The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006

My family and I just returned from our first trip to Disney World. (It was as blast!) Because it was our first time and we were essentially clueless to the Disney experience, we bought several guides. The Unofficial Guide is the one book that I kept returning to over and over again. It's full of such detailed information that even the clueless will be prepared to visit Disney World. However, *because* this book provides an incredible amount of information (such as how to increase your chances for getting into the Hot Seat for MGM's Millionaire game), it could be almost overwhelming for first time visitors to Disney World. (I often got headaches trying to absorb everything!) In this book, you'll find a crowd-Level Calendar, Park Traffic Patterns, Clip-Out Touring Plans, and much, much more. This book is updated yearly, so the 2006 version had information on Mickey's PhilharMagic, Expedition Everest, Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show, and so on. Reader feedback is peppered throughout the book, as is the critical and often snarky comments by the author. He provides fascinating "behind the scenes" facts, too. For example, the Imagineers of Mickey's PhilharMagic thought they were being clever when they released Jasmine's deodorant scent when she flies by on the carpet. However, many people were allergic to the scent (the show was often disrupted by sneezing!) so they pulled it from the show. Another amusing behind the scenes: Disney cast members sometimes mess with the Hall of Presidents to reflect current events (e.g., during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, the Prez had a condom sticking out of his jacket pocket.) As you can see, the author can be irreverent. Each attraction gets a thorough overview, as do the restaurants and hotels. For example, a phone number to each restaurant is provided, as is an evaluation of friendliness, service, wine slection, description of setting and atmosphere, menu samples/house specialities, hours of operation, and more. Although a few of the evaluations didn't jive with my experience (for example, the author raves about the Muppet 3D pre-show and movie whereas I thought it was suprisingly boring), there's enough information provided to at least get an idea if a restaurant or attraction would likely appeal. I found myself returing to the Unofficial Guide over and over again. In fact, it's the only guide I took WITH me to Disney World! Although I sometimes felt overwhelmed at all the information (it's hard for a newbie to take in all that Disney World offers, especially sight-unseen), I felt PREPARED due in large part to this book.

If you are going to Walt Disney Word and looking for the book to cut through the publicity machine that is Disney, you will want this book. Its tone can be skeptical and brutally honest, and is not always the Disney "cheerleading" guide that some purists insist only be written about Disney properties. There are other books for that, but none will get you in and out of the parks as well as this one. If you are an "easy going", "take things as they come" type of person, then this book is not going to be your cup of tea. If you are looking to get the most from your dollar by avoiding lines, bad food, and like frank opinions, then this book will do you well. Please know that there are no pretty pictures of the Disney parks in this book. It is a "battle" guide that does not pull punches. The author(s) are traffic gurus and are looking to get you through the park, not standing in lines. I have met them both, and they are very nice people who are very sincere in wanting to know the opinions of their readers. If you have kids, this will show you the way to limit stress, and keep everyone happy with planning tips and schedules appropriate to age groups and interests. It is okay to get the Birnbaum book for the kids. Let them see the pictures and read the descriptions of the park, but if you want to be serious about minimizing the stresses of a family vacation, use this book. I travel every 18 months, and from being single, to married, to now a father, this book has different plans that allow you to deal with what Disney is - a very crowded tourist destination - without stress. I have saved time and money, and always find this book to improve the quality of my trip. My four tips for YOU to make your WDW vacation the best; 1. Stay onsite and use the Disney transportation system; 2. Take an afternoon break from the parks and get off your feet; 3. Use Fast Pass - Make Fast Pass your friend; 4. Buy this book.

I'd like to tell you that this book is terrible, has no use, and is a waste of money... but I'd be doing it for selfish reasons. I'd be doing it because I wanted to keep all the amazing tips and tricks to myself so that everyone else didn't know all the little goodies I know from reading this book. We went to WDW on vacation during the 4TH OF JULY! Any idea how busy it can be that time of year? But because we followed this book's touring guide and suggestions, we never waited in line longer than 20 minutes. WOW! Now that's a miracle. We learned lots of great insider info and it had a map that we would still be driving around without. Go buy this book, read it, and have a great vacation... but keep it to yourself, will ya? We can't let this cat out of the bag. ssshhhhh. wink.

Having visited WDW 5 times before i first read this book, i really didn't think there was much more it could tell me about. BOY WAS I DEAD WRONG! This book is cram packed with the best tips, tricks and downright Disney World Secrets!! What ever you do follow the advice of this book 100% You'll not only have the best WDW vacation ever but the best vacation ever period! Our average wait in line was reduced to about 15 minutes (It was that high only because we screwed up and waited in a line for 30 minutes that we weren't supposed to be in. Summary READ THIS BOOK. I repeat READ THIS BOOK

Whether you're planning your first trip to Disney World or your tenth, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World should be required reading. This book has it ALL - detailed advice and price guide for Disney Resorts, including suggestions for the best rooms and room plans, descriptions of off property hotels, comparisons of different ticket packages, dining ratings, plans for touring the parks, ride descriptions, visiting with children, and even info on attractions outside Disney. I bought the 2004 edition for our first Disney World trip and just received the 2006 edition for our next trip in January 2006. It has been extensively updated. If you're looking for the best all around guide to Walt Disney World, this is the only book you'll need.