Brit's Guide 09

[SimonV]

Ok folks, it may only be March (just!) but we are already having to look ahead to 2009 and our next Brit's Guide re-write. This year's edition included a complete redesigned and full colour throughout, hence there will not be any big design changes next year, but we do have some scope to add new text and any other info which people may find useful.

So for the next few weeks, we will be open to all and any ideas about how to continue to improve the UK's best-selling travel guide Please feel free to post here and let us know what YOU would like to see next time

 

[Chilly]

Well as i'm hoping for a Dec 09 Disney wedding anything on this subject would be great for me!

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Hmm, this years guide is really good and it's hard to think of extra stuff to put in it!

One think I can think of is in the parks section it would be nice if it said next to which ride if it was a Fast Pass/Express Pass attraction. I find this helps when im planning what to do in the parks.

 

[jen_uk]

Information on speed and the drops in rides would be good so I know whether its too scary for me or not!

 

[wicket2005]

Hotels close to the main UK airports for people arriving the night before for early flights.

Wireless internet areas (free) and charged.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

not sure if its possible but I would have quite liked a map giving an idea of where most of the villa areas are. But perhaps there are too many to make that feasible??

 

[SimonV]

Making notes hurriedly!

Just to add, we do currently list all Disney rides which are a FastPass attraction (with FP at the end of a ride description), while all Universal's attractions are Express Pass ones (providing you buy the Express pass); we do have a section on Weddings, including Disney, at the moment (Page 43), but are open to suggestions about what else to include on this subject; our ride ratings (should!) indicate if a ride is scary or not - we list scenic rides (or rides that make you go 'Aah!') with A ratings (i.e. AAAAA for the best, AAAA and so on) and T ratings for the thrill rides (so a TTTTT is as fast and dynamic as they come!), but if that isn't working for some people for any reason, we can look at it again; and we do have a map showing the main villa areas (P 97), and you're quite right - there are a lot! Hotels near UK airports is certainly something we can look at, and I presume you're asking about Wi-Fi areas in Orlando, not the airports?

Keep them coming, folks!

 

[juliebrooks35]

What about something about the difficulty on making ADR's for Cinderella's Royal Table(breakfast) and Speciality cruises etc unless calling during the first few minutes that they become available to book. Also a section on birthdays, special occasions and all that's available would be good.
I'm planning my husband's 40th next year and although I've read many books on WDW and been there several times, I had no idea that so many options were available to make a special day even more special until I did a lot of research.

I haven't read the 2008 edition so apologies if it's included

 

[Tron[ADS]]

A chapter on the obvious...

Aquatica !

 

[Chilly]

Do you have a chapter on free things to do?

(I've lent my copy to someone so can't check)

 

[wicket2005]

I presume you're asking about Wi-Fi areas in Orlando, not the airports?

QUOTE]

Yep, just key areas where you can get wi fi access for free or for a fee. Especially if it is available in the hotels you mention in your book. It would just be handy to know.

 

[cleo]

What about something about the difficulty on making ADR's for Cinderella's Royal Table(breakfast) and Speciality cruises etc unless calling during the first few minutes that they become available to book. Also a section on birthdays, special occasions and all that's available would be good.

Check page 107 in the 2008 (it's in the past several editions, too), and page 44-45.

Top Ten Free is on page 31

We can see about adding more detail about WiFi. Most of the non-budget hotels have it.

 

[orangetiggs]

I too second the weddings bit, planning one now and there is not alot of info in the uk guide books only the bog statndard stuff but few websites would be good

 

[wicket2005]

We can see about adding more detail about WiFi. Most of the non-budget hotels have it.

Class, I am hoping the Hard Rock has it this year. Now I have my Ipod Touch I am looking forward to using its wifi capabilities over there a lot.

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

WiFi -You can def get it at orlando airport we used our laptop there, All DVC members can get it free at DVC resorts this spring.

 

[SimonV]

I have to say, there is no mention of Wi-Fi on the Hard Rock Hotel's website (http://www.hardrock.com/locations/hotels2/orlando/default.asp), although there is high-speed in-room internet access (at $9.95 a day).

A few places you can go for free Wi-Fi access is any Panera Bread restaurant; any Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant; most Planet Smoothie cafes; Bear Rock Cafe (near Mall at Millenia); the Apple Store at Mall at Millenia; Friday's Front Row Sports Bar & Grill on I-Drive; any public library; and, of course, the International Airport.

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Simon, I will make a note of those places. Shame about Hard Rock though. I was looking forward to catching up with people back home whilst I basked in the Florida sun.

 

[DADAD]

A Route Map Of The Disney Transport System
Dadad

 

[SimonV]

We do currently have a map that covers the whole of WDW (and the immediate surroundings) on Page 72, which shows the position of all the resorts and the monorail system, which is similar to Disney's own map (but a lot more up to date!). Disney actually label their map a 'Transportation Map' but it basically just shows the position of their resorts, the road system and the monorail. There is nothing else that shows the transportation system as such, as there are just buses, boats (from a few resorts) and the monorail.

For the most up to date map on Disney property (although it still doesn't show the Saratoga Springs Resort or the fact the Bonnet Creek and Eagle Pines golf courses have been closed to make way for another big timeshare/resort complex), check it out here:

http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/images/Walt_Disney_World_Map.pdf

But, to be honest, this is pretty similar to what we already have, so I'm not sure what more we could add.

PS: If you want a bit of a laugh, this is Disney's own online map of WDW, which still shows the likes of River Country water park and the Disney Institute (!!), and hasn't been updated for the likes of Animal Kingdom Lodge, Pop Century Resort and the Courtyard by Marriott (the latter of which became a Holiday Inn 5 years ago, and then closed completely nearly 4 years ago!):

http://disney.go.com/disneyworld/popups/pdf/wdwmap.pdf

I found it under a Google search of 'Disney World transport map', which makes you wonder if anyone at Disney actually checks their own website

 

[craigs bride]

where could i get a copy of the guide ?