Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : Disney/Hyperion Books, 2009, c2005.
Description
"In this fantastical thriller, five young teens tapped as models for theme park "guides" find themselves pitted against Disney villains and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world outside its walls. Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI--which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging--Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park. The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming? Finn's confusion only increases when he encounters Wayne, an elderly Imagineer who tells him that the park is in grave danger. Led by the scheming witch, Maleficent, a mysterious group of characters called the Overtakers is plotting to destroy Disney's beloved realm, and maybe more. This gripping high-tech tale will thrill every kid who has ever dreamed of sneaking into Walt Disney World after hours and wondered what happens at night, when the park is closed"--Publishers description.… (more)
Media reviews
Library Journal
Ridley Pearson's fantasy is fast paced and technologically savvy. Finn and his friends make repeated forays after hours into the very guts of such Disney icons as Tom Sawyer's Island, It's a Small World, Adventure Mountain, and other rides both tame and wild as they lay siege to Maleficent, an evil
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witch whose minions are at work to destroy the Disney mystique. The kids hang out at the park looking for signs and signals that will aid them in their nighttime quest for securing Disney power. Their parents are mildly suspicious, but Finn and his pals are fast talkers, willing to face their nighttime nemeses alone, rather than bringing in adult forces. Gary Littman reads with a variety of accents, some of which are less successful than others, and it's easy to differentiate among both kids and adults. Given how much Disney has seeped into the very core of Americana, most listeners will be able to understand the references and will know for whom Maleficent is a foil. While the details about why one would become a hologram for Disney are slighted, the sleuthing aspect of the tale has universal appeal. Show Less
Publishers Weekly
For anyone who has imagined what goes on in Walt Disney World after the gates close to the public, Pearson's (Peter and the Starcatchers) tale and Littman's authentic-sounding narration, in middle-schooler Finn Whitman's voice, offer a suspenseful all-access pass to the Magic Kingdom behind the
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scenes-filled with action, technology and a tricky (and implausible) riddle. Finn lands a cooler-than-cool opportunity after he becomes a model for a new breed of "holographic hosts" (Disney Host Interactive/Daylight Hologram Imaging) at Disney World. But the experience gets weirder than weird when Finn and the other four DHIs find themselves transported to the park via their nighttime dreams and must save the Magic Kingdom from Disney witches and villains called "Overtakers" by solving a puzzle said to be left behind by Walt himself. Littman reads at a smooth pace, speeding up along with the story's tension. He nails realistic kid-like reactions and dialogue even though listeners might find much of the plot hard to believe (and some of the plugs for Disney a bit over the top). Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member theokester
When I first heard about this book, I was totally stoked and knew I must eventually read it. I've been a Disney fan for as long as I can remember and I absolutely LOVE the Disney parks. The idea of an adventure book set in Walt Disney World with some crazy technological/sci-fi style elements…I
The high level concept of the story is this. Disney has partnered with a "Holographic Imaging" company to create perfect holographic representations of Disney Hosts to show guests around the Magic Kingdom. To add to the appeal of these virtual hosts, Disney selected 5 kids (~tweens/early teens) to be the first Disney Hosts. Well…it turns out there was an ulterior motive for the selection and development of these Hosts.
It seems there is a dark secret brewing in the Magic Kingdom. The various "evil" characters created over the years (Maleficent, Pirates, etc) are in fact living beings. Generally speaking, they exist in a sort of limbo world and can't interact with our world. However, they've been growing stronger and now Disney Imagineers (specifically one Imagineer) needs help to stop them. The 5 hosts were specifically chosen as most likely to be able to stop the evil forces. And so, a side effect was added to the Holographic technology which allows the hosts to "Cross Over" from their physical identity into their holographic identity but only while their physical self is sleeping. Thus we have the story…at nighttime, these five kids (in holographic form, but able to touch and interact with physical elements) are sent into the Magic Kingdom to unravel a riddle left by Walt Disney himself and figure out how to stop the Overtakers led by Maleficent.
