5 comments about The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids (Unofficial Guides).

1. Just plain reads like an attempt at a fast buck! There are so many errors in here about when things happen, which characters are where, etc that it is a complete waste of money. In addition to the factual errors, the authors arrogance about what they like (as opposed to describing the quality or characteristics of something so the reader can decide for themselves) is just too ever-present.
   
   Pass on this one and look elsewhere if you actually want to know what to do with the kids at WDW. We were VERY disappointed in this book on our trip this month!



2. I picked this up last week thinking I would do a little research on a Disney vacation and make plans for the summer. I chose this book because it wasn't backed by Disney itself and I'm glad I chose it over the other guides. I have never been to Disney World and I had no idea of the cost--WOW! After skimming through this book I realize that a Disney World trip will probably cost as much as a short trip to Europe or a nice cruise! Ugh!
   
   The book is very well laid out, and I truly appreciated the section "Is a Disney Vacation Right for You?" because it made me see that NO, it definitely is not! With a 2 year old little girl, the expense, hassle, and the sheer size of Disney is enough to make me scared to try it! I agree with the authors that Disney is the perfect vacation for a family with kids ages 8-14, and our plan is to wait a few more years. I really liked the break down of the parks and all of the ride descriptions--I can just imagine older kids wearing this book ragged while they make their itineraries for the vacation.
   
   If you are planning a family vacation, definitely pick this guide up and prepare yourself. It has everything you need to know, from hotel rates to tips on making a coveted reservation for tea time with the Disney Princesses, to preparing your kids for the heat and endless walking around the parks. I will warn you that you may come away from the book a little scared and wondering, "Uh-oh, what have we signed ourselves up for?" Don't forget to pack it in your travel bag and carry it with you when you go. :)



3. This book is great. It gives you a lot of hints on how to make the most of your day, yet allows you to be flexible for your particular likes and dislikes. It was very helpful when traveling with 3 children under 7.



4. I've noted some of the more negative reviews of this book, but quite honestly I thought this book did the job. Yes, the main Unofficial Guide has even more info than this book (it's quite a brick), but if you are traveling with kids and especially if you are planning to stay at a Disney resort or hotel you will find this book pretty informative. If you aren't traveling with kids, need to know about practically every hotel in the area, or you have a lot more time to research everything to death then by all means get the main Unoffical Guide, but either way you won't go wrong. I think the authors did a fine job on both books, and ultimately helped us get the most out of our vacation.



5. This book was a total godsend. It was our first time (with kids), and this book answered every question we had and then some. We never asked anyone anything, if we had a question, we consulted the book. Only thing I wish they would do different is update it annually. Some of the newer rides weren't in it. But didn't make big difference. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it! When we go back, we will always have the most updated version of this book with us.

5 comments about The Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic.

1. Mongello is a long time Disney World fan who has written a trivia book that will give the reader a lot of information that the typical guidebook will not. Of particualr interest to me was info on the age of some of the attractions as well as some history on popular attractions that are no longer a part of Disney World(such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Mr. Toad;s Wild Ride, etc).
   My only gripe with the book is with the way it's laid out. You'll read a question on one page then have to get the answer to that question 20 pages later. It's not the way one typically reads a book. Still a very good book- 4.5 Stars.



2. the organization of the trivia could be less test like and more immediate with answers closer to the questions...
   
   Good information and details



3. If you love Disney, this book is really fun. Even if you have read a lot of other books and websites about Disney, there will be things in the book that will suprise you. My husband and I found that there were lots of new things to learn. Reading the book was a fun way to add a new dimention to our disney travel. We bring it on the plane and read it to get us motivated for our next trip.



4. This book is a lot of fun, especially if you are about to take a trip to WDW. Lots of interesting information, but chopped up into small bites so it is easy to read a little at a time.



5. It was really fun and interesting reading and I'd suggest it for all Disney fans! I'd like to know how the writer knows all this stuff! It's amazing that he could gather all of this information. Very entertaining!

