Rating: 
Summary: 2003 Out of Date
Review: As of the first of June 2003, this book should be called Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2002 1/2. I have found a lot of errors, their insider guide must have been made from thier offices in New York. Example: Princess Breakfast is in the Norway Castle at Epcot, except Cinderella. One of the behind the scenes tours is listed as $30, when you call it is $40. That is only off by 25%. If you have an annual pass, Disney Club, or one of a number of other things you can get a 15% discount, guess that wasn't insider enough to put in the book. Think there is more insider information to be obtained from calling the 1-407-Disney phone numbers.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Leave Home Without It!!
Review: Birnbaum's is absolutely the best source of information on Disney World that can be found. We took our first trip in 2000 and had no idea where to begin. With Birnbaum's you can plan your budget, select the appropriate accomodations for your family
and plan your itenerary. We have returned every year since and I buy a new Birnbaum's before each trip because there are always new attractions and events from year to year. This is the only book that you will need for your trip!
Rating:
Summary: It is the Official guide for a reason
Review: Disney does not make something official for no reason. This book will give you more information than you can handle. I have been visiting WDW for 20+ years now and this guide always gives me information I did not know. A must have for ANY visit.
Rating:
Summary: It is the Official guide for a reason
Review: Disney does not make something official for no reason. This book will give you more information than you can handle. I have been visiting WDW for 20+ years now and this guide always gives me information I did not know. A must have for ANY visit.
Rating:
Summary: Birnbaum's is the best!
Review: Having been a travel agent for 16 years, I know who gives the best travel information. It's been 10 years since I've been to Disney and I needed a refresher course. I knew Birnbaum used to have a great book...and they still do! This is THE book to tell you everything you wanted to know about Disney World. I love the little hints on when to go where in the parks. The park maps help a lot to give you an edge on where stuff is located. And the pictures are great too.
Rating:
Summary: The Mouse tells all.
Review: I bought this book to plan my spring vacation to WDW. The detail descriptions of rides (and which to avoid if you have back problems) and excellent suggestions and reviews of restauratnts, has made my planning easier. Needless to say I've read and reread, marked and underlined, tons of stuff.....now if I only remember to bring the book along, I'll be fine. A great resource!
***June '03***Well I remembered to take the book and it was a valued resourse even after all our planning. Knowing where everything was and double checking the tips made each day more enjoyable. The restaurant reviews were right on and every evening we were delighted. This book along with the cast members at WDW made our vacation top notch.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but a little biased
Review: I found this a very useful book for planning our trip to Disney but it's ties do Disney made it seem a little biased. Being the only "Official" guide, I get the sense that it had to be approved by Disney. It gives some very helpful hints about things to see and descriptions of the attractions. However, it didn't seem to criticize any rides and having been to Disney World four times I know there are things worth avoiding. There have been other guide books that will tell you what to avoid and what is worth seeing. Whenever it comes time to plan a trip to Disney, any book is a fun read and gets you excited about the trip, but this one doesn't top my list of objective travel guides.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but a little biased
Review: I found this a very useful book for planning our trip to Disney but it's ties do Disney made it seem a little biased. Being the only "Official" guide, I get the sense that it had to be approved by Disney. It gives some very helpful hints about things to see and descriptions of the attractions. However, it didn't seem to criticize any rides and having been to Disney World four times I know there are things worth avoiding. There have been other guide books that will tell you what to avoid and what is worth seeing. Whenever it comes time to plan a trip to Disney, any book is a fun read and gets you excited about the trip, but this one doesn't top my list of objective travel guides.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but a little biased
Review: I found this a very useful book for planning our trip to Disney but it's ties do Disney made it seem a little biased. Being the only "Official" guide, I get the sense that it had to be approved by Disney. It gives some very helpful hints about things to see and descriptions of the attractions. However, it didn't seem to criticize any rides and having been to Disney World four times I know there are things worth avoiding. There have been other guide books that will tell you what to avoid and what is worth seeing. Whenever it comes time to plan a trip to Disney, any book is a fun read and gets you excited about the trip, but this one doesn't top my list of objective travel guides.
Rating:
Summary: Too Biased
Review: I used to enjoy this guide, but since I read Bob Sehlinger's "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World," I will never trust Birnbaum again. Sehlinger doesn't play nice, while Birnbaum is required to, given that he has Disney's "official" stamp of approval. Meaning: Every attraction is worthwhile. Disney resorts are the only way to go. And don't even THINK about other offerings in the Orlando area (most famously, the Universal Parks). I don't think so.It's interesting to note that when Universal Studios Florida was in its infancy (circa 1991), Birnbaum included a page at the very back of the book concerning the park. Circa 1996, there was no mention of it. I guess The Mouse nixed it. (Should you be planning a trip to Orlando, by the way, check out the Universal Parks. They're out of this world.)
|
