I recently purchased and read the CP book, Mousecatraz: The Walt Disney World College Program. I'm curious to see what the rest of you thought of the book. This is a great book that is very similar to Mouse Tales, but with a completely different style and approach. The book is an easy read, funny and informative. I want to become a "CP" now! I will post a longer review here in a few days. It's about time someone did a book like this about WDW and the College Program. You can purchase the book from: www.mousecatraz.com Well worth it and a nice addition to your Disney collection. This is a great trip down memory lane.
My review of the book: Overall: There are 9 chapters including an interesting Foreword, Preface, Afterword and Glossary. The chapters include: 1. Calling All Students 2. Checking-In 3. Mouse-Washed 4. Earning 5. Living 6. Learning 7. Escape 8. Checking-Out 9. The Journey that Changed Me Strengths: The 184-page book is an easy read and I enjoyed the style. Direct quotes from cast members are separated with Italics and the information is very well organized. The content is very funny. I thing I realized is that this book discusses the College Program, but it still is Disney and both are nicely intertwined. The author, Wesley Jones, briefly touches on the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger Explosion, September 11, 2001, attacks, the WDW Hurricanes and more. I expected the book to be negative about Disney, but I was wrong. Jones looks at the good and bad, all sides of the College Program. A lot of the material left me laughing and this was the biggest strength. A fun read and a must for every Disney fan and College Program alumni or hopeful! Weaknesses: There were no pictures, which would have helped illustrated a few of the ideas discussed in the book. I was hoping for a few more secrets about WDW and some more in-depth material, like Mouse Tales provides. Jones never really dives into the dirty stuff of the park. The closest is when he talks about the “Zoo†at the Magic Kingdom, but even that is discussed on the behind-the-scenes tour. And he never goes into detail about the “Zoo†or what really occurs beneath the Magic Kingdom…he just hints at it. He also left out any mention of the Disneyland version of the C. Program. Overall: I recommend this book and give it high marks!
Ive always wondered how shocked guests would be if they had any idea what the 'perfect' CMs they deal with every day in World Showcase got up in their own time. I think if a lot of these people actually knew about The Commons etc theyd be pretty shocked. Think itd make a great fly on the wall show but I cant see Disney allowing it somehow!! Guess this book muct give a slight idea of what really goes on!! Could be quite interesting!
