The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation 2008 (Hassle Free Walt Disney World Vacation) (Paperback)

by Steven M. Barrett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Why waste time in line? Barrett's flexible, customized touring plans keep you ahead of the crowds, while his insider tips on little-known things to do at WDW and an all-new How Well Do You Know Disney? photo quiz make this book appealing even to Disney veterans. Fully updated to include WDW's newest attraction, Monsters, Inc. Comedy Club.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Intrepid Traveler (November 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887140735
• ISBN-13: 978-1887140737
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #451,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More a list of "Touring Plans" than a guide and the Plans are not really useful, January 3, 2008

By	R. Fox-Dewhurst (Pacific NW) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Unfortunately, "The Hassle-Free WDW Vacation" did not help decrease our WDW "hassles". Actually, I suspect that anyone who tried to follow any of the "Touring Plans" detailed for the WDW parks would end up feeling like their vacation was more work than play. Here are some of the reasons I would not recommend buying this book:

1) The book is essentially a book of lists..."what to do on arrival day" (a confusing array of suggestions), "what to do on departure day"-that list includes "revisit attractions (!) , look for Hidden Mickeys" -(..hmmmm-there's a "Hidden Mickey" book also written by this author) , and what to pack (this is the one helpful list!)

2) The bulk of the book is a series of minute to minute one and two day plans broken down by visitor age groups.
I suppose some WDW visitors would wish to "attack" the parks, list in hand with the plan to run to the most coveted ride at opening, sprint to the first FastPass in the next 20 min, "exit and turn left" and approach the character greeting place, etc. However, these plans are going to fail at the first changed mind or missed step. Also there is a lot of generalization about what would appeal to an age group without taking into account individual needs.

3)The plans also include suggestions that have actually (believe it or not) been tested for accuracy and disproved elsewhere...such as the frequently stated (by this author) "choose the left queue". That "truism" is at the level of an urban myth by now.

4) If visitors do want to attack the park this way- following plans step by step- the weather, time of year, crowd level and make-up all need to be considered. These plans do not take these factors into account.
(For example if you go to WDW-as we did- when school is "in"- Fantasyland will be packed with the tiny tots, while rides appealing to grade school and older kids will be less in demand. For the few times we actually "went on attack" it really helped to take this factor into account.)

5) There are frequently vague suggestions in the plans such as "Take in a show"...there is significant variability as to the amount of time a visitor needs to set aside for each and every show in any of the parks in WDW- Each show is different and needs specific timing and cannot just be randomly plugged into a timed out "plan for the day".

6) There is little other helpful information or details in the book.

I would only recommend this book to someone who has one or two days to spend at all of WDW and wants to seriously prioritize. And if you are one of those people, check the book out at the library, look over the ideas then make your own schedule, using information from guide books that are a better buy for the money.

5.0 out of 5 stars A good take-along guide, August 13, 2008

By	D. Morrow (Oklahoma City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

No trip to WDW is completely hassle-free, but Mr. Barrett's touring plans and advice allow you to make the most of your time in the parks. His touring plans may seem too structured at first but you must remember his "Basic Rules for Touring" and adjust your day as necessary. Tips for the least-crowded restaurants and restrooms are invaluable on those hot, shoulder-to-shoulder days. The book was just as valuable on our third trip to Disney World as it was on our first.