5 comments about Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World, The.

1. This book has amazing information on the building of Epcot...what went into it and how it grew from conception to finalization. A great Disney lover book!



2. I'm a certified Disney nut who enjoys reading about anything Disney - films, Walt, and (of course) Walt Disney World. That said, I bought "The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom" about a year ago, and I really enjoy it. I think it evokes the magical feeling you get when you walk down Main Street USA. If you can't be in The World, taking a virtual walk through it isn't a bad option.
   
   Since I enjoyed that book so much, I wanted to buy the "Epcot" version. I was curious to see how good a job it would do at describing Epcot's origins - IE, go back to the EPCOT days and discuss Walt's determination to build a city that would function more efficiently than the cities of his day did. I thought the book did a decent job with that. It doesn't spend a huge amount of time on the subject, but I think that's appropriate. It's meant to be a happy (and brief) overview of a neat place, not an avenue through which to lament the EPCOT that could have been.
   
   Epcot visitors will expect the book to be divided into two basic sections - Future World and World Showcase. It is. It talks about the three different sections of Future World (East, West, and Central), and it provides information on each World Showcase pavilion. Other topics - like Kidcot stops and Illuminations - are also considered. Tidbits of information are presented on all major attractions. I thought that it skimped a little bit on a couple of headliners, particularly Mission: Space and Test Track.
   
   The biggest 'con' I associate with this book is that, for me, it fails to evoke the feeling that you get when you're at Epcot. The biggest 'pro' is that it's an informative, fun read about Walt Disney's most ambitious undertaking. For $10, it's a worthwhile addition to your Disney library.



3. I love to read about the designing and background to the evolution of the Parks & Pavillions. Each one gets 2-4 thin pages. I'm still looking for the book that gives the depth that Jason Surrell did for his "Pirates OTC" book.



4. I am admittedly a Disneyphile, but this book was great as sort of a pocket reference to many of the details at Epcot. I thought it was great to read about many of the little touches many people probably miss. In a park as detailed as Epcot, truly a huge book could be filled, but this guide was great as an overall overview while still calling out some key details.



5. If you love Walt Disney World and enjoy a little behind the scenes trivia, then this book is for you. Beautifully printed with pictures and lots of insights to how my favorite park has evolved. Fun stuff to pass the time with.

5 comments about Fodor's Walt Disney World® with Kids 2008: with Universal Orlando and SeaWorld (Special-Interest Titles).

1. The Disney section is not updated. Several changes that occured in late 2007 are not included nor are many that are planned for 2008 - particularly related to dining. Birnbaum's 2008 contains much more accurate information. This book was highly recommended and we were VERY disappointed. You can also find most of her tips for free on the web. We will be returning our copy.



2. We used the 2007 edition last summer and the book was fairly useful. One of the biggest selling points were the breakdown of the rides. This goes for both the overview(scary or not ?) and the charts that break out height requirements. We did find some information to be seriously outdated(note to editors before heading to press). That said, the book - in combination with Disney podcasts and online communities - prepared us to get the most out of our family's WDW vacation.



3. I found the reviews and comparison charts very helpful in selecting our hotel and restaurants. The "insiders tips" were also very insightful. I relied on other guides to provide more detail about the parks and attractions, however.



4. This book was very helpful in planning out Disney trip. I wish it would have explained the rides a little more (which ones had loud noises for toddlers). Otherwise it helped us navigate the parks and plan our meals accordingly.



5. We've been on many trips to WDW, but after reading this book I wished I'd had it for the first one. Of all the WDW with Kids books I've read, this is the best. Lots of helpful hints and ideas on what to bring and what to see. Recommended highly!

5 comments about Hidden Mickeys, 3rd Edition: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best-Kept Secrets (Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secre).

