"Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark" Review

-This review contains slight spoilers-

I've known about the Kingdom Keepers books since the first one came out in 2009, but have never gotten around to reading them until now. So far, I've only read the first one (which you can easily do in one day if you want to) but I've already purchased the second one as well. The book follows the stories of five kids, who have become holographic hosts for tours in the Disney parks. The main gist of the story is that when the kids go to sleep, they cross over into their holographic selves in the parks, where the villains are fighting for control and need to be stopped. 

I should point out that I much prefer books that have realistic stories (with the exceptions of some well-written fantasies) so I was slightly worried that I wouldn't get into the book when I first began reading it. Taking into consideration that the book is meant for children in grades 5-8, the unrealistic aspects of the story were fair, and there wasn't anything too crazy that would have bothered me. 

Overall I thought the book was very good, for its recommended age group (more on that in a bit.) I love the concept of a fictional work taking place at the Disney parks, and if I were 10 years old I would probably be completely obsessed. I also really enjoyed the nostalgia factor of the book. Every now and then the characters would mention that they were going on VMK (Virtual Magic Kingdom) to chat with each other. This is something that I would think resonates more with my generation than children who were not really around for the age of VMK and IM's. Now everyone has cell phones or Facebook, and even with younger kids, I'm not sure IM's are really big anymore. 

Like I said, for the recommended age group, the book is awesome. I'm not saying I didn't like it, because I did, but I'm not obsessed like I would be if I were younger. The plot and character development would be amazing for a 10 year old, but for me I would say that it was good. I thought the book had good entertainment value, though it was not necessarily a good piece of literature (at least for someone my age.) The characters are not extremely developed, neither is the plot. The entire book is fairly simple for an adult, though a child would likely find the writing style to be much more challenging or developed. I read some reviews on Amazon, and am honestly kind of shocked at the number of adults who consider this to be a 5 star book. I mean, it isn't bad. It's not bad at all, it's just very clearly meant for children. I would rate the book 5 stars for 10-12 year old children, but not for me as a 22 year old. There are reviews on Amazon written by adults, who purchased the book for themselves, who refer to it with words like "captivating." Really?? Captivating? I don't know what kinds of books these people normally read, but this book made me feel old, and was very obviously meant to be a children's book. 

I took some issue with the grammatical syntax of certain words and phrases used in the book. There was at least one instance where the author used the word "Fantasmics" (plural) rather than "Fantasmic." Little things like this get to me, especially when the words used incorrectly are the names of Disney attractions... in a book that is marketed for Disney fans. There are other parts of the book that very briefly mention characters as being actors in the parks, and some details about costumes with heads missing and things like that. Perhaps it's the future Disney Cast Member in me, but I did not like this at all. For an adult book, sure, by all means, but only if it's used correctly. ("Disney War" mentions the costumes that characters wear, however this book is meant to be informational and for adults) I don't think headless costumed characters belong in a children's book. Character integrity could have been kept in place without changing the story.

Basically, it's a fun, entertaining read for adults, but it is probably more meaningful for kids who better fit the age and reading levels of the writing style. I obviously enjoyed it, because I already have the second book. I think it's a great book to read when I want to relax and read something but I don't want to become too involved. I read the first one quickly during a time when I had a lot of things going on with school and work, and would not have really had the time to become too involved in a more developed novel. I'm thinking it will also be a nice book to bring to the beach--something you could easily finish in one sitting. 

Saving Money for the Disney College Program

Today is my birthday! And I'm spending it writing papers and hanging out in the library (where I live.) So I figured I'd break it up and write on here instead for a little bit!

"You reach a point where you don't work for money."
-Walt Disney

It's no secret that the Disney College Program is not exactly one of the highest paying jobs one could have. Like many CP's, I will be taking a pay cut during the program compared to what I make now (except for what I make at my work study, because New Hampshire's minimum wage is surprisingly even worse than Florida's.) I cannot state my wage on this blog, per Disney's contract, however you can imagine that the DCP is not something you do for the money. 

As a quick aside-- I have nothing against the seemingly low wages of CP's. Most internships are not paid, and as of right now no laws have been passed saying that they need to be paid, and furthermore there is nothing that says interns need to be paid well. There have been other internships that have sounded really interesting to me, and as if they would really improve my resume, however if they are far enough away that I would need to live there, and they are unpaid, I simply cannot afford to go. Disney's internships are then doable for me, because even though they are far away and the pay is low, I will actually be able to afford to participate since the wage is enough to live on.

Because I will be doing the DCP after I graduate, saving money is going to be very important to me. I've heard from alumni of the program about their financial situations during the DCP, which have ranged from horror stories of saving enough change to do laundry or grocery shop to coming home with a couple of thousand dollars. The consensus among the more level headed alumni I have talked to seems to essentially be 'don't be stupid with your money, and you'll be fine.' I don't want to be fine. Unless I find a way to defer my student loans during the program (which I'm currently working on, and will post an update as I know more), I am going to be making payments during the DCP. In addition, I'd like to be able to save some money to hopefully start working on my Masters when I come back. Basically-- I need to come home with money. I don't want to be fine, and live paycheck to paycheck during the program, I want to leave for Florida with money, and come home with more money. 

I've started to think about the things that I will need to spend money on during the program, so I will be able to have this amount of money put aside before I even arrive in Florida. For instance, I know I will need to buy shoes for work after I arrive. (Technically, I could buy then in advance, however I will not know what color or style I will need for work until I get there, so waiting seems to be the best option.) Other things I will need to pay for? Groceries, Christmas and Halloween party tickets, Food and Wine Festival, merchandise I will definitely buy after my run, and just going out in general. I'm trying to plan out what all of this is going to cost, so I can have this money put aside, then any money I make during the DCP can go right into my savings so I will hopefully be able to start my Masters soon after (or make payments on student loans if I need to.)

I don't think saving money during the DCP will be as difficult as some people make it out to be. Even though I will be making less money, I will also have less expenses. Even cutting out gas alone, by relying on Disney's bus system will save me money. I also think that being in college has helped me learn to budget, since living away at school is somewhat similar to the living arrangements during the DCP.

Over the summer, I will be working at two museums 6 or 7 days/week so I'm not worried about making enough money to go to Florida with. (This also means that I'm not worried about the hours during the DCP. Some people seem to think that working full time is the end of the world, I think I'll be able to handle it, it's kind of what you have to do when you're an adult-- some people just like to complain? I don't know, but the CP's who can't seem to handle working 40 hours a week are in for a rude awakening.) 

Non-DCP related, but this weekend was my senior formal, and graduation is in 19 days! (DCP arrival date is in 98 days!)


   Chaz and I before formal.