This is definitely a kid's book (or at least a "middle reader") so many of the plot elements and character interactions are less developed than I would have liked. Still, the story itself is intriguing and there is fun to be had. Some of the descriptions, especially of the technology, science and other things, I suspect may go over the heads of younger readers and bog them down, but generally I'm sure this would be very accessible to readers in their 'pre-tweens'. I'm hoping my 9 year old and 12 year old will read it and let me know what they think.
From a high level, I really enjoyed the book. The concept was intriguing and the way the mystery-adventure played out was interesting. The story was fun and had a good balance of action and investigation and character interaction. And I loved that we were racing along through the Magic Kingdom. :)
One of my complaints is with the nature of adults. Now, in children's lit and even YA, adults are often portrayed as non-elements…ignorant, brash, non-helpful, etc. In this book, the same is true but it's made worse by the things that the "off screen" adults fail to do. It's one thing to accept that Finn's parents are oblivious to what's going on. It's another thing to have these holographic kids wandering around Magic Kingdom trying to avoid security cameras and other elements…but then have huge disastrous things happen that are SURELY to be noticed by security and have the Hosts on camera. Couple that with the ease in which the kids sneak into areas of Disney while they are in their physical/daylight forms and it becomes even more ludicrous. I'll acknowledge that a confident attitude and a good plan can help you get past many security elements into places you shouldn't be…but there are a few situations where I was left wondering just how inept Disney security is supposed to be.
My bigger complaints, however, are for those areas where plot elements were ambiguous, confusing or left undeveloped or underdeveloped. I hope to see some of these things play out more and be better developed in subsequent books.
For example, early on in the first couple of "crossing over" segments, Wayne (the Imagineer) is talking with Finn (the main Host) and Finn explains how he's seeing a number of the "good" characters (Chip & Dale, Goofy, etc). Wayne is VERY excited about this. However, as we continue into the adventure, the good characters never make a reappearance and are totally forgotten. It seems to me this is a huge lost opportunity to take those characters and turn them into allies.
Another element (which is problematic in many adventure books) was Maleficent's power. It's always a struggle to create a powerful enough enemy to be scary but weak enough to realistically be dealt with by an underdog hero. Maleficent should have been able to walk all over these Hosts…but she didn't. Even aided by armies of evil animatronics. Furthermore, her very nature and powers seemed to change over the course of the book. It wasn't just a matter of the Hosts suddenly understanding her abilities…it felt to me like her nature actually changed as the book figured out what she should be like. She just felt very transitory as a character.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I have to look at it as a kid's book and realize that as a children's book it will be less intricate and potentially less "tight" than an adult novel. That said, I've recently read a number of very well constructed children's and YA novels that were light enough to be read and enjoyed by children but also had very intricate and well constructed plots. I just felt like this one needed a bit of tightening up. As a Disney fan, I rate this a little higher than I normally would and I have a lot of optimistic hope that the plot/writing tightens up in the rest of the series….because I do plan to continue reading the series. :)
If you're a Disney fan or if this kid's adventure sounds fun for you, check it out. I'd be interested to hear if I'm off-base on my complaints. I'm also eager to hear thoughts from a kid's perspective…I'm off to get my kids to read this. :)
***
3 out of 5 stars
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was hooked.The high level concept of the story is this. Disney has partnered with a "Holographic Imaging" company to create perfect holographic representations of Disney Hosts to show guests around the Magic Kingdom. To add to the appeal of these virtual hosts, Disney selected 5 kids (~tweens/early teens) to be the first Disney Hosts. Well…it turns out there was an ulterior motive for the selection and development of these Hosts.