1. THIS WAS AWESOME, WE REALLY USED IT WHEN WE WENT TO DISNEY WORLD. FOUND ALMOST ALL OF THEM. THIS A MUST ITEM FOR THE TRUE DISNEY FAN!



2. We went to WDW Feb 08 and this was a great thing to have along while waiting in line. It created a distraction for 6 and 8 yr old (and me). A fun bonus thing for family on return trip and would recommend. Book is set up like a scavenger hunt but I just went right to how/where to find hidden mickey. Warning! This book can also distract you while riding the rides. All of sudden, you are looking for HM instead of paying attention to ride and attractions.



3. Want to make your visit to DisneyWorld a little more fun? Want to engage the family in a scavenger hunt through the parks and resorts? Hidden Mickeys by Steven M. Barrett will help make your visit to DisneyWorld more entertaining.
   
   Contents:
   Acknowledgements
   Read This First!
   Chapter 1: Hidden Mickey Mania
   Chapter 2: Magic Kingdom Scavenger Hunt
   Chapter 3: Epcot Scavenger Hunt
   Chapter 4: Disney-MGM Studios Scavenger Hunt
   Chapter 5: Disney's Animal Kingdom Scavenger Hunt
   Chapter 6: WDW Resort Hotels Scavenger Hunt
   Chapter 7: Hither, Thither & Yon Scavenger Hunt
   Chapter 8: Other Mickey Apprearances
   Chapter 9: My Favorite Hidden Mickeys
   Chapter 10: Don't Stop Now!
   Index to Mickey's Hiding Places
   Maps
   
   Barrett takes a trip to DisneyWorld to a new level. Most people walk through the parks oblivious to the little details that the Imagineers have included in each park and resort. This slim book, 220 pages and 8.9" x 4", fits easily in your backpack to provide you with scavenger hunts for all of the known Hidden Mickeys at the DisneyWorld parks and resorts. Each chapter begins with clues to the locations of the Hidden Mickeys at each location. If you follow the clues, you will have a quick tour though each park/resort. If you just want the answers, Barrett provides the answers at the end of each chapter. Either way, you will learn more about the parks and resorts and also find these little treasures.
   
   Using this book, it was easy to engage everyone in the family in the search. The kids will enjoy discovering these Mickeys and will also make you look at your surroundings. While searching, I was surprised at the number of people that took interest in our hunts. They never thought to look closely at their environment. In the Magic Kingdom, I told a few people that there windows, above Main Street, that actually meant something. They never thought to look above eye level. Since we visited the parks more than once during our stay, this book made the additional forays into the parks more interesting and fun. If you feel as though you have seen and done everything in a particular park or resort, this book will make your next visit more engaging. Two of my favorite Hidden Mickeys were found at Coronado Springs. The third was in the concrete at Hollywood Studios.
   
   Barret explains why some of these are significant, which will add a little Disney history to your visit, too.
   
   This is a great book for anyone that is planning a visit to DisneyWorld and want to experience something a little different. And it will probably entertain your kids, too, no matter how old they are.



4. The book gave us everything we were looking for. It will be fun to go to Disneyland and find the hidden mickeys now that we have an idea of where to look. I would recommend it for anyone who is a Mickey and Disneyland fan like we are.



5. What a cute and fun idea. My kids, ages 7 and 5, loved looking for hidden mickeys during our second trip to Disney. Definately a good book for repeat visitors to the park - first timers will be way to busy looking at everything else to search for hidden mickeys.

5 comments about The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2008 (Unofficial Guides).

1. Consider this a confession from a travel book junkie. Having read multiple Disneyland guides, I give The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2008 my full endorsement. I found the book well organized and suggestions in the book were useful. There are countless websites and blogs which provide information a book simply can't. The material becomes stale the day before publication. What's great about this selection is that its most important feature is "stale proof".
   
