Book Review-Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
by Cory Doctorow

Category: Fiction / Science Fiction
208 pages; ISBN: 0765304368

Who *wouldn't* want to live in walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, with no other responsibilities than to mind operations at the Haunted mansion (Best. Ride. Ever.)? As it happens, our hero Jules is afforded this opportunity in near (?) future as part of the Bitchun Society, where death has been rendered obsolete, replaced by a memory storage process which requires everybody to be "online." Live forever, download into a new body when necessary or whenever the mood strikes - imagine the Fountain of Youth as an FTP site.

Money is no object in the Bitchun Society, literally, as one's wealth is determined by one's ability to endear themselves to everybody else. By collecting points (known here as "Whuffie"), one is raised higher in the Bitchun Society's caste system. As Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom opens, Jules's Whuffie is modest enough to enjoy life tooling around Liberty Square. However, even in the land of the Mouse one has to watch out for rats.

Territorial wars are a-brewing, instigated when a faction of resident Mouseketeers decides to give the Hall of Presidents a cyber facelift. Jules, convinced that their leader was behind his most recent "death," recruits girlfriend Lil and buddy Dan into rejuvenating the mansion before control-freak Debra and her Hall "ad-hocracy" can get their hands on it. What begins as a proactive campaign to preserve the ride's original charm, however, soon becomes a matter of pride for Jules which quickly threatens to destroy his relationships and his life. Soon there just doesn't seem to be enough Whuffie to ease damage control.

With Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, author Doctorow creates a unique premise enhanced by a playful setting and witty dialogue. This is science fiction for the non sci-fi reader as well as for hardcore fans of the genre - think Carl Hiassen crossed with Phillip K. Dick...with just a dash of Disney magic.

Kathryn Lively is the publisher of Phaze, romance novels in eBook and paperback. She offers book promotion advice for authors.

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Disney's Expedition Everest - Keep Your Eyes Wide Open

The newest attraction to grace walt Disney World's mountain range is Expedition Everest in animal Kingdom. It has been the buzz for many years, and much anticipated since Epcot's Soarin' was unveiled a few years ago. I experienced the attraction twice - once in stand-by, and once with a FastPass.

The architectural illusion of the attraction house (which is shaped, obviously, like Mount Everest) is absolutely stunning. The peak looks miles up (but Splash Mountain is actually taller!), and there is nothing around to clutter the view. It could be Disney's best illusion yet - and you don't even have to wait in a line to experience it!

The line queue is nice as well - visitors weave through a quaint mountainside village on their way to the loading bay. On the way, teaser exhibits describing "Yeti lore" show that locals admire a certain mountain creature.

My first ride experience was a bit of of a disappointment. It reminded me too much of the aged Matterhorn in Disneyland. I won't spoil the actual attraction for you here, but it was a regular roller coaster. Think Indiana Jones (in Paris, not Disneyland!) mixed with Matterhorn.

However, I later learned that I missed the attraction's major highlight (I must have blinked or something) - a large Yeti. The next time I kept my eyes peeled, and I saw, for less than two seconds, the largest, creepiest, most monstrous animatronic Yeti in all of Disneydom. For the effect of those two seconds, the ride suddenly became worth it. I just wish it was more obvious, and that I had seen it the first time.

Dirk Vanderwilt is the author of several travel guidebooks for the Tourist Town guides series. Tourist Town guides offer independent, honest advice about America's top tourist hotspots.

For more information, visit http://www.touristtown.com

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