It seems there is a dark secret brewing in the Magic Kingdom. The various "evil" characters created over the years (Maleficent, Pirates, etc) are in fact living beings. Generally speaking, they exist in a sort of limbo world and can't interact with our world. However, they've been growing stronger and now Disney Imagineers (specifically one Imagineer) needs help to stop them. The 5 hosts were specifically chosen as most likely to be able to stop the evil forces. And so, a side effect was added to the Holographic technology which allows the hosts to "Cross Over" from their physical identity into their holographic identity but only while their physical self is sleeping. Thus we have the story…at nighttime, these five kids (in holographic form, but able to touch and interact with physical elements) are sent into the Magic Kingdom to unravel a riddle left by Walt Disney himself and figure out how to stop the Overtakers led by Maleficent.
This is definitely a kid's book (or at least a "middle reader") so many of the plot elements and character interactions are less developed than I would have liked. Still, the story itself is intriguing and there is fun to be had. Some of the descriptions, especially of the technology, science and other things, I suspect may go over the heads of younger readers and bog them down, but generally I'm sure this would be very accessible to readers in their 'pre-tweens'. I'm hoping my 9 year old and 12 year old will read it and let me know what they think.
From a high level, I really enjoyed the book. The concept was intriguing and the way the mystery-adventure played out was interesting. The story was fun and had a good balance of action and investigation and character interaction. And I loved that we were racing along through the Magic Kingdom. :)
One of my complaints is with the nature of adults. Now, in children's lit and even YA, adults are often portrayed as non-elements…ignorant, brash, non-helpful, etc. In this book, the same is true but it's made worse by the things that the "off screen" adults fail to do. It's one thing to accept that Finn's parents are oblivious to what's going on. It's another thing to have these holographic kids wandering around Magic Kingdom trying to avoid security cameras and other elements…but then have huge disastrous things happen that are SURELY to be noticed by security and have the Hosts on camera. Couple that with the ease in which the kids sneak into areas of Disney while they are in their physical/daylight forms and it becomes even more ludicrous. I'll acknowledge that a confident attitude and a good plan can help you get past many security elements into places you shouldn't be…but there are a few situations where I was left wondering just how inept Disney security is supposed to be.
My bigger complaints, however, are for those areas where plot elements were ambiguous, confusing or left undeveloped or underdeveloped. I hope to see some of these things play out more and be better developed in subsequent books.
For example, early on in the first couple of "crossing over" segments, Wayne (the Imagineer) is talking with Finn (the main Host) and Finn explains how he's seeing a number of the "good" characters (Chip & Dale, Goofy, etc). Wayne is VERY excited about this. However, as we continue into the adventure, the good characters never make a reappearance and are totally forgotten. It seems to me this is a huge lost opportunity to take those characters and turn them into allies.
Another element (which is problematic in many adventure books) was Maleficent's power. It's always a struggle to create a powerful enough enemy to be scary but weak enough to realistically be dealt with by an underdog hero. Maleficent should have been able to walk all over these Hosts…but she didn't. Even aided by armies of evil animatronics. Furthermore, her very nature and powers seemed to change over the course of the book. It wasn't just a matter of the Hosts suddenly understanding her abilities…it felt to me like her nature actually changed as the book figured out what she should be like. She just felt very transitory as a character.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I have to look at it as a kid's book and realize that as a children's book it will be less intricate and potentially less "tight" than an adult novel. That said, I've recently read a number of very well constructed children's and YA novels that were light enough to be read and enjoyed by children but also had very intricate and well constructed plots. I just felt like this one needed a bit of tightening up. As a Disney fan, I rate this a little higher than I normally would and I have a lot of optimistic hope that the plot/writing tightens up in the rest of the series….because I do plan to continue reading the series. :)
If you're a Disney fan or if this kid's adventure sounds fun for you, check it out. I'd be interested to hear if I'm off-base on my complaints. I'm also eager to hear thoughts from a kid's perspective…I'm off to get my kids to read this. :)
***
3 out of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member amandabock
