Customer Reviews

The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides)

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Looking for a guide to Walt Disney World? I think I can help. My family, along with two other families, recently spent a week at Disney, and we took five different travel books with us. We thought it would be fun to compare how useful the books were as we planned our trip and as we spent our days at the parks.

This review is the result of our efforts, with book rated from 1 star (awful) to 5 stars (great).

Before I start, you should know that our little reviewing group consisted of three couples, all in their early thirties. Between us we have three little girls, one little boy, a teenage girl, and a pair of grandparents that went along too.

We rated the books based on six criteria:

1. Helpfulness as a Trip Planner
Does the book offer tips on saving money or time? Does it help you get through the Orlando airport? Does it recommend hotels and restaurants to reserve and back up its reasons well? Does it have good advice about the Disney dining plan and which restaurants to eat at?

2. Helpfulness While at Disney World.
Is it worthwhile to take the guide with you? Does it help with last minute decisions? Is it fun to read as you wait for a restaurant table, or in a line for a ride or show?

3. Organization.
No matter how good a particular piece information is, if you can't find it, it doesn't do you any good. This is especially true in travel guides, when you often need a particular piece of information RIGHT NOW!

4. Current information.
Though all of these guides have "2009" in their title, are they really up-to-date? To find out, we picked out three things we know are new at Disney World for this year: The American Idol Experience show, the new promotion where guests get in free on their birthday, and the new room decor at the BoardWalk resort, where we stayed, and checked to see which books knew about them.

5. Addresses family needs
Since so many Disney World visitors are families, how does each book reflect that? Are there specific planning tips for families? Is there advice about which rides are too scary for little ones?

So, on to the reviews!

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009 2 stars
Once published by travel guru Steve Birnbaum, today Birnbaum's Walt Disney World is an objective travel guide in name only. Now written and published by the Disney company, it offers nothing but cheers for everything Walt Disney World has to offer. Worse, a lazy attitude permeates everything, as if this is something Disney is forced to do but would really just forget about. As you would expect, there's precious little about saving money (except for a recommendation to "save" by buying the extra-cost Disney Disney Plan) and no quality ratings for attractions, restaurants or resorts beyond an occasional "Birnbaum's Best" logo. Chapter titles are confusing: restaurants are under "Good Meals Great Times;" water parks within "Everything Else in the World." The book was 1-for-3 on our accuracy test. It knew the American Idol show existed but had no information about it. Its room description for the Boardwalk Resort was two years out of date. It did not mention the birthday promotion. On the plus side, the book's relative few pages makes it the easiest of the Disney guides to scan through, and there are many illustrations of Mickey Mouse and other cartoon characters.

The Complete Walt Disney World 2009 5 stars
Outstanding organization and a wealth of color photos makes it easy to find particular information in The Complete Walt Disney World. Chapters are color coded, and subjects are grouped together well. For example, a Planning Your Trip chapter has a subsection on the Disney Dining Plan that clearly spells out the pluses and minuses of that add-on, and individual articles titled Saving Money (with 30 numbered tips), another called Saving Time. Restaurant reviews include good insight on character meals. Resort descriptions have more details than the other guides, though the authors provide little opinion beyond a star rating. Theme park information is superb. Attraction reviews, which can go on for multiple pages for major headliners like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, include "Fear Factors" as well as "Fun Finds," are practical for families and fun for Disney fans. There's a touring plan for each park that we found helpful. The Complete Guide was 3-for-3 in our accuracy test. The only downer: Except for hotel listings, the Complete Walt Disney World focuses exclusively on Walt Disney World. There's no mention of Universal Studios, Sea World, or even the Orlando airport.

Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando 2009 3 stars
Frommers is well written, well organized and in many ways thorough, but the author doesn't seem that familiar with Walt Disney World. The book has no tips on saving time or money, and its hotel and restaurant opinions aren't backed up with a lot of facts. Attraction descriptions are short paragraphs with no specifications and few tips. The book offers little take-along value, and hardly any specific information for families. Vague family information. There are no photos or illustrations. The book scored 0 for 3 on our accuracy test. It didn't know about the American Idol show, our new room decor, or Disney's birthday promotion.

Fodor's Walt Disney World 2009: plus Universal Orlando and SeaWorld 2 star
Like a weaker version of the Frommers guide, the Fodors one is less organized and offers even less planning advice. Its ride and show descriptions seem to be edited versions of those in the Unofficial Guide, which this company also publishes. Like Frommers, the book scored 0 for 3 on our accuracy test.

