Birnbaum's 2016 Walt Disney World: The Official Guide

by Birnbaum Guides

Birnbaum is the most respected and well-known name in Disney guides--and the only official guide. This updated edition of Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Resort takes readers through Disney's biggest resort with ease and flair and includes the most accurate, current information on prices and attractions. What's new in 2016:

• The brand-new Frozen attraction, scheduled to burst onto the Epcot scene in 2016,whisks guests on a chilly trip to meet Anna, Elsa, and Olaf.

• Our coverage of Disney's Hollywood Studios includes the inside scoop on plans for new Star Wars-themed additions and other shows and attractions.

• Experience new shows and attractions, including the Magic Kingdom's popular new parades:Festival of Fantasy and Move It! Shake it! Dance and Play It!

• Fastpass+is Walt Disney World's advance reservation system for theme park shows and attractions. We offer tips and strategies for making the most of this free service.

• Downtown Disney has morphed into Disney Springs, a bustling waterside enclave teeming with new dining, shopping, and recreational activities.

• Our newly-expanded dining chapter details each and every restaurant, and includes menu updates, a "best of wow restaurant roundup", and specialized indexes.

• The 2016 Guide has more photos than ever, including brand-new photo hunts for each of the World's four theme parks. Can you find them all?

• Baffled by WDW's magic band? Don't be! We give the scoop on maximizing the potential of the band.

• A wave of new entertainment has hit World Showcase: we'll tell you where to see new acts featuring lumberjacks, Celtic folk musicians, and flag wavers.

• Disney's Polynesian Village resort has been renewed and revitalized, thanks Disney Vacation Club.

• Checkout our bonus chapter featuring "Land and Sea vacation" planning advice, perfect for pairing a Disney Cruise with a visit to Walt Disney World.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Adult

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1981

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for planning your trip to Walt Disney Word. Colorful and easy to read, I especially like the Hot Tips at the end of the Disney Park chapters.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most informative book on the market for persons about to journey to Walt Disney World. It is absolutely essential if you want to approach your WDW vacation with knowledge enough to make the most of it. My advice is to purchase the most recent edition, as it is updated each year to include new attractions, and there are always new attractions. The book is filled with information about hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, and attractions throughout the entire Disney property. I have made about 25 trips to WDW, and I buy a new one each year I go so that my information is current. Well worth the reasonable price.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book. It was very informative and covered every subject concerning a Disney vacation, from what to pack and how to get there, to planning your itinerary and figuring your budget. It also gives info on the different resorts and restaraunts in the Disney park and their price ranges. There are illustrations on every page, my kids can't put it down. It describes every attraction and gives it's location as each park is divided into sections. It covers transportation needs, including the surrounding areas like Downtown Disney,Pleasure Island, Boardwalk, and downtown Disney West Side, and what they entail.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with Birnbaum's. They show you where everything is, how to get the best deals, the best places to stay for your family dynamic. I would never plan a Disney trip without reading their guides first!

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been using the Birnbaum WDW books since 1995 and have always found them to be filled with accurate information. I plan our family trips totally around this book and it has proved to save us a lot of hassle and frustrations. From what the weather will be like, to what to expect in a ride, to where to find the Characters and where to share a meal with them, this book has it all. It offers a whole variety of information. I cannot stress enough how awesome this book really is. I am waiting on the Birnbaum 2000 as we have a vacation planned for Christmas '99. Disney World is a family favorite and I am so glad I have the Birnbaum Book to help me plan the most magical vacation possible every time we go! Remember too, it is the "Official Guide." There are other books out there but NONE compare to this one. If you are planning a WDW trip, don't make the mistake of doing it without Steve Birnbaum!

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any of the Birmbaum's editions are worth a look at, but it is obviously best to get the most updated version. The 2003 quide, has handy hints for any tourist, looking for ways to use their stay at Disney effectivly. From restaurant ratings, to which rides have the longest lines, this book is essential if you want the most out of your holiday. My family and I used the 2001 edition, and found it most useful on choosing restaurants - with tips on how to book tables in advance. This book is a must!

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birnbaum's Official Guide to Walt Disney World is the perfect book for someone who doesn't want to have to read thousands of pages or spend hours planning out every detail of their visit to WDW. It is a summary of the basic information that one would want to know before visiting Walt Disney World. It may not be as comprehensive (or critical) as the Unofficial Guide, it may not be as fun to read or as colorful as The Complete Guide, and it may not offer the planning and organizational tools of the PassPorter, but it's the perfect book for someone who wants the basic information in the fewest words.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The number one guide book for Disney. This book gets you very excited about your trip to Walt Disney World. It has many "hot tips" on when the less crowded times are, also you find out things the "uninformed" person would not know about WDW, like the "e-ticket" and the best times to visit your favourite rides. It can truly make your vacation the most magical experience of your life! On the down side, Birnbaum's books are the "official guide books" of WDW and they tend to have a positive outlook on everything, like the hotels and food.

