Unofficial Guide Gives Honest Look at the Mouse House
(When I originally wrote this review, this book was newer. Today, it's outdated and I could not recommend it as a reliable guide for Walt Disney World..THAT SAID, the new edition of the Unofficial Guide would be highly recommended. If you read this review, then get the NEWER version, I think you'll be very satisfied. But please keep that in mind as you read this...)
For travelers who want more than the official line from the Disney Company comes Bob Sehlinger's amazing tour book, "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World."
Don't get me wrong: The official guide put out by Disney has lots of pictures and plenty of information...but it's really more of a pictorial and NOT a guide book. Sehlinger isn't shy at offering opinions, and more times than not is correct in his assessment.
There are multitudes of reasons for you to purchase this book (the 2007 version is available on eBay as of this review's writing):
* IT'S HONEST. If a show stinks, he'll say it. If it's great, he will too. Sehlinger's extensive surveying not only gives ratings to all the rides and shows, but breaks it down into age groups (Pre-school, Grade School, Teens, Young Adults, Over 30, and Senior Citizen).
* IT'S EXTENSIVE. Most tour books give descriptions and when best to try out. The Unofficial Guide tells these things but rates them all, gives warnings about motion sickness or flashing lights for those with epilepsy. He talks about how long the ride runs (and how long it will take you to get to the front of the line).
* IT'S GOT A SENSE OF HUMOR. You will ENJOY reading this book; it's very tongue-in-cheek.
* IT'S GOT A TOURING PLAN THAT ACTUALLY WORKS. Before we became "veterans" of Walt Disney World, we used this book's plan extensively. If you follow the Guide, it truly will help you to see more shows, ride more rides, and beat the crowd flow. For people who go to Walt Disney World when it's not so crowded, it's helpful. For people going in the Summer or during holidays, it is CRUCIAL.
* FOR NEWBIES, IT LEADS YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS. From the initial planning of your trip all the way through to the actual event, you are given practical and wise steps to make the most of your trip. There's sections on saving money, selecting the right lodging, restaurants and more. There are also chapters that talk about Disney's Cruiseline, doing Disney with Kids, Special Needs situations, and more. It even has a section to review "the competition" in Orlando (very helpful if you want to sneak "off property" to hit Universal Studios).
Even though we're now on our 18th trip, we purchase Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide every year or two, just as a reference. The only negative I can see from this guidebook is that doesn't have pictures (due to the Disney Company's tight control over pictures of WDW being used by competiting tourbooks). But there are maps a'plenty and enough information to make you a savvy Mouse House vacationer. You want pictures? Call WDW and get their DVD Travel Planner. You want excellent information about how to make the MOST of your vacation? BUY THIS BOOK!Read full review
