Monaghan's Universal Orlando book

[kpgclark]

First, I am in no way whatsoever associated with the author-

I just took out the 2nd edition of Monaghan's book "Universal Orlando the Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure" from the library. This is not the most current version. This book is awesome! It has such good information and I recommend it to anyone (like me) who has never been before. I like the book so much I went to their web site to order the most recent edition. The book has lots of great information about the rides, hotels, restaurants etc. I really felt like I got a good overview about the whole Universal complex. I'm going to take it with me on the trip and make my hubby read it too!

 

[mouseclick1]

We are going to US/IOA next summer for the first time. I bought the 2003 book and I couldn't agree with you more! Lots of great info to help us plan our trip!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Thanks, kpgclark, for the kind words!

Hope you enjoy the new edition.

 

[Leota]

I just ordered it & "The Other Orlando" - I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival.....

 

[nisiemouse]

I just ordered all three books with the special. I don't really need another disney book but it was such a good deal I figured I could always pass it on to someone after I read it. Can't wait to start planning our Universal trip.

 

[pnelson]

Where did you order the books from? Also, we are going December 2003-Will there be another edition before that trip or should I purchase this one? I like to have the newest information, but if there isn't another addition coming out, then I will order this one so I can read it now!

 

[kpgclark]

I ordered at:

http://www.intrepidtraveler.com/

 

[SimonV]

I also rate Kelly's books as essential reading for anyone heading to Central Florida. There is so much more than just Disney, and these books will give you a great insight. Plus, you just can't have too much information!

 

[USO2003]

Hey, Kelly how did you go about writing the book? Did you need to get Universal's Permission? Was it collaboration between you and Universal? I was just curious how it all came together and what you had to do to write the book and all the work to get it published and on the market.

If you don't want to write a reply here you can pm it to me. I am just very curious what it takes to do it, because I might want to take a crack at that one day.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Originally posted by USO2003
Hey, Kelly how did you go about writing the book?

Actually, my Universal book is a spin off from an earlier book.

My original idea was a guidebook, now called "The Other Orlando," that would cover all the non-Disney attractions. I had noticed that other guidebooks devoted so much space to WDW that there was no room left for everything else! I decided to plug that gap and the book was successful in the market.

When Universal grew to two parks and started adding hotels, I spun off the Universal chapters into a separate book.

I don't work with Universal. My book is completely unofficial. Universal will give guidebook writers a free one-day pass and a press kit and that's how most guidebooks get written.

I realized this wouldn't work for me, so I just buy annual passes to every park I cover and practically live in the park when I'm researching. It's the only way to do the kind of in-depth reporting I like to do.

Writing a guidebook is a lot of hard work (at least the way I do it). I eat in all the restaurants, stay at all the resort hotels, swim in all the pools, boogiein all the nightclubs. It's a tough, dirty job but someone has to do it!

One of the hardest parts, I think, is keeping things fresh after you've done them dozens of times. I always have to remember that most of my readers will be experiencing things for the first time, not the 86th!

As to getting it published, that was easy. I own the publishing company!

I would encourage you (or anyone else) to try your hand at writing a guidebook. My publishing company, The Intrepid Traveler, is actively looking for new Orlando titles. So if you have an idea, I hope you'll run it by us.

One word of warning: We want to see finished manuscripts and we do not give writers thousands of dollars to go out and have fun in the hope they'll write a good book. That's not the way the travel writing biz works, sadly, although a lot of people seem to think it is.

 

[USO2003]

I am like you in a way, I have the annual pass and I practically live at Universal so you might say we both have a very good sense of the parks. In fact I am going there in 1 hour just to see the Macy's Parade.

If I write something up, I'll pass you along a copy.

 

[BarryHom]

Some tips on writing...if you want to write, then write a lot and have people read it. You can probably find writer's workshop classes in your community. I'm not saying let your best friend read it. He will probably say, "That's cool, dude" even if you write the biggest junk in the world. It's good to get feedback from other writers. That way, you can grow and learn from your previous writings. Believe me, some of the papers I wrote in Freshman comp would be embarassing to me now! The key to good writing is to write, write, and write more!

 

[ParkHopperUO]

Heck, I work at USF and IOA, and I bought Kelly's book, at first to read the reviews of the stuff I do. But I've also learned stuff I didn't know and discovered some hidden treats as well. It's an excellent book.

 

[Dave in the Frozen North]

Thought I would take the opportunity to add my comment. Kelly's book is excellent! As a ten year veteran of compulsive Disney Vacation Planning, I was looking for a good guide book (to supplement the terrifc info on this site) when we decided to plan a Universal vacation. I ordered Kelly's book. It is well written, well laid out, great details and all the info you need to plan a Universal Vacation while sitting in the snowbanks in northern Ontario.

What is also neat is being able to go on to the update site for additional info. I just clicked today and got the latest info on Tchoup Chop's opening and called immediately for reservations.

Since I'm sure you'll be reading this post Kelly, let me say thanks very much for this great vacation planning resource. A quick question for curiosity only - I ordered your book through Amazon (shipping to Canada, I thought it would be easier including it in one of my many book orders). Because your book is from your own small publishing firm, do you prefer the orders direct from your site or are royalties the same if sold from a larger book seller? (Perhaps thats a too-nosey question).

Thanks again,

Dave in the Frozen North

 

[kellymonaghan]

Dave,

Thanks for asking.

Actually, we don't mind orders going to Amazon at all, especially orders for single titles. Amazon sometimes offers a better deal than we do on our own site (although they raise and lower their discounts unpredictably and they charge shipping).

Of course, if someone wants to buy all three of our Orlando guidebooks, we beat Amazon handily on price.

Another option for Canadians is to go to http://www.chapters.indigo.ca

They are currently offering the Universal book for $25.95 CDN. Is that good? Don't know what their shipping fees are.

 

[kpgclark]

Kelly, if you are still keeping up with this thread, I have a question regarding the discount on admission using Discovercard. You write in your book that you can get $10 off per ticket if you use the card and I can't seem to locate that discount anywhere on the internet to take advantage of it. Is this still a valid discount and where can you take advantage of it?

 

[kellymonaghan]

Nope. That deal ended, as did the Universal branded Discover Card (which let you earn points toward free admission.)

Thanks for asking. I'll note it on the updates page!

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks Kelly. Poor me, I just can't seem to find a deal....