Disney planning books

[glbh]

I purchased "The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation" by Steven M. Barrett. It has touring plans. Have any of you read this book and, if so, how helpful are the touring plans?

 

[Pixie glitter]

I haven't read the book you mentioned, but I have practically memorized and can highly recommend The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger. It is a fantastic guide book, and the touring plans in the back will literally save you several hours of standing in line time if you're going during a busy time. It's widely available in public libraries if you don't feel like spending the money to purchase another guide book, but you should definitely consider using it. We've gotten so many valuable tips from this book and saved ourselves so much time and seen so many "hidden" things we would otherwise not have known about!

 

[Atotty]

Being a compulsive planner, I read at least 15 Disney guides for our last trip thanks to Interlibrary loan. (The Dummies and Idiot's guides are the same word for word in lots of places BTW)

I love Tourguidemike.com...his info is great and he updates it all the time. Between Tourguidemike.com, this board, the mouseforless list, and allearsnet.com...that's all I need.

WDW changes so often that by the time you buy a guide, some of the info is outdated. We went the week before Memorial Day last year and by using Tourguide Mike's plans our longest wait anywhere was Dumbo...15 mins. He also tells you best parks for each morning and each evening; best rides for each park to ride in morning, afternnoon, evening or anytime; and the best places to sit and watch parades/shows/rides to get the best experience.

We went to Spectro on a Sat (something he says not to do). People were already lining up on Main Street and the parade wasn't for two more hours. We went and rode stuff from the "Ride Anytime" list and went to the spot he suggested for the parade 30 mins before time. No one in front of us...no one behind us. It was great.

I've also set up reminders for PS times and extra stuff and I get e-mails from Tourguidemike's service so i don't forget anything.


I've got the 2004 Passporter that just came out in January (which I also like...as a planner and reference). Even though it just came out, I've already had to download update pages becaue WDW changes so often.

JMHO,

 

[garettdoyle]

The official guide is great if you just want a full color brochure with lots of information. Great way to get familiar with WDW

If you want a more strategy guide, go for the Unofficial Guide to WDW (mentioned by a previous poster). Good reviews of restaurants. Ride reviews including info on who should and shouldn't be on the ride. Some good tour plans. We've not been that strict on following them, but they give some good advice.

You'd wise to read up on WDW before you if you have not been before. WDW is 40 sq miles with 16+ hotels, 4 Theme Parks, 2 water parks, 99 holes of golf, and more. You can spend a lot of time just getting around without seeing much if you don't have some sort of plan. Think of WDW more as a city than a theme park.

 

[Blackunicorn]

I don't suppose Tourguide Mike does a Disneyland version?

Dawn

 

[Atotty]

I haven't seen a Disneyland version