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I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom: 100+ Surprising Facts, Magical Quizzes, Fan-Favorite Trivia, and More about Disney's Magic Kingdom!

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Celebrate your love of the Magic Kingdom with a must-have handbook that features everything from its stunning history to its iconic rise and attractions to surprising trivia, behind-the-scenes facts, and more.

From Main Street, USA, to Fantasyland, and beyond, I Love Disney’s Magic Kingdom explores every area of the park and is made for the true Disney fanatic—complete with surprising trivia, behind-the-scenes facts, fun quizzes, and so much more.

Whether you visit the Disney Parks many times throughout the year or simply love all things Disney, you know there’s always more to learn about the parks. Written by a former Disney cast member and diehard Disney fan herself, you’ll learn insider info on its most iconic attractions, rides, and foods, such
-For a fun peek at some Disney history, check out the Train Bulletin Board in Main Street, USA. You’ll see Chicago (the city Walt Disney was born in), Kansas City (where Walt created his first cartoon studio, Laugh-o-grams), and Medfield (the town where many of Disney’s live action films in the late ’60s and ’70s took place).
-Look down! When visiting Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, you’ll find that Disney Imagineers recreated a special moment from Lady and the Tramp just outside of the restaurant—if you look closely, you can find Lady’s and Tramp’s paw prints!
-Imagineers created different experiences for kids and adults—for instance, the statue of Cinderella in the fountain behind the castle appears to adults as just Cinderella leaning down to feed a furry friend, but if adults bend down, they’ll see from a child’s perspective that she’s smiling and even wearing a crown!

This is the ultimate Magic Kingdom experience that would surprise even Walt himself.

208 pages, Hardcover

Published May 13, 2025

98 people are currently reading
206 people want to read

About the author

Danielle Kelly

11 books11 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,217 reviews135 followers
April 22, 2025
I received a free copy of, I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom, by Danielle Kelly; Ian Wilson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was written by a former Disney cast member, and Disney fan, about the Magic Kingdom, there is trivia, and so much to learn about the Magic Kingdom. I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Jordan Lynch.
875 reviews11 followers
April 29, 2025
Such a fun read! Danielle uses her Disney knowledge for good in this book, sharing tips, tricks, and trivia for casual Disney fans and Disnerds alike. The information starts on Main Street, U.S.A. and travels clockwise through each land of the park, highlighting rides, attractions, and food spots. Fun trivia questions are interspersed between the history and the info, and there’s plenty to learn no matter how much you already know about this park! This is a truly magical read and will be a great addition to the library of any Disney fan.
Profile Image for Sudeshna Banerjee.
1,334 reviews39 followers
April 26, 2025
"I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom" by Danielle Kelly and Ian Wilson is a fun and readable book for any Disney fan, whether a long-time park visitor or planning their first trip. This is more than a guidebook; it's a pleasant tour of the park's past, rides, and little-known details, done with clear passion.

Kelly and Wilson blend together fascinating trivia, behind-the-scenes information, and entertaining quizzes, so it's an interactive read. From Main Street U.S.A. to Fantasyland, the book explores all the classic areas with a new spin. It's an easy and educational way to enhance your appreciation for the magic and artistry that makes the Magic Kingdom truly magical. A great addition to any Disney fan's library!
Profile Image for Gabby.
121 reviews45 followers
April 6, 2025
Such a cute, easy, fun read! I am a Disney lover, but have never been to Disney world! I know the travesty right?! I have been wanting to plan my trip and I had such a good time reading all of the fun exciting things to do that I probably other wise would have missed! After, reading this i definitely know that there are somethings I’ve added to my Disney to-do list

The trivia was an added extra bonus!

If you’re planing your next your next Disney trip, don’t skip this book! Danielle has such a unique and fun voice in this everything you need to know guide of Disney!

