Rating: 
Summary: Some good stuff, some bad
Review: We've been buying this guidebook for years, and have found it quite helpful in planning our trip.
However, a lot of the info is very out of date.
(A previous reviewer complained about the early-entry information being out of date. This was NOT the book's fault. Early entry was cancelled last fall, after the 9/11 tourism slump -- which was after the book had already been published.) But other information SHOULD have been up to date. Restaurant reviews include discussion of dishes and prices that haven't been right for 5 years or more. And some restaurants aren't mentioned at all. (Beaches and Cream; Plaza.) Fastpass has been available for quite some time, but is mentioned only as an aside for most rides. (Using fast-pass can virtually eliminate waits, yet he usually sugggests it as an unimportant option.) The book is also focused on guest who visit during the busy seasons. For off-season travellers, most of his tips (esp. his touring plans) are unneccessary and confusing.
I also found it amusing and ironic that, in the earlier editions, he complained about slow restaurant service, suggesting that buffets would help matters. So now, when Disney has changed several sit down restaurants into buffets -- he complains that buffet food isn't as good as freshly cooked!Still, a useful guidebook that should, ideally, be used in conjunction with at least one other guide for a more accurate overall picture. (And word has it that some of the errors will be corrected in the 2003 edition.)
Rating: 
Summary: Some down right, INCORRECT information...
Review: Unless you are willing to read this gigantic book from cover to cover before leaving for the parks, AND verifying everything, don't bother. As for early entry days for Disney Resorts Hotel guests? NO! The book discusses this in-depth, and ignorantly, I took 2002 for what it is, this year, and believed it! They don't have those anymore!!! I could have saved us a fortune had I known this by not staying in the parks. There is NO benefit to staying in the Resort, as this book may have you believe. Disney transportation is included if you stay, but it is SSLLOOWW, this is discussed somewhere in the 806 pages of
the Unofficial Guide. Yes, folks, 806 pages in your vacation guide book. Had I found the one sentence in the book about making reservations for Cinderella's breakfast MONTHS in advance, maybe we could have gone. The info is there, if you look, hard, and verify. But if you're anything like me, you need all that time before going for getting ready, not spending months prior, reading every spare minute, one guide book. That's just nuts.
Rating: 
Summary: My favorite Disney Helper
Review: This book is consistantly the biggest help in planning a disneyworld vacation. While it doesnt change THAT much from year to year ... i do enjoy getting the new books each year and any new info helps. This is a great vacation for families and couples but sometimes its hard to steer yourself toward what you really really want to see. The first year i went there i really missed a lot becuase i really didnt have a good idea of what there was...WHERE it was...or how to get around. The place is so big...the transportation system can be a bit confusing... the parks a bit intimidating... I still felt spontaneous using the books...i didnt plan the trip down to the second BUT i did have an idea of things i didnt want to miss... it made the second trip to disney much better than the first... and much more relaxing actually... it also has helpful info about restuartant pricing... getting the best price fro disney packages out of disney (not as easy as it sounds)..the times of year when it is the least crowded...etc. so much info... WELL worth the money!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book About How to"Do" the Parks
Review: Hands down this is THE best book about HOW to get around the parks. You don't have to follow its plans exactly but if you don't read it you're going to waste time, and not in a relaxed way but in the most stressful way possible. This is not the best book for learning the details of restuarants or hotels (I personaly think the best place for doing that is Rita Aero's book) but it is the best for learning about the rides, who in your party those rides will be good for, and touring techniques. And you can read one of the funniest things ever written about a Disney ride when you read the tips about staying dry on the Kali River Ride at the Animal Kingdom and what happens when you use those tips (you will be indeed dry but may die of embarassment.)