I read this because one of my 6th graders kept telling me how good it was. It came out in 2005, and I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that Gail Carson Levine’s [book: Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg] came out that same year. It seems that Disney paid a lot of money to talented writers to
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flesh out bad storylines involving classic Disney characters. (Although, I adore David Christiana’s illustrations in the latter.) This book has a lot of good elements- a mismatched group of kids who have to overcome their differences to save the world (including one who is treasonous), three-dimensional holographs that enable the kids to enter a parallel, sinister world, and roller coasters. Unfortunately, the story just doesn’t hang together well. Aside from the main character and the one who defects to the dark side, the kids are pretty much interchangeable. One of the more annoying plot contrivances is the man who seems to know what the kids need to do to save Disneyland from the villains, but insists that the kids have to find out for themselves. It’s never really clear why he can’t solve the problem himself. Show Less
LibraryThing member ocgreg34
Finn Whitman and four other teenagers have been specially selected to take part in a new Disney venture: Disney Host Interactive. What this means is that holographic images of the five teens will act as hosts in The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, welcoming guests, spouting details about the park and the
"The Kingdom Keepers" is the perfect fantasy/adventure for kids, whether or not they enjoy Disney. I mean, what kid wouldn't be interested in wandering around one of the parks after hours, fighting with the pirates or trying to escape the evil clutches of the "it's a small world" dolls. The writing style is definitely geared toward the early teen readers, but even I enjoyed got caught up in the adventure of it all. A fun book that any Disney fan will certainly enjoy.
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attractions, and acting as guides. In return, the kids and their families receive lifetime passes, with the condition that they need pre-approval to enter the parks and must be disguised. Sounds like a sweet deal, until Finn wakes up one night to find himself standing in Main Street in his pajamas, his skin lightly glowing. An old man named Wayne tells him that he and the others were chosen to help the Disney Imagineers with some unusual events occurring in the parks. Walt himself understood that the power of peoples' belief in all the fictional characters -- both good and bad -- might one day allow certain dark forces to attempt to break into the real world. Strange events in and around the parks -- rides breaking down inexplicably, break-ins, mysterious noises throughout the parks at night -- lead Wayne to believe that something's brewing, and it's up to Finn and the other four DHIs to figure out a riddle left by Walt that could thwart the impending trouble."The Kingdom Keepers" is the perfect fantasy/adventure for kids, whether or not they enjoy Disney. I mean, what kid wouldn't be interested in wandering around one of the parks after hours, fighting with the pirates or trying to escape the evil clutches of the "it's a small world" dolls. The writing style is definitely geared toward the early teen readers, but even I enjoyed got caught up in the adventure of it all. A fun book that any Disney fan will certainly enjoy.
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LibraryThing member theWallflower
I barely finished this one. Thirty-three percent through and I was speed-reading just to get to the end. I really should have just stopped, but the idea sounded too good not to follow through, like Kingdom Hearts. But it's not worth your time.
The concept is ideal for any Disneyphile-evil lurks in
But you shouldn't. It's so poorly executed and poorly written. Like it was a rush job. The characters have no depth. They don't even get the depth of stereotypes. No one has a personality. I could not tell you the difference between the two girls of this five person team. And they're barely in the book as it is. Anyone who's not the "team leader" gets barely any screen time. The two other boys are "the big guy" and "the computer guy" but "the big guy" occasionally feeds information about computers and "the computer guy" acts weak and nerdy. No one has internal goals or distinguishing characteristics. Power Rangers had better characterization.
The story is all event. And they throw in some BS about how these kids are "holographic cast members" and that gives them the ability to be in the park after it closes. This is a thing that doesn't exist in the park, and I had to try explaining to my kids five times. It's rooted in science but acts like magic and has no rules around it. It just happens. Once they're in the park, they have to do some lame The Da Vinci Code style sleuthing, because Walt Disney knew that his movies were going to come to life and imprison the guests in dungeons down below. That's a sentence I just said. This fetch quest accomplishes its job of filling out pages by making every obstacle the same--you get on a ride, the ride malfunctions, but you succeed anyway without any lasting consequences. Goalposts are never pushed back.
