Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids 2009 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids: The Official Guide for Fun-Loving Adults) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids is meant to be a companion to the Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009. For a book like this to be useful, it needs to provide extensive information on things that would be of use to adults yet not was deemed unworthy of inclusion in the main guide. After all, if it's in the main guide already why do we need this book? The guide also needs genuine critiques of restaurants and hotels that would be most suitable for romantic (or at least quiet) outings. Detailed reviews of dinner shows would also be a plus. These are just a few examples that single adults and couples might find useful. The key is that readers need good details and honest evaluations for a book of this type to have any value. The only other guide of this type that I have read was The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups (Unofficial Guides) and it failed to offer enough of value to justify its purchase. Did Birnbaum's fare better?
One undeniable strength is that this book retains the high production values of the Birnbaum's series. It's loaded with very nice photos. The writing is clear and concise making for a quick, easy read. In other words, the form is wonderful. But the substance, that's where we stumble. There are no real critiques or comparisons offered. The coverage is too shallow to allow you to truly discrimiate which places would be best suited to your needs. There is also too little material that isn't available in the standard guidebooks for the area. In the final analysis, there just isn't enough substance here to make it worth buying.
If you're looking for a guide to Orlando primarily composed of photos and basic coverage of the area, then the Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009 is by far the better choice. If you want a more substantial book that is packed with detailed information then the The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides) is your best bet. If you really want the full picture, buy both of them. But whatever approach you choose, save your money and skip this one.


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In Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids, the most respected and well-known name in travel guides takes adult readers through the world's most popular tourist attraction. Because our guide is the only guide that's official, this book includes the most accurate information on prices and attractions. None of the other guides have access to the information that our authors do. This book focuses on the resorts, attractions, restaurants, and special places that adults will most enjoy and probably never realized existed.This year's edition is packed with information on new attractions and tips and insights especially tailored for the young at heart, plus expanded coverage of Walt Disney World's quartet of spas, the lowdown on Downtown Disney Pleasure Island's ongoing transformation, and News for Night Owls: a listing of spots for those who, unlike Cinderella, can stay out past midnight. Other features includethe scoop on the 20th anniversary happenings at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios), details on the World's newestrestaurants, and new insider tips on how to save time and money at Walt Disney World

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Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando 2009 (Frommer's Complete) Review

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(More customer reviews)We had an older Birnbaum's Boook published in 2008, We rated it at 4 Stars. We Purchased Formmers, Walt Disney World & Orlando 2009,by Laura Lea Miller another 4 Star Book. We also Purchased The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009, by Bob Sehlinger this Book we Gave 5 Stars. All These Books have helped us greately in making decisions in all areas of our up comming Vacation to Disney. They provide many tips. We will take all these Books with us, Especially the UNOFFICIAL GUIDE. ALL HELPED BUT WE FOUND THIS ONE THE BEST FOR US. The Disney Parks are Huge and without some type of itenerary, Disney Termonology your everyday person is lost. I would not want to spend as much money as Disney demands and not have all the possible knowledge that these Books Provide. These Books explain the WDW Resort Perks, DDR's, DAH. and provide a wealth of knowledge about the parks, transportation, Rides, Attractions, Dining, etc.

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America's #1 bestselling travel series
Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer's Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.
More annually updated guides than any other series
16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides
Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries
Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

Completely updated for 2009, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando is the perfect trip-planner for America's #1 vacation destination—Disney World. Seven of the world's top ten theme parks are in Orlando, and it's the number one destination for families on the planet.
This book will cover all of the highlights of the city, including the opening of SeaWorld's latest theme park, Aquatica. It also features detailed itineraries for all of the Disney and Universal Orlando theme parks.
The guide also includes info on SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Bush Gardens, and the Kennedy Space Center. You'll also find individual park maps, up-to-date advice on finding the best package deals, and a free color fold-out map.

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Walt Disney World & Orlando For Dummies 2007 (For Dummies Travel: Walt Disney World & Orlando) Review

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(More customer reviews)Great book. Easy to read and follow and extremely helpful. My 7 year old daughter and 11 year old son were able to digest this and help me create a plan for our vacation.

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"I'm going to Disney World."
So are more than 15 million other people. Disney World is the number-one tourist destination in the country, and Orlando typically has almost 50 million visitors a year.
Disney World includes four theme parks, a dozen other attractions, and two entertainment districts. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld add another four theme parks, three resorts, and a lively entertainment area to the Orlando mix. So how do you make the most of your time and your money? Whether you're more interested in braving the rides or seeing the shows and the sites, this guide helps you decide where to stay, what to see, and what to do. It covers:
The favorite rides and attractions (wild or mild) at all the major theme parks
Great resorts, themed hotels, and all kinds of kid-friendly accommodations
Orlando's exciting nightlife at Pleasure Island, City Walk, and other hot spots
Vacation package options and ways to save money
Transportation around Orlando and Disney's special transport system
Orlando's best special events

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Working with Disney: Interviews with Animators, Producers, and Artists Review

