Though you may not be aware of it, whenever you're playing in any of Disney's many theme parks, the Imagineers who designed those parks are busy playing with your head. EVERY GUEST IS A HERO reveals for the first time how the artists and technical wizards of Walt Disney Imagineering have harnessed the magic of mythic storytelling to press all sorts of psychological buttons you never knew you had, inspiring you and millions of your fellow visitors to return to the parks again and again. Longtime theme park designer and attraction show writer Adam M. Berger is your tour guide, decoding the mythic themes and archetypes of the Disney parks in an entertaining, engaging, and always accessible manner. You'll discover page after page of "ah-ha " moments as you encounter one surprising connection after another. You'll also find a collection of ten "Mything in Action" case studies that break down the mythic content of some of your favorite Disney attractions, scene-by-scene. There's even a chapter devoted to the mythic realms of George Lucas, offering tantalizing clues about some of the amazing experiences now being Imagineered for Disney's forthcoming Star Wars-themed lands. It's a must-read volume for Disney enthusiasts and aspiring Imagineers alike. So strap yourself in, keep your arms and legs inside at all times, and prepare to embark on a voyage of mythic proportions. Once you've read EVERY GUEST IS A HERO, you'll never look at your favorite Disney attractions the same way again.

***UPDATED for 2014 to include EXPANDED coverage all the New Fantasyland attractions

Get YOUR Keys to the Kingdom- and let the memories begin today

Prepare yourself for the magic of the crown jewel of Disney parks, the happiest place on Earth. Prepare to be enchanted by the magic of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park

In Keys to the Kingdom: The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Theme Park you'll find everything you need to know to make the most of your vacation to Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park including: Detailed overviews and colorful maps of each of the six lands that make up Disney's Magic Kingdom Ride and dining guides for each and every attraction and restaurant at Magic Kingdom A complete look at all of Magic Kingdom's "can't miss" attractions- and a look at the one you should avoid too

You'll also get a complete guide for all of Magic Kingdom's awesome shows including: Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade- A look at Magic Kingdom's bright, colorful, fun-filled afternoon parade Main Street Electrical Parade- See the streets come alive during Magic Kingdom's evening parade filled with Disney floats and characters aglow in thousands and thousands of bright, beautiful lights- and an uplifting soundtrack too Wishes Nighttime Spectacular- The grandest fireworks extravaganza of them all See Cinderella Castle aglow with thousands of lights as the neatly choreographed Disney fireworks fill the skies of Magic Kingdom with colorful pyrotechnic bursts of beauty

...and so much more

Neatly organized and supported by nearly 70 photos, maps, and charts, the Keys to the Kingdom are here- waiting for you to unlock your magical Disney vacation.

Get your Keys to the Kingdom today

Preparing for your upcoming visit to Walt Disney World or other Disney Attraction and looking to make it an even more special experience? Mouse Time features hundreds of activities and games to entertain children and the young at heart that will increase the fun and excitement of your Disney vacation. This book is designed as a complement to your guide book. It will enhance your Disney visit by helping to overcome the inevitable waiting times and by adding fun to your overall experience. Use this book while waiting in line for attractions and transportation, walking around the theme parks, and any other time you are looking for Disney-inspired entertainment. The activities encourage family and group interaction, imagination, attention to detail and friendly competition. Carrying out these activities will also reveal some of Walt Disney World's interesting insider secrets

This Disney World 2012 guide book is the most up to date WDW travel guide for both Orlando and Disney World available. If you are planning on visiting Disney World in 2012 this is a must have you want in your collection. This guide book gives comprehensive coverage to not only the Disney World parks and attractions, but all the major attractions in Orlando including Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica, DisneyQuest, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and much more.
It includes shopping, shows, attractions, restaurants, nightclubs, golf courses and a special chapter dedicated to how to visit Disney World in 2010 on a budget Find over 750 attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels and each chapter offers tons of helpful and insider tips. The author's relationship with insiders gives her unprecedented access to secrets, unknown attractions, and tips which you can only find in this book.

This is a memoir about the career of Logan Fleming, top wax artist and Creative Director of Movieland Wax Museum and the Palace of Living Art in Buena Park, CA. During Movieland's life span, Mr. Allen Parkinson, who created Movieland, saw traffic of over one million visitors per year come to enjoy the more than two hundred wax figures of Hollywood's most popular, beloved movie stars that graced the museum building (and the silver screen). Logan Fleming was extremely instrumental in making these stars come to "life" within the Movieland arena, as well as bringing the artful masterpieces of the world to life in the Palace of Living Art. These creations were made for the public to adore, and adore they did It was Logan Fleming's eyes, hands, personality and artistic vision that created the eternal wax likenesses of some of our favorite and most beloved movie stars of Old Hollywood. To have your wax figure created for Movieland was an amazing honor for a movie star back then, and no one's hands could do you better justice than Logan's. These stories help bridge the gap between fantasy and reality. They are your stories now.

