At this point, I’ve been on enough Disney vacations to write my own guidebook. I haven’t done this yet, but when I do you should all buy my book. In the meantime, though, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is an indespensable resource for anyone planning a Disney trip. This is the most comprehensive, readable, and objective of the many, many guidebooks available on this subject.

Contents
This book has slowly been expanding over the years to include Disney’s newest offerings. Information is broken down into eighteen different sections. Topics include information to guide you through the entire planning process. The book starts with information on picking the best time to visit, different online resources, and saving money. It then provides sections on accommodations, the Disney Cruise Line, dining, each theme park, shopping, and other area attractions. Universal Orlando and Sea World are each covered relatively in depth.

What I Like
Author Bob Sehlinger does an excellent job of keeping his book up to date. While much of the content stays the same from one edition to the next, new information is constantly added. This includes information on new rides and attractions as well as new reader letters about experiences. Quality of service and maintenance at hotels and restaurants changes from year to year, and Sehlinger seems to grasp that and modify his recommendations accordingly. He accepts that guests often have different experiences at the same attractions and includes a variety of reader feedback, some of which is very funny.

I love this book because it actually gives opinions. The reality is, some Disney hotels and restaurants are great and some are really quite disappointing. Many guidebooks read like promotional material, most notably the worthless Birmbaum’s Official Guide. Not so with the Unofficial Guide. Restaurant coverage is particularly helpful, as each restaurant’s description includes a thumbs up/down percentage rating provided by reader surveys as well as Sehlinger’s own opinions and star ratings for quality and value. What’s more, I tend to agree with his assessments. One of my least favorite Disney restaurants, the Concourse Steakhouse, received a two star rating for both quality and value. My favorites do rather well in the ratings, with a few exceptions.

Attractions are also very well covered, as Schlesinger and his staff have polled thousands of individuals. Each attraction is given a star rating for the following age groups: Preschool, Grade School, Teens, Young Adults, Over Thirty, and Seniors. This is an excellent idea, and I don’t know of another guidebook that does it. It makes sense that preschoolers would give Dumbo a five-star rating while adults give it only two stars. The breakdown by ages will help you tailor your touring plan according to the ages and interests of your party.

The Unofficial Guide has gone through some major format changes since I first started using it ten or so years ago. For the most part, these are changes for the better. The newest issues offer a tear-out section in the back with park maps and touring plans. Tables and diagrams are used more frequently for comparison purposes and are a great help to an overwhelmed planner trying to pick an off-site hotel or restaurant featuring American cuisine. Additionally, the content has become more and more comprehensive. I actually can’t believe how much good information is included in this book. Honestly, everything you need to know is here and neatly organized. Whether you are traveling with a disabled individual, a pregnant woman, a young child, a teenager, a senior citizen, or anyone else, information is provided just for you.

What I Don’t Like
Just one thing – this book is ridiculously huge and heavy. At 800+ pages, you will need an extra suitcase just to carry the Unofficial Guide with on your trip. Obviously I think it is worth the hassle, but be warned that this book has swollen to the size of a dictionary.

Overall…
When folks ask me where to start planning their Disney vacation, I point them to The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Whether you’ve already booked a room or haven’t even decided if you’re definitely going, this book will answer all your questions and meet your vacation-planning needs. It is well written with a healthy dose of humor and provides accurate assessments of what is and isn’t worth spending time and money on during your trip.


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