   That most helpful feature is the park navigation system. The reader is provided with a systematized plan of attack; what to ride, when to ride it, and how to maximize your time. There are plenty of plans and guides of what to ride and when. This plan was the most straightforward and easiest to follow. If you just want one book to take with you to Disneyland, this is it.



2. I am veteran of Disneyland, having been there many, many times throughout the years. I purchased this guide primarily because it gives a lot of guidance on Hotels in the area and that is something I'm always looking to improve. What I didn't expect and was incredibly pleased to find is great guidance for inside the park's, something I didn't think I needed since I've been so many times. I found it to be incredibly useful, especially the advice about seeing the Finding Nemo ride (Something I'm glad I didn't wait in line to see - it was worth a five minute wait...not any more than that.) and other park tour guides. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for first time visitors, and would even recommend it for veteran's of the park such as myself. Buy this book - you won't regret it.



3. This is a great, well-written and organized reference for planning a trip to Disneyland. While I'd been to the park several times, I'd never planned a trip for others until last March. The Unofficial guide was extremely helpful and the trip went beautifully. So many people go to the park and are clearly having a challenging time; this book will really help alleviate the stress. It has many tips and tricks to avoid the major pitfalls and enjoy your vacation as much as possible. Bob helped me make the transition from someone who thought the park was a drag to enjoying it immensely - even during the height of summer. Very highly recommended!



4. Two years ago I bought the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. What a terrific resource! I had high hopes for the Disneyland edition, but have been somewhat disappointed. It does have a lot of useful information, but the Disney World guide was much more insightful. The Disney World Guide gave a lot of strategies regarding the parades etc. In general I am pleased and I like their format, I just wish it had as much info. as the Disney World Guide.



5. I have used this book in planning my Disneyland trip. I love all the information that is given and how easy it is to find what your looking for. It tells you all about the Hotels Disneyland and Good neighbor Hotels and if they are a great value, what amenities you get, how far it is from the park, and if the people working there are friendly. It also tells you about the restaurants, fast food, fine dining and more at Disneyland at Disney California Adventure and Downtown and they tell you about the quality of food value such as if it is $5.00 if it is really worth it, and what time you should go. I thought this book was such great help, this is not my first trip to Disneyland but it helped me more then I ever thought. I now know where I am going to eat stay and so on because of the help this book gave me. I think that anyone should get this book if they are going to Disneyland. I don't have kids but this book had lots of information on what rides are great, a plan of attack for kids walking and so one and more, if you have kids then you really need this book. Buy it you wont be disappointed.

5 comments about Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids 2008 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids By Kids).

1. This book is a wonderful resource for elementary school aged children. My 6-year-old poured over this book before our trip to Disney and it helped prepare him for what to expect. Since returning from our trip a few weeks ago, he still looks at the book almost every day to point out things he remembers and what he'd like to do next time we go back. This book was completely worth the money spent on it.



2. BOUGHT THE BOOK FOR MY DAUGHTER (WHO'S 8) AND SHE IS SO EXCITED ABOUT GETTING SOME AUTOGRAPHS AND FROM LOOKING THRU IT SHE KNOWS WHAT THE BEST RIDES FOR HER ARE! GREAT PICTURES IN FULL COLOR-VERY KID FRIENDLY!



3. This book was an excellent resource for us when taking our 20-month old to Disney World. Originally we bought it for the autograph section, but it soon became handy for reading quickly about each attraction at the separate parks. The tips written by children themselves were also helpful. The book is softcover and lightweight - easy to carry in your backpack all day at the parks.



4. This book has all the answre's to questions on disney world. It's a fabulous book . It has every thing in it we need to know. We will definitely be taking this book to disney world with us, when we go in june.



5. My daughter and son both LOVE this book. It gets them excited and shows them a little of what to expect. There are real kids' opinions and reviews of rides and attractions. My daughter very much enjoys reading all about Disney! She'll definitely be prepared when we set off for our trip!! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!

5 comments about PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2008: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Organizer, Journal, and Keepsake! (PassPorter).