Kids deserve better than this. The only highlight is seeing the things you saw in Disney World, and only in the "hey I remember that" way.
This is no Percy Jackson or Wimpy Kid. I did not care whether the characters lived or died. And there were too many of them anyway. In addition to the Team of Five, there are two girls with ambiguous motives but the same non-personality, an Imagineer mentor, and "the adults who know nothing". The author can explain the Utilidor under the park, but not why these kids matrix-jump into their holograms when they fall asleep nor how that works. That's like Benedict Cumberbatch doing the mocap for Smaug, then going to sleep and finding himself IN the film. It feels like the author was writing to a deadline or to the specifications of investors and focus groups. Pick up a Travel Guide instead.
The concept is ideal for any Disneyphile-evil lurks in
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the park and five kids have to stop it, going on rides after close and exploring cast member tunnels and doing all the things you're not allowed to do. Walt Disney World goes from a place of joy to a battleground. Anyone who's been to a Disney Park at least once should be intrigued.But you shouldn't. It's so poorly executed and poorly written. Like it was a rush job. The characters have no depth. They don't even get the depth of stereotypes. No one has a personality. I could not tell you the difference between the two girls of this five person team. And they're barely in the book as it is. Anyone who's not the "team leader" gets barely any screen time. The two other boys are "the big guy" and "the computer guy" but "the big guy" occasionally feeds information about computers and "the computer guy" acts weak and nerdy. No one has internal goals or distinguishing characteristics. Power Rangers had better characterization.
The story is all event. And they throw in some BS about how these kids are "holographic cast members" and that gives them the ability to be in the park after it closes. This is a thing that doesn't exist in the park, and I had to try explaining to my kids five times. It's rooted in science but acts like magic and has no rules around it. It just happens. Once they're in the park, they have to do some lame The Da Vinci Code style sleuthing, because Walt Disney knew that his movies were going to come to life and imprison the guests in dungeons down below. That's a sentence I just said. This fetch quest accomplishes its job of filling out pages by making every obstacle the same--you get on a ride, the ride malfunctions, but you succeed anyway without any lasting consequences. Goalposts are never pushed back.
Kids deserve better than this. The only highlight is seeing the things you saw in Disney World, and only in the "hey I remember that" way.
This is no Percy Jackson or Wimpy Kid. I did not care whether the characters lived or died. And there were too many of them anyway. In addition to the Team of Five, there are two girls with ambiguous motives but the same non-personality, an Imagineer mentor, and "the adults who know nothing". The author can explain the Utilidor under the park, but not why these kids matrix-jump into their holograms when they fall asleep nor how that works. That's like Benedict Cumberbatch doing the mocap for Smaug, then going to sleep and finding himself IN the film. It feels like the author was writing to a deadline or to the specifications of investors and focus groups. Pick up a Travel Guide instead.
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LibraryThing member MrsBond
This book feels like a Disney production, in the same way the you can seen a short clip of a performance and know that it came from Disney World or a Disney Channel show. There is just enough of everything to make it appear happy, well-rehearsed, and a place you might like to be. Missing is depth,
To be honest, I don't like the Mouse, never really did, and this opinion colors my view on this book. If you don't have strong feelings against all things Disney, this will most likely be a fun read.
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natural flow, and realistic serendipity. Kingdom Keepers is based on fictional Disney production (the DHI's), so it is fully in keeping with the Disney production model. The use of proper names for various park elements felt somewhat forced, at times making this little novel feel like a Disney advertisement. Readers barely get to know the main character, learning a little more than a name for the supporting characters. To be honest, I don't like the Mouse, never really did, and this opinion colors my view on this book. If you don't have strong feelings against all things Disney, this will most likely be a fun read.
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LibraryThing member slightlyfan
Wow. I will never go on Big Thunder Mountain, It's a Small World, or Pirates of the Carribbean again and not think of this book.
I truly love the idea of this book. Being one who loves Disneyland and wants to work there some day, I feel like I get an inside look at the park.
