Book Review: The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World

Katie April 6, 2011 0Comment

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World (by Susan Veness) boasts that it has over 600 Secrets of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.  While I did not count all the secrets I learned, this book is jam packed with them!

A few of the secrets in the book I had read online previously. (Though I have not been to the parks in several years, I do often taunt myself and read about the parks)  A few of the secrets debunk other secrets I had read online. And a TON of the secrets I did not know before.  For instance – The Great Movie Ride has 2 scenarios with the live action – gangster and cowboy.  I’ve been on that ride twice and both times it was the gangster! I had no idea there was a second option.

The book also guides you through each of the 4 parks in a way that naturally brings you around to all the different areas.  It would be easy to have this book with you and follow along to find a lot of the hidden items and secrets as you visit the park.  (And I know if I go to any of the parks any time soon I will have my Nook with this e-book close by!)  There is also Bonus Content at the end of the book which contains 10 Secrets form the Resort Hotels!

Whether you have visited Disney World before or just dream of visiting, I recommend this book because it has a lot of history on the parks and why certain items were chosen and it also even has some excerpts of quotes from Disney Imagineers (my dream job!) and other fun facts related to what is being discussed in that section of the book.  But beware – after you read the book you WILL want to plan a trip down to  Florida…

Now that I have finished the book I am trying to plan my next visit to Florida! Hanson will be playing as part of the Food & Wine festival at EPCOT this fall so I might have just found my excuse to get there!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Johann Sebastian Bach by Rick Marschall

Katie April 6, 2011 0Comment

Johann Sebastian Bach’s music told about Christ. He began each composure by writing “Jesus Save Me” in the upper left corner. “To God Be The Glory” was written on the bottom right corner of the last page of every completed piece.

Bach came from a family of musicians and was composing at a time where music could be heard nearly all the time!  It is hard to think about music being available to people all the time without them having CD players or iPods, but live music would be played from rooftops, for the wealthy during dinner and sometimes even in parks for the public.

The story of Bach’s life, told from a more Christian perspective, was incredibly interesting and I am looking forward to reading more books in Thomas Nelson’s “Christian Encounters” series.

Johann Sebastian Bach by Rich Marschall is one of the Biographies in the Christian Encounters series published by Thomas Nelson Publishers.  The series highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church.  Some are familiar faces. Others are unexpected guests. But all, through their relationships, struggles, prayers and desires, uniquely illuminate our shared experience.

This book will be in-stores and available for e-readers April 12, 2011!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”