Staten Island Parent, August 2004
Louis A. Mongello tests reader's knowledge of theme parks & resorts... & reveals little-known facts.

Didier Ghez, The Ultimate Disney Books Network, May 17, 2004
Finally a trivia book about Walt Disney World. That one was long overdue.

Jim Hill, jimhillmedia.com, June 17, 2004
I suggest that you pick up a copy.

Mike Scopa, MousePlanet.com, July 16, 2004
Anyone who is lucky enough to pick up Mongello's book will find it to be very entertaining.

Della Pacheco, Cincinnati Fifty plus! August 2004
Think you know all there is to know about Walt Disney World? Think again.

Mark Sedenquist, RoadTripAmerica.com, 10/3/04
"Fascinating... great for keeping road trip companions entertained... or perking everyone up if travel fatigue sets in."

The Bookwatch on December 2004
"Browsing through the pages of "The Walt Disney World Trivia Book" is almost as much fun as being there!"

Book Description
Not a travel planner, or guidebook, but a unique and entertaining collection of hundreds of multiple choice trivia questions, fill with secrets and interesting facts about all aspects of Walt Disney World.

From the Publisher
This book will help you discover Walt Disney World’s secrets, history, hidden treasures, and the little details that make everything so wonderful. It is divided into six chapters. Chapter One covers the "World" in general; the next four chapters cover each of the theme parks; and the sixth and last focuses on the areas "Beyond the Parks" — the resort hotels, the monorail, Downtown Disney, and the water parks. Each chapter begins with multiple-choice questions, followed by the correct answers and additional fun facts about the subject. Chapter Two: The Magic Kingdom opens with general questions about the park and then is subdivided by land (Adventureland, Frontierland, etc.), while Chapter Three: Epcot, starts with general questions and then is subdivided by its two "Worlds." Thus, a question about Space Mountain, for example, would be found in the Tomorrowland section of Chapter Two. The questions in Chapter One challenge you to remember WDW history and to identify where in WDW you might find a particular character, prop, attraction, etc. or hear a particular line of dialogue (taken from an attraction script or theme song). It also includes questions related to any and all parts of WDW. Chapter Six, in contrast, quizzes you specifically on your knowledge of the non-theme park parts of WDW. Walt Disney World has gone through many changes in its 30-plus years. So some questions let readers take a step back in time to revisit original concepts and attractions that no longer exist. Fans who miss Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or were never able to experience Horizons firsthand, for example, can stay in touch or get better acquainted with them here. To add to the fun, you’ll find fascinating tidbits of information highlighted throughout the book. Looking for all the information you can get about a particular ride, resort, or whatever? Check the Index and look for your subject by name. And try not to be too disappointed if you don’t find it. While this book contains hundreds of questions about Walt Disney World, WDW has thousands of nooks and crannies. One book simply can’t cover them all.

From the Author
I sincerely hope that you have as much fun reading this book as I did researching and writing it. I hope not only to enhance your love for WDW, but to spark your interest in what makes the magic really happen. Strangely enough, I find the more I learn about how Disney creates its wonderful effects and the extraordinary efforts Imagineers and Cast Members go through to make WDW so special, the more magical it becomes for me. I am still amazed at how things work, how my emotions are tapped, and how I always leave WDW with a smile on my face.

From the Inside Flap
• What is the most popular attraction in the WDW theme parks? • About how many man-made leaves are on The Tree of Life? • What is the fastest ride in WDW? • At the very top of Spaceship Earth what will you find? How well do you know Walt Disney World? Explore WDW secrets and fun facts with this unique collection of hundreds of multiple-choice questions and little-known details about the world’s most magical destination.

About the Author
New Jersey native Louis A. Mongello has been fascinated by Walt Disney World (WDW) since his first visit at the age of three--when WDW and the Magic Kingdom were just a month old. He’s visited dozens of times since and devoted a considerable amount of energy to learning everything he can about it, amassing an extensive (and still growing) collection of Walt Disney World memorabilia in the process. A few years ago, he decided he should "do something" with all the "useless knowledge" he had accumulated in order to share more of WDW’s history, secrets, and inner workings with its millions of fans. This book is the result.