The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 4 stars
Is there an editor in the house? Packed with advice and information, the 848-page Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is like your grandmother's attic: there's a lot of good stuff in there but so much junk to shift through! Actually it depends on the subject. If you have hours to dig through it, this massive tome can be a great planning tool. Page after page is devoted to subjects such as saving time or saving money. Incredibly detailed resort information includes which rooms, by number, offer the best views. Attraction summaries have details such as ratings by age group, but the authors comments are often so cynical they have value only if you find them funny. The Unofficial Guide scored 2 out of 3 on our accuracy test. It didn't know about Disney's birthday promotion. The book includes various Touring Plans, which offer step-by-step guidance for a day, or two, at each of the theme parks. These looked useful, but our group had too many individual interests to follow them. In short, this is a good book for those who aren't really fans of the Disney company, but want to take months to plan out a visit to its mecca.

So that's it! We determined that the Unofficial Guide and the Complete Guide are the best two books out there. As for which is the best for you, I think if you like Disney (or want a book that includes photography) you will like the Complete Guide best, but if you are headed there reluctantly (like, say, only to keep your kids happy), or also want information about SeaWorld or Universal, you will find the Unofficial Guide more to your liking. But either is a good choice.

This is the guide that I recommend to all newbies and even veteran WDW visitors and I find myself purchasing yearly. Why - it has the most thorough descriptions and experiences of WDW. I typically purchase the Official Guide every year as well for its colored photos primarily however the Unofficial Guide for substance and research. Everyone I have recommended it to was more prepared after reading the Unofficial Guide than any other guide. I also like the Passporter guide and I use them in conjunction with each other (I carry the passpockets). However, If I only could chose or recommend one guide this would be the one.

As is the case with most guides that reflect 2009 - they are typically published in 2008. I was pleased to see the the Unofficial Guide did note some changes in the 2009 guide that occurred at press. I also use and appreciate their associated website touringplans.com and have found it helpful when things have changed since the book went to press as well as other items like renovations, construction status (think Contemporary), ride closures etc that are not always known throughout the year. This has saved me in the past from family disappointment as some changes occur without a lot of notice (press events) and would have caused major angst. I do not find the WDW official website to provide an easy navigation experience so the fact that they have this feature in this high speed internet world is an additional tool. I think this is another differentiator compared to other WDW guides. Most do not have associated websites and if they do they may not be updated frequently. I also enjoyed the new pictures and they are a fantastic addition. Another noted feature in the book and website welcomes comments or even corrections to the guide. The previous reviewer has some very specific updates that I encourage him to write to the authors. I don't know that I would have noticed those specific ones the previous review noted but I understand the point being made. A couple of years ago I noted changes that happened mid year that were in the book but I found a bit different when I arrived on property and I figured what the heck I'll send a note to the author via the website and figured I would never hear anything. Not only did I receive a reply but the update was noted on the website. I've never filled out the complete Reader Survey myself but I appreciate the comments from other readers that have done so and I have chuckled at the descriptions or opinions given. I may not always agree with an opinion but have been able to understand what the writer meant by their observation which was in itself helpful.

The fact that the book makes references to other websites, books and forum sites is another bonus. I also prefer the use of experts in their research. You don't see this noted extensively in many of the other books I've purchased or perused. Every year I'll pick up a new or try an updated version of a different WDW guide book and am typically not wowed. The free touring plans and very helpful. I admit being initially skeptical about them, however having utilized them, I now highly recommend reviewing them to get a sense of various viewing options. The book has also grown substantially over the years. I typically use it planning before a trip and I do not carry it to go to the park but will review it when I get back to the hotel. I don't carry the book due to its heft however I have cut out the plans and other items in the back of the book which is great that they keep this up.

I frankly have found this book has made the difference between people arriving on site being completely overwhelmed and lost vs. being prepared. Being prepared doesn't take the mystique out of WDW - its an incredible place, but its easy to be swept away not like floating down the Lazy river in a tube but tumbling feet over head landing in a 90 minute line with no fast pass, exhausted, crumpled map in hand wondering why this is fun?! You do not need to be a "commando" tourer to appreciate this book. While this was my style in years past I found as a casual tourer reviewing some of the suggestions and guidelines makes a huge difference in alleviating stress. WDW is huge and vast and exciting and magical. We try to visit at least twice a year and even then I am always amazed at how many things change year after year.

This book and its accompanying website ([...]) are indispensible if you are planning a trip to the Magic Kingdom. I took my family at Spring Break 2007, and could not have done anything close to as well had I not spent hours reading and using the book to plan. A Disney vacation is a serious investment, and we were able to do so much more by hitting the parks at the right times and in the right order. A few words of advice:

1) Use the [...] itineraries, and have 1-2 alternative plans for each day. My 8 year old daughter ended up with a stomach bug one day, and we were able to switch our plans around with minimal fuss and bother to accomodate her and minimize what she missed.

