Customer Reviews

Birnbaum's 99 Walt Disney World: Expert Advice from the Inside Source (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first used Birnbaum's guide to WDW for a 1994 vacation and have purchased the book every year since then just to keep up with any changes made to the resort. For the average person wishing to haul their family across the country to the world's favorite tourist spot, Walt Disney World is extremely overwhelming and I've spoken with many who didn't really enjoy their experience. Each of those situations could have been avoided with the use of this book. It includes every piece of information one could possibly need to know for a few days in Orlando and then some - anything to the general weather conditions, park crowds, Disney resort hotels as well as other hotels, and even blow-by-blow synopses of each show, ride, and attraction that Disney has to offer. After my visit in 1994 and on subsequent visits, I have found most of the information laid out in the Guide to be accurate and very helpful. If it sounds like a glowing review of Disney World or just a paid advertisement, perhaps it's because WDW really is a "practically perfect" place to take a family vacation!

I have been using the Birnbaum WDW books since 1995 and have always found them to be filled with accurate information. I plan our family trips totally around this book and it has proved to save us a lot of hassle and frustrations. From what the weather will be like, to what to expect in a ride, to where to find the Characters and where to share a meal with them, this book has it all. It offers a whole variety of information. I cannot stress enough how awesome this book really is. I am waiting on the Birnbaum 2000 as we have a vacation planned for Christmas '99. Disney World is a family favorite and I am so glad I have the Birnbaum Book to help me plan the most magical vacation possible every time we go! Remember too, it is the "Official Guide." There are other books out there but NONE compare to this one. If you are planning a WDW trip, don't make the mistake of doing it without Steve Birnbaum!

this is a wonderful book as it is not to harsh on them but is not biased i think this is a MUST have and also i think the unofficial guide is a MUST have balance between the two and you will have a very magical vaction PS THE OFFICIAL GUIDE COVERS THINGS MORE THOIRGHLY LIKE RECREATION

This is the quintissential WDW guidebook. Filled with detailed descriptions of every hotel, ride, show, restaurant and more, it has everything you need to know and more. With the knowledge you gain from this book you will be able to spend your vacation time having fun, rather than spending time in unnecessary lines or wasting it on silly things. This book also has a number of money saving coupons in it, and should be taken along on your trip to serve as a guide.

Great source. I did find out that one thing is not up to date. If you get sick, the In-Room medical services listed are wrong. DOCTORS ON CALL SERVICE (407)492-9595 is the only service available 24 hours a day, to have doctors visit your hotel room. They did a great job,but they aren't even listed in the book. Centra Care is only available until 6 PM, and MediClinic wasn't even available for house-calls. This needs to be updated, so sick people can get help.

My family began using Birnbaum's Guide to WDW in 1983 and, between us all, I believe we have every edition since!! Although the youngest member of our immediate family is now 22, we still plan family trips to WDW as often as possible.

And, now with the addition of the next generation, we buy the guides to lay out a plan that will be enjoyable for all ages! We even buy the guide during the years that we don't have a trip to the World planned...just to keep up with the changes.

The Birnbaum guides have become a collectible with our family...even though we are now spread across the country, we can pick up one of our Birnbaum books and relive fond memories while planning for future ones to come!

This book is definitely a must for WDW first-timers and veterans alike.

This is the best guide to WDW. Great Information. Great tips on everything from travel, lodging , eating and getting around the parks!!!!!! Highly recommended by this family!!!!!!!!!!

I've been to Disney World four times, and this guide, being new every year, has helped me every time! I have looked through other guides to Disney World, but obviously the official one is always the best! This book is definately worth the money even if you're going a 2nd or 3rd time!

I felt that of several books I read, this was the most up to date of them all. Despite this, I found it to be lacking in any sort of criticism of the attractions. Certain attractions that other books seriously bashed were given glowing reviews here.

Many of the photographs used in this book are available at Disney's web site. I felt slightly cheated discovering this.

For a more unbiased read, I suggest "Frommer's 99 Walt Disney World & Orlando". Frommer's also includes a suggested age for each attraction, which I found particularly useful.

This book is fantastic, but it is best when used with other "un-official" books. Because this is THE guide to WDW, it tends to give a biased opinion on the attractions and hotels, which can end up making your vacation much more expensive than it has to be. The "un-official" books give you tips on how to save money, how to avoid the crowds, and which attractions are only "so-so" and not worth the 90 minute wait in line. All in all, this book is a must have for planning your vacation. As a person who is planning a 3rd trip to WDW, using "un-official" books can add another perspective and increase the usefulness of this particular book.