Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning

by Alexis Franzese (Editor), Jill Peterfeso (Editor)

As education, entertainment, or "edutainment" (as Walt called it), Disney offers its consumers and guests with a wealth of opportunities for learning. In Why the Magic Matters, top Disney scholars and teachers unpack what, why, and how Disney maintains its overwhelming cultural significance in the global entertainment industry. Broken into four parts, "Magic and Strategy," "Authenticity and Simulation," "Nostalgia and Innovation," and "Leisure and Labor," the book offers a framework that juxtaposes ideas found in Disney products, properties, and experiences. From art, film, and television history to Indigenous, disability, and religious studies, each chapter contextualizes Disney within a greater cultural landscape. Students, teachers, and fans will gain insights on what Disney can teach us about pop culture and fresh perspectives on why the magic really does matter.

300 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2025

Reviews

[Brandon Billings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I’ll be honest I just didn’t LOVE this book. But I think it set out what to do what it wanted to do — be an academic volume around Disney, anthology style. The writers are truly experts, well-researched in their field, and share unique insights each chapter.

I just find academic writing a little too fluffy, and hard to follow personally. If I was giving it a critical rating, it would probably be 4 stars. For me personally, it’s 3 stars.