1. I was planning my family's first trip to Disney. I wanted to get the most out of our vacation, so I purchased 3 Disney travel books: Birnbaum's, The Unofficial Guide, and Passporter's. Passporter's was by far the best!!!!!! It has all the information you need about restaurants (good luck finding much information elsewhere!) and the maps were far superior to the ones handind out by Disney! I had to rip them out of the book to use them while we were in the parks because the Disney ones were hard to follow. It was a priceless addition that helped with our trip so much! Don't hesitate to buy!



2. What a great way to get information and stay organized. Wish this book was available during the last 10 times, I've been to Walt Disney World. It's going to be a great collector's item for my kids. Keep in mind though that you may still need some of the other Walt Disney Books that are available. To list a few: Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide, Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids, Birnbaum's Walt Disney without Kids, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and Walt Disney World Resort & Orlando. No matter how many times a person goes to Disney World there's still new information available that will save you lots of aggravation when you arrive in Orlando.



3. When planning our trip I have bought just about every book I could find about Walt Disney World. I have to say that the Passporter is the best. They put just the right amount of information. I found the section called "Feasting" very helpful in choosing the restaurants for my family. Also, I like that it has places to write your itinerary and other info needed such as reservation numbers.



4. If you're heading to Orlando then this book is a must. A friend recommended it and I promise you'll save 100x the cost of this book in $$$ savings and headaches.



5. For all the planners out there, this is the book for you! I have just finished planning my family's first trip and can't imagine how I could have done it without the Passporter. This is a God-send! Don't go to Disney without it!!

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008.

1. Anyone who is headed to Disneyworld should buy this book, even if you have been there before. It has really helped me plan our trip. I have been using it for the past two weeks to get ready and now I feel like a real expert. Lots of great information and photos, very well organized and fun to read too!



2. I was so impressed with this colorful guide to my FAVORITE PLACE -- Disney World! My family makes the trek to Orlando twice a year, and I thought I knew a lot about it. After reading this Complete Guide I know about a thousand times more than I did before! I can't wait to go back and look for some little treasures I learned about from this book, like the Mary Blair doll in Small World, or the funny things the birds say after everyone has left the Tiki Room.
   There are photos on nearly every page, and they make me feel like I am right there strolling down Main Street USA or about to go down Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach. These pix alone are reason enough to get this guidebook. They will make you want to book your next vacation right away.
   Do yourself a favor and get this book!!!



3. I have a whole shelf in my bookcase just for books about Disney World, and The Complete Guide is now my new favorite.
   
   What you notice first is the color. The cover is a brilliant red, with a great pic of the trolley show performers on Main Street USA. Inside are bright glossy pictures on just about every page. These are not the typical staged shots you normally see from Disney World. There is a backstage photo of a Lion King dancer putting on makeup, a shot of the author from the inside of a Richard Petty race car, Tweedledum taking a cell-phone call from a guest and a close-up of the Cinderella mosaic at the castle. There is even a historical photo of Warren Beatty signing his cement block in front of the Great Movie Ride. I could go on and on just about the photos in this book.
   
   My reason for really loving this guide, though, are not about the pix. I love the explanations on each attraction's back story. I have gone on these rides not knowing the story, but am looking forward to riding again now that I can put the ride in perspective. For example, I never knew the full story behind DinoLand, the Harambe Village or Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. Now I do!
   
   If you are interested in a beautiful Disney World guidebook that is unprecedented in its depth and details, check this one out. You won't be disappointed!



4. If you are going to Walt Disney World you should invest in this book. It will really pay off. Disney offers so much to do, and can be so crowded, that you have to know what you're doing before you get there to have a good time. This book makes that possible. Nice to look at, well organized and well written, it will save you hours of wasted time at every theme park and provide many other interesting ways to spend your time. The restaurant and resort chapters are first-rate, too. I bought five Disney World guides before our trip, and this one was the most useful. Beforehand I thought only our kids would enjoy Disney, but thanks to this book I, and my wife, had a great time too.



