The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 [Paperback]

Bob Sehlinger (Author), Len Testa (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Unofficial Guides | Publication Date: September 9, 2005

"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
-Chicago Sun-Times

"Indispensable"
-The New York Times

Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide(r):
* Exclusively patented, field-tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day
* Tips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own words
* Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families
* A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World
* Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group; extensive, objective, head-to-head comparisons of the Disney and Universal theme parks

Sample Rating

Soarin'

Appeal by age Preschool Grade school Teens Young adults Over 30 Seniors

What it is:Flight simulation ride. Scope and scale:Super headliner. When to go First:30 minutes the park is open or use FASTPASS. Special comments:Entrance on the lower level of The Land pavilion. May induce motion sickness; 40" minimum-height requirement; switching off available (see pages 266-268). Author's rating:Exciting and mellow at the same time; Not to be missed. Duration of ride:4H minutes. Loading speed Moderate.

This guide is a completely independent evaluation of Walt Disney World and has not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney World or the Walt Disney Company, Inc.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...I can't think of much this book doesn't cover...I really can't fault this guide, it contains more than enough information for anyone planning to visit Walt Disney World...I'd highly recommend the Unofficial Guide 2006." (www.wdisneyw.co.uk, 28^th September 2005)

"....how to spare yourself queuing for hours on end is where this book really comes into it's own..." (The Economist, April 2006)

From the Back Cover

"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
—Chicago Sun-Times

"Indispensable"
—The New York Times

Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide®:

1. Exclusively patented, field-tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day
2. Tips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own words
3. Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families
4. A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World
5. Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group; extensive, objective, head-to-head comparisons of the Disney and Universal theme parks

Sample Rating

Soarin'

Appeal by age Preschool Grade school Teens Young adults Over 30 Seniors

What it is:Flight simulation ride. Scope and scale:Super headliner. When to go First:30 minutes the park is open or use FASTPASS. Special comments:Entrance on the lower level of The Land pavilion. May induce motion sickness; 40" minimum-height requirement; switching off available (see pages 266–268). Author's rating:Exciting and mellow at the same time; Not to be missed. Duration of ride:4H minutes. Loading speed Moderate.

This guide is a completely independent evaluation of Walt Disney World and has not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney World or the Walt Disney Company, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 832 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; Revised edition (September 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764583417
• ISBN-13: 978-0764583414
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Time Reader of the Perfect WDW Book, December 26, 2005

By 

R. J. Vaules "disneydig.com" (Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 (Paperback)

If you are going to Walt Disney Word and looking for the book to cut through the publicity machine that is Disney, you will want this book. Its tone can be skeptical and brutally honest, and is not always the Disney "cheerleading" guide that some purists insist only be written about Disney properties. There are other books for that, but none will get you in and out of the parks as well as this one.

If you are an "easy going", "take things as they come" type of person, then this book is not going to be your cup of tea. If you are looking to get the most from your dollar by avoiding lines, bad food, and like frank opinions, then this book will do you well.

Please know that there are no pretty pictures of the Disney parks in this book. It is a "battle" guide that does not pull punches. The author(s) are traffic gurus and are looking to get you through the park, not standing in lines. I have met them both, and they are very nice people who are very sincere in wanting to know the opinions of their readers.

If you have kids, this will show you the way to limit stress, and keep everyone happy with planning tips and schedules appropriate to age groups and interests. It is okay to get the Birnbaum book for the kids. Let them see the pictures and read the descriptions of the park, but if you want to be serious about minimizing the stresses of a family vacation, use this book.

I travel every 18 months, and from being single, to married, to now a father, this book has different plans that allow you to deal with what Disney is - a very crowded tourist destination - without stress. I have saved time and money, and always find this book to improve the quality of my trip. My four tips for YOU to make your WDW vacation the best; 1. Stay onsite and use the Disney transportation system; 2. Take an afternoon break from the parks and get off your feet; 3. Use Fast Pass - Make Fast Pass your friend; 4. Buy this book.

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REQUIRED READING FOR EVERY DISNEY VISITOR, September 13, 2005

By 

Booksnoop (Frederick, MD) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 (Paperback)

Whether you're planning your first trip to Disney World or your tenth, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World should be required reading. This book has it ALL - detailed advice and price guide for Disney Resorts, including suggestions for the best rooms and room plans, descriptions of off property hotels, comparisons of different ticket packages, dining ratings, plans for touring the parks, ride descriptions, visiting with children, and even info on attractions outside Disney.

I bought the 2004 edition for our first Disney World trip and just received the 2006 edition for our next trip in January 2006. It has been extensively updated.

If you're looking for the best all around guide to Walt Disney World, this is the only book you'll need.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I won't go without it..., December 19, 2005

By 

terrik "aeroberator" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, 2006 (Paperback)

I'd like to tell you that this book is terrible, has no use, and is a waste of money... but I'd be doing it for selfish reasons. I'd be doing it because I wanted to keep all the amazing tips and tricks to myself so that everyone else didn't know all the little goodies I know from reading this book.
We went to WDW on vacation during the 4TH OF JULY! Any idea how busy it can be that time of year? But because we followed this book's touring guide and suggestions, we never waited in line longer than 20 minutes. WOW! Now that's a miracle.
We learned lots of great insider info and it had a map that we would still be driving around without.
Go buy this book, read it, and have a great vacation... but keep it to yourself, will ya? We can't let this cat out of the bag. ssshhhhh. wink.