Thank you so much for gifting me a copy to review!
Profile Image for Maria Ketter.
5 reviews
January 22, 2026
I loved this book but it leaves me wanting more! I wish it was literally twice the length
28 reviews
December 8, 2025
Excellent read. Exceptionally informative and well structured. As a Disney adult and frequent park goer, I highly recommend this read for everyone. From new guests to season pass holders, this book is enjoyable for all. There are tons of great tips to navigating the park, planning your day, learning the history, and there is trivia throughout which you could use in the parks waiting in line with the fam. Highly recommend. Now I’m ready for the next book in the series- Epcot!
Profile Image for Michelle Leighty.
43 reviews
May 29, 2025
This is an excellent guide, especially for first time guests, on the basics of Magic Kingdom. Plus some fun trivia regarding the rides and atmosphere. I highly recommend this especially for the first timer to help get to know the park better.
Profile Image for Online Eccentric Librarian.
3,403 reviews5 followers
April 2, 2025
More reviews at the Online Eccentric Librarian http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a great book with appeal to both Disney World novices and those who are well versed in Disney knowledge. For novices, it's a great way to understand how/why the Magic Kingdom is set up the way it is and get the most out of a first or second visit. For Disney Adults, it is a nice way to expand knowledge and depth of the park experience.

The book is about 1 of the 4 Disney parks at the Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom (here's hoping there is one for all four eventually). The book starts with Main Street and progresses around the spoke and hub of the park, with nicely sized tidbits, facts, and perspectives on the buildings, restaurants/food, streetmmosphere, and attractions. You'll get a great understanding and feel on the little things that make the park so great - whether the 'music lessons' heard coming from a main street building or the custom popcorn flavors you can get across the street from that music studio.

For the novice: this is the perfect travel companion - something to read on the plane or long car trips to enhance your experience and get the most out of the park. Each discussion is both brief but informative and the author guides you building by building through the park, pointing out little known gems of places to visit or food to eat. It makes for a great experience to really understand all that went into the design of the park and why it is special. Of note is that due to copyright limitations, there are no photographs, only a hand drawn map. But the map is nicely detailed to give you an idea of the location about which you are reading. So while you won't get tips on e.g., parking or reserving 'skip the line' passes, you will get to know useful tidbits like which side of the park to start on first (in this case, go to Adventureland first rather than Tomorrowland due to the directions the sun rises and sets).

For more experienced Magic Kingdom visitors, the author does a great job of providing interesting factoids that aren't as common knowledge. I was constantly surprised at all the things I've missed as a Disney Parks veteran and appreciated the tour through the lands. There is some really good information here.

Also included are fun little quizzes that aren't about what you read and instead focus on trivia type of items: e.g., which coaster has the longest ride time and what do the numbers on the train cars represent?

So while there are no photographs whatsoever, I really appreciated the quality of the information presented by this former cast member as well as the book not being overwritten or unwieldy. This is perfected presented with nice large type and great for airport waits when you have a great opportunity to make the trip that much more worth it. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
Profile Image for Patti.
748 reviews20 followers
December 16, 2025
I’m one of “those adult Disney people.” My parents took me once as a kid, and I fell in love with the place as an adult. For 30 years now, a group of friends has gotten together every December in Walt Disney World. I’ve attended most years, only missing a few times over the past 30. We also make trips as a family every other year, where all of us get together in Disney World.

I’m pretty experienced when it comes to Disney. That said, I still learned a few new things reading I Love Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The author is a blogger and influencer who has spent a lot of time at Walt Disney World. Her enthusiasm for and love of the Magic Kingdom are quite evident in her writing as she takes the reader on a tour through the park. I could pick out a couple of things she missed, such as details on the Main Street Barber Shop, but this book is pretty comprehensive. She breaks up the travel guide with quizzes and trivia, which makes it a lot of fun to read.

I think I Love Disney’s Magic Kingdom is a good book for someone who has gone to the Magic Kingdom once and wants to see what they might have missed out on. There’s no technical information, such as the ever-changing price for admission. Even as she highlights different restaurants, the author cautions that things can change. She will highlight what she liked in a restaurant in the past and what they are serving now to demonstrate that people should look up what the restaurants are currently offering rather than rely on the guidebook. There aren’t the practical details, such as what ticket to buy or how to get to the park from your hotel. This is part adoring fan and part inspirational. I really enjoyed it.

To read my complete review, please go to I Love Disney’s Magic Kingdom by Danielle Kelly – Fun Facts and Insights to the Happiest Place on Earth
Profile Image for Kiki Moore.
32 reviews
February 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook ARC. I chose to purchase the audiobook as well and read this as an immersion experience — and I’m so glad I did.

As a longtime Disney fan and follower of Danielle Kelly, I went into this excited to soak up some pixie dust, and it absolutely delivered. The book is structured by land, making it easy to explore Magic Kingdom one section at a time while learning both historical context and layered attraction lore.