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(More customer reviews)"Working with Disney" by Don Peri is a worthy successor to his first book about Disney animators, "Working with Walt". In this new set of interviews with those fortunate enough to work with Walt Disney, the author expands his focus to include not only animators, but also animation directors and producers, story idea people, writers, actors, imagineers, and even Disneyland ride operators.
The sum of the parts may not be quite as perfect as "Working with Walt", but is still a fascinating inside glimpse into the talented people who had the honor and the challenge of creating movie magic with Walt Disney as the omnipresent great man they tried to impress.
Some of the inside knowledge into animation and the references to Disney films may be a little deep for the Disney neophyte. It definitely helps to already know the basic history of Walt Disney and his films. Here's a very quick run-down of the interviews in the order they appear in the book, and my impression of them.
Interviews with Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Marc Davis. All three of these legendary animators were in the original fabled "Nine Old Men" of Disney studios. They worked on almost all the great Disney classic feature length animated films from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves through The Jungle Book. Delightful stories and remembrances of working with Walt.
Dave Hand, a long-time animator for Disney, appears to be extremely guarded and a little bit defensive and evasive during his interview, which was a bit of a disappointment. Author Don Peri notes of Dave Hand that "He was hesitant to participate in a face to face interview". The two never met, and the interview was done through correspondence, which may account for the somewhat distant and lackluster tone of the interview.
Walter Lantz, the inventor of Woody Woodpecker. A curious choice to include in this set of interviews, as it appears he never worked directly for Disney, but did continue animating "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" invented by Walt Disney. The introduction to the interview somewhat euphemistically states "When Walt Disney lost the character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to his distributor, Charles Mintz, Universal retained the copyright, and the company's head, Carl Laemmle Jr., soon asked Walter to replace Mintz as producer, giving Oswald a new lease on life..." According to other histories, the character Oswald was stolen from Walt and he was unceremoniously cut out of the Oswald franchise. Nevertheless, a fine interview, with some interesting history of Woody the Woodpecker.
Giles "Frenchy" de Tremaudan, an animator for Disney, was tracked down when he was quite old and in poor health, and subsequently, he doesn't have a lot to say.
Lance Nolley, a "big-hearted Texan" was an art director, layout artist, and production designer on many short subjects for Disney. He's a lot of fun and his warmth and enthusiasm shine through. He has some great stories on what it was like to work for Hannah-Barbera between stints working for Disney.
Xavier "X" Atencio worked on shorts, titles for feature length films, and later on for WED (Enterprises), he even wrote the lyrics to "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" for the Disneyland attraction "The Pirates of the Caribbean". Another terrific story-teller with insider stories of "the strike" at Disney studios prior to World War II.
Bill Justice and Lou Debney - Bill was an animator and Lou was an assistant director and production coordinator. Both are wonderful interviews with men who clearly loved their work and working for Walt Disney. Lengthy interviews that are informative and fascinating.
Joyce Belanger, John Catone, and Van France worked behind the scenes in various roles to support Disneyland (ticket taker, communication services director, attraction consultant), and collectively, they all add depth and a non-animation perspective to working with Disney and working at Disneyland.
Bobby Burgess and Sharon Baird were both Mousketeers who starred in the television show "The Mickey Mouse Club", and both were dancers and remained so professionally even after the television show was canceled. Two of the brightest, most endearing interviews in the collection, their joy and enthusiasm for being in the Mickey Mouse Club was still shining through decades later and is captured in these two delightful interviews.
In summary, "Working With Disney" is a must-have collection of interviews for anybody interested in the art of Walt Disney, and is curious to know a little more about the people and the work they did to make possible that "Disney magic".

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In this volume Don Peri expands his extraordinary work conducting in-depth interviews with Disney employees and animators. These recent interviews include conversations with actors and performers rather than solely animators.

This book offers Peri's extensive interviews with Marc Davis, Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston, three of Walt Disney's famed "Nine Old Men of Animation." Peri interviewed two Disney Mouseketeers-Bobby Burgess and Sharon Baird-from the original Mickey Mouse Club Show, providing valuable perspectives on how the Walt Disney Company worked with television. Lou Debney, a Disney television producer, discusses the company's engagement with television and live-action film. Walter Lantz talks about his work in the animation business, especially with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. And Dave Hand discusses his legendary work on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Taken together, the interviews in Working with Disney create an enlightening perspective on the Walt Disney Company as it grew from its animation roots into a media powerhouse.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World Review

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(More customer reviews)I set out to plan a vacation to WDW in 2 months time and was not sure it was possible until I read this book. The easy to read format answered all my questions (even questions I did not know I should be asking). The card system in Appendix B allowed me to layout our entire trip - what we wanted to see or skip and where we wanted to eat. Going around the park was a breeze with the cards while keeping our little ones entertained with the attractions best suited for them. Plus, the book has great tips and tricks ("Hidden Magic"), and some money-saving ideas as well. I felt I had really learned the Disney lingo ("Mickey-Speak") before even arriving. Reading this book before you go will assure you make the very most of your money, time, energy and make one "magical" trip for your family.