[I'm Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did have some helpful insights, but frankly I found Pintrest to be a better source of insider information.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great guide with insider tips and tricks. Information on almost everything at Walt Disney World.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's So full of information, I wouldn't travel to Walt Disney World without reading it first. It's a great reference book whether you are an old timer or a newbie to WDW.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter what question you might have about Disney, Birnbaum's answers it. We're even taking the Guide with us when we go to Disney, so we don't miss out on anything. It's accuracy in describing the hotels, parks, rides, flow of visitors, etc., always assists in making our visits as fun filled and problem free for every visit! He not only highlights the "don't miss" attractions, but also tells you the ones you might want to miss depending on your travel time. He describes and rates the Disney hotels and restaurants - in both the park and hotels, so you can make some plans before leaving to eat where you want while you are in certain sections of the parks - typical of his convenient, complete, and well detailed review of the most visited vacation spot in all the world! A worthwhile investment!

[Sarah Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book for awhile now. I kept dibbing in and out but finished it last night. It is the best guide book for Disney that I have read so far and will be taking it with us next year. Lots of advice on how to get the best from your trip plus great descriptions of the parks, restaurants and hotels. The only negative is my fault I should have waited till the 2017 guide came out, as I think that will be even better, with all the changes that have been happening in the parks and the changes to the disney dining Plan. I may buy the 2017 guide anyway. Would definitely recommend this as a fab guide to Disney. I will be sitting down soon with this and a pad making plans for next year.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first time I read a Birnbaum's guide I was an excited tween who had never been to Disney and I studied it like a religious document.

Now, as an adult who's been to Disney a few times, I'm less impressed. This is a decent basic guide for people who have never been to Disney World at all, but none of the information is too exciting if you're already familiar with Disney. Frankly, most (if not all) the information contained in it can be found for free online. It's also pretty obvious that this is an "official" guide, since it tells exactly what Disney would want you to know. No insider tips or tricks here.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased it because I remember listening to innumerable travel reviews by the late Steve Birnbaum on the radio. He was a well-informed and thoroughly dedicated individual with a pleasant personality. We would never have gotten around Walt Disney World without this book. If you have never been to Walt Disney World I recommend that you really get a copy of this book or the most current version of it. If you really enjoy Walt Disney World like we did you may want to hold on to your copy of this book. It is just as much a souvenir as anything else you may purchase on your visit. This book holds fond and cherished memories for my family.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love how Disney it looks inside! It's filled with beautiful pictures and coloured pages which alot of the unoffical guide books lack. As I have a bunch of other guides I just sorta skipped to the information I wanted to read. I liked reading this guide and I was suprised that it told you the best times of year to go and the worst thinking that as it was an offical guide if would be plugging everyday of the year. The best thing about this guide is it's chapter on 'Everything else in the world' It offers more helpful information that other guides I've read have. This would be perfect for first timers.

[Alicia Terrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a fun read when planning a Disney trip. It's very colorful and has a lot of great information in it. However, I wish there were reviews of hotels, restaurants, and rides. I know that everyone has opinions so sometimes they avoid them all together, but I prefer it when they are included. I know this is the "official" guide, but I think some of the unofficial guides are better just because they give some more helpful advice than this one does. Still, this is nicely organized and fun to look at. We're unsure if we are going to Disney, but I'm enjoying dreaming about it! :)

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

This "official" Disney World guide tells you only what Disney wants you to know. Filled with colorful pictures, it is better visually than the "unofficial" guide, but lacks the in-depth park assistance.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every annual edition of this beautiful colorful guide to Walt Disney World since 1989 and highly recommend it to Disney lovers. This is a must-read for trips to Walt Disney World. I love it.

[Danielle Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most useful book ever for Disney newcomers and frequent visitors. I would say sometimes I wish they'd give better review of the food, but i thin opinions vary. I also wished they had mentioned the busing from each resort since it varies based on how large the resort is.

[Meredith Spidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a huge help this is to us as first-time Disney visitors! So comprehensive and user-friendly. Thank you, Birnbaum!

