Rating: 
Summary: A Fascinating Read
Review: I am not even planning a trip to WDW in the very near future (I've been only once before) but nonetheless I found myself reading this book, practically cover to cover, in one evening. There's no sugarcoated nonsense in this book; the author seems a little harsh on WDW, but from my vantage point, his observations were dead-on. In addition to the details, step-by-step power touring plans for each park and the dining reviews, the author includes a fascinating history of Disney's expansion into Florida. I especially appreciated his counter-guide to Universal Studios Florida, amazingly enough, included in with everything about Disney. On my previous visit to WDW I had no interest in USF, but after reading his review of the park, will be making a stop there on my next trip to Orlando. I have read at least two previous guides to WDW plus countless web pages about the park and not found out a fraction of what I learned from this guide. I can't wait to go back.
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Summary: this is for the 1996 edition
Review: I'm from the UK so anything that helps before hand is an essential reading, especially when it is free of official obligation. We were able to enjoy things at Disney that we and many Brits do not know about. Our daughter enjoyed the creche in a hotel we were not staying at and she spent a morning in the Disney employees school. We pre booked restarauts and felt great as we walked to the head of the lines. We ate in as many recommended restaurants as we could afford and they were great. We followed the advise to visit early and sleep in the afternonn. something quite alien to people from here and it was a much less stressful visit than my previous trip where we seemed to feel the need to do everything all at once. We would have missed out on so many free events (Chip 'n' Dales' out door movie and marsh mellow roast for one) without this book. People from the UK who have no idea of the size of Disney seem to think that the whole area can be covered at leisure in 7 days. They have no idea of the size and therefore often book too short a stay. This book gives a good idea of the size of activities available. We also drew up a plan of what we would be doing on various days and it worked very well, even though we did not stick to it strictly. Our old copy of the book has been so borrowed by other visitors from the UK that it is now in tatters and we're buying the replacement to take a look at new features. If you live outside the States this book is a must. We had three months of additional pleasure planning our holiday.
Rating: 
Summary: A must have for anyone going to WDW.
Review: Great book about dining, rides, hotels. They focus a little too much on cost cutting, but other than that a very practical guide. We would have missed a lot without the guidance of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and informative!
Review: I have read many editions of the Unofficial Guide, and being a Disney Annual Passholder, I find it very interesting. The best aspect of the book is its humor and honest opinions of everything Disney. There are many hints and tips that are indeed useful to the unseasoned WDW traveller. Probably most useful are the lodging and restaurant reviews, just because there is no other way for a one-time visitor to second guess which of either has what they are looking for. That said, the book's main flaw is the prevailing tone of military-style touring of the parks. Yes, one should always have a plan, but most of the joy in Disney World is taking it all in--not running like a crazed psychopath to Space Mountain at the precise moment the ropes drop. I suggest that this book be used as a valuable resource for deciding BEFORE you go what you want to see, where you want to stay, and where you think you want to eat. But when you get there, leave the book at home, and just relax and enjoy the magic.
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Summary: Careful this book reviews can be a little nasty.
Review: Unofficial is true. I felt that the reviews were a little nasty. Someone who buy's this book wants to have a more enjoyable trip, but instead you begin to wonder if you should go.
Rating:
Summary: A well-organized, detailed journey through WDW.