I especially loved the expanded discussion of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) and its connection to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, including the fictional character Barnabus T. Bullion modeled after Imagineer Tony Baxter. The Liberty Square chapter added compelling depth with the backstory suggesting that Madame Leota sought refuge from the Salem Witch Trials — a creative blend of American history and Haunted Mansion mythology.

Fantasyland offered wonderful Imagineering details, from the carousel’s origins before arriving at Magic Kingdom to the coats of arms inside Cinderella’s Royal Table representing the Imagineers who designed the park. I also loved learning about the Disney family crest displayed in the tunnel of Cinderella’s Castle and its mirrored placement in Disneyland.

Tomorrowland included fun historical callbacks, such as the late Robin Williams narrating the former attraction The Timekeeper and the subtle nod to it in the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover narration. My only small disappointment was that Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress received a brief mention, as it remains one of my personal favorites.

I especially loved that the audiobook was narrated by Danielle Kelly herself. Hearing her enthusiasm and affection for the park added warmth and authenticity to the experience.

Overall, this is a delightful, accessible, and lovingly detailed celebration of Magic Kingdom. Even as a seasoned Disney fan, I found new layers to appreciate. Five stars — pure pixie dust.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maria Chiara.
5 reviews
June 21, 2025
A Delightful Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Magic Kingdom!

As a huge Disney fan, I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom by Danielle Kelly was an absolute treat to read! Danielle, having worked as a Disney employee, offers a unique insider’s perspective that makes the Magic Kingdom feel even more magical. Her personal experience shines through every page, and you can tell how much love and passion she has for the park.

What sets this book apart is its fun structure: each chapter not only dives into a different area or aspect of the park but also includes a little quiz at the end, making it interactive and engaging. Whether you're testing your Disney knowledge or learning something new, the quizzes add a playful touch that keeps you involved.

The book is packed with funny and interesting anecdotes from Danielle’s time working at Disney, along with plenty of fascinating curiosities that even die-hard Disney fans may not know. I especially enjoyed how she weaves these personal stories with well-researched historical facts and data about the park's development, attractions, and behind-the-scenes workings.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong Disney devotee, I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom offers a perfect blend of humor, nostalgia, and education. Danielle Kelly’s insider stories and charming writing style make this a must-read for anyone who loves the magic of Disney.

Highly recommended for your next trip down Main Street, U.S.A. — even if it's just from your armchair!
Profile Image for Morgan Gribble.
21 reviews3 followers
April 30, 2025
I am a huge Disney fan and I love reading and learning about all things Disney trivia - this book did not disappoint! The book is interactive, full of quizzes to test your knowledge, while also offering a plethora of tips and tricks to have a perfect day at Magic Kingdom! I am lucky enough to visit the parks frequently, and I cannot wait to look up some of these hidden nods to lesser known Disney films and other thoughtful touches I have not noticed before. Additionally, this book has wide appeal - letting those who are just starting their foray into Disney trivia feel welcomed and encouraged to learn more. If you are a big Disney fan you might recognize some of the fun facts, but there are plenty more gems of knowledge hidden throughout. This book reads like you are watching the latest video from Danielle full of jokes and positivity. Any Disney fan, new or expert, can find something wonderful in the book! So sit back - with a churro of course - and enjoy this delightful look into Magic Kingdom!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media for allowing me to read an early copy of this book! The thoughts and feelings are my own - but I truly hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Profile Image for Sarah Draheim.
347 reviews18 followers
February 2, 2026
Random Disney things in the middle of the night that you probably don’t care about but I’m gonna tell you any way — if you live for Disney trivia, quirky hidden park secrets, churro fuel, and the kind of insider magic only a true Disney obsessive could deliver, this book is your new favorite bedtime read. 🌙✨

From Main Street, U.S.A. to the furthest corners of Fantasyland, The Dapper Danielle guides you through Magic Kingdom with the enthusiasm of someone who’s clearly lived and breathed this park for years — and it shows on every page. The mix of surprising facts, fun quizzes, tasty food tidbits, and behind-the-scenes lore had me grinning like I just found an extra FastPass in my backpack.

