Author Ridley Pearson announced this week that, once again, guests at Walt Disney World will be able to purchase his latest “Kingdom Keepers” novel before the official release date this month. Pearson kicks off his national book tour at the resort on March 25 and will be signing the books at two events.
“Kingdom Keepers” is a popular Young Adult series that takes place inside the Walt Disney World theme parks and aboard Disney Cruise Line ships. As the original “Kingdom Keepers” series wrapped up last year, Pearson comforted fans by announcing a new trilogy would keep the beloved characters alive. “The Return: Disney Lands” is the first in the new series and has a U.S. publication date of March 31.
Pearson sums up the plot this way on his website: “With the defeat of the Overtakers behind them, the five teenagers known as the Kingdom Keepers should be celebrating. By all accounts, they saved Disneyland from certain destruction. Why then did their mentor leave one last puzzle for them to decipher? The Keepers must solve a puzzle of the past, or be crushed under an evil that makes the Overtakers seem like gentle souls.”
The author also has been busy creating “Fairlies Adventures,” a series of novellas in the “Kingdom Keepers” series. The first, “The Syndrome,” was released March 3. Pearson says the name comes from the “fairly human” girls Amanda, Jess and Mattie. “Over the years, they’ve protected and supported the five Disney guides with their paranormal abilities,” he wrote.
The book signings take place from 4 to 6 p.m. March 25 at Once Upon a Toy store at The Marketplace at Downtown Disney and 9 to 11 a.m. March 26 at the Writer’s Stop inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Park admission is required for the Writer’s Stop event.
“The Return: Disney Lands” and “The Syndrome” will be available to purchase at the Walt Disney World events for their list prices of $17.99 and $12.99, respectively. Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World annual passholder discounts will be honored.
A wristband, which is required to meet Pearson, will be distributed to guests with each book purchase. Wristbands are available as soon as the store opens. For Once Upon a Toy, that’s 10 a.m. March 25. The Writer’s Stop opens at 9 a.m. (when Disney’s Hollywood Studies does) on March 26. Each wristband allows the guest to get two books signed. Once the wristbands have been distributed, the line to meet Ridley Pearson will close.
My 12-year-old son is a Kingdom Keepers fan, and we have attended several book signings over the years. Our tips: Don’t underestimate Pearson’s popularity. Get a wristband early if this is a must-do event for your group. Also, your time with Pearson is brief, so be prepared. If you’d like him to write something special in your book, jot it down ahead of time.
Pearson also will be signing books at Disneyland on March 28. From 10 a.m. to noon, he will be at Disneyana on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland park, and from 2 to 4 p.m., he will be at the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney.
Took my daughter to Disney Studios yesterday for the book signing. She’s still smiling. 🙂
Thanks for the great info! I enjoy going into a situation knowing what to expect. Thanks to your hints we were there before park opening and wasted no time getting back to the Writer’s Shop.
I appreciated the orderly, organized way the signing was done. I fear we are spoiled for book signings done anywhere else!
KRISTIN: Thanks, Brooke! I’m the same way. Happy it worked out for us both 🙂 BTW – I’ll have an interview with Ridley Pearson on the blog tomorrow.