Hidden Walt Disney World, Orlando and Beyond [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Lisa Oppenheimer (Author), Stacy Ritz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hidden Walt Disney World Orlando and Beyond, 1st ed | Publication Date: December 1999

Where Vacations Become Adventures! Each book in the Hidden series first reviews a destination's famed attractions. Then it invites the reader to go further by exploring "hidden" spots other guides overlook and by diving into outdoor activities enjoyed by today's active travelers. Targeting small inns and local restaurants while focusing on authentic settings and local culture, these guides offer a unique travel experience.

-- New and improved maps that "zoom in" on each area and lead the traveler along the described route

-- New features including checklists of author favorites, weekend itineraries, and walking tours

-- "Hidden" spots -- loved by the local but missed by most visitors -- prominently marked in the margin

-- Detailed descriptions of beaches, parks, and outdoor activities that take the reader beyond he sightseeing circuit to hike, bike, swim, snorkel, and camp

-- Redesigned front and back covers that are more dynamic, more colorful, and easier to read

-- Expanded internet information that includes email and Web site addresses for every listing

-- Rates rides and attractions and gives authors' favorite picks for places to stay and eat

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Pr (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569752028
• ISBN-13: 978-1569752029
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,069,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Missing some Key Information, but refreshing descriptions, August 15, 2000

By 

Carol McCardell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Walt Disney World, Orlando and Beyond (Paperback)

In some ways, I found this book refreshing. The attraction descriptions were infromative and refreshing. I have read several WDW guide books, and I still learned new things about the attractions from this book. This is the only book I've ran accross that reports that Bear in the Blue House is at Disney/MGM. (Some people could care less about this, but as a mother of 2 under the age of three, I'm excited!)

This book does fall short when looking for specific details. Oppenheimer will tell you the phone number to make character meal reservations, but she won't warn you that in order to get a meal at Cinderella's table, you MUST call two months in advance. I tried one month in advance, and couldn't get any seating for the entire week! (This was just at Cinderella's Table, I did get reservations at the crystal Palace.) Also she doesn't give complete information as to which characters are at which locations.

I did like the fact that Oppenheimer will tell the reader whether or not adults not traveling with children will enjoy an attraction. Bear in the Blue House is too syrupy sweet for adults, but preschoolers love it. She also was nice enough to tell the reader that they may not fully understand Doug Live, if they are not familiar with the TV show. Why are Doug's friends blue and green? Because they're not real! Who knew?

Another thing that bothered me about the book was that the 'Where To Stay' section was at the back of the book. I found that puzzling, because the first thing people want to do is get hotel reservations. Also the dining section was at the back of the book. People are wondering where to dine when they're at the park, and having to flip to another section of the book is inconvienent and annoying.

The candidness of Oppenheimer was enjoyable, such as the biggest obsticle in the Buzz Ranger spin may be your co-pilot. Just as she was aiming for a target, her co-pilot would spin the ship and she lost her shot. I didn't know there were two light guns and one steering joy stick. I'll take this one with a child instead of my husband!

Use This guide as a supplement to another guide. The Unofficial Guide by Slessinger is loaded with details and touring strategies. WDW with Kids, by Kim Wright Wiley gives lots of advice with respect to kids. This guide has candid descriptions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent info, but really aimed at families, August 28, 2001

By 

Sharon E. Cathcart "Why, yes, I am an author" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hidden Walt Disney World, Orlando and Beyond (Paperback)

My fiance and I purchased this book as part of our honeymoon-planning "frenzy." We hoped to find some really interesting information about Orlando that would help us in that regard. Sadly for us (but fortunately for families with kids), this book was not aimed at a pair of adults at all. It was decidedly slanted toward those with little ones. There was some interesting information about little "behind the scenes" factoids, but this just wasn't the book for us.

5 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not too shabby, April 16, 2000

By 

Daniel P Karanikis (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Walt Disney World, Orlando and Beyond (Paperback)

I felt the book, although lagging at some parts, was over all a good read. I say if you are a Disney Nut, get it!