Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida holds a special place in my heart. After all, it was in Epcot in Walt Disney World that my husband proposed over twenty years ago. At that time, I had no idea we'd later move to Jacksonville, Florida, that I'd eventually work for the Disney Store (at the time, owned by the Walt Disney Company), or that we'd enjoy seasonal passes to the happiest place on earth for years, even before we had kids.
When I was given the opportunity to review a book that claimed to intertwine the magic of Walt Disney World with mystery and adventure, I was sure it would be an interesting read. Unfortunately, the book arrived not long before the scheduled post-date, and at a time when I was swamped with other responsibilities, so... I passed the book on to my dear husband who is always looking for a good read to make his daily Metro commute a bit less monotonous. He read the book in no time and agreed to write a review. So, without further delay, here is my dear husband's take on Jeff Dixon's The Key to the Kingdom: Unlocking Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom [Deep River Books (December 1, 2010)]:
If you have ever been to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida you understand how easy it is to get caught up in the magic of the Disney parks. In Key to the Kingdom, the main character gets caught up in a quest to solve the mystery of his missing friend, a Disney Imagineer, using only an old skeleton key and his extensive knowledge of Disney’s world.
The key leads to clues that involve actual locations in the four Disney Orlando theme parks. Park goers will recognize the locations to which the key’s clues lead. In fact, you could take the book to the parks on your next visit and retrace the path of the clues from start to finish. Minus, of course, the clues that lead, in the story, to the main character visiting employee only areas and certain parks after they have closed.
The book is written in third person. As a result, you are privy to information that the main character does not know. At times this leads to a feeling that the story is pulling you along from one clue to the next before you have time to figure out the clue’s answer. I would have preferred the story to have been told from the first person perspective of the main character. I think that would have given the reader more opportunity to perhaps solve each clue, using their Disney knowledge, before the main character figured out each puzzle.
If you are a Disney fan, you will enjoy the attention to Disney trivia throughout the book. Even the most knowledgeable Disney fan will learn one or two new things. And the answer to the mystery puts the main character in a situation that any Disney fan would sell their entire Disney collection to experience. So grab the Key to the Kingdom and head off on a Disney trivia filled mystery.
And I know just who to send this book onto next. Watch your mailbox my dear Disney-sister - you know who you are - this one's for you! :)
I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinions. Your experience may vary.
Special thanks to Arielle Roper of Bring It On! Communications for sending me a review copy
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