From the publisher of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland comes The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream, the story of how Walt Disney's greatest creation was conceived, nurtured, and how it grew into a source of joy and inspiration for generations of visitors. Despite his successors' battles with the whims of history and their own doubts and egos, Walt's vision maintained momentum, thrived, and taught future generations how to do it Walt Disney's way.

This newly revised edition of the Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia serves as a loving tell-all look into the most magnificent theme park in existence. From the minutiae of Future World to the farthest reaches of World Showcase this guide covers it all in intimate detail. No stone is left unturned, and no legacy tile left unmocked. With a little bit of wit and a whole lot of heart you'll be led through the splendorific sprawl of the most endearing monument to humanity that has ever been created. Highlights include: A history of each pavilion and the forces that shaped its existence - or the end thereof. Insight into the inner-workings of the park. What makes it tick and why things happen the way they do. A scene-by-scene analysis of Horizons, quite possibly the most beloved attraction in the company's history and all of the World Disney World resort.

Ron Schneider takes you on a journey through 40 years of personal triumph and corporate challenges. It's an intimate look into the creative worlds of Disney, Universal, and Six Flags Magic Mountain; a no-holds-barred memoir filled with wild characters and wilder concepts, complete with a step-by-step guide to how the magic is made

The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia serves as a loving tell-all look into the most magical and magnificent theme park in existence. From the minutiae of Future World to the farthest reaches of World Showcase this guide covers it all in intimate detail. No stone is left unturned, and no legacy tile left unmocked. With a little bit of wit and a whole lot of heart you'll be led through the splendorific sprawl of the most endearing monument to humanity that has ever been created. Highlights include: A history of each pavilion and the forces that shaped its existence - or the end thereof. Insight into the inner-workings of the park. What makes it tick and why things happen the way they do. A scene-by-scene analysis of Horizons, quite possibly the most beloved attraction in the company's history and all of the World Disney World resort.

This Disney World 2011 guide book is the most up to date WDW travel guide for both Orlando and Disney World available. If you are planning on visiting Disney World in 2011 this is a must have you want in your collection. This guide book gives comprehensive coverage to not only the Disney World parks and attractions, but all the major attractions in Orlando including Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica, DisneyQuest, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and much more. It includes shopping, shows, attractions, restaurants, nightclubs, golf courses and a special chapter dedicated to how to visit Disney World in 2010 on a budget Find over 750 attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels and each chapter offers tons of helpful and insider tips. The author's relationship with insiders gives her unprecedented access to secrets, unknown attractions, and tips which you can only find in this book.

The Imagineers, those men and women who helped Walt Disney bring his creations to life, have achieved legendary status among theme park enthusiasts. IT'S KIND OF A CUTE STORY is the life story of one of the most beloved Imagineers, Rolly Crump. Covering his long and varied career, including designing some of Disney's most famous attractions and working directly with Walt himself, Rolly's stories weave into a lighthearted yet riveting narrative of his life and accomplishments.Packed with over 200 photos, many of which have never been seen before, IT'S KIND OF A CUTE STORY is a tribute to the life and work of a true original.

What time is the 3:00 parade? Why does a child need to be 40 inches tall to ride a roller coaster? What happens when the president of France gets lost inside Pirates of the Caribbean? A former employee, or "cast member," at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom answers these and other questions while sharing humorous stories about working inside the world's most popular theme park. "Stories from a Theme Park Insider" takes you inside the park's famous tunnels and backstage for a look at how theme parks really work, and the funny moments and embarrassments that can happen when your work is someone else's vacation.

Imagine how much fun a day at a theme park would be if the long lines were fun too This entertaining book will make your visit to a busy theme park, like Disneyland, Universal Studios or Six Flags, even more enjoyable. Filled with tips, activity ideas and trivia, this book helps remove the "downs" from your theme park visit. Suitable for - Kids and adults - Single riders and large groups - First timers and annual pass holders Activities - More than 130 ideas for confined queuing conditions - Both classic and new games with a theme park twist - A variety of activity types to keep people of all personalities and ages amused during the longest wait times of amusement park lines Tips - Learn how to avoid long queues altogether - Use the check-list of items to plan what to take to the park - Get constructive help for conquering your fear of roller coasters - And much more to help make your visit more enjoyable Trivia - Record holding coasters - Coaster types and milestones - Theme park attendance figures - and much more