Review: First introduced to the Sehlinger books on Disneyland and Walt Disney World through the comments of a friend, I have, over the years (as the book, like the park, has grown larger and larger) returned to the book for new information and insight on how to plan my own trips to the park.While I credit the book with having helped organize my own thinking and structure my own trips, I find it it best suited for those who have never been to the parks before; I find myself relying on it less and less. But it is still the most unbeatable source, among all the tour books, for detail and for logical, straight-from-the-hip opinions. That said, it should be noted that Mr. Sehlinger and his crew are notoriously tough on the restaurants within WDW. However, to his/their credit, while not caving in to readers, he acknowledges the fact in print and has included the readers' own input in each review (a survey in the back lets each reader/visitor join those ranks). If there is any down side, it is that much of the text early in the book is stuff that people don't need or want, usually: dry pages defining the differences between "cycle rides" and "continuous loaders" and "midway-style rides" and explaining how each one affects the wait times. What we're interested in is the touring plans in the book, which really do work (at least when the park is fairly busy; in the offest of off-months, like early December, no plans are usually needed). Overall, however, even the analysis is interesting the first time through. By the second read, you'll know what to skip. In brief, I wouldn't think of traveling to WDW without this book under my arm.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Leave Home Without It
Review: I purchased the 1998 Guide before our trip to WDW in January 1998. The Guide indicated that January was one of the least crowded times to go, which was true. We followed the Guide's touring plans almost exactly for Epcot, Magic Kingdom and MGM. Whatever the Guide says, believe it! They were right about everything! The most helpful advice was the "secret" pavillion entrance to the Magic Kingdom which enabled us to participate in the Space Mountain Mini Marathon. We were among the first 50 to ride. The Guide also helped us be THE first to ride Tower of Terror at MGM that day. The decriptions of all the attractions were very helpful informing us what the kids (and the adults) could handle.
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Summary: If you need lodging/restaurant in depth reviews it's great!
Review: There are many good things about this book, most particularly the reader comments. These can be a real hoot. However, a large portion of the book deals with ranking every restaurant, hot dog stand and resort in the Kingdom. Now, this may be useful, especially the lodgings, but we all know that in a theme park, even a Disney one you'll get raped on food and beverage costs. As well, in depth descriptions are given of Animal Kingdoms-Asia and Universal Studios Adventur Island, both of which were not opened upon the books publication. Most of the touring plans are based upon simple common sense, go in the off season, get there before park opening, and hit the major attractions first off, or just before park close. After a first day at the park such a plan is pretty obvious. Some info is out of date, but that's just life when a book is published about a changing entity. The reviews of the attractions are pretty much right on, with patron rankings divided into pre-schoolers, kids, teenagers, young adults, over 30 and seniors giving stars. Reader comments and a nice bit of inside information are really the highlights of the book. Such as what happened to 20'000 leagues. That is what made the book worthwhile to me. The final word: If you haven't gone to DisneyWorld and are dropping $3000+, buy this because the $11 won't hurt you and will only help you. If you are obsessive about Disney buy it as it has some interesting info though you probably already know it. If you have been to Disney before, go regularly, or have a previous version. Skip it and exercise those brain muscles to adapt with the changes you find that the book hasn't covered.
Rating:
Summary: Great book worth every penny
Review: Without this book you won't know what the rides are and find yourself asking people. Cheap at twice the price.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book for Compulsive Disney Vacation Planners
Review: As frequent Walt Disney World fans our family ranks as one of those devoted Disney Families that can't imagine vacationing anywhere else. As familiar as I am with the World from one side to the other I always pick up the latest edition of Sehlinger's Guide each year - we have 7 volumes. It is well laid out, objective (save and except for restaurants), funny and contains all the facts you need to plan your vacation. I recommend it to anyone who goes. We travel in January when the crowds are smallest but even then the strategies are terrific. It is difficult for most people to face the music and transform themselves into the type of anal-retentive, obsessive Theme-park commando that you must be to enjoy a WDW vacation. (If you plan to go to Walt Disney World without some type of organized plan of attack - you had best get a lobotomy first. That way your brain can deal with the sensory overload when your vacation falls apart and your family wants to strangle you for not planning ahead!) This book makes the entire process fun and manageable. The only reservation -- Sehlinger and his gang are consistently hard on the Disney restaurants. The food is indeed pricey (what isn't) but it really is generally good if you are eating somewhere other than the theme park counter-service places. Sehlinger doesn't seem to like much of anything and has a bias towards Mexican and the more exotic cuisines. If they could lighten up on the food reviews I would say that the book would be the near-perfect overview of the ultimate vacation destination.
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