Whether you’re planning a trip, waiting in line for Space Mountain, or just want to feel like you’re strolling down Main Street in your pajamas, this book hits that sweet spot between fan obsession and genuine love for the Happiest Place on Earth. I learned things I never knew, laughed at little details I should have known, and now I’m counting the days until my next churro. Highly recommend for every Disney fan, casual or certified Disnerd.

Night Night Dream of churros tonight 🌟🍟✨
Profile Image for Martina.
350 reviews99 followers
March 31, 2025
I will start this out by saying I am a lifetime lover of WDW, Disney, and Disney history. I have been going to Disney World since I was a baby so I have 30+years of Disney knowledge and experience. I specifically wanted to check out this book because I love @dapperdanielle so much and somehow still learn so much from her extensive Disney knowledge. This is fantastic guide with great little known facts and lots of tips dusted through out. I even learned a couple things! I think anyone from first time visitors to lifetime park goers can learn something from this book and I would recommend picking it up before you make your trip. I hope she does one for each of the WDW parks, I would love to learn more behind the scenes magic from all of them!

Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Michele Ardente.
111 reviews4 followers
May 18, 2025
WDW is my mothership, and the Magic Kingdom is the premiere member of the Armada. Nuff said?

I'm a fan of the iconic park and also of the layout of this book! Divided into sections dedicated to each land, it's easy to find tips on attractions, food, shows, photo ops and more. The guide includes specialized tips such as "Extra Magic" and "Park Pointers." Discover the history of dole whip, a storied tree in The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh attraction, and the maximum speed of Space Mountain. (It's not as fast as you might think😮) and so much more.

The author's easy breezy enthusiasm, combined with over 9 years experience as a cast member and a wealth of knowledge about all things Magic Kingdom make this a fun and digestible read.

It is by no means an exhaustive guide, but offers an overview that will promote excitement and interesting tidbits for seasoned or new vistors including a cute map, trivia and quizzes, making this a great little book to bring for a day at the park or to enjoy just out of the love of the Magic Kingdom.
Profile Image for Autumn.
48 reviews5 followers
April 27, 2025
Disney’s Magic Kingdom by Danielle Kelly is pure joy from beginning to end. She perfectly captures the wonder, nostalgia, and behind-the-scenes magic that makes Disney so special. Reading it felt like walking down Main Street, USA, all over again — fireworks, Dole Whip, and all.

I loved how Kelly blended history, stories, and little emotional moments. You can tell she truly loves what she’s writing about, and it makes the whole book feel warm and personal. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or just someone who loves a good story, this book is a must-read. It made me smile the whole way through!
Profile Image for Danielle Evans.
118 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2025
Thank you to Adams Media via Netgalley for the ARC.

I’m a huge Disney fan, and this book hit the nail on the head. It provided all the essential information for first-time park visitors, as well as more insights for seasoned park goers. I particularly enjoyed the sprinkles of trivia throughout the book. It’s also a great companion to bring to the park, especially during lines, as it allows you to spot the Easter eggs hidden throughout the park. The book covers both the past and present, which I also found interesting. It covers a wide range of food items, from restaurant meals to snacks and seasonal offerings.

Definitely well worth the read by all!
Profile Image for Rosemarie.
279 reviews33 followers
July 8, 2025
This is a great book for any Disney fan. I learned a lot that I didn't know about the Magic Kingdom. Also, the format is so cute and it's smaller size allows you to take it with you to the park for reference.

I only recently started following the author's YouTube Channel - it's called "The Dapper Danielle," after the quartet, "The Dapper Dans," that sing on Main Street. The name caught my attention because it's really cute. But then, I happened to see that she was signing books at my local Barnes & Noble here in Orlando! Danielle and Ian gave an enjoyable presentation about the book and were so lovely to meet in person.

Danielle was a Cast Member for almost 10 years. That made me trust that the info in this book is good. I mean, I feel as though there are a lot of Disney haters out there these days that will stop at nothing to spread all kinds of false rumors.