Excerpted from The Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic by Louis A. Mongello. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From CHAPTER TWO: MAGIC KINGDOM 1. It was estimated that 100,000 people would attend Opening Day at the Magic Kingdom in 1971. About how many actually showed up? a.) 100,000 b.) 10,000 c.) 187,000 d.) 211,000 2. What color are the walkways as you enter the Magic Kingdom? a.) Gray b.) White c.) Red d.) Red, White and Blue 3. About how many Audio-Animatronics figures are there in the Magic Kingdom? a.) 350 b.) 775 c.) 999 d.) 1,100 4. What person or character is depicted in flowers in front of the train station at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom? a.) Walt Disney b.) Mickey and Minnie c.) Mickey d.) It varies 5. Who appears in the Magic Kingdom to find the "Temporary Ruler of The Realm"? a.) Merlin b.) Sorcerer Mickey c.) Mickey Mouse d.) The Genie from Aladdin 6. What real-life castle served as one of the inspirations for Cinderella Castle? a.) Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria b.) Windsor Castle in England c.) Buckingham Palace in England d.) Linderhof Castle in Germany 7. How does Magic Kingdom compare in size to Epcot? a.) Epcot and Magic Kingdom are approximately the same size b.) Magic Kingdom is about one-third the size of Epcot c.) Magic Kingdom is twice as large as Epcot d.) Magic Kingdom is about one-tenth the size of Epcot 1. b.) 10,000 Fearing traffic jams and overcrowding, and fueled by media hype, people stayed away from the park on its opening day, making the Florida State Troopers who had been brought in to control traffic jams unnecessary. In November, however, Florida experienced the worst traffic jam in its history, as nearby Interstate 4 was backed up for miles by would-be Disney visitors. 2. c.) Red Walt Disney wanted his Disney World Guests to feel as if they were entering a movie theater and that everything inside was part of the "show." In keeping with this idea, he wanted his Guests to feel as though Disney was laying down the "Red Carpet" for them. Thus the red walkways at the main entrance to the MK. (And that’s also why everyone who works there is "onstage" and part of the "Cast" at all times.) 3. d.) 1,100 There are about 1,100 Audio-Animatronics figures in the Magic Kingdom, all controlled from a central location. The total for all four theme parks is close to 2,000. 4. c.) Mickey Mickey’s face is composed of multicolored flowers in a flower bed in front of the Main Street Train Station. 5. a.) Merlin Presided over by Merlin the Magician, the Sword in the Stone Ceremony takes place several times daily in Fantasyland in the area behind Cinderella Castle and in front of Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel. A child is chosen from the audience to pull the magical sword, Excalibur, from the stone. He or she is then appointed "temporary ruler of the realm." 6. a.) Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria Cinderella Castle, the majestic icon of the Magic Kingdom, was inspired by a number of castles and architectural styles, including the French castles and chateaux of Fontainebleau, Versailles, Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont, and Usse. In fact, French writer Charles Perrault, the author of the original "Sleeping Beauty" and "Cinderella" (also known as "The Little Glass Slipper"), was said to have been inspired by Usse, the "chateau of dreams," for his fables. Disney’s designers also borrowed a large number of elements from King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein (or "New Swan Stone") Castle in Bavaria, Germany. Like Neuschwanstein, Cinderella Castle fuses several architectural elements. In the case of Cinderella Castle, the base resembles a 13th century medieval fortress, while the upper portion is lighter and more delicate like a Renaissance palace. In addition to being an inspiration for Cinderella Castle, Neuschwanstein was one of the models for Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and the castle in the animated film, Sleeping Beauty. 7. b.) Magic Kingdom is about one-third the size of Epcot. Magic Kingdom occupies an area of just 107 acres, while Epcot covers about 300 acres. That means that you could almost fit three Magic Kingdoms inside of Epcot!

FROM THE PUBLISHER