Rating: 
Summary: Great, informative, helped me to prepare!!
Review: I just got back last week. If I had not read this book, I would have been totally caught off guard as a lot of other people were, as to the crowds, food prices, arguing families, crying children, etc.
Although I didn't follow the plans, I knew enough that I could go straight to what I wanted with the kids, and be first to ride, then come back with no lines. This book has everything from food, to hotels, to attractions not just in Disney but in Orlando! It was like a bible, and although it was too big to take with us, I did Xerox some of the maps and tips to take with me. Even if you don't follow the plans, if you've never been to Disney World before, you have to get this book. The place is HUGE!!
Rating:
Summary: A must read before any WDW trip!
Review: We read this book before our trip and were we ever glad we did! We were travelling with three generations. Two 5 year olds, two 35 year olds and two 65 year olds. The book helped us to ensure that everyone got the most of our time at WDW.
The ride descriptions and ratings were extremely helpful in determining what would be appropriate for our 5 year old twins. We found that because we knew what to expect, we were able to preapare our kids therefore alleviating any anxiety or crying episodes. They went on everything & loved it!
The tips from readers were very helpful! We learned some valuable tricks and tactics to make the trip less stressful and more fun!
Touring plans were a godsend as was the tips on when to go. We followed the advice and had literally no lineups to contend with.
All three generations had the vacation of a lifetime. We are planning another trip in 2 years, and I will most certainly buy the 2003 book and once again read it from cover to cover.
I can not stress this enough......read this book before you go, take notes, highlight and you will have a stress free, worry free vacation!
Rating: 
Summary: Great guide ! Very useful !
Review: I spent a lot of time at the library, looking for the book that would really help me planifying my first "no parents to pay for the trip" trip to Walt Disney World. And I found what I was looking for ! I especially like the way every restaurant is describe, the tips about the fireworks and parades, the "when to go" lines in every attraction listed. It is very well organised, and clear. I like the fact that they have included letters from readers, telling their point of view, which often differs from the author's, giving special tips. But, just a point, use the book as a "give me some ideas", and not a "gotta do exactly what they say". I found some attractions' description too rough, or straight. Try the rides that YOU think you'll like, and jugde for yourself afterwards. Anyway, this is a really well done book, full of nice tips and details. A must-have for anyone who really want to get the most out of their trip.
Rating:
Summary: WDW here we come
Review: I've read material on the web and I even purchased two other books (one on WDW and another on Orlando). This book had the most information and presented it in a very refreshing style. If you're looking for one book to purchase, this would be it.
Rating:
Summary: An Entertaining Book That Shouldn't Be Taken Too Seriously
Review: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is a must read for any Disney fanatic. It has become the unofficial WDW "bible", stretching a whopping 700+ pages in length. There is one gripe I have with the book that only Disney fans should be concerned about: if you love Walt Disney World- the smells, the music, the aurora- I advise against using the touring plans provided in the back of the book. On a recent trip to WDW, I used the touring plans and, while I avoided many lines, I lost the magic I always experienced on earlier trips. For me, spending an hour and a half in the Animation Gallery at Disney-MGM Studios or walking along the river way between the Beach Club Resort and Epcot is an essential part of the trip. If the main goal of your vacation is to go on as many rides as humanly possible, read this book and stick to the touring plans while in the parks. Otherwise, it is a very entertaining read that should be taken lightly if you go to Walt Disney World to soak in the feeling of just being there.
Rating:
Summary: Helpful, but LONG!
Review: I found this book to be quite helpful in planning my WDW vacation, however, the book is huge. It is filled with many useless details and stories that make it way too long for anyone with a job to take the time to read it all the way through. I found some great pointers, but I don't think I want to plan my vacation ride by ride -- and the book is definitely too large to drag around the park to keep you on schedule.
Rating:
Summary: We Breezed Through Massive Disney Labor Day Crowds!!
Review: I bought the 2001 version of this book last year and used it so much that it became dog eared and was in dire need of replacement. I credit that book with making our first trip to Disney World with our daughter last December a stunning success. I received the 2002 version one week before our second trip, over Labor Day weekend 2001. Although much of the book is the same as the 2001 version, the 2002 version contains lots of updates and new tips (the authors say in the text that the annual updates are just that - updates - and not complete rewrites). I was very glad I bought it, and think that the updates were well worth the new book. Knowing that Labor Day weekend was going to be crowded, I studied the touring plans and went over the entire book with a religious fervor. We ended up doing 4 complete parks in 3 days, rode practically everything including the big thrill rides, and did not stand in line more than 13 minutes for anything (13 minutes for Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster, 10 for Space Mountain and Dinosaur, without FastPass! 5 minutes for Kraken at Sea World). We did the Animal Kingdom and Disney/MGM on Saturday, the Magic Kingdom on Sunday (with an attendance of around 72,000 according to one cast mamber we spoke with), and Sea World on Monday. This book is absolutely amazing. If you follow what it says, you can navigate the most crowded times successfully. One of the many things I like about this book is that it impartially reviews each and every Disney attraction and ranks them by age group. We found this to be particularly helpful with a 4 year old. The touring plans with tear-out pocket versions in the back to take with you to the parks are absolute life savers. We followed them to the letter, with great results. We were on the very first Kilamanjaro Safari ride of the day in Animal Kingdom on Saturday, and on the first Dumbo ride of the day in the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. It was amazing to us how many thousands of other people showed up late (just like the book said they would) and wandered around the park viewing the then-hour long lines like stunned cattle. We had already ridden everything they were standing in line for and were already heading for the attractions with little to no wait at that time of day (also in the book). Disney has many attractions that are not known to most of the general public, like character meals (we did four of them, and our daughter was ecstatic), early entry, and ways to get into the park even before early entry. This guide covers them all. The book does not limit itself to Disney attractions, however. Other Orlando attractions such as the Universal parks, Sea World, local dinner theatres, etc. are also covered, although not in as much detail as Disney. We followed its advice for Sea World on Monday, and were pleasantly surprised. I will never visit Disney without this book. It is realistic, tells you like it is, and then tells you what to do with that information to maximize your experience and investment in a Disney trip. The Unofficial Guide is the best. Trust me - buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: The same-old, same-old!
Review: I love to read travel books, especially ones on Walt Disney World. However, this company needs to take a serious look at revamping and re-writing this tired old thing. C'mon Bob, most people go to Disney World every three or so years. When we turn to your book, we would like some new stories and fresh reviews. I bought this book in 1995 and it is still filled the same old, same old stories. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Time for an update. Spend your money other places for a fresh, new approach to "the World". Anyplace that changes as much as Disney World does, deserves a fresh approach every now and then. In addition, I feel the food critics were too harsh. Let's face it, most people do not go to Walt Disney World expecting fine world cuisine. If that's what you like, you probably do not like park food in general. I'm telling you that the food was far superior than Big Old Bob lets you know.
Rating:
Summary: Don't go without this book
Review: I've been to Disney three times in the past 10 years, each time I've carried a copy of this book. Tear out the pages you need and carry them along. It's invaluable. My fiancee and I are going again in December for our honeymoon. She's never been to Disney and she's reading this constantly this summer. What fun!
Rating:
Summary: Good Guide
Review: It helped with resturants and rides - gave a real insight the area that a northerner just can't get without a good book.
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