The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010

The Unofficial Guide is Officially Indispensable

With 850 pages, it is difficult to imagine anything this beefy guidebook left out. If you’ve never been to Florida’s Disney World, then you may not know that it encompasses the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, water parks, thousands of hotels, restaurants, spas and mega shopping and entertainment beyond Disney. It is indeed a world of its own.

I like the way The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010 starts out by telling the reader that they are completely independent from Disney World. This benefits the reader because the reviews are not biased; you’ll get both the good and the bad. Check out page 11 to see the massive team it took to put all this information together! All throughout the guide are helpful “Unofficial Tips.”

Part One of the guide, Planning Before You Leave Home, will help you gather information to plan your trip and tell you when to go. Crowds, special events, weather, expenses – these factors can all make a big difference in your travel experience.

Making the Most of Your Time and Money, Part Two, will give you the lowdown on managing your money.  There’s so much to do and see at Disney World, you will want to know the best way to plan your budget, and where the best deals are. It is best to trust the experts on this, as money can disappear here faster than you can imagine. Just as important as managing your money is the dilemma of managing your time. You just cannot see all Disney has to offer in one (or even two, three or four or more) visits. The authors of this guide do a good job helping you determine your priorities.

In Part Three, Accommodations, I like the fact that options both inside and outside Disney World are offered. The hotels for Disney are listed in such a way that you’ll easily understand where they are in relation to the attractions you most want to explore. There are fabulous hotel charts and comparisons with indispensable, honest reviews.

Part Four, Serenity Now! A Look at Disney-Area Spas, does just that – profile and rate the area’s spas. Part Five is all about the Disney Cruise Line, an entirely different way to experience the magic of Disney. You’ll learn about the ships and itineraries.

Part Six may be the most valuable of them all, Walt Disney World with Kids: The Ecstasy and the Agony. (Glad to see that the writers not only have a good sense of humor but also understand the reality of Disney with children!) This essential chapter will guide you through the planning to make both you and your kids happiest here. The authors even go into details about how to: spend your time; plan out naptime; prevent your kids from getting lost; the fright factor for small children; ride restrictions; attractions that drive adult crazy; character dining; babysitting; and even discipline tips for your kids! Gotta love this section of the book!

Part Seven, Special Tips for Special People, highlights all that singles, couples, expectant mothers, seniors, people of size and people with disabilities need to know. Part Eight is all about Arriving and Getting Around once you’re there, while Part Eight will familiarize you with the Bare Necessities, such as banking services, pet care, lost and found and other unusual situations.

You will refer to Dining in and Around Disney, extensive Part Ten, often with its easy-to-use charts, dining profiles, suggestions for eating with kids and romantic dining options.

Parts Eleven through Thirteen are all about the parks: the Magic Kingdom; Epcot and Animal Kingdom. There are well over 100 pages of essential information here to help you plan your time and see the best each park has to offer. And if you are the curious sort and interested in the details, Part Fourteen will take you Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney World. There are all sorts of tours available to give you insight into how things are made and how they work.

Part Fifteen takes you through Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Universal Orlando and Seaworld, while Part Sixteen is all about the Water Parks of Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and Wet n’ Wild. If you want to know what is available outside the boundaries of the parks, read Part Seventeen, Beyond the Parks. And of course, you cannot have a true travel experience without shopping. Part Sixteen will give you all the options and tips, both inside and outside Disney World. If it’s nightlife you so desire, read the last section, Part Eighteen, Nightlife in and Out of Walt Disney World. If all this weren’t enough, check out the incredible Appendix, Indexes, Touring Plans and Reader Surveys at the back of the book.

There’s no doubt that Disney World can be overwhelming. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010 will educate you and guide you to take away all your anxiety and help you make the most of your time and money. It is really an invaluable resource for anyone traveling to Disney World, no matter how many times you’ve been there.

Note: We've interviewed Bob Sehlinger, author of the Unofficial Guides, about the incredibly detailed process of creating the books, here on Wandering Educators. Great Stuff!

Debbie Glade is the Geography Awareness Editor at Wandering Educators