One thing I didn't like
I wish there was a little more about other characters in the park and the tasks seemed to be a little easy to figure out. I mean, these things were supposed to be something grown adults couldn't figure out. Do you really think five 13 year olds could figure it out in a week or two? I think not.
This book made me want to go to Walt Disney World so badly. It was so good I felt I was there.
I want a sequel. Badly. Just so the end will be clearer.
I truly love the idea of this book. Being one who loves Disneyland and wants to work there some day, I feel like I get an inside look at the park.
One thing I didn't like
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about it was that Disney would hire 13 year olds to protect their Florida parks. It should have been college students, or at least someone of legal age! But I get that someone 13 is more likely to read a book about Disney World then a 17 year old. Pearson was working for his audience.I wish there was a little more about other characters in the park and the tasks seemed to be a little easy to figure out. I mean, these things were supposed to be something grown adults couldn't figure out. Do you really think five 13 year olds could figure it out in a week or two? I think not.
This book made me want to go to Walt Disney World so badly. It was so good I felt I was there.
I want a sequel. Badly. Just so the end will be clearer.
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LibraryThing member westkids
Jenn's pick. This is a great teen read; very fast paced and exciting, and set in Walt Disney World!
LibraryThing member Joles
I loved this book. If you have been to Disney World this is a must read. If you haven't been to Disney you won't be able to follow the story as easily (because they describe real locations) but it will still be an intriguing story!
The end felt a little forced but you'll have this. This story could
The end felt a little forced but you'll have this. This story could
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have been written in two or three volumes. Show Less
LibraryThing member 9am01bev
i would recomened this book to people who ever wonder what happens after disney world closes
LibraryThing member sszatkowski
In this story Finn and many other DHI's or Disney Host Interactives meet and wipe the forces of darkness from the magic kingdom.
DHI is a new technology used to construct holograms and the "DHI's" are also refered to as the kids who modeled for them. These four are the children who cross over to the
DHI is a new technology used to construct holograms and the "DHI's" are also refered to as the kids who modeled for them. These four are the children who cross over to the
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magic kingdom at night and must face the overtakers in order to stop them from taking over the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member cpotter
Finn is chosen to become a DHI—which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging. Finn an Orlando junior high student and four other kids are hired by Disney to become holographic projections that guide guests through Disney World. Afterwards Finn begins to have dreams,
Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark is a great high tech tale that incorporates the Disney rides and characters. The problem of being honest with parents and yet destroying the powers of evil that lurk after dark is a dilemma. Finn agonizes with lying to his parents but when he is honest with his mother she doesn’t believe his story. He is conscientious of giving his parents honest answers—when they ask the right question. But who can have a dangerous adventure with mom tagging along? I would recommend this book.
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lifelike dreams of being at the Magic Kingdom and seeing Disney characters. During one of these dreams he encounters Wayne, an Imagineer who tells Finn that the park and the DHIs are in terrible danger. Finn must contact the other kids and convince them to help him work against the evil that is trying to take over the Magic Kingdom and the world.Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark is a great high tech tale that incorporates the Disney rides and characters. The problem of being honest with parents and yet destroying the powers of evil that lurk after dark is a dilemma. Finn agonizes with lying to his parents but when he is honest with his mother she doesn’t believe his story. He is conscientious of giving his parents honest answers—when they ask the right question. But who can have a dangerous adventure with mom tagging along? I would recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member jilnicw
Really fun read, especially if you love all things Disney
LibraryThing member Mrhodes4b2
No matter what age you are, if you are a Disney fan, or even a Floridian this is a good book. It is a Junior book but fun and accurate. I loved imagining what could go on at Disney when the lights go out. Fun read for sure.
