My copy turned up yesterday. I'm a bit disappointed with the quality of the book itself. Given that it looks so much like the Passporter, I'd expected it to have a similarly sturdy cover, but it hasn't. Even with
Amazon's protective packaging, it arrived slightly damaged. The pages, too, are a little on the flimsy side - I know it's an entirely different publisher, but it doesn't have the quality feel of the Brit's Guide. At the back, after the index, are four pages of random photographs printed on thin photo paper. For me, they're just not adding anything.
Now on to the content. This isn't a re-hash of
The Hidden Magic with additional features. It's a traditional guidebook augmented with Passporter-style pockets and fold-out maps. Where it differs is that the description of each attraction, restaurant and shop includes an overview of the imagineering back-story. Scattered throughout the main text are three distinct break-out features -
Hidden Magic,
Rookie Mistakes and
Reality Checks.
Whilst it does hold up as a guidebook in its own right, its full value will probably be appreciated more by the repeat visitor than the first-timer. The back-stories make for an enjoyable read and the break-out features enhance the experience. Some of the "Hidden Magic" features are back-story information rather than things to look out for, and occasionally the "Rookie Mistakes" and "Reality Checks" feel like conversational fillers, but on the whole they do add value and interest.
