The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008

by Bob Sehlinger

From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World "A Tourist's Best Friend!"
— Chicago Sun-Times "Indispensable"
— The New York Times Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide :

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

864 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Bob Sehlinger is the creator of the Unofficial Guide travel series and author or co-author of over 25 travel guides. He makes his home in Birmingham, Alabama, where the catfish are jumping and the cotton is high.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are going to Disney World, get this book first! It is filled with excellent information - everything from the tastiest quick bites available to the most over-rated restaurants to avoid. It gives a careful rating of numerous aspects of the many, many lodging facilities available and would prove an invaluable tool for planning your Disney vacation. Sehlinger and his team work constantly to bring the most complete and detailed information to help you spend your money wisely at what can be a budget-blowing vacation.

I am a DIsney fan and am fortunate in that my husband's company plans family corporate events here every few years and because of that, we have no choice but to be there at the hottest, most crowded time of the year. Yet, with this book (and this year, the new iphone app from the same people!) we rarely stood in lines at even the most popular venues for more than 15-20 minutes. His pointers and recommendations can save you so much time and for those, like me, stuck there in the sticky heat of the summer, he even has suggestions there for which lines are in shaded, cooled areas, etc. He has multiple recommended touring plans for everything from parents with toddlers to a suggested touring guide for seniors who arrive late at a particular park.

This is my third time to use this guide as my DisneyWorld Bible and I will never attempt to do Disney again without it. I don't care how long you'll be there - 1 day or 8, this book will help you make the most of your time. I recommend it to everyone I know.

[Donna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could stand to be updated, given the frequency with which rides and other features of the Disney parks are changed, and also changes in policy, i.e., fast passes, early admission, etc. My husband had just finished chemotherapy and our little girl had grown quiet during his illness. This trip was important in that it was long promised, and helped her go back to being a little girl, away from the atmosphere of forced jollity with an undercurrent of quiet worry and weirdly changed routines, with Mommy and Daddy always at the hospital. The guide was essential, as well, in helping us understand ahead of time just how much we could expect to do at a given time and when would be the least stressful times for my spouse, stronger but not back to his full strength, to be able to manage it.

I found this handy guide indispensable. It made all other guides worthless and redundant. I planned our trip (in 2004, so actually we used an earlier edition) like a general creating a plan of assault. It saved us scads of time waiting in line in the hot sun, and it got us into cool, air conditioned spaces with decent food. We made our lodgings choice (the Contemporary, which we learned was the only place we could stand in an air-conditioned location to wait for the monorail) based on the things I learned here.

Disney World is very, very different from Disneyland. If you have the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, you should still buy this version if you are going to go.

[Jill Furedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore this book apart...literally. There were lists in the back, but I'm pretty sure I tore out random pages throughout as well. Which was too bad, because I loaned it to a friend after we got back and they used it for their trip too. I'm a super planner, so I used the book as well as websites recommended in the book to put together lists of rides, places to eat, places to watch shows, and whatever else I could compile so we could fit in as much as possible. My family (and there were 11 of us ranging from 2 to 70, me & my husband, my parents, sis and her husband, my inlaws, sis in law and her husband and kid) did complain that I left no time for sitting and relaxing, but we fit a ton of stuff in and besides the griping about not getting to sit by the pool, everyone seemed to have a good time. I will definately pick up another edition of this book if we make it back to Disney again. Though next time, I'll remember to leave time to sit by the pool too!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Well, I had the 2009 guide, but I could not find that one listed here.) A friend offered this to me before our trip to Disney last month. It was my first time there in 28 years, and my kids' first. I found the guide incredibly detailed, well-organized, and unbiased. I appreciated the feedback from readers...it really helped to paint a picture of the resorts, the parks, the food and the attractions. I had asked Disney veterans for tips ahead of time, so not a lot of the information was new to me, but if you are planning a Disney trip without input from others who have done it, I can see this guide being invaluable, whether you are a "plan every minute of your trip" person or a "take it as it comes" traveler. The one suggestion I have is to add a chapter or a section on things to pack. This would be an addition that would add value to future editions.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unlike any travel book I had ever read before. While it does give you tips and ratings on all the various hotels, attractions, and dining locations you would expect, it is also a layman's introduction to Operations Research. What Sehlinger and his team has done is apply queueing theory to develop touring plans to minimize the time you spend waiting in lines.