2) If traveling with kids, take the advice about resting during the middle of the day seriously. This allowed us to recuperate for the great shows at night, and we were able to get up and go the next morning early enough to miss out on the biggest crowds at the popular rides.

3) Trust the book - there is so much ridiculously exhaustive research in here that you would be a fool to ignore it. Believe their data, even if it seems counterintuitive.

This book has some excellent tips and excellent information, and it can minimize the amount of time you spend standing in line. It's a nice supplement to the official guides and I'm glad I bought it. However, I have some major problems with the book, and they are as follows:

-My fundamental problem with the book is that it is written in a very negative, cynical tone. I get the impression that the authors don't even like Disney World, and they take pot shots at the Disney company every chance they get. After reading this book I'm actually a little less excited and a little more nervous about my trip.
-The book seems geared more toward families with small children who go to Disney World during more crowded times. My girlfriend and I do not have children and we are going to Disney during a less crowded, off peak time so much of the book is not applicable to our situation.
-The format of the book is to offer descriptions and reviews of various attractions followed by quotes sent in by readers. Most of the quotes are negative, which I think is unrepresentative because most people enjoy most attractions. The few people who have a negative experience will be more motivated to write in with a complaint.
-I have a Ph.D., and reading this book gave me flashbacks to writing my dissertation and reading for my doctoral comprehensive exams. I think planning a Disney trip is an enjoyable part of going to Disney World, but reading this book is more like work than fun and it makes planning for a Disney trip seem more like work than fun. There's actually a section with mathematical formulas!
-The authors seem to judge many things based solely on cost and monetary value. However, my criterion for a Disney vacation is convenience and an avoidance of stress. I hate driving when I'm on vacation, but the authors recommend renting a car or driving a car to Disney World and much of the information is geared toward people who drive. The book offers criticisms of the Disney's Magical Express shuttle service which I think is one of the best perks of a Disney vacation. The book also criticizes Extra Magic Hours and I had a wonderful time using EMHs during my last trip.
-The authors are extremely critical of Disney World eating places, and they come off as food snobs. They seem to only give good reviews to the most expensive restaurants, which somewhat contradicts the book's focus on cost. They also trash the Disney Dining Plan, which I happen to like. It saved me an enormous amount of money during my last trip. The book does not delineate which restaurants are on the Disney Dining Plan and which are not so this was confusing for my planning.
-The book contains a great deal of information about other theme parks in the Orlando area such as Universal Studios and Sea World, and in keeping with the negative tone of the book the authors seem to favor these non-Disney parks. My bottom line is that a critical review of Disney attractions and restaurants is good and is something you can't get in the official guides, but the authors take it too far - a book about a Disney World vacation should make you feel good about going there and this book does not.

My husband & i got the 1990 version for our honeymoon in High season, hot July of that year. We could literally see the crowds just a few minutes behind us. We estimate the book / info / plans saved us 2 hours a day. That trip. And on the subsequent dozen trips with updated versions.

The important thing to remember is this needs to be read BEFORE you reserve a hotel or even tell the kids. WDW is an expensive proposition and this book tells you ways to budget your money, time, energy. Totally the best in this arena - the official guide is practically a souviner program by comparison.

This book is great at helping you:

a) decide IF go - & how much you will spend
(if Santa at the mall freaks your toddler - what will a 6' rodent do? and if all they recall is the pool - maybe next year.)
b) when to go - what factors to consider (school vs. crowds?)
c) where to stay (big decision if you have small kids or older adults or a limited budget - or me!)

d) deciding on a plan for touring the parks. Some complain about the authoritative tone - hey - just read the first few chapters and you can understand at least WHY you are broiling under the FL/ CA sun for hours. It's your choice - make it an informed one and you'll be better prepared to roll with the punches. That is the core message here - Have a plan or ...

The place has changed a lot in the 18 years and the book has gotten a bit overwhelming. Read it to make decisions then slice out the relevant (or irrelevant) pages for hauling around.

BTW: everyone complains about the food cost - but i think it is not as bad as others make out. sure you can tailgate back to your car - but that's between your foot leather and your wallet. It is no more expensive than food @ concert or sports event. & you can't beat the character buffets if you have a fan.

& BTW from the rather AR: WDW is the 43 sq. mile property. Magic Kingdom is the cute park with the characters IN WDW.

Good Luck!

It is important to give respect to those that have identified some errors and ommissions in the "Unofficial Guides." The guide is not perfect, and one might expect perfection from a reference book. That being said, no Disney vacation is perfect either, although we all seek perfection from this expensive theme park trip!

What the Unofficial Guide does is break down, in a very user friendly way, how to understand a Disney vacation and make the most of it. The authors also make an 800+ page book fun to read and explore and that is no easy feat!

From understanding resort accomodations, meal plans, those attractions that might upset your stomach, travel, moving about the parks, shopping, attendence levels, health and safety, pets, etc etc etc., the Guide makes these complicated topics manageable.