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Finn and four other kids have been chosen to act as interactive hologram hosts at Disney World in Florida. However, when they all start having strange dreams and they start visiting Disney at night in their holographic forms, they realize there is something very strange going on. The kids meet
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Wayne, an original Imagineer, who tells them about a fable that may help them stop the evil forces scheming something awful. This book will appeal to Disney fans. I brought it along to a trip to Disney World, so it was easy for me to imagine the many places being mentioned in the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member jayde1599
Synopsis: Finn and 4 other kids are chosen to be DHI's (Disney Host Interactive) at Disney World. They recorded messages for a holographic image of themselves to show people around the Magic Kingdom. However, there are side effects to the program and the kids are waking up in the Magic Kingdom
Pros & Cons: I think I was expecting something more fun and fantasy based. Or, I could just be too old (but are you ever too old for Disney World?). I think it is a great book for the age group it is written. I enjoyed the descriptions and scenes that took place on the rides because I could feel like I was there. I liked the whole premise of the story (characters coming to life and kids having to save the park), but was disappointed in how it was written. I felt that there were too many pre-teen cliches. But then again, it is a pre-teen book. There is a sequel, not sure how that will be. Overall, 3 1/2 stars. If you come across it, read it. But don't go out of your way to obtain it.
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after they fall asleep, as half human - half hologram. Wayne, an elderly Imagineer, guides them as they solve the mystery of the Stonecutters Quill, an old fable. The clues lead the 5 kids to the Overtakers, the evil characters who just keep wanting more and more power. Finn and pals find themselves trying to save Disney World from Malecifant (Sleeping Beauty) before the Overtakers gain control.Pros & Cons: I think I was expecting something more fun and fantasy based. Or, I could just be too old (but are you ever too old for Disney World?). I think it is a great book for the age group it is written. I enjoyed the descriptions and scenes that took place on the rides because I could feel like I was there. I liked the whole premise of the story (characters coming to life and kids having to save the park), but was disappointed in how it was written. I felt that there were too many pre-teen cliches. But then again, it is a pre-teen book. There is a sequel, not sure how that will be. Overall, 3 1/2 stars. If you come across it, read it. But don't go out of your way to obtain it.
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LibraryThing member Nico67
In the Kingdom Keepers, Finn Whitman and four other teens are chosen to become DHI, which stands for Disney Host Interactive and it also stands for Daylight Hologram Imaging. They first think that it is going to be cool, but when they re
LibraryThing member cvosshans
The cool story line alone earns this novel 4 stars out of 5 - who wouldn't want to be in a Disney park after dark? Battling the villains and witches might be hard work but I can think of way worse jobs. Finn and his friends find themselves in the middle of the action but pull through in the end.
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This novel by Ridley Pearson is 324 pages of fun and suspense told from 13 year old Finn's perspective. The ending allows for a sequel - something fans of this book will appreciate. Show Less
LibraryThing member cullen21
this book is another one of my favorites because the characters grow through out the story and become heroes and save all things Disney! ha ha. but this book is just like your in Disney fighting animatronics and other Disney characters and if you haven't read this book and you love disney as much
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as me you will definetly love this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Five young teenagers who are the models for the Disney Host Interactive find out that while they dream, they are transported to the magic kingdom and their holograph comes to life. It is up to them to defeat the Overtakers and keep the world safe.
LibraryThing member BeatrixKiribani
Five Children are picked to become guides for Disney World using a new technology called DHI, which stands for Disney Host Interactive or Daylight Hologram Imaging. This new technology, however, has a glitch. The five kids are transported in their hologram form to the Theme park after they fall
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asleep. There they meet a man named Wayne, who tells them the park is in great danger from an evil witch and the Overtakers. With many familiar Disney characters, Disney After Dark has many intriguing moments and makes you wonder what really happens after Disney World closes. Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Selected as virtual "hosts" or Disney Host Interactive (DHI) models for Disney World's Orlando theme park, five teen get more than they bargained for (a nice paycheck and perpetual park passes). Turns out the cutting edge technology that transformed them into holograms also connected them with
It's a bit predictable and the whole stuck-in-the-game thing has been done better, but it wasn't bad.
