I have a great appreciation for the amount of effort that went into making the parks so enjoyable for people of all ages. This book points out many of the the things that most people overlook or just don't know about while visiting the parks. I am not sure I would call most of them "secrets", although there are some. A vast majority are just interesting tidbits. If you are a fan of the parks you can't help but enjoy this book and should ...more
If you are a Disneyholic, you will love this book. Since I can't get there as often as I would like, I love reading these behind the scenes books. I know some look at Disney as a McDonald's vacation. I find it fascinating that millions of people can go there, and while sharing a common experience, have a trip that is still individual. Books like this leave you feeling "in the know" which adds to your experience. That said, if you are not enamored of Disney, you will probably not enjoy ...more
I got this on super sale through Kindle. I had just bought this for my cousin and her family for Christmas since they have a trip to Disney coming up. I won't say I learned a TON of new hidden things, but I did find a few new things to look for. Sadly, a chunk of this book is obsolete as Mickey's Toon Town Fair is gone. :-( I liked the bits of history she threw in at the end of the section for each park and the bits of information from the Imagineers. This book got me excited for our trip ...more
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OH MY GOSH this is the best Disney book ever!! Mind you it is the only Disney World book I have read but I am loving every page. Its perfect for those who have been to Disney World several times and want to explore more of it and not just the everyday stuff you would see on a regular trip. Its best for those who are literally in Disney World or about to go, because then you can see everything as you read about it, or if, like me, you have a photographic memory of the parks and can explore it in ...more
It usually wouldn't take me so long to read a book like this, but I only read this book when my fiance and I were alone (i.e. waiting at my many doctor appointments). It was a great read, and the both of us (we like to think we're pretty knowledgeable about all things Disney) learned some things that we didn't already know.
Now comes the hard part of finding another book to fill our time while we wait at appointments.
Now comes the hard part of finding another book to fill our time while we wait at appointments.
Being a Disney World fan and having just celebrated our 7th trip there, I love book like this. Though some things in the book I already new about, I also discovered a lot of new and exciting things to add to my vast and growing Disney knowledge and to share with friends and family. I really adored this book and would love to find some more books like it, if anyone has a recommendation please let me know.
I can't belive how much stuff I missed at Disney! I'm so excited to be going again now. I can't wait to start hunting for stuff, epeically for the Hidden Mickeys. I'm going to keep an eye out for the feral cats that are the parks rat catchers, I certainly didn't notice any of them last time I was there. Also a bit gutted about all the rides, parades and attractions that have now closed down that I'll never get to experience. Like the 'Who wants to be a millionaire-play it!' where you got the cha...more
Fun book to bring along on a trip to Walt Disney World or if you know WDW inside and out - or if you think you do anyway! All kinds of Disney secrets are spilled here... some I remember from my time working at WDW - others were brand new to me. Secrets are mostly trivial things that would make a Disney experience more "meaningful" if you know some of the background information.
This has been my favorite "behind the magic" book that I've read. While it is somewhat outdated already because WDW is constantly changing and evolving (you can no longer wake up tink, and the queue line for Haunted Mansion has been entirely redesigned) I found this well organized, well researched, and easy to read. My hope is there an update on the horizon!
I liked this book quite a bit. Even though I read it at my house and not at WDW, I learned some things I didn't already know (especially about Epcot and Hollywood Studios). It's very slightly out of date now, but I'm going to jot down a few things to keep my eyes peeled for when I return to the parks in 2012.
I'm a pretty big Disney fan, so I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I learned from this book - little details about Walt Disney World that I didn't already know. I read it just before, and during, my recent trip to Walt Disney World, and it really enhanced my trip. While I could have carried the book around, looking for every special little secret, I chose instead to simply look for things as they came to mind. There is much I did not find (there are over 600 secrets in here!), but fo...more
Yes, I am a HUGE NERD and totally read this book AND LOVED IT. Also, I brought out my nook & read out stuff while we were at Disney & it was LOADS of fun! In fact one day my husband & I spent 2 hours on Main Street alone! This book is a must for any WDW geek.
This is a good book with TONS of information about behind the scenes and secrets of Disney. I'm planning our first trip to Disney with our 6 and 5 year old and this was just too much with other the other "firsts" that we will be experiencing. As my friend put it, this is a book for people that have been to Disney multiple times and want to "look" and "see" all these amazing little things of Disney.
As a Disney fanatic I enjoyed reading this book just before my most recent trip to Walt Disney World. We had fun finding some of the unique details covered in the book. However, we did find that some of the information was already out of date as things have been renovated or removed and were no longer there. Still, it was worth the read for those things we did find.
Excellent book! It is super comprehensive and will be easy to go through while at the parks. I am excited to use it on my trip! There are so many interesting things that are overlooked at the parks. I can't wait to check them all out!
Very informative. I've been to Disney a bunch of times, but this makes me super excited to go back, slow down and experience all the small details and hidden secrets that I never took the time for in the past.
Very informational and interesting. Gives you a look behind the magic that is Walt Disney World. Not fo all ages, but could be enjoyed by the mature child.
This is my favorite obsessive Disney trivia, facts, nuggets of fun behind the scenes info. Love knowing how the magic began and continues!
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