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The essential plan-ahead guide for the perfect Disney vacation. This book puts the magic into the beloved family theme park by answering every conceivable question about rates, age-specific tours, rides, dining, budget-planning, activities, and more—and for everyone from large families to singles to honeymooners. And reader-friendly icons and symbols make navigating this book a breeze.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World, 2009 Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)This was the perfect book for our first trip to Disney. The resort and dining reviews were extremely helpful, but the detailed theme park descriptions and rating system (tot through mature adult) helped us plan our day very efficiently. I also loved the tear out cards in the back of the book that helped us make sure we were hitting every must see in each park. I highly recommend this book for any first time visitor to Disney, it helped us make the most of our visit to the parks, stay at a resort that met our needs and helped us to pick excellent dining options.

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"The Complete Idiot's Guide travelbooks will set you up with preplannedand proven tours of thesemagical destinations. Experienceall of the sights and sounds withsuggested itineraries, comprehensivelists of ticket, dining,and hotel options, and a gorgeousfour-color insert that will whet yourappetite for a dream vacation you'llcherish forever."--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Fodor's Walt Disney World® with Kids 2009: with Universal Orlando and SeaWorld (Special-Interest Titles) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book does have some helpful tips, but it is not consistent. For example, in the Magic Kingdom section, it may have useful info like good resting places (esp. if you have small children), but not in Epcot section, for example. Or the Magic Kingdom has a section about attractions that are good for preschoolers, and the Hollywood Section does not--you have to search all over the place to find this info. Also the index is INCORRECT. Since the book is sometimes all over the place, I tried to use the index to find a specific topic I needed information on. For example, in the index, it says that the topic "Shopping, delivery for onsite guests" should be on page 42--it is not. The whole index is like that. You would think someone from Fodor's would have proofed/edited the index.

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Entering its 20th edition, Fodor's Walt Disney World® with Kids delivers the definitive but always-easy-to-access advice of former Disney Magazine contributing editor Kim Wright Wiley, who has logged more than 50 visits to the parks both as a keen-eyed journalist and as a parent. Every family needs her tips and insider knowledge to make the most of a trip to Walt Disney World.Wiley not only rates attractions and rides based on their age-related suitability and "scare" factor, but also incorporates feedback from hundreds of families who, like her, have not-so-tirelessly field tested it all. Inside you'll find: Ø Everything a family needs to choose the right hotel, including driving times to the parks from each propertyØ Full ratings as well as quick-reference charts for the most kid-pleasing rides and restaurants Ø Must-see attraction checklists geared toward young kids as well as preteens and teensØ Time-saving tips, such as how to avoid crowds and lines at the parkØ Insider's secrets and the skinny on "Hidden Mickeys"Ø Cautionary tales and success stories from parents about their park experiencesØ Convenient maps of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios "Must reading for everyone planning to bring their family."–Katie Couric, NBC's Today Show

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Explorer's Guide Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach & Florida's Space Coast: A Great Destination (Second Edition) (Explorer's Great Destinations) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not only the best travel guide for the Space Coast, its also the only one professionally done that you'll find. Author Diane Marcum put a lot of work and detail into this book, providing information on everything from hotels to restaurants. The bottom line: if you're visiting Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, or anywhere in Brevard County and the Space Coast, this book is a must. Highly recommended.

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Explore Brevard County with this updated edition of the definitive guidebook to the area.
Visitors and residentsalike will enjoy exploringBrevard County, arecreational paradisewhere the high-tech spaceprogram exists alongsideamazing natural areas likethe Indian River Lagoonestuary—the most diversemarine estuary in the U.S.Comprehensive listingsmake this your mostinformative and entertaining vacation-planning tool. Full-color photographs throughout

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The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 (Complete Walt Disney World) (Complete Guide to Walt Disney World) Review