Rating:
Summary: Some points excellent - others, take with a grain of salt
Review: I had visited DisneyWorld in '79, when there was nothing but the Magic Kingdom. Been back twice, in '98 and 2000, and someone gave me this book as a gift. I highly recommend it, particularly if you're going with kids; where it's good, it's outstanding. Don't try to "read it through" as though it were a novel; instead, treat it as a handbook. The book gives very factual, detailed, straightforward, no b.s. information on things that count--e.g., food and service quality in restaurants, ratings of major attractions by age group, etc. One of its most valuable features is a plan for seeing major attractions in a certain order, to avoid long lines. Although both my recent visits were at peak summer periods, with the help of this book and a little luck, I and my kids *never* spent more than 35 minutes in line for *any* attraction, and 15-20 minutes was more standard, even for the most popular ones. Where it is right, the book deserves 5 stars. I am not giving it that because I have to agree with some other reviewers that overall, the book can give an unnecessarily negative impression of Disneyworld. I can think of three examples. First, I got the impression from reading the book, that there was almost no shade in the waiting areas, so I forced my poor kids to walk around, the first couple of days, with utility belts with ice water bottles and portable umbrellas (for shade) attached, which made them feel silly. In fact, almost all outdoor waiting areas for attractions are set up to provide for shade. Second, the book warned that one might see a lot of cutting in line, particularly and egregiously by people coming up in wheelchairs and then suddenly leaping out of their chairs to rush inside, never having been disabled at all. If that happens, I certainly never saw it. Finally, the book warns that large, rowdy tour groups of South American teens act obnoxious and generally get in the way. In the editions I read, there was apparently some running controversy over this, but the editors stuck to their guns. If this *were* a problem, I agree they would be right to warn their readers, but honestly, though I did see tour groups of high-spirited teens from many nations, neither I nor anyone I saw was mistreated by them, and in only one instance did a member of such a group call out something rude. In other words, the book, while providing some extremely valuable and practical information, can also give the reader the impression that a large part of his or her Disney visit will be considerably more crowded, noisier, and generally nerve-wracking than it actually turns out to be. And in a couple of places, it endorses attractions that are not really as good as they seem. For instance, my kids and I were all looking forward a great deal to "The Living Seas," based on the description, and the ride was over almost as soon as it began. I have read no other Disney guidebooks, so I can't say whether this is better or worse than others, but overall, despite its flaws, I highly recommend the purchase of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful
Review: Anyone who has taken a trip to Disney knows that they are incredibly good at seperating you from your money. This guide is very helpful at letting you keep some money for the return trip home or at least maximizing your enjoyment on what you do spend. Great pointers on when to go, where to stay, what to see first to avoid long lines, and on and on. The other popular guide is just promotional literature for Disney. Spend the money on this and it will be well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Really Will Improve Your Visit
Review: If you're going to "do" Disneyland and Orlando, following the advice in this book -- although it sometimes seems goofy -- really truly will improve your experience 100%. You won't wait in as many long lines, you'll be able to do a lot more fun stuff, and you'll feel more in control of your visit. This book also has good guides to Universal's parks and Sea World, and they work equally well for those locations. Two more words of advice from a "veteran." First, if you're interested in seeing some of the fancier Disney resorts and having nice evenings out, try planning your evening meals at different upscale Disney hotels. Even the best rated restaurants have good kids menus, and grownups will be able to end their days on a high note by seeing some of the amazing hotel designs (the African resort lobby is really breathtaking -- not even counting the fact that you can see animals from the windows), and having a nice meal at the end of the day. Second, bring with you and read "Married to the Mouse," ISBN 0300087071, and then drive through the planned community of Celebration. You'll learn a lot about the community, the history of Disney, and Disney's love-hate relationship with the surrounding Florida counties.
Rating:
Summary: Not that Impressed...
Review: As a huge Disney fan, I usually go to Disney every other year, more if I can afford it. I buy the Birnbaum's Official Disney guide every year and at least one other guide written by someone not connected to Disney. I compared the two this year and found a great amount of info incorrect. I found several errors in the Unofficial guide, it wasn't as up-to-date, and I generally felt like they were trying to drag Disney down. They have good info on resorts outside Disney, so if price is a major issue, try the book. If you want to experience Disney Magic, buy Birnbaums Official Disney guide.
Rating:
Summary: Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World 2002
Review: I wonder if the author of this book is employed by Disney competitors? He sure doesn't seem to like Disney much. Very negative. If your trying to decide on a Disney vaction or not this is not the book for you. The author makes Disney seem like H...on earth. On the other hand there are some good points in this book. If you're not sure which Disney guide to buy, make this your last choice.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Resource that keeps you a step ahead of the rest
Review: This book is for anyone wanting to get the real scoop and all the insider secrets to how to tackle this colossal place with a minimal amount of stress. We followed its careful instructions and in April 2002 we had the most carefree vacation ever and waited in lines an average of 15 minutes. After all, when you are spending as much money as Disney World costs - it pays to be a step ahead of the roaring crowds.
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