'Kingdom Keepers' author Ridley Pearson coming back to Walt Disney World

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From AllEars...

Meet 'Kingdom Keepers' author Ridley Pearson at Walt Disney World

Fans who missed Ridley Pearson when he visited Walt Disney World in January will be happy to know the author will be back on Disney property March 29 and 30 to greet readers. Pearson returns to Lake Buena Vista to preview and sign copies of the fifth installment of his hugely popular Kingdom Keepers series, which goes on sale April 3.

The signings of Kingdom Keepers V: Shell Game take place from 4 to 6 p.m. March 29 at Once Upon a Toy store at The Marketplace in Downtown Disney and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 30 at The Writer's Stop inside Disney's Hollywood Studios. Park admission is required for the Writer's Stop event.

Once Upon a Toy will begin selling KK5 at 3 p.m., an hour before the signing begins, and The Writer's Stop will start sales when the park opens Friday. A wristband, which is required to meet Pearson, will be distributed to guests with each book purchase. If you purchase KK5 at Once Upon a Toy and want to get an autograph at The Writer's Stop, bring your book and receipt to get a wristband while supplies last.

Kingdom Keepers is a young adult series published by Disney Hyperion that pits a group of kids against Disney villains trying to take over the Walt Disney World theme parks. KK5 is the first novel in the series to be set onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream.

Disney World hosted Pearson for similar events last year to preview Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play, and I took my then-8-year-old son to meet one his favorite authors. It was the first time either of us had attended a book signing at Disney World, and we learned a few things from the experience.

First, don't underestimate how many fans will embrace the opportunity to meet Pearson. Last year, we left straight from school and got to Downtown Disney about 15 minutes after the signing started, and we were among the last fans to meet Pearson. I was just thankful we received the coveted wristbands so my son wouldn't be disappointed after waiting in the hot sun for almost two hours! From what I understand, the crowd size was double the number of fans who came out for the Kingdom Keepers III book-signing the previous year.

Know that in order to get an autograph, you are required to purchase KK5. Last year, it seemed that most of the people in line were like us and couldn't wait to get an advance copy, so no grumbling there. Each person with a wristband was allowed to purchase two copies of the book. Fans who wanted to purchase the book but didn't want to wait for an autograph were directed to a separate queue.

Finally, if the lines are anything like last year, expect your time with Pearson to be brief. He worked quickly to not disappoint his waiting fans, and although he was willing to answer a question or two while writing, he did not stop to pose for photos. Fans are allowed to take photos while he is signing, however.

Have a question about Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy? Pearson might have the answer because he will be sailing on back-to-back preview cruises before the book signings. (See what differentiates the Disney Fantasy from its sister ships on this AllEars page.)

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2012/02/meet_kingdom_keepers_author_ri.html

[rdancemom... Pam 113]

Autograph, smautograph. Not such a big deal IMO.

I wish they'd do another KK YES program though to get the KK quest packet & hear him speak. Still kicking myself for missing that one...