He examines how each attraction is designed, whether it is a continuous loader, a stop to load operation, etc. He considers how the attractions are laid out and how the paths are organized. We used this book and were able to do all four theme parks in two and a half days. This included riding every major attraction at every park.

When I first read this book in 2000, it changed how I looked at theme parks and, by extension, how store lines, towns, and even cities are organized. This is one of my favorite books!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2009 guide.....This is an absolute must read prior to going to Disney World! This book (and available online touring plans) insured our SPRING BREAK (crowded beyond belief) vacation was magical. We downloaded the plan for "tweens" and on the days we followed it precisely, we were done by lunch time or shortly thereafter and were able to ride again or add to the plan. We never waited more than 10-20 minutes for any attraction. On the one day we swayed away from the plan, we missed 3 attractions even though we were at the park from opening to closing! If you and your family are in decent physical shape, and you have kids 7 and older, then the plan is not hard at all to follow. The book pays for itself many times over!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The researchers have patented field-tested touring plans as well as very detailed ratings on rides, restaurants, resorts, and parks. There are sections on shopping - which shops are worth visiting and why - disney related websites (including those that offer discounts), traffic info, seasonal info, and pricing. Individuals not staying in World for their entire trip can also read sections on greater Orlando, Universal, the area water parks etc.

Highly recommend! A very easy read that provides all the information you would need to plan agreat trip to WDW.

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tease me if you must, but if you read an 850 page book of parking lot maps and restaurant reviews, I would let you count it, too!

The best book on "the World" I could find. The authors are experts, the information is accurate and often humorous, and the text is comprehensive.

If you are planning a trip to Disney World, this is the only book you need.

We used the touring plans in the back of the book during our recent trip and they work. We saved hours waiting in lines!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to take my daughter on a mommy/daughter trip to Disney World last month and I took this book with me (but I borrowed it from the library). Lots of great suggestions, touring plans in the back for each park. Oddly it pointed me to a website that I had also found on my own and liked a lot as well. The trip was amazing and there were lots of little tips in this book and on the website that were really helpful.

[Maria Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am actually reading the 2010 version since we are going this year. It is really helpful prior to a trip (when you're making decisions and trying to research the best way to spend your time in Disney). It will also be great while we are there to make the most of our vacation. I used the 2006 version when we went before and the touring plans are amazing. i highly recommend this guide if you are planning a Disney vacation.

[Jessica L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this guide quite useful. the writers give you the real deal on attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc., not the sanitized Disney version where everything is perfect. The touring plans seem very useful for maximizing your park time. I also liked that this book gives ample info on off-site hotels and attractions. We are going with a Disney resort this time, but this part of the book seems great for cost conscious travelers.

[Karianne Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone going to WDW. Absolutely jam packed with tip, tricks and ideas for making your holiday fun filled and hassle free. I like the reviews of rides from different ages and the best places to stand for parades, or snippets of insider info. This is my Disney bible and I wish all my holiday destinations had guides this good. I buy it every few years to see what's new and what's changed. Don't go on holiday without it.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a great reference book for our Disney trip. It helped us plan our trip, from where we wanted to eat to what rides we wanted to ride. I skimmed it before the trip and then re-read the relevant sections the night before we visited each park. I highly recommend it for anyone going to Walt Disney World!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

These guides (regardless of the year) have always been my favorite for touring WDW. There are literally hundreds of tips and Sehlinger has a great sense of humor. I always recommend this book to friends. Try to get the most current one (it will have the newest rides) but for the most part these are very similar year by year so you can almost always use the last year's one as well.
Enjoy!

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this book before taking the grandkids to Disney World in October 2009. It was so full of information that it was hard to take in. I tore pages out of the book to take for the day. We still couldn't follow all the information/maps. The info on places to stay was a little subjective I think. In retrospect I don't think the book was that helpful.

[Kate Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, if you're looking for unbiased reviews on everything Disney!
It even went into preparing for your trip with family members of all ages.
Honest reviews from the general public on accommodations, dining plans, attractions, transportation, best time of day and best months of the year to visit Disney.
I found this book to be an excellent guide in planning my trip.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2008 edition of the Unofficial Guide runs to over 800 pages, plus maps on the inside covers, and provides exhaustive coverage of Walt Disney World, Orlando. Such a massive book looks quite daunting at first - but Disney World itself is far more daunting if you're not prepared, and it's well worth investing time in planning and research before you go.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