Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks (Paperback)

by Jeffrey Epstein (Author), Eddie Shapiro (Author) "People have actually written essays on this topic..." (more)
Key Phrases: priority seating, jungle cruise, dark ride, Magic Kingdom, Main Street, Disney's Animal Kingdom (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The most important thing you can read to prepare yourself for the Kingdom." -- Margaret Cho --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Queen team Jeffrey Epstein and Eddie Shapiro help queer travelers discover the Disney theme parks in the completely updated new edition of this must-have guidebook. With a blend of wit and Cruella-like cattiness, Epstein and Shapiro rate the rides, shows, and attractions and offer advice on everything from fun “Fairy Facts” of behind-the-scenes park trivia and the surrounding gay nightlife to candid tips on where to steal a private moment with a loved one. Find out the authors’ “top picks” and what rates as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”Also profiling Disney’s overseas parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris, as well as the cruiseline, Epstein and Shapiro are the clever friends you wish you could take with you on all your trips. Included in the book are maps, photos, and sidebars.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 2nd edition (April 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598800612
• ISBN-13: 978-1598800616
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,189 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Gay & Lesbian > Travel
  #20 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Gay & Lesbian
  #22 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Gay Men

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grab your mouse ears and cue up the disco!, May 29, 2003

By	lanewburn "lanewburn" (Portsmouth, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks (Kings in the Kingdom) (Paperback)

Why shouldn't the Happiest Place on Earth not also be the Gayest?! This audacious little guidebook puts the Disney parks in a whole new light. Reverent with a touch of irreverence, Jeffrey and Eddie take their hapless readers on a hilarious romp around each theme park, citing the best and the worst of every ride, show, and restaurant. Each review however is tinged with a love of all things Disney, an underlying respect for the sheer childlike glee most people feel when running down Main Street. Quippish sarcasm marks a good chunk of this tome, leading to numerous laughs while weighing the differences of the California Space Mountain and it's Florida counterpart. And let's not forget the Fairy Facts! Trivial tidbits that are proof positive that these queens reign in their research efforts. Whether you've been to the parks before or are treading through the castles as a new-comer, whether you're gay, straight, or bi, this is one guide that's worth the price of admission.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Can't stand alone, May 24, 2003

By	Bruce Aguilar (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks (Kings in the Kingdom) (Paperback)

Jeffrey Epstein and Eddie Shapiro have a very entertaining writing style giving snappy remarks and one liners every now and again. It spices up a book that any reader of previous guides will need to keep them interested. Although all the rides, hotels and areas of the parks are covered there's just not that much specifically 'gay' to write about. For gays who are going to one of the parks for the first time, this book might be helpful in choosing a hotel to stay at, but only in conjuction with another guide as the reviews are very brief.

My favorite part of the book is the Compare & Contract appendix which describes the similarties and/or differencees between rides that are at more than one park. But like most features in this book, I wish it went in to more depth.

Also fun are the 'Fairy Facts' that are sprinkled thoughout the book. Did you know that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland was originally supposed to be where Pirates of the Caribbean is located now? Long time Disney enthusiats and triva buffs will get off on 'Fairy Facts'.

It's obvious that Epstein & Shapiro throughly enjoy the Disney parks, yet they're not timid in saying what they think of an attraction. Example: they quite accurately re-name Superstar Limo (from California Adventure) Supersucky Lame-o.

All in all the book has something to offer most Disney visitors (gay or not), but not enough to cater to any specific segment. Newbies will be frustrated at the lack of depth, but appreciate the authors honest opinions. Long time guests will have to make due with triva and a snappy sense of humor. The book is best enjoyed in conjunction with another more comprehensive guide.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gay primer to the Disney parks, May 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks (Kings in the Kingdom) (Paperback)

Aside from being a fun read, this book is right on target because gay men and lesbians look for different things in recreation places than heteros often do. Most importantly, we want gay-friendly places where we know we can be ourselves and have a good time. This book is full of fun, frank descriptions of the attractions (yes to Disneyland's Fantasmic!; no to California Adventure's Golden Zephyr), and the Fairy Facts are great-alone they could make a book. The authors provide an hilarious revisionist read on the Disney characters like the fairies, but Alice in Wonderland makes a great fag hag circuit queen if you look carefully. The book also highlights the ways in which the Disney parks are gay-friendly, tricks and tips for getting good seats for attractions and minimizing your wait in lines, reviews of the eating establishments (a culinary lifesaver!), and the top spots to share a gay moment (like the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World), all to help you get the most out of each of the theme parks.