Books on Walt Disney World

[peemagg]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this and moderators please move it if it isn't.

I was just reading a new book on Disney World (I'm one of those who read everything about Disney World) called "The Complete Walt Disney World 2009", and I have to tell you I am mad about things mentioned in it.

This book in no less than 4 places talks about ECV rentals. That would be fine except for the comment they also place at the end each section. The section says, and I will type it out exactly as it is in the book. The section I will quote is under the Magic Kingdom section, but it says the same in each section for each park.

"Wheelchairs, ECVS
The Stroller Shop rents wheelchairs ($10 per day, $8 per day length of stay) and Electric Convenience Vehicles ($45 per day plus a $20 deposit). ECV's book quickly; many are used by overweight guests."


I find this to be very insulting. To me they are saying that if you are overweight and using one of these, that is the reason for you to need one. I need one and it has nothing to do with my weight.

Does anyone else find this stereotypical and insulting?

I am going to write to the authors and tell them of my distaste of their book. They did not need to add that commentary to it. It would be a nice book otherwise, but that one paragraph is making me wanting to demand my money back for this book. I am not going to patron a company who feels like this.

I thought that I would put this warning out there about this particular book.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I agree; that's stereotypical, inaccurate and just plain rude. I'm going to go check my 2008 book and see if it says the same thing. I actually didn't use it much at all, I mostly used UG and Passporter's Open Mouse.

 

[mechurchlady]

in 1998 I used both the official and official guide books. I knew that the official guidebook was what Disney wanted me to know not what was the truth or best way to do things. I find it an insult and rude. If I had a mind I would write them and tell them off. Sue them for defamation of fat people, lol.

I am fat but the reason I need an ECV is exhaustion from low immune system after a food reaction and them Disneyfied damaged knees. Disney took out one for good and I had to sit down while waiting for dinner to cook. Let me at them.

 

[peemagg]

I too am overweight, but the reason I need a scooter, is do to a disease of the nerves in my foot after surgery from an auto accident.

I find it hard to believe that that book could win the awards that they claim with comments like that in it.

As we all know, there are various other reasons for needing the EVC than being fat. What about those that are pregnant, senior citizens, broken legs, those recovering from surgery, bad backs? I could go on and on, but I won't since we all know that on here.

These are probably also the ones who make our life at Disney difficult by complaining about us using our GAC or holding them up by having to load the bus first. Though I bet if they thought for a moment that they could get ahead by using these things they sure would.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I actually had a bumper sticker made for my scooter. I know it's not politically correct, but here goes: First I got sick and then I got fat. It just annoys me that people assume I'm lazy.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with everything you wrote. I googled it and looked at it on Amazon and I can see why it got awards because it has very nice photographs (can't read what it says on the pages) and seems to be laid out well. They do mention in one of the reviews that the author is not associated with Disney, but did get a lot of backstage/inside access. Because of this, I would suggest you also contact Disney to complain. I'm sure they didn't give that kind of access expecting potential guests to be insulted by the author.

 

[mechurchlady]

Page 39 of the 2002 edition says "They sell out early." So that is a change.

Birnbaum is not an agent for Disney BUT he gets to use for free lots of Disney images that other guides do not. Other guides usually are stuck with stock Disney images. I do remember that at one time WDW was giving the book out to guests of their resorts, not sure but it may have changed. There is not one discouraging word and anything bad is played down like the ECV rental.

There is nothing about disabilities to speak of in his book. No mention on shows of available services or aids or hinderances. It is a great book for an official Disney version of the parks. I used it on my last trip as it is easy to use but I also had Michelin, another guide and the unofficial guidebooks. It is missing a lto of stuff that we disboarders know about as do other guide books like what to avoid and the dark side of the parks.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know the authors of the book referred to; they are members of the local chapter of NFFC and I have their phone number and will talk to them about it.

 

[peemagg]

Thank-you Cheshire. I am so appolled by those little statements that I am returning the book. There is no way that I will support people who make statements like that!

 

[mechurchlady]

I would give them the benefit of the doubt on this insult. In 6 years the wording has changed. I wonder if it is a new editor as normally they would not change things like that. I have read at least 5 different editions out of the nearly 20 years they have been publishing the guide and never seen anything like that.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think we need the OP to confirm exactly what book we are talking about. I googled and found a book with the exact title that was posted in the first post. This was not the Birnbaum book and I think is the one the OP is talking about.
So, I would ask the OP to clarify and add the author's names please.

 

[peemagg]

The book is called "The Complete Walt Disney World 2009" by Julie Neal and Mike Neal.

The Birnbaum books are fine. I read them and Fodor's and the Unofficial Guide along with Passporters. None of them do I have an issue with, but that other one is too insulting to me to keep. It can't be a typo in the book since it is in 4 places in the book. It is the authors attitude to those who use scooters and those who are overweight. By saying what they said it is like saying that all African American people are in gangs and do drugs. We all know that that is untrue, but it is their attitude that they are placing in the minds of others. Blame the fat person if you can't get a scooter, they are lazy and take them all.

That is what I can't stand.

By the way ireland nicole, I like your license plate. It is great!

 

[mechurchlady]

I think we need the OP to confirm exactly what book we are talking about. I googled and found a book with the exact title that was posted in the first post. This was not the Birnbaum book and I think is the one the OP is talking about.
So, I would ask the OP to clarify and add the author's names please.

Thanks Sue as I thought they were talking about Birnbaum. So many fly by night guides and copies of the unofficial guide and Birnbaum are out there. I like the feel of Birnbaum and this book sure has been hyped.

Long day so I will quietly see if this is another bust.

 

[SueM in MN]

The book is called "The Complete Walt Disney World 2009" by Julie Neal and Mike Neal.

The Birnbaum books are fine. I read them and Fodor's and the Unofficial Guide along with Passporters. None of them do I have an issue with, but that other one is too insulting to me to keep. It can't be a typo in the book since it is in 4 places in the book. It is the authors attitude to those who use scooters and those who are overweight. By saying what they said it is like saying that all African American people are in gangs and do drugs. We all know that that is untrue, but it is their attitude that they are placing in the minds of others. Blame the fat person if you can't get a scooter, they are lazy and take them all.

That is what I can't stand.

By the way ireland nicole, I like your license plate. It is great!

That was the book I found on Amazon.
It looks very nice, had many pictures on the Amazon page and had lots of good reviews. That makes the mention even worse.

 

[BeckyScott]

Does the Unofficial Guide still say that you need a doctor's note for autism? I didn't buy the 2009 but it's been in all of the past issues.

I guess that if you're really wanting accurate info, the PassPorter book is the way to go. I didn't buy it, I just read everything here instead. Much cheaper.

It does make you wonder who is writing all the disabilities stuff in these books-- I'm guessing it's nobody with a disability, or who has been directly involved in going to the parks with a person with a disability. Printing urban legends, sort of. And it wouldn't be hard to come up with accurate info, if they'd put a little effort into it.

 

[peemagg]

BeckyScott,

I just looked at my 2009 edition and didn't see anything about that in there. In fact they say in the book that they can't ask for a Dr's note because it is against the law according to the American Disability Act.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I finally found my 2008 book; (it obviously isn't one I use the most) there is no mention at all about "overweight guests" on ECV's, although it does say in MK specifically that ECV's are booked quickly which is certainly accurate. I will say that I sincerely hope they changed their wording in talking about GAC's. The way it was worded last year really invited abuse.