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(More customer reviews)Looking for a guide to Walt Disney World? I think I can help. My family, along with two other families, recently spent a week at Disney, and we took five different travel books with us. We thought it would be fun to compare how useful the books were as we planned our trip and as we spent our days at the parks.
This review is the result of our efforts, with book rated from 1 star (awful) to 5 stars (great).
Before I start, you should know that our little reviewing group consisted of three couples, all in their early thirties. Between us we have three little girls, one little boy, a teenage girl, and a pair of grandparents that went along too.
We rated the books based on six criteria:
1. Helpfulness as a Trip Planner
Does the book offer tips on saving money or time? Does it help you get through the Orlando airport? Does it recommend hotels and restaurants to reserve and back up its reasons well? Does it have good advice about the Disney dining plan and which restaurants to eat at?
2. Helpfulness While at Disney World.
Is it worthwhile to take the guide with you? Does it help with last minute decisions? Is it fun to read as you wait for a restaurant table, or in a line for a ride or show?
3. Organization.
No matter how good a particular piece information is, if you can't find it, it doesn't do you any good. This is especially true in travel guides, when you often need a particular piece of information RIGHT NOW!
4. Current information.
Though all of these guides have "2009" in their title, are they really up-to-date? To find out, we picked out three things we know are new at Disney World for this year: The American Idol Experience show, the new promotion where guests get in free on their birthday, and the new room decor at the BoardWalk resort, where we stayed, and checked to see which books knew about them.
5. Addresses family needs
Since so many Disney World visitors are families, how does each book reflect that? Are there specific planning tips for families? Is there advice about which rides are too scary for little ones?
So, on to the reviews!
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009 2 stars
Once published by travel guru Steve Birnbaum, today Birnbaum's Walt Disney World is an objective travel guide in name only. Now written and published by the Disney company, it offers nothing but cheers for everything Walt Disney World has to offer. Worse, a lazy attitude permeates everything, as if this is something Disney is forced to do but would really just forget about. As you would expect, there's precious little about saving money (except for a recommendation to "save" by buying the extra-cost Disney Disney Plan) and no quality ratings for attractions, restaurants or resorts beyond an occasional "Birnbaum's Best" logo. Chapter titles are confusing: restaurants are under "Good Meals Great Times;" water parks within "Everything Else in the World." The book was 1-for-3 on our accuracy test. It knew the American Idol show existed but had no information about it. Its room description for the Boardwalk Resort was two years out of date. It did not mention the birthday promotion. On the plus side, the book's relative few pages makes it the easiest of the Disney guides to scan through, and there are many illustrations of Mickey Mouse and other cartoon characters.
The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 5 stars
Outstanding organization and a wealth of color photos makes it easy to find particular information in The Complete Walt Disney World. Chapters are color coded, and subjects are grouped together well. For example, a Planning Your Trip chapter has a subsection on the Disney Dining Plan that clearly spells out the pluses and minuses of that add-on, and individual articles titled Saving Money (with 30 numbered tips), another called Saving Time. Restaurant reviews include good insight on character meals. Resort descriptions have more details than the other guides, though the authors provide little opinion beyond a star rating. Theme park information is superb. Attraction reviews, which can go on for multiple pages for major headliners like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, include "Fear Factors" as well as "Fun Finds," are practical for families and fun for Disney fans. There's a touring plan for each park that we found helpful. The Complete Guide was 3-for-3 in our accuracy test. The only downer: Except for hotel listings, the Complete Walt Disney World focuses exclusively on Walt Disney World. There's no mention of Universal Studios, Sea World, or even the Orlando airport.
Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando 2009 3 stars
Frommers is well written, well organized and in many ways thorough, but the author doesn't seem that familiar with Walt Disney World. The book has no tips on saving time or money, and its hotel and restaurant opinions aren't backed up with a lot of facts. Attraction descriptions are short paragraphs with no specifications and few tips. The book offers little take-along value, and hardly any specific information for families. Vague family information. There are no photos or illustrations. The book scored 0 for 3 on our accuracy test. It didn't know about the American Idol show, our new room decor, or Disney's birthday promotion.
Fodor's Walt Disney World 2009: plus Universal Orlando and SeaWorld 2 star
Like a weaker version of the Frommers guide, the Fodors one is less organized and offers even less planning advice. Its ride and show descriptions seem to be edited versions of those in the Unofficial Guide, which this company also publishes. Like Frommers, the book scored 0 for 3 on our accuracy test.
The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 4 stars
Is there an editor in the house? Packed with advice and information, the 848-page Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is like your grandmother's attic: there's a lot of good stuff in there but so much junk to shift through! Actually it depends on the subject. If you have hours to dig through it, this massive tome can be a great planning tool. Page after page is devoted to subjects such as saving time or saving money. Incredibly detailed resort information includes which rooms, by number, offer the best views. Attraction summaries have details such as ratings by age group, but the authors comments are often so cynical they have value only if you find them funny. The Unofficial Guide scored 2 out of 3 on our accuracy test. It didn't know about Disney's birthday promotion. The book includes various Touring Plans, which offer step-by-step guidance for a day, or two, at each of the theme parks. These looked useful, but our group had too many individual interests to follow them. In short, this is a good book for those who aren't really fans of the Disney company, but want to take months to plan out a visit to its mecca.
So that's it! We determined that the Unofficial Guide and the Complete Guide are the best two books out there. As for which is the best for you, I think if you like Disney (or want a book that includes photography) you will like the Complete Guide best, but if you are headed there reluctantly (like, say, only to keep your kids happy), or also want information about SeaWorld or Universal, you will find the Unofficial Guide more to your liking. But either is a good choice.

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The definitive Disney handbookThe only photo-driven guidebook to the No. 1 vacation destination, The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 is a must-buy for anyone planning a trip to Walt Disney World. Filled with over 400 photographs and packed with more factual information than any other Disney guide, the colorful book includes in-depth information on attractions, activities, restaurants and resorts that you just cannot find anywhere else. Completely revised and updatedThough it does have all the latest Disney news, The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 is more than just an annual update. The new edition adds a eight-page What's New summary right up front, as well as incisive articles on saving time and saving money. New At a Glance summaries make it easy to find what you need in each theme park chapter, while attraction articles now include hour-by-hour wait times as well as lists of Fun Finds, Fun Facts and Hidden Mickeys. Insider tips appear at the bottom of nearly every page. Winner of four national book awardsIn the past year alone the book has been honored with four national awards. It won the coveted Nonfiction Book of the Year award at the 2008 Writer's Digest ISPBA and was named Travel Guide of the Year at the 2008 NIEA. It won Best Southeast Nonfiction (Silver Medal) at the 2008 IPBA and was named one of three finalists for Best Travel Guide at the USA Book News 2008 NBBA. The Walt Disney World Moms Panel praises the book for its "fabulous behind-the-scenes info about the parks." With photographs on nearly every single page, The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 is printed in full-color on gloss paper.

