Customer Reviews

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2004

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought this was an amazing book. Now, I don't say that just because I love anything that has to do with Disney, but I truly think that it is very helpful. I own the 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 editions, and after reading them I have come to one conclusion, they aren't the best guide if this is your first time going to Walt Disney World. The book is published by Disney Enerprises, so it says everything in the park is amazing. If it is you first time, I would suggest a book that is not published by Disney, such as Frommers or the Unofficial Guide, because they rate the rides and attractions. Ohter than that, this book is the one for you. It can tell you some of the inside facts that ones that are not published by Disney can't. This guide is fully illistrated, so children can enjoy it also. That is my book review, I hope I didn't bore you to death.

I agree this is an absolute necessity for any Disney World vacation. It has terrific tips on what days each park is the busiest and sample itineraries for people with kids in different age groups. It is also great because it gave us information on character dining, which was so great both times we have gone to Disney. I took this book along with us so that we would have important phone numbers while we were on our trip, and it has maps of the parks. That was nice when we left ours behind somewhere. We would not have known about several things like character dining and how Fast Pass works without reading this book first. Don't leave without having read this book!

This is the most informative book on the market for persons about to journey to Walt Disney World. It is absolutely essential if you want to approach your WDW vacation with knowledge enough to make the most of it. My advice is to purchase the most recent edition, as it is updated each year to include new attractions, and there are always new attractions. The book is filled with information about hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, and attractions throughout the entire Disney property. I have made about 25 trips to WDW, and I buy a new one each year I go so that my information is current. Well worth the reasonable price.

Planning for a family vacation to Disney World can be as complex as launching an expedition to Anarctica -- and nearly as expensive if you aren't careful! If you've made the decision to take the plunge and head for the most popular family vacation spot in America spend that first few dollars on the most current edition of Birnbaum's book. This book will help you save both time and money.

Birnbaum's guide was a great choice for me -- I'm a "gotta have everything organized in advance" kind of person and the detailed, accurate information in this guide helped me do everything from pick out a hotel and book a ride from the airport to organize a packing list and rough-in plans for daily itineraries. Although the guide was absolutely jammed with information it was in a very readable format with lots of color, charts and sidebars. Birnbaum's also helped walk us through a lot of the decisions -- for example we decided to splurge on a nice on-resort hotel with access to the monorail knowing we would want to spend the middle part of most days relaxing at the pool with the kids. To balance that expense, we took Birnbaum's tip and had lunches at the nicer restaraunts instead of the more expensive (and more crowded) dinners.

My husband also found Birnbaum's guide very helpful and he is more of a "let's just wing-it" sort of vacation planner. On the days he was in charge of activities he carried the Birnbaum's book with him and used it to pick restaraunts, find less crowded rides and choose activities near wherever we happened to be walking. The color-coding on the sides of the pages helped him quickly find the section of the book he wanted just as soon as he pulled it out of the bag.

By far the best feature were the sample schedules -- these helped us avoid the crowds during our vacation (Christmas week one of the most crowded times of the year). In fact, using Birnbaum's advice we got to the parks early and walked onto many rides without waiting at all. Once the parks started getting crowded we used the tips on fast passes to cut our waiting time significantly on the more popular rides.

There's lots and lots of information out there on how to plan and enjoy your Disney Vacation -- I highly recommend checking out the Disney web site (booking online can save more $$$) and buying this guide. Maybe you won't have to spend an entire semester's worth of college savings after all!

This book is invaluable for Disney guests. It's full of tips and full descriptions of the park, and rides. It explains all the ins and outs of Disney, while making it an easy read by the full color pictures and interesting commentary. A must for anyone on their way to Disney this year. Even if you have last years edition, do pick up this one! I buy a new one every year for my annual trip to Disney, and I find they do change. A good thing about Birnbaums guide is the fact that they rely on what the Disney vistors say about the rides, not just some public relations person from Disney. Also this book is sold in the Disney stores, so you know it's reliable. I recommend this book highly!

My boyfriend and I went to Disney for Spring Break this year and are planning another trip for either August or December. I need to replace my edition because it got wet during one of florida's storms. Anyway, this book is so well worth the price, it pays for itself quick. Not only do they give times when the parks are less crowded, it also gives descriptions of every resort, ride, restaurant, and absolutely anything else associated with the Mouse. The dining guides are especially helpful, they give price guides of which restaurants offer cheap options, since I'm a poor college student, lol. Also, they tell you which restaurants have vegeatarian options, a BIG plus for me being a vegetarian for 10 years. i read an earlier review about the Alien ride being closed, it will not be reopened unfortunately, they are making a Lilo and Stitch ride in its place. The tips in the book about the parades and Fantasmic are especially helpful, see the last show when it's offered---it's much less crowded!!! Also, if you don't want to see an earlier parade, go to Toon Town to see the characters or hop on a ride, the lines are far less daunting. Needless to say, I'm very grateful for the Birnbaum guide, i'm hooked for life:)

I have been to Walt Disney World in FL many times (at least 12 in the past 10 years, I've lost track), and I still found things out about WDW that I never knew. It's helping me to plan my upcoming trip with ease.

For people who have never been to WDW- YOU NEED THIS BOOK! Let me tell you, WDW is bigger than San Francisco and it's countless resorts, restaurants, rides, shows and attractions can be overwhelming if you don't have a game plan. You will miss key things if you don't buy this guide.

The book highlights all the attractions in each of the 4 theme parks, plus Downtown Disney, the Disney Cruise Line, Waterparks, Resorts and recreation. It also has an extremely helpful "Good meals, great times" chapter which makes it easy to find the restaurants that are right for you. Many helpful bonus features are sample itineraries, character meal guides, timing tips and more.

I highly recommend this book- these people know WDW. I also highly recommend Walt Disney World!! So book your vacation today!

If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World this is a must have book. It tells you all about the rides, shops, and dining. Everything is broken down by park and tells you hints or helpful tips and how to spend your time wisely. I've been to Disney many times and this book, a new one every year, helps in informing me on what is new and what has changed. If you are big on food Disney has some of the best and the dining section is great. The best of is a good way to see what others have liked. Over all this is a great book with a lot of information on when to go, temp, rain, special events, everything you can think of. This book is like the Bible of Walt Disney World. Get it and enjoy a great trip!

read the book in 1982, last time I went to Disney.......it is even better!!

These folks have been a terrific guide to the world of the mouse. Each edition has updated info, useful hints, and is a great value.

Only bummer is that the coupons are not so great.

Overall, even better than I remembered it and unless you LIVE at the theme parks, a new edition is well worth the price.

***** PAY ATTENTION***
For instance I checked and confirmed what they mentioned: Magic Kingdom's Alien's ride is being repaired - postponing our trip until October, when it will hopefully re-open.

I have been on several Disney vacations in the past 6 years. Without this book and the editions before it I would've never learned that the busiest day is on Mondays or how much the tickets were. I have been to Disney 3 times within the last 6 months! This is the Disney Bible!!!