5. Julie and Mike Neal are a husband-wife team who appear to live at Walt Disney World. From what I understand, Julie does the writing and Mike does the photography. Both excel at their respective crafts.
   
   Literally every feature at Disney World is described in honest detail. There are lots of hints on how to optimize your time.
   
   It is not, in my opinion, an exaggeration to describe this guide as the equivalent of a paid companion, intent on making your experience at Walt Disney World unique and thoroughly enjoyable. Visitors of every age can plan the itinerary best suited to their interests with the help of this marvelous guide.
   
   Don't think of visiting Walt Disney World without consulting this book, preferably several months in advance so you can really take advantage of its detailed descriptions and comments.
   
   Jerry

5 comments about The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 (Unofficial Guides).

1. I am an admitted Disney fanatic - I have two rooms in my home that are disneyfied. I own a disney time share and I used to work for the disney store when my children were little. I never miss an opportunity to go to Disney. Everytime we go to Disney, I buy another one of these books. Not only are they realistic, not just the standard Disney line, the touring maps that they give are ExCELLENT! We have used their maps and guidelines everytime and they have been awesome. Yes, you criss-cross the parks at times but the shorter wait times made it so worth the effort!! It may seem ridiculous to plan your day like that but do it just ONE time and you will be hooked!! We will not go to WDW without it!!



2. This is a fantastic book. It gives an organized, thoughtful overview of every aspect of Disney World-- hotels, rides, food, events. Visiting Disney is NOT an inexpensive trip, and we wanted to see the things that were most important to us and not waste time on inappropriate rides or long lines. The Unofficial Guide gives great touring plans that you can modify to fit your particular needs and wants. THESE PLANS WORK! We weren't militant about them, but used their general guidelines. I have a 3 year old and a 7 year old, and the suggestions for age-appropriate rides and shows are quite accurate. Our trip was 2 weeks ago, and we are still basking in the glow of a succesful vacation. DO follow the book's recommendations to make reservations for the Fantasmic! show and for Cinderella's Table. Great book, don't go to Disney World without it.



3. Want tons of information about everything you need to know before going to DisneyWorld? Then this is the book you need. It details every aspect in a well layed out format that allows you to read as much/little as you want. What you will find is you read more than less due to the wonderful tips that will help you save money and spend your time wisely. Great information on the parks, the restaurants, places to stay (on and off campus) and a wealth of other information such as: only have one day for a park? there is a rip out map to show you how to maximize your time! Want a specific type of food? the restaurants are listed categorically. (TIP: set your reservations months in advance!) Need a direct phone number to pretty much anywhere that takes calls in the parks? its there.
   
   The only 'con' i will throw out is that the pictures are few and then not in color. This is more by design than a real flaw. Plenty of other park books have full color pics if that's what you want. I ended up ordering both types as my 10 year old daughter wanted something to look at too. (I stuck with this one, she loves her book.)



4. This book has been a great resource in planning our upcoming trip to Disney World this fall. Without this guide, we would have missed out on some great deals and opportunities, and probably ended up with a far less enjoyable trip than what we have planned. Definitely required reading for anyone anticipating a Disney getaway.



5. This is a really great book!! I've been to Disney twice before with my 2 children who are under the age of 5. This book offers great tips on things to do with children while waiting in line, what to do about strollers, etc. Lots of things I hadn't thought of before. I wish I had bought this sooner. There is a ton of info in here all in one place. As far as the touring plans, I think you just need to take those in stride...if you have a family that will follow them...great...if not then try to follow as closely as possbile. I think as long as you are armed with information, your trip will be much more pleasant than if you just show up and wing it! Love the comparisons on Character Meals and also on the Hotels on Disney Property. There's even info on hotels and restaurants other than on Disney Property. Again...great source of info all in one place.