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Little Black Book of Walt Disney World: The Essential Guide to All the Magic (Travel Guide) (Little Black Books (Peter Pauper Paperback)) Review

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(More customer reviews)While the "Little Black Book of Walt Disney World" did include the info that you'll find in most Disney guide books, it's clear that Rona Gindin did little research on the subject before publishing. Firstly, she mentions several attractions and parades that no longer exist, then omitted one table service restaurant that has been open since November 2007 (the Yak and Yeti). It's true that many of these attractions only closed in 2008, but Disney sites, as well as Disney fan sites, normally have closings posted for at least a year in advance, so it's not as if their removals were a sudden surprise. Other 2008 guide books all had the updated info. On top of that, Gindin also gets the story-lines wrong for certain rides (i.e. Dinosaur), doesn't know the names of the main characters from Cars, and calls Star Wars fans "trekkies." (I'm well aware that this last point is pretty trite, but in my opinion, anyone who publishes a book on any subject should have all their information correct.) This book may suffice for people going to Disney for the first time, but that doesn't change the fact that they will be armed with incorrect information. My advice- spend a few more dollars and buy the Passporter for Walt Disney World. You'll never need another guide book again.

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Expect to be swept up in the magic that surrounds Walt Disney World. You'll find yourself buying a mouse-ears hat or whistling ''It's a Small World Afterall.'' Tuck this book into your pocket to make the most of the Disney experience. Here are the insider tips you need to navigate the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, accommodations, and all of Disney World's recreation venues, including water parks and golf courses. Includes everything you need to know about the rides and shows, restaurants and snack bars, and shops and hotels. Top Picks direct you to not-to-be-missed attractions. Has handy notes pages. 248 pages and 7 fold-out maps.

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The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 (Unofficial Guides) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although I have been a fan of the UG, it appears that the editors are resting on their laurels, and not updating the book every year as they claim. This year's guide includes a disturbing amount of assertions that were not true at the date of publication, and haven't been true for years.
For example:
* The guide claims that all resorts on the monorail have child care centers. The Contemporary Resort does not, and has not since 2004.
* The guide claims that Universe of Energy is an "Exxon pavilion." Exxon has not sponsored the pavilion since 2004.
* The guide claims that guests at the Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel can obtain early entry to Universal on certain days. Universal discontinued its general early entry program for resort guests years ago.
* The guide claims that there is no bus between the Wilderness Lodge and the Magic Kingdom. Although that was true at one time, it again hasn't been true for years.
* The guide lists Hidden Treasures and Gardens of the World as tours available to the general public at Epcot, even though they were discontinued earlier this year, and the UG website's corrections for the '07 guide in fact notes that the tours have been discontinued.
The index also contains some serious mistakes, such as the claim that Typhoon Lagoon is in Tomorrowland, the hours of operation for "Paradise Island", and a listing for "Lunch with Walt Disney World Animal Programs" which does not actually appear in the body of the guide (having been discontinued).
There's still a lot of good information in the guide, but its becoming less and less trustworthy every year. Wait for the '09 guide and hope that by then the editors get the message that they actually need to do their jobs.

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From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
"A Tourist's Best Friend!"—Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"—The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:

Exclusively patented, field-tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day

Tips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own words

Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families

A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World

Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group; extensive, objective, head-to-head comparisons of the Disney and Universal theme parks

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The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort, 3rd: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer Review

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(More customer reviews)Whereas most WDW guide books emphasize ways to make an expensive vacation (and let's be honest, ALL WDW vacations are expensive) more afordable, this book does just the opposite by highlighting all of the most expensive options available. Of course this is exactly what it claims to do, and it succeeds wonderfully. Only deluxe-grade resorts are discussed and restaurant reviews focus primarily on WDW's "signature" establishments (although others are discussed). The details provided, however, are exquisite. In a "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" sort of way, you can learn about the contents of the $2000/night luxury suites, chartered cruises, elegant spas, 13 course chefs' table meals, limo services, etc. Although many options for children are discussed (including $150 tea parties), the unspoken theme to this book seems to be how affluent adults can turn a "theme park vacation" into a high-end "resort vacation" that also happens to have theme parks (perhaps you can let your Nanny hustle the kids around the parks while you luxuriate in the spas and drink $150 bottles of wine). Although I am NOT the kind of person who looks for the over-the-top resort features, I DO enjoy higher-end dining, which was my primary reason for reading this book. I was not disappointed. All of the best restaurants in the parks, the resorts, and in nearby Orlando (including Universal) are reviewed to include atmoshpere, quality, price range, and sample menu items. This is not to say that the parks are not discussed. All of the "best" attractions at each park are discussed, and advice for how to maximize use of the sometimes overwhelming WDW tranportation system are very well explained. Although not as extensive as in some other books, sample "touring plans" are given to help you maximize the time you spend in the parks (inbetween your champagne brunches and garden tours). The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that I bought it as a book on WDW, and quite a lot of time is spent on Universal, Sea World, Disney Cruises, and other non-Disney locations. If you have never been to WDW before I would recommend this as a "second guide" to have in addition to the various more complete guides on the Market (The "Unofficial Guide" being the most comprehensive), but if you are already somewhat familiar with WDW, this is an excellent guide if you are interested in "stepping up" your next visit or if you are planning a special event (e.g. birthday, anniversary, reunion, etc.)

