When does the 2005 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World come out?

[WANNABE@WDW]

Does anyone know when the 2005 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney is due out? Doesn't it usually come out in August or September?

 

[Strings]

I looked it up last week. It is relaesed August 29th. You can preorder it at Barnes and Noble.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Thanks for the quick reply. I can't wait! I am actually giving them as Christmas gifts to family members. We are having a family reunion in Feb '05.

 

[siac]

I preordered today at Amazon for October.

 

[Disney Panda]

I preordered mine 2 days ago for December

 

[lentesta]

Hi folks,

I'd be pleasantly surprised if we could make the August 29 date. We just wrapped up writing the thing a few weeks ago. Early Sepetember is more likely, but I'll be really happy if it comes out sooner.

Amazon.com is specifying an October 1 shipping date for my copy of the Guide (yeah, I can get it from Amazon faster than I can from Wiley). I think that's on the later side of when we can expect to have it.

Thanks very much for reading the Guide.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[Jillpie]

Len,
Is there any new and exciting info. that we can look forward to in this years edition? We're going on our first cruise and I read every last word from last years book, have they added anything new? thanks!

 

[lentesta]

Hi Jillpie,

Thanks for reading the Guide!

Yes, there's lots of new information. Some of the highlights include:

*Almost every attraction in every park has a new story or anecdote. We teamed with noted Disney historian Jim Hill (of JimHillMedia.com) to give a behind-the-scenes look at how the attractions were conceived, designed and how they operate. Jim's writing is very funny. The story of how these got written is itself hysterical. Remind me to tell you about it.

*A ranked list of websites that offer the best hotel discounts. For the past nine months, we've been getting room rates from almost every hotel in the Orlando area every day, from sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and dozens more. As of June, our statisticians had analyzed more than 2.1 million quotes. We tell you the ten websites that consistently offer the best deals for Orlando-area hotels. I'd bet money that two of the top four are virtually unknown to all but a small number of people, yet their savings can be as much as 37% off the next-best site. We also tell you the best strategies for getting good deals at any hotel.

*New reviews and ratings for almost every restaurant in Walt Disney World. The top five in guest popularity contain a couple of new surprises, I think.

*Our child psychologists have written a section on common issues families face in WDW, and how to avoid or defuse them.

*New touring plans for Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and the Animal Kingdom.

*Mike Scopa from Mouseplanet.com has contributed a section on "Unheralded Treasures of Walt Disney World" that WDW veterans will really enjoy. Even I found some new things to explore.

*Starting with the first page, Bob continues to emphasize how to enhance the quality of your Walt Disney World vacation. Extensive suggestions and recommendations on slowing down and savoring the Disney experience are included.

I'm sure I'm leaving out some really neat new stuff. I'll go back through my list to see what's missing. We ran out of time before we ran out of ideas, so some great new features will be posted on the website shortly.

Finally, a few humorous remarks have managed to sneak into the Guide. Fans of the original Van Halen lineup will really enjoy the review of DISBoards.com.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[Jillpie]

Wow, thanks for that detailed response! I really appreciate it. Looking forward to it and always check the bookstores as soon as I walk into the mall now.

 

[Aristomommy]

Wow, I can't wait to get the new edition. Sounds like a lot of new info is included.

Jen

 

[lisajl]

Mr. Testa,

Thanks for that info. I was planning on buying one as soon as it came out.

We are going Dec 2005, so I will have a lot of time to read the updated book!

Lisajl

 

[minster22]

Len, just when I think I really do not need to buy another copy of the Unofficial Guide (not sure when the first was published but I think I have bought one every year since the early 90's!!) I read your post about all the great new stuff!! One of my best friends and I used to read passages out loud to each other and laugh until we had tears streaming down our faces!! The ones that always stand out, the passage about the "race" to Space Mountain after the rope drop, and the whole section onfeet, shoes and blisters. Great cartoons also!! So I'll be on some list for the new issue, its great reading even if lots of it is a repeat!! Thanks for the best guide book out there (and I have them all!!)!!

 

[Madi100]

Originally posted by lentesta
Hi Jillpie,

Thanks for reading the Guide!

Yes, there's lots of new information. Some of the highlights include:

*Almost every attraction in every park has a new story or anecdote. We teamed with noted Disney historian Jim Hill (of JimHillMedia.com) to give a behind-the-scenes look at how the attractions were conceived, designed and how they operate. Jim's writing is very funny. The story of how these got written is itself hysterical. Remind me to tell you about it.

*A ranked list of websites that offer the best hotel discounts. For the past nine months, we've been getting room rates from almost every hotel in the Orlando area every day, from sites such as Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and dozens more. As of June, our statisticians had analyzed more than 2.1 million quotes. We tell you the ten websites that consistently offer the best deals for Orlando-area hotels. I'd bet money that two of the top four are virtually unknown to all but a small number of people, yet their savings can be as much as 37% off the next-best site. We also tell you the best strategies for getting good deals at any hotel.

*New reviews and ratings for almost every restaurant in Walt Disney World. The top five in guest popularity contain a couple of new surprises, I think.

*Our child psychologists have written a section on common issues families face in WDW, and how to avoid or defuse them.

*New touring plans for Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and the Animal Kingdom.

*Mike Scopa from Mouseplanet.com has contributed a section on "Unheralded Treasures of Walt Disney World" that WDW veterans will really enjoy. Even I found some new things to explore.

*Starting with the first page, Bob continues to emphasize how to enhance the quality of your Walt Disney World vacation. Extensive suggestions and recommendations on slowing down and savoring the Disney experience are included.

I'm sure I'm leaving out some really neat new stuff. I'll go back through my list to see what's missing. We ran out of time before we ran out of ideas, so some great new features will be posted on the website shortly.

Finally, a few humorous remarks have managed to sneak into the Guide. Fans of the original Van Halen lineup will really enjoy the review of DISBoards.com.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

Wow, Len. To be quite honest with you, the first trip we took I bought the Unofficial Guide. I really didn't enjoy it. I like my stuff sugar coated. I liked the Official Guide because it was all good stuff. I really didn't want to hear the bad about the rides and different things. However, after reading what you just wrote it sounds very interesting. This will be our 4th trip coming up, and I know the good and the bad, so I can probably handle it better. I think I'll have to give it another try. You've got me interested again. Thanks!