We can look to Wikipedia for hard, real-time data (and the Guide should strive to have all their information fact checked.) But, Disney is expensive, complicated, and does involve lots of planning. The Guide is the best $13 you will ever spend towards your vacation. It's cheaper than your Coke and chicken strips lunch at a counter restaurant, but will save you untold amounts of confusion and frustration about bus routes, check-in policies, how to see characters, and so forth.

It is also important to note, that with the purchase of the book, you receieve access to the Unoffical Guide's crowd calendars (viewable on its website). It's a nice little perk to help with your long-range planning.

We have bought numerous travel books for our trips, but the Unoffical Guide is more than just a travel book, it is a How-to guide to getting the most from your Disney Vacation.

This is an awesome guide. I highly recommend to anyone who go to WDW to get this guide. This is our 1st visit to WDW. We got a 7 day pass, no hooper with water park. We were able to get to all the attractions of all the major parks by following the plan in this guide in beginning of June 2009.

Comprehensive discussion and evaluation of WDW, including dining and hotels. Invaluable resource. Great guide for planning a trip and making the most of your time in Orlando.

I have visited Disney a number of times and this time we tried the Touring Plans when we visited over Christmas Week. I was skeptical that either I would find it too restrictive and non-spontaneous or would not work during the peak crowds. It worked flawlessly and found we could hit all the popular attractions and not have to wait in line for more than 20-30 mins with an average wait time of probably about 15mins.

While I recommend the book highly I found the Web site [...] an even more invaluable resource and well worth the investment of less than [...] even if you don't have the current edition of the book. The Trip Planning tool and the ability to access other customized touring plans was invaluable for our trip.

Finally, the biggest and best resource was the Authors, who I contacted via the link from their web site. I was pleasantly surprised by their responsiveness and willingness to help and answer questions. Below is sample from one of the emails to give you an idea. We followed his advice and would visit a different Resort Hotel either as a break during the day or on our way home. Thanks to his Tips we took advantage of the Night Vision goggles and story tellers at the Animal Kingdom Lodge - we loved it!

The book and/or web sites are a great resource especially when supplemented by your own research on sites like [...] or one of the other guidebooks.

Andrew Seward

--- Text from email follows --
Hey Andrew,

Nice schedule! Depending on what you want to see, you may find that by lunchtime Wednesday, you've seen all you want at the Magic Kingdom. In that case, there's nothing at all wrong with heading back to your resort for a nap, a dip in the pool and a reasonably early bedtime. Your kids are old enough that they can tell you when they're tired. Mention that the afternoon break will keep them going through the next few early mornings.

If you need a break in the afternoon but you're not sure if you want to head back to your hotel, try a quick break over in the lobby of the Grand Floridian. It's got comfortable chairs, snacks, and will be decorated for the holidays. I've done that many times, with a couple of unintentional naps thrown in. If you're uncomfortable with a nap in the lobby, there are chairs in one of the corners of the second floor, equally comfortable and more secluded.

You may also find that your Epcot visit on Friday, December 26 finds you satisfied with the park in the afternoon. Try visiting the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts to view their holiday decorations. They've also got an amazing pool complex.

The one other resort I'd suggest viewing is the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Besides the holiday decorations, they've got nightly fireside storytelling (call ahead to verify they're holding it on whatever night you want to go), and our back there are Castmembers with night vision goggles to help you see the animals. Grab a hot drink from the bar or one of the quick service restaurants, then head out back and sit in a rocking chair to listen to the African Castmembers tell stories about their home countries. Fabulous time. Kids enjoy it.

If you're going to Walt Disney World and are serious about getting the most out of your vacation you must get this book. It's that simple.

This book has all the insider information that Disney may not want you to have. It is an incredible wealth of information - there is something here for everyone.

The biggest payoffs for us were knowing which days would be least busy. By using this book we were able to modify our vacation days so we would have several days with smaller crowds. The book tells you which days are least busy, by park, by day of week. By the time the crowds arrived for Christmas, we had done everything we wanted to do.

Another huge tip was the small child switching off policy. If you have an infant you can get a pass that allows one parent to hold the child while the rest of the family rides the ride. Then the family returns, and take the kid while the caregiver uses the Fastpass line to ride the ride. The best part of the switching off pass is that up to 3 more people can ride the ride AGAIN! So it's basically a way for most of the family to ride the same ride twice. No one at Disney told us about this tip, but a cast member complimented us on using this policy.

The one part of the book that was perhaps wrong was guiding us away from extended hours. If you stay at a Disney resort you get to stay later. The book told us the lines would be insane. After the Epcot fireworks we did Mission: Space and there was zero line and that was during extended hours.