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Discover the sophisticated side of Disney "Luxury means different things to different travelers-an elegant guest suite, a hotel atrium full of exotic blooms, a romantic dinner with fireworks as a backdrop. However you define it, Cara Goldsbury's book tells you where to find it." -Disney Magazine Is it possible for sophisticated travelers to truly enjoy themselves in the land of Mickey Mouse? Absolutely! This unique travel guide-overflowing with tips and techniques for a world-class vacation-is designed for those who want to tour Walt Disney World® but also want to reside in luxurious resorts and dine at the best restaurants. With it, anyone can plan a visit in which each day comes with the best Disney has to offer. Disney expert Cara Goldsbury highlights the most appealing aspect of each theme park and attraction, including how to enjoy it in the utmost comfort and style, as well as the best shopping options and opportunities for golf, fishing, boating, tennis, and other outdoor activities. This new edition also offers insider advice on choosing a time to visit, selecting a resort, and how to obtain the finest room at the lowest possible price. It is ideal not only for travelers for whom money is not an object, but also for those who want to get the best value for their dollar. It also covers Universal Orlando®, Sea World, and the Disney Cruise Line.

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Mini Mickey: The Pocket-Sized Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (Unofficial Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)I compared Mini Mickey to the full sized Unofficial guide 2000, and here are the differences. There are star ratings on hotels and restaurants, but Sehlinger eliminated the paragraph descriptions on each hotel and restaurant. That's the main way he took the bulk out of the book for a pocket sized edition. If a traveler does his homework before traveling to Florida, he will already know what hotel he wants to stay in, and have a general idea what pricy restaurants he wants to try. Go to your local library and review the full-sized edition for lodging and dining details. Buy this Mini Mickey to take with you to the park, and you will have relieved yourself of some valuable weight and bulk.
Mini Mickey still has all the detailed descriptions of each attraction. The only real weakness I see is that Sehlinger rates some of the simulation rides and roller coasters as 3 stars for preschoolers, when they won't even make the height requirement. These rides aren't appropriate for preschoolers anyway. I think Sehlinger has a tendency to overlook the special needs of our youngest children. Any parent can read the description and realize that the ride is too intense for their little guys and disregard the star ratings.
Missing from the 2000 edition is a description of Disney's new Fast Pass. Guests can use their tickets to get a 'reservation' time to go to the front of certain popular rides. That way they can enjoy other areas of the park while they wait. The only catch is that they can only reserve one ride at a time.
Also missing is the fact that Bear in the Big Blue House has a live stage show at MGM Studios. That's a big plus for parents of toddlers like myself. My grilfriend went to MGM Studios last February (2000) and was surprised to find Bear! Disney is always changing their parks to keep them fresh, and it seems that this development missed the press time.

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For Travelers Who Want More Than the Official Line!The Pocket Sized Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World Mini Mickey Hotels & attractions, ranked and ratedInsider tips that save you time & money Bob Sehlinger The series with more than 4 million copies sold! "Best Travel Series of the Year"- Booklist 8th Edition From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide(r) to Walt Disney World(r) "A Tourist's Best Friend!"- Chicago Sun-Times "Indispensable"- The New York Times Five Great Features and Benefits offered Only by The Unofficial Guide (r): * Insider advice on when to go: the best times of the year and the best days of the week * A complete ranking of accommodations both in and outside "the World," with commuting times to all four Disney World theme parks * Concise overviews of all theme parks and no-nonsense evaluations of the most popular attractions * Practical tips on making the most of your time, including easy-to-follow one- and two-day touring plans of the Magic Kingdom(r), Epcot(r), Disney's Hollywood Studios(r), and Animal Kingdom(r) * The straight story on how to avoid long lines for rides, shows, and meals

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World, 2010 Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)As a former member of the Disney Moms Panel and a current Personal Vacation Planner, I can assure you that this guide is worth its weight in gold! It is not only highly informative, but humorous as well. My copy is dog eared and much used!

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Mouseketeers will be all ears... This guide to the happiest place on earth takes the guesswork out of planning the perfect Disney vacation. It goes beyond general descriptions of rides, hotels, and restaurants and instead offers readers advice based on the type of trip they want. Whether it's for a family spring break, a honeymoon or a convention, this book will help readers make the most of their time at Disney World. • Features cut-out touring itineraries with detailed maps for each park •Includes an eight-page color insert that captures the magic of Disney World •Up-to-date prices and hotel, park, and dining information

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Walt Disney World Hidden History: Remnants of Former Attractions and Other Tributes Review

