The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides)

This book has some excellent tips and excellent information, and it can minimize the amount of time you spend standing in line. It's a nice supplement to the official guides and I'm glad I bought it. However, I have some major problems with the book, and they are as follows:

-My fundamental problem with the book is that it is written in a very negative, cynical tone. I get the impression that the authors don't even like Disney World, and they take pot shots at the Disney company every chance they get. After reading this book I'm actually a little less excited and a little more nervous about my trip.
-The book seems geared more toward families with small children who go to Disney World during more crowded times. My girlfriend and I do not have children and we are going to Disney during a less crowded, off peak time so much of the book is not applicable to our situation.
-The format of the book is to offer descriptions and reviews of various attractions followed by quotes sent in by readers. Most of the quotes are negative, which I think is unrepresentative because most people enjoy most attractions. The few people who have a negative experience will be more motivated to write in with a complaint.
-I have a Ph.D., and reading this book gave me flashbacks to writing my dissertation and reading for my doctoral comprehensive exams. I think planning a Disney trip is an enjoyable part of going to Disney World, but reading this book is more like work than fun and it makes planning for a Disney trip seem more like work than fun. There's actually a section with mathematical formulas!
-The authors seem to judge many things based solely on cost and monetary value. However, my criterion for a Disney vacation is convenience and an avoidance of stress. I hate driving when I'm on vacation, but the authors recommend renting a car or driving a car to Disney World and much of the information is geared toward people who drive. The book offers criticisms of the Disney's Magical Express shuttle service which I think is one of the best perks of a Disney vacation. The book also criticizes Extra Magic Hours and I had a wonderful time using EMHs during my last trip.
-The authors are extremely critical of Disney World eating places, and they come off as food snobs. They seem to only give good reviews to the most expensive restaurants, which somewhat contradicts the book's focus on cost. They also trash the Disney Dining Plan, which I happen to like. It saved me an enormous amount of money during my last trip. The book does not delineate which restaurants are on the Disney Dining Plan and which are not so this was confusing for my planning.
-The book contains a great deal of information about other theme parks in the Orlando area such as Universal Studios and Sea World, and in keeping with the negative tone of the book the authors seem to favor these non-Disney parks. My bottom line is that a critical review of Disney attractions and restaurants is good and is something you can't get in the official guides, but the authors take it too far - a book about a Disney World vacation should make you feel good about going there and this book does not.

I just bought the 2009 version of this guide to plan our November trip to Disney. I used it in 2004 to plan our first trip and it was awesome. Everything it said was right on the money, from the hotel descriptions, advice on room requests, schedules to go by, scariness factors of rides, how to plan your trip... I simply can't say enough. I would definately recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Disney, especially with kids. It is the only book I would use

With input from reader / contributors, this guide continues to be my go to reference for WDW. Add a couple of websites for current news and menus and I'm ready for my trip.

As we are planning a return trip to Orlando/Disney in 2009, I discovered this book and decided to buy it.There is so much practical information in it. Only downside as far as I can see is that when you go to the website that they recommend for more information, you seem to have to subscribe to view the information.

All in all I feel that its a great read and handy to have for reference.

I love this book!! I have purchased this many times in the past for a great detailed description of what to expect while visiting Walt Disney World in Florida. I have saved all of my older editions as they are great for answering Disney trivia. I recommend this to all Disney World travelers!!