[DAVIS, KELLI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to all that Disney has to offer.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this every year since 1989. It is billed "the official guide" because, unfortunately, they kiss Disney's ass. I like to read this to see what is new before the next trip but take what they say with a grain of salt. They do NOT tell you about the problems you might face or anything truthful about restaurants, hotels, etc that you really ought to know. To them, every thing is perfect to the point you feel that you have fallen into some kind of Stepford Disney Writer's hole. For the truth and to hear what actual visitors have to say, you'll need to read The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2014 but this book is great for the color photos and a lot of the info in here. It is a pleasure to read it as long as you keep in mind that "official" guide means "we can't say anything that will piss Disney off or they will not less us be official anymore." Just enjoy the general info and photos then go to the other book I recommend to find out the real facts and make final decisions.

[Cariadne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't even taken the family trip to Disney World, but this book was immensely helpful. The book was easier to read than other books out there, including Frommer's EasyGuide to Disney World, Universal and Orlando 2017, partly due to a larger size which allows Birnbaum to include photos and graphics, larger font treatments and color. Most of the other guidebooks I looked at are economized black and white, tiny font, no images. Technically, this book is a bit pricier than those (this a $19.99 US vs Frommer's $16.95) but it includes coupons you may be able to use in your travel. What I would've loved to have seen in this book are better and more maps. One thing that Frommer's sometimes offered that I appreciated was the length of a ride/attraction (i.e., Kilimanjaro Safari = 20-minute excursion), which Birnbaum's doesn't.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, I flip through a guidebook and set it back down, daunted by its density. This book, on the other hand, was filled with information but presented in a very user friendly fashion. The layout was nice and highly readable. Moreover, the writing was actually good: a bit reminiscent of blog-style humor and writing.

This particular edition contains information pertinent to the latest changes at Walt Disney World. Whether your a nitpicky planner or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type, this book has something to offer. This book has everything you need to get started on planning a vacation. My favorite part was all the tips and tricks that can help plan a smooth trip.

I highly recommend this book; I read it cover to cover from simple enjoyment.

[Al · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty pictures. That's about it. It's the "official" guide because they never say anything even vaguely negative - lest they lose their "official' status. It regularly urges you to go to attractions which other better guides tell you to avoid (e.g. Tom Sawyer's Island) and it tells you things, like all the table service restaurants are equal (which is decidedly not so!). When it comes to choosing a resort, its only advice is to stay at a Disney resort and to spend as much money as you possibly can. There's no actionable information about average wait times or what to check out and when. At best, this guide will leave you with more questions than answers. More likely, it'll just waste the precious time you have at Disney World. My advice: get the Unofficial Guide.

[Fred Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a Time, Steve Birnbaum was the bad boy of travel books.He actually went there,wrote his own stuff,was funny,original,politicaly incorrect.He had a section called "sins" with a picture of the devil of how you could find a prostitute or finf drugs.Really.
Reality being stranger than fiction,some subversive at Disney decided to select the black sheep to be the OFFICIAL Walt Disney World Guidebook author.He dies and his books go away,until his clever wife decides to revive the brand.
Steve Birnbaum was to travel books what Hunter Thompson was to Journalism.A 20 year old book that says STEVE Birnbaum is better than a current one that reads just Birnbaum.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I already have a plan, so I like to pick up guide books just to give me a sense of what's there. This guide book is a survey of a lot of attractions. There's no stand out reviews, just nice blurbs about the rides and such, and very little maps to reference to.
I feel like the author is just putting together a mailorder catalog of the Parks. What threw me as well is there are descriptions of shops and lands, but the restaurants and food are separated at the back of the book. I'm already disoriented enough in the chapters without having to turn all the way to the back and guess where I am and what I want to eat.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Birnbaum guides are perhaps the least interesting Disney travel guides, as they tend to treat all that Disney offers in a very positive, business like way. That is to say, they're missing the snark and the interesting writing that a lot of travel guides offer. That being said, they're comprehensive, they're not overly long, and in the case of the older ones like this, they're fascinating time capsules, with information on extinct attractions and even blurbs about coming attractions that never actually came.

[Beth Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this has been the best and most current book I've read on Disney World, I wish it had gone more into the attractions instead of so much focus on the food and Disney Hotels. Most attractions get a few short sentences, so I felt that part was lacking. I expected more touring plans for each park. It felt like a reader would be fumbling around still after reading this when planning their itinerary at each park. I'm sure they're sponsored by Disney, but it would have been nice for them to have talked about Universal. Overall, though, good guide.