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(More customer reviews)So you're a Disney fan. You spend way too much time on various Disney sites and blogs and you've got a vast knowledge of all things WDW. Your friends think you're a little nuts, but not too nuts to solicit advice from regarding their upcoming trip. You know all the details, right? The Nautilus carved on Pooh's tree, Mr. Toad handing over the deed; that stuff is just the beginning. No matter how many times you've been to WDW and how many secrets you know, you are guaranteed to learn something from this book. The simplest of details are not left to chance. Every date on a seemingly random box has a meaning and even the names of merchandise carts or food stands tells a story.
The book is presented in an encyclopedia like format with a pretty comprehensive index. Does the name Bwana Bob's have any sort of meaning? Check it out in the index and find your answer. However, the book is actually readable too. Beginning at the TTC ticket booth the details flow like you are 'reading up Main St.' and then around the Magic Kingdom. The same applies to the other parks as well. As you read you'll be making a mental note of hidden details to check out on your next visit.
This is a nice book for any Disney fan. You're guaranteed to learn something. Casual fans will be amazed to know just how much effort is put into detailed theming while Disney veterans who thought they knew it all will be surprised at just how deep Disney goes to honor the past and ensure nothing is left to chance.

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Everyone can list their favorite former attractions at Walt Disney World. What if you could still have a glimpse of those treasured rides even today? This book will expose the remnants of previous rides and attractions still visible at Walt Disney World, including many elements that were folded into the shows and rides that replaced them. There are also numerous intentional reproductions of parts of former rides, planted as a kind of ultimate inside joke. That's not all. Interwoven with these remnants is a rich tapestry of homages throughout the Walt Disney World parks, there to pay respect to the designers, artists, and engineers who built these magical realms. These references are often hidden in plain sight, and many are given without explanation. This book will uncover so many tributes and homages, you'll forever see the Disney parks in a whole new light.

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The Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World (Unofficial Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm going to be perfectly clear here: I love this guidebook. It's certainly informative and gives you a great overview of the Resort and the color photos are beautiful, humorous, and really add to the book. It's easy to read and provides the same quality of the regular Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, but without being 800 pages long. Most of all, I love the humor that you find in many of the sections. From the humorous captions to pictures, to the satirical take on the Fantasyland expansion, to the fake hotel listings (which, yes, I understand could be somewhat confusing for some, but personally I thought they were great), the humor gives the guide a satirical edge that doesn't overpower the content, but makes the guide enjoyable to read, not just to gather information from. It's satirical but not cynical, and informative but not dry.
However, it is not a fully comprehensive guidebook. It wasn't meant to be; it's a companion to the regular Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. I knew that when I bought the book (I already owned the regular Unofficial Guide), and I brought both Guides with me on my recent trip to Walt Disney World. While the Color Companion was great to carry around in the parks and use for reference, the regular Guide was often referred to throughout the trip. For example, when we wanted to book a behind-the-scenes tour, or when I wanted to know more about Downtown Disney shopping. The regular Guide is also much more detailed when it comes to planning factors before you leave (for instance, what kind of tickets to purchase). If you know going in that the Color Companion is going to be helpful and informative but not comprehensive, then I don't think you'll be disappointed. But if you're going to try and rely on just this book to plan your vacation, you're probably going to be disappointed. And yeah, it's true that you can skip buying this and just get the Unofficial Guide by itself and have all the information you'll need. But personally, I think the portability, great pictures, humor, and unique light-hearted yet informative tone make this Companion a must-buy.

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A picture is worth 1,000 words!
The Color Companion is perfect for pairing with The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World ("the big book") or it can stand alone to provide you with what you need to know in a flash when you're visiting the park. While the Unofficial Guide gives you more than 800 pages of highly detailed information on planning, staying, and surviving your visit to Walt Disney World, The Color Companion also takes the "Unofficial" approach, but SHOWS you where you'll be staying and what you'll be doing?all in a trim little book that's perfect for tucking into a backpack or totebag.
Following in the bestselling tradition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World shows you how to get the inside track on visiting Disney World and make the most of your time in the park.?Complete with hundreds of full color photographs the Color Companion is a visual guide for your Disney vacation showing you the best that Walt Disney World has to offer.?The Unofficial Guides series is the only one that offers evaluations based on reader surveys and critiques, compiled by a team of unbiased inspectors:

Hotels, attractions, and restaurants in all price categories
Extensive information on shopping, nightlife, and sports
Friendly and easy-to-use interior?design
Hundreds of?color photos and tips bring the park to life and illustrate the Unofficial Guide advantage - showing you the best times to get there and best places to eat and stay in the park

