The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2004 Unofficial Guides: Amazon.co.uk: Bob Sehlinger: Books

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Paperback: 816 pages
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; Revised edition edition (28 Aug 2003)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0764526316
ISBN-13: 978-0764526312
Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 13 x 4.3 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,349,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #75 in Books > Children's Books > Characters & Series > Disney > Characters & Series > Atlantis

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Amazon.co.uk Review

While Walt Disney World stands for fun, fun, fun, it comes at a hefty cost--long waits, huge crowds and high prices. As Bob Sehlinger writes in his Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World "when it comes to Walt Disney World you either need a plan or a frontal lobotomy". As the huge complex of theme parks has grown to roughly the size of Boston, so has Sehlinger's guide, from less than 200 pages to over 700. While that may seem formidable, every one is chock full of invaluable information for making the most of your time and money, with the least amount of hassle. Sehlinger is an excellent guide--witty and readable and he and his research crew have done a commendable job figuring out the most efficient and economical ways to spend your time. They even researched traffic patterns at each of the parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and the Animal Kingdom) and devised touring plans tailored to a wide range of needs--visitors with or without kids, seniors, disabled guests and even expectant mothers (who cannot, unfortunately, go to the Mad Tea Party). Visitors who use these touring plans typically spend over three hours less in line than those who wing it (how can you not love this book?). You're not, of course, restricted to the tours. Each attraction is given a lengthy description and evaluation, including ratings for age groups, probable waiting time and when to go. As if all that hand holding isn't enough, there are just as thorough reviews of each of the hotels and eateries both inside and outside the park. Finally, Sehlinger has the sort of tips you aren't going to get from Disney but really need, such as how to get in before the official opening time; how to cut down time spent in lines; deciding when to go, right down to the day of the week; coping with children's needs, from bathrooms to blisters to fear; and how to navigate Disney's transport system. With the average cost of a day at Disney for a family of four coming in at 391 US dollars, the price of this guide is a small outlay to ensure that your time at Disney World is truly magical. --Lesley Reed --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Amazon.co.uk Review

The bottom line with Walt Disney World is that it's very, very big--so big that you won't be able to see everything in a single visit. With 43 square miles of entertainment to explore (an area twice the size of Manhattan), that means you need to choose, in advance, what you want to do. That's where theUnofficial Guide comes in. It describes the many Epcot, Disney- MGM Studios and Magic Kingdom options, with candid reviews that don't just parrot Disney promotions. It also helps you construct a plan so that the overwhelming extravaganza of Disney World doesn't turn you into a Disney caricature of fear, knees a knockin' and sweat a streamin'. (Think ElmerFudd with a shotgun in his face.)

The Unofficial Guide researchers are not, however, just a bunch of control freaks. They discuss existentialism. They claim to be all for spontaneity, in jazz, for example, or cooking. "When it comes to Walt Disney World, however, we all agree that you either need a good plan or a frontal lobotomy." They further agree that the purpose of the plan is not to tick off the activities on your list and make it to the end of the day. It's to enable you to enjoy, to actually experience, the many moments that make up a day at Walt Disney World. What a concept!

The Guide includes essential advice on navigating lines, dealing with line-hoppers and attempting to eat without going broke. It provides excellent maps, as well as lodging recommendations and budget options. Because your Walt Disney World preferences will likely be different, depending on whether you're a family, a couple, a group of singles, or a pair of honeymooners, there are tailored suggestions for a variety of visitors, including tips for seniors, disabled guests and expectant mothers. The Unofficial Guide is a fun and lively read, but it's also exceptionally useful. Unlike, say, a Magic Kingdom all- you-can-eat experience, it's a small investment for a very beneficial return. --Stephanie Gold --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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First Sentence
The author and researchers of this guide specifically and categorically declare that they are and always have been totally independent of the Walt Disney Company, Inc.; of Disneyland, Inc.; of Walt Disney World, Inc.; and of any and all other members of the Disney corporate family not listed. Read the first page

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

This book is a Must-Have! 29 Jan 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Do you really want to queue for hours for a so-so ride that only lasts 60 seconds? Do you want to eat junk food when you could sit comfortably and have a great meal? Answer "NO" in both cases then buy this guide.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

A priceless resource for any visitor to Florida 26 July 1999

We used this book to tour around Disney World with 4 adults and 2 children. It saved on waiting time at things that we wouldn't have enjoyed. Helped us make decisions as to what was suitable for the children and was a brilliant guide at getting us to places at the right times to avoid the rush. I have never used a guide like it before and I recommend it as a necessity for anyone going to Florida. Very easy to read and understand and with plenty of humour. If you only take one thing with you on holiday make sure that this book is it. It will save you a lot of trouble in the end.

A MUST READ for all visiting WDW 9 Mar 1999

I originally received this book in 1997 as a "Good luck in Disney with a 3 year old" gift. A friend of mine, who thought I was insane by taking my 3yo alone, gave it to me. She figured if I was going to go, hopefully this will help me come back alive. It has since become my bible for any information I need regarding "the World".

My partner and I just returned from a four day trip. Two adults and none of our 4 children (combo of step and bio kids) were on this trip. We are taking the kids in July and wanted to enjoy and explore WDW through the eyes of adults. I broke out with the old version of the book (and have since bought the new one) and started going over the "Touring Plan for Adults travelling without small children" whereever I could find one in the book. These worked wonderfully. We took full advantage of early entry days and were done with all the attractions we wanted to see without the little ones by 12 or 2pm depending on which park. The rest of the day was ours to enjoy. The longest we waited on line was at 6pm in Epcot for Test Track only because the line broke down 3 times during our wait.

I imagined many of the restaurants remained the same, so we reveiwed these together and made selections based on location, price, and the book's recommendation of the food. This worked like a charm for us. We were able to time dinner with the closing of parks and firework shows, parades, etc.

I am a planner. I love to know what I am doing each moment. With WDW you have to plan ahead. To just go on a "whim" and dawdle from attraction to attraction will certainly leave some unhappy members in your party as the book suggests. My partner does not like to plan. She hates it actually. I wrote up the plans with the option to followor not. Taken directly from the book almost verbatim. She agreed to follow it the first day with me and if not happy, we will burn the book for the return trip and figure another way to do this. She was so impressed with my notes from the book's tips, that she swears by this book now as well.

Many people at the parks were confused, disoriented, and pretty much grumpy (not just the dwarf). As for us, we were singing "Zip a dee doo da" all over the place, dancing and singing like two kids, and making up never before recorded versions of It's a Small World in our own made up gibberish...:o)

If you are going, get the book! From hotels inside and outside of WDW, to restaurants, to Orlando atractions, to what time to go on what ride, this book has it all. And I love that it is not "Disney biased". These are real impartial people, not Disney employees, giving facts, not all fluff.