"Although I am not an ‘All Things Disney’ person, I realized several things as I was carefully reading Hidden Mickey 2....Walt Disney really did achieve his goal in giving us a legacy of happy memories, and if we were not intrigued about the behind the scenes of Disneyland before, we will be now! Approaching the beginning of the book with a healthy amount of skepticism about ‘All Things Disney,’ I later found myself engrossed by the historical information, detailed descriptions, the search for clues, but most of all the romantic development of the two main characters, Kimberly and Lance. Hidden Mickey 2 is a read that entertains, intrigues and surprises the reader.
    Much later, after I was almost finished with the book, I realized that Walt Disney truly was a creative genius, and much like the story line of time travel, he too transcended time by passing on a legacy of shared memories that many Americans take for granted as part of their culture. Both young and old can tell you about their first trip to Disneyland, their initial surprise and delight, which Hidden Mickey 2's characters so vividly capture.
     I even began to reflect on my own personal experiences that hinge around Disneyland, one of the most personal and important to me was my engagement, which took place at the footsteps of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, with the exact place I was standing (when my now husband proposed to me) being described in Hidden Mickey 2! The author puts the reader, surreally, in the book! Yet, I had never thought of the universal experience of Disneyland, one that I am sure Walt wanted the world to have, until after reading Hidden Mickey 2. The developing clues, the hidden meaning of some of the features in Disneyland, and the collection of human relationships that occur at Disneyland make Hidden Mickey 2 a real page turner! And even though I have not yet had the opportunity to read Hidden Mickey 1, I still found Hidden Mickey 2 to be a very much an independent read—very capable of telling its own story. So, now I have the interesting experience of reading both books…out of sequence, but no problem, as that is often how successful sequels are produced. And I have a strong feeling we all will be hearing much more about this author’s works! (I’ve already been told by some one in Phoenix that Hidden Mickey is a book they are familiar with!)
     If I wasn't an ‘All Things Disney’ person and looking for hidden meaning while visiting Disneyland (Truthfully, I wasn't even aware that there were such items, being so focused on the park itself.) I certainly will be looking for these experiences the next time I visit Disneyland, which is in about four weeks--for my daughter's sixth birthday. The world may turn to a different era, decade, year...but Disneyland is something we should stop and consider the value it holds in our shared life experiences, which Hidden Mickey 2 helps us to appreciate all that much more! Unlike other books, once the reading is over so too is the experience, but true to a Disney fashion this reading experience can live on, outside of our pocket during our next Disneyland vacation destination/trip.
     P.S.  My daughter just squealed in my ear as she saw the Mickey Mouse logo, ‘Oh! Disneyland... We are going to go to Disneyland!!!’ Now she's back holding her Mickey and describing our next trip...Some things classically never change!!"