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)Looking for a guide to Walt Disney World? I think I can help. My family, along with two other families, recently spent a week at Disney, and we took five different travel books with us. We thought it would be fun to compare how useful the books were as we planned our trip and as we spent our days at the parks.
This review is the result of our efforts, with book rated from 1 star (awful) to 5 stars (great).
Before I start, you should know that our little reviewing group consisted of three couples, all in their early thirties. Between us we have three little girls, one little boy, a teenage girl, and a pair of grandparents that went along too.
We rated the books based on six criteria:
1. Helpfulness as a Trip Planner
Does the book offer tips on saving money or time? Does it help you get through the Orlando airport? Does it recommend hotels and restaurants to reserve and back up its reasons well? Does it have good advice about the Disney dining plan and which restaurants to eat at?
2. Helpfulness While at Disney World.
Is it worthwhile to take the guide with you? Does it help with last minute decisions? Is it fun to read as you wait for a restaurant table, or in a line for a ride or show?
3. Organization.
No matter how good a particular piece information is, if you can't find it, it doesn't do you any good. This is especially true in travel guides, when you often need a particular piece of information RIGHT NOW!
4. Current information.
Though all of these guides have "2009" in their title, are they really up-to-date? To find out, we picked out three things we know are new at Disney World for this year: The American Idol Experience show, the new promotion where guests get in free on their birthday, and the new room decor at the BoardWalk resort, where we stayed, and checked to see which books knew about them.
5. Addresses family needs
Since so many Disney World visitors are families, how does each book reflect that? Are there specific planning tips for families? Is there advice about which rides are too scary for little ones?
So, on to the reviews!
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009 2 stars
Once published by travel guru Steve Birnbaum, today Birnbaum's Walt Disney World is an objective travel guide in name only. Now written and published by the Disney company, it offers nothing but cheers for everything Walt Disney World has to offer. Worse, a lazy attitude permeates everything, as if this is something Disney is forced to do but would really just forget about. As you would expect, there's precious little about saving money (except for a recommendation to "save" by buying the extra-cost Disney Disney Plan) and no quality ratings for attractions, restaurants or resorts beyond an occasional "Birnbaum's Best" logo. Chapter titles are confusing: restaurants are under "Good Meals Great Times;" water parks within "Everything Else in the World." The book was 1-for-3 on our accuracy test. It knew the American Idol show existed but had no information about it. Its room description for the Boardwalk Resort was two years out of date. It did not mention the birthday promotion. On the plus side, the book's relative few pages makes it the easiest of the Disney guides to scan through, and there are many illustrations of Mickey Mouse and other cartoon characters.
The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 5 stars
Outstanding organization and a wealth of color photos makes it easy to find particular information in The Complete Walt Disney World. Chapters are color coded, and subjects are grouped together well. For example, a Planning Your Trip chapter has a subsection on the Disney Dining Plan that clearly spells out the pluses and minuses of that add-on, and individual articles titled Saving Money (with 30 numbered tips), another called Saving Time. Restaurant reviews include good insight on character meals. Resort descriptions have more details than the other guides, though the authors provide little opinion beyond a star rating. Theme park information is superb. Attraction reviews, which can go on for multiple pages for major headliners like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, include "Fear Factors" as well as "Fun Finds," are practical for families and fun for Disney fans. There's a touring plan for each park that we found helpful. The Complete Guide was 3-for-3 in our accuracy test. The only downer: Except for hotel listings, the Complete Walt Disney World focuses exclusively on Walt Disney World. There's no mention of Universal Studios, Sea World, or even the Orlando airport.
Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando 2009 3 stars
Frommers is well written, well organized and in many ways thorough, but the author doesn't seem that familiar with Walt Disney World. The book has no tips on saving time or money, and its hotel and restaurant opinions aren't backed up with a lot of facts. Attraction descriptions are short paragraphs with no specifications and few tips. The book offers little take-along value, and hardly any specific information for families. Vague family information. There are no photos or illustrations. The book scored 0 for 3 on our accuracy test. It didn't know about the American Idol show, our new room decor, or Disney's birthday promotion.
Fodor's Walt Disney World 2009: plus Universal Orlando and SeaWorld 2 star
Like a weaker version of the Frommers guide, the Fodors one is less organized and offers even less planning advice. Its ride and show descriptions seem to be edited versions of those in the Unofficial Guide, which this company also publishes. Like Frommers, the book scored 0 for 3 on our accuracy test.
The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 4 stars
Is there an editor in the house? Packed with advice and information, the 848-page Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is like your grandmother's attic: there's a lot of good stuff in there but so much junk to shift through! Actually it depends on the subject. If you have hours to dig through it, this massive tome can be a great planning tool. Page after page is devoted to subjects such as saving time or saving money. Incredibly detailed resort information includes which rooms, by number, offer the best views. Attraction summaries have details such as ratings by age group, but the authors comments are often so cynical they have value only if you find them funny. The Unofficial Guide scored 2 out of 3 on our accuracy test. It didn't know about Disney's birthday promotion. The book includes various Touring Plans, which offer step-by-step guidance for a day, or two, at each of the theme parks. These looked useful, but our group had too many individual interests to follow them. In short, this is a good book for those who aren't really fans of the Disney company, but want to take months to plan out a visit to its mecca.
So that's it! We determined that the Unofficial Guide and the Complete Guide are the best two books out there. As for which is the best for you, I think if you like Disney (or want a book that includes photography) you will like the Complete Guide best, but if you are headed there reluctantly (like, say, only to keep your kids happy), or also want information about SeaWorld or Universal, you will find the Unofficial Guide more to your liking. But either is a good choice.

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More than 4 million copies sold! This series is the only one that offers evaluations based on reader surveys and critiques, compiled by a team of unbiased inspectors.
• Hotels, attractions, and restaurants in all price categories
• Extensive information on shopping, nightlife, and sports
• Easy-to-use, two-color design
• Detailed, 2-color maps

From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
"A Tourist's Best Friend!"—Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"—The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:

Exclusively patented, field-tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day

Tips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own words

Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families

A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World

Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group; extensive, objective, head-to-head comparisons of the Disney and Universal theme parks

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