What is a Hidden Mickey? A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney attraction, resort, or movie. Traditionally, it takes the shape of Mickey's head and ears in silhouette (one large circle with two smaller circles on top), but Hidden Mickeys can also take on many forms. Now you can find Hidden Mickeys in Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure BONUS - HIDDEN MICKEY CHECKLIST INCLUDED Follow the adventures of Joey, an adventurous little mouse, on an expedition throughout Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure as he discovers Hidden Mickeys in every land and on each theme park attraction. The excitement and the thrill of the hunt is what Joey lives for, as he believes that each Hidden Mickey is not only an amazing part of the hidden magic at Disneyland, but also a tribute to mice all over the world. This tenacious little mouse will leave no stone unturned and will not rest until he finds each Hidden Mickey. Joey also makes sure that everyone who hears his tale will be able to discover the park's hidden treasures for themselves and be able to enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Embark on a journey to remember, as together you will explore the secrets that lie within the park walls. Or, simply choose a ride and see where they hide on this fascinating and magical quest to find Hidden Mickeys.

What is a Hidden Mickey? A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney attraction, resort, or movie. Traditionally, it takes the shape of Mickey's head and ears in silhouette (one large circle with two smaller circles on top), but Hidden Mickeys can also take on many forms. Now you can find hidden Mickeys in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Follow the adventures of Joey, an adventurous little mouse, on an expedition throughout the Magic Kingdom at Disney World as he discovers Hidden Mickeys in every land and on each theme park attraction. The excitement and the thrill of the hunt is what Joey lives for, as he believes that each Hidden Mickey is not only an amazing part of the Hidden magic at the Magic Kingdom, but also a tribute to mice all over the world. This tenacious little mouse will leave no stone unturned and will not rest until he finds each Hidden Mickey. Joey also makes sure that everyone who hears his tale will be able to discover the park's Hidden treasures for themselves and be able to enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Embark on a journey to remember, as together you will explore the secrets that lie within the park walls. Or, simply choose a ride and see where they hide on this fascinating and magical quest to find Hidden Mickeys.

Whether you are a true believer or a skeptic, you will encounter religious rhetoric at Walt Disney World, Florida. Lurking in all four theme parks are implicit and explicit religious rhetorical messages. This book will help you find these messages and grapple with your own position on the religious issues raised by Disney messages. ...................................................... What is Disneology? It is an exploration of rhetoric, theology, and philosophy. It uses Disney symbols as the starting point for each chapter. If archaeology discovers the vast repository of human culture from past generations, then Disneology discovers the vast repository of human culture that appeals to many segments of our current generation. Where better to explore rhetoric, theology, and philosophy than at the most collectively successful cultural repository of our generation?

This book will introduce you to the basic history and concepts of Rhetoric, and demonstrate those concepts by allowing you to experience the rhetoric in the music at Walt Disney World. Starting with the prayer theory of Homer and the ancient Greeks, we learn that Flattery, Quid pro Quo, and appeals for consistency are persuasive. Then Plato coins the term "rhetoric," but uses it in a negative sense. His student, Aristotle, writes the most important work on Rhetoric in history, emphasizing ethics, emotion, and logic. We believe some things just because we trust the word of someone else. Aristotle also taught the three basic uses of rhetoric: in the courts, in the political assemblies, and in the culture. The Romans added the 5 basic considerations of Rhetoric: Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory, and Delivery. Contemporary rhetoricians, Kenneth Burke, Chaim Perelman, and Stephen Toulmin add concepts like identification, cultural values, and the two-sided message. Disney provides musical experiences of all of these. Everyone is familiar with Disney Music. But, few have analyzed what types of persuasive messages are communicated through Disney music. Find out for yourself what the rest of the world is being persuaded by listening to the music. Take, for example, the song "Two Brothers" in The American Adventure. Is it pro-war or anti-war? How would you analyze the rhetoric of such music? This book explains the methods rhetoricians have been using for thousands of years.

Read one Cast Member's stories of backstage areas, fights, fires, private parties, orientation, cast events, cast romance, pranks, stupid guest tricks, mishaps, accidents, helping to create the Haunted Mansion Holiday, and working on September 11, 2001. But this is no mere listing of things that go wrong at Disneyland. For the first time, readers can experience what it's like to really work at Disneyland, from the mundane to the extravagant. The book is aimed primarily at current and former Cast Members, who will recognize so much of their experience captured in these pages. Readers who have worked at the park will be entranced all over again by the magic of working in Walt Disney's park. It's not an experience one soon forgets, and readers will find themselves inevitably drawn in as well.

The Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida is one of the world's most famous vacation destinations. This iconic resort is now located in what once was thousands of acres of swamp and marshland. Through spy-like moves and innovative strategies, Walt Disney and his cadre of creative leaders turned this massive swamp land into today's Disney World. This books shares the amazing behind the scenes story of how Disney's Florida resort, code-named Project Future, rose from the marshes of Central Florida to become one of the world's most popular theme park resorts.