GUIDE BOOKS


Although my favorite source of Walt Disney World information is the rec.arts.disney.parks (RADP) newsgroup, guide books will form an important part of your trip planning arsenal. It's a little difficult to fold up your computer, tuck it into your backpack and carry it with you into the parks! :-)

If you are not quite ready to sink a considerable amount of money into guide books, try out your local library. When you find a book that seems to fit your needs perfectly, that's the one to buy and bring with you to Walt Disney World.

The best advice I can offer you is to really use your guide book! Don't keep it in the pristine condition it's in when you first bring it home. Highlight whole sections, turn down the corners of the pages that contain info you may want to refer to often. Of course, it's best not to do this with the ones from the library! :-) And don't forget to bring your book with you on your trip.

A few of my favorites are:

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids

Walt Disney World for Couples: With or Without Kids, by Rick and Gayle Perlmutter

Walt Disney World for Adults and Families, too, by Rita Aero

Note-*I CAN NO LONGER RECOMMEND RITA'S BOOK TO ANYONE. THIS IS ONLY MY PERSONAL OPINION. THERE ARE MANY WHO STILL LOVE HER GUIDEBOOKS, BUT I AM NOT AMONG THEM.*

Is my empty-nester bias showing? :-) What can I say? I told you my perspective might be slanted. As I said, these are my favorites, but they are, by no means, the only good guide books for Walt Disney World. You might also want to check out:

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World: Expert Advice from the Inside Source

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids

And finally, one of my favorite Disney guidebooks is: PassPorter Walt Disney World: The unique travel guide, planner, organizer, journal, and keepsake!, by Jennifer Watson and Dave Marx

Besides being one of the most user friendly and easy to use guidebooks, the PassPorter has its own web site, PassPorter Walt Disney World. I can't say enough about this new trend of Disney guide book authors who want their information to be as current and up to date as possible!

One thing I would like to point out. The Birnbaum books are the "Official" guide books of Walt Disney World. While they are great books and will give you all the information you will need, they may not give you all the information you might want. Meaning that they will give you the "Company Line". You will receive less biased information from someone who is completely free to let you in on the real scoop of what is a not-to-be-missed attraction or restaurant, and what can be skipped, especially if your time at Walt Disney World is limited.

I have recommended only a few of the many, many guide books about Walt Disney World. You may find that your favorites will be different from those I have chosen. Don't worry. They can all enhance your vacation. You are going to have a great time! How can you help it? YOU ARE GOING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!! :-)





This page has been visited times.



Home I The First Step I Decisions I Trip Planning I Special Interest I Travel Planning I Just For Fun