But it's very obvious from hearing her speak and now reading her book that Danielle truly loves the Disney parks. They also mentioned that a book about Epcot is already in the works - yay! I look forward to it.
Profile Image for Cory.
73 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2026
Title: I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom
Author: Danielle Kelly with Ian Wilson
Page Count: 208
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Favorite Quote: "Night night, sleep tight, dream of churros tonight!"
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I love Magic Kingdom is a great guide for anyone that plans to head to Disney. It gives a quick outline of each land in the park with little tidbits of information. Danielle does a great job of guiding the guests through the book and keeping the flow of the park in mind. With fun quizzes and questions throughout, I being a Disney lover even learned a few things! I highly recommend giving this book a go if you have never been or a newer park goer to Disney's Magic Kingdom!
Profile Image for Emma Draper-rigby.
3 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2025
Loved this book! Absolutely love The Dapper Danielle. Love watching her videos for the little extra bits of Disney Magic. I’m a HUGE fan of Disney and always love to learn new facts about the Most Magical Place on Earth and this was no exception! I did learn some things I never knew! Well worth a read if you’re a Disney Expert, or brand new to Disney trivia there will definitely be something for you. Even if it’s just to bring a little bit of Disney magic to your day! There’s something for everyone in this book!
Profile Image for Kevin Turner .
31 reviews
November 12, 2025
I actually can't wait for the next book about EPCOT next year. This book about MAGIC KINGDOM is very good and interesting and has a lot of history in it. A very enjoyable read. I just have one encouraging note to the author Danielle Kelly keep going with this kind of format in your books. It's a different style than another Disney author I have read Susan Veness. Your style of Book writing could be applied to all Disney parks, Universal parks and any other theme or amusement park all over the world not just the Florida version of Disney.
453 reviews15 followers
March 31, 2025
There is so much detail at Disney Parks that it is easy to overlook, this book will help you to find these hidden gems.
From the behind the scenes facts, to the trivia, quizzes, and all of the little details about beloved rides, there is so much to love and learn in this book. I Love Disney's Magic Kingdom is the perfect park read whether it's your first visit to the parks or your 1,000th!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Abby Cozart.
163 reviews16 followers
April 10, 2025
I also love Disney’s Magic Kingdom, so I was very excited to read this from Danielle! Danielle did a very good job of walking through each land in Magic Kingdom and highlighting the attractions and other parts of the land.

This book would be great for someone who was visiting Magic Kingdom for the first time, doesn’t go very frequently, or hadn’t been in a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Profile Image for Jen Johnson.
19 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2025
A fun read for Disney newbies and Disney Pros alike. I didn't realize when I received this book that it was by the Dapper Danielle. I love her TikToks. Anyway a fun read. Did I learn anything new...not really. did I enjoy the book....yes. My biggest complaint is this book was released right before Walt Disney starts its expansion with the all new villains land. This book will become outdated very quickly.
Profile Image for Sarah Bridges.
188 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2025
I really do love Disneys Magic Kingdom! I am about to go on my thirteenth visit! I am so glad that I got to read this before going. While I did know some of the amazing facts I also learned so much more! It is so exciting to walk around the park and know some of the story that created this magical place. I highly recommend reading this if you love fun facts or Disney.

Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Mrs.Fitz.
80 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2025
I Love Disney’s Magic Kingdom by Danielle Kelly is a great book written by a former cast member. It includes all the things that come in a normal travel guide and so much more. The book is broken up into sections that coincide with the different lands. There are so many things listed to look for and pay attention to while standing in line. I also loved the breakdown of the food. Can’t wait to try the trivia on our next trip to Disney.
Profile Image for Kat Ice.
754 reviews11 followers
September 6, 2025
I loved this so much!!! I’ve been a HUGE Disney fan for my whole life so I thought this was going to be boring because I know Magic Kingdom like the back of my hand. But I thought I would read it because I love Dapper Danielle! But wow- the amount of things I didn’t know was incredible! I loved learning so many fun hidden things about the place I love!! Such a quick fun read!! If you love Disney- even if you think you know everything… read this!! It is so worth every minute of it!
Profile Image for Holly.
118 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2025
This book was a lot of fun to read! It was very thorough with all of the attractions and stops for food in magic Kingdom. I liked reading the historical tidbits and definitely learned a few things! I read a digital version but I think the print version would be a lot better with the trivia dispersed throughout the book.

Thank you to Adams Media and NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Emily Ullrich.
90 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2026
Perfect audiobook for the drive down to Orlando on our way to Disney World. Even though we’ve been multiple times, it was still fun to learn more about the Magic Kingdom and share trivia and pointers with the kids about rides, snacks and history of the park. Now, I wish Danielle Kelly would write one for the other three parks!

2026 reading prompt: a guidebook
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