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their virtual selves, and now they're spending their dreaming hours in the park. Not such a bad gig you say? Well, everything isn't exactly kosher. It seems that the DHIs were created to do more than entertain - they're intended to complete a quest left by park founder Walt Disney himself; a quest that will, if successful, stop the gradual encroachment of the park's villains into the real world. (Yes, Victoria, there is a Maleficent, and she doesn't like you!) Known as the Overtakers, the villains are working on a plot to take over the park - and then the world. And for Finn Whitman and his fellow DHIs solving Walt's puzzle just became a matter of life and death.It's a bit predictable and the whole stuck-in-the-game thing has been done better, but it wasn't bad.
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LibraryThing member MerryMary
A lot of fun to read. The background of "Disney After Dark" is well realized, and the YA characters are well done. The premise is not completely fleshed out - but the author is trying to save something for the sequel.
The premise is that certain evil forces have been set loose in Disney World,
The premise is that certain evil forces have been set loose in Disney World,
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originating from the evil characters of the Disney stories. A group of chosen teenagers find themselves half human and half hologram, and the future goodness of Disney World, and the real world depends on their teamwork and fortitude. The evil character of record is Malificent, but there will undoubtedly be more. I'm looking forward to the sequel. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsBond
This book feels like a Disney production, in the same way the you can seen a short clip of a performance and know that it came from Disney World or a Disney Channel show. There is just enough of everything to make it appear happy, well-rehearsed, and a place you might like to be. Missing is depth,
To be honest, I don't like the Mouse, never really did, and this opinion colors my view on this book. If you don't have strong feelings against all things Disney, this will most likely be a fun read.
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natural flow, and realistic serendipity. Kingdom Keepers is based on fictional Disney production (the DHI's), so it is fully in keeping with the Disney production model. The use of proper names for various park elements felt somewhat forced, at times making this little novel feel like a Disney advertisement. Readers barely get to know the main character, learning a little more than a name for the supporting characters. To be honest, I don't like the Mouse, never really did, and this opinion colors my view on this book. If you don't have strong feelings against all things Disney, this will most likely be a fun read.
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LibraryThing member AsTr1102
Shows a new darker side of the Disney Parks. Since I've been to Disney really easy and fun to follow along and picture myself in the main characters shoes. Really good book that I recommend to anyone who loves anything Disney.
LibraryThing member chinquapin
The main character in the story is Finn, a 13 year old boy who lives in Florida and is very familiar with Disney World. He and four other kids were selected after a rigorous process, to become Disney's first holographic hosts...kind of an animated, walking and talking holographic image of
Well, this is a children's book, but I loved it. It started out a little slow, but really picked up once they were on the quest for the Stonemason's quill. Some rides, like It's a Small World and Splash Mountain will probably never be the same for me...lol. I will say, though, that Pearson does not spend a lot of time describing the rides or the park. There is an assumption of fammiliarty which could probably make the story less enjoyable if you have never been there.
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themselves. All is well until Finn and others discover that when they fall asleep they "cross over" into the Magic Kingdom in some weird state that is half human and half holographic image. On these nighttime excursions, animatronics and Disney characters seem to come to life, and most of them are up to no good. An older cast member named Wayne who lives at the park explains to them that an evil magic is at work, and that they need to solve the puzzle of the Stonemason's Quill to overcome it. Thus begins their adventures in the park after dark.Well, this is a children's book, but I loved it. It started out a little slow, but really picked up once they were on the quest for the Stonemason's quill. Some rides, like It's a Small World and Splash Mountain will probably never be the same for me...lol. I will say, though, that Pearson does not spend a lot of time describing the rides or the park. There is an assumption of fammiliarty which could probably make the story less enjoyable if you have never been there.
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Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2006)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 2008)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Winner — Grades 6-8 — 2009)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2009)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2010)
Language
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
324 p.; 21 inches
ISBN
9781423123118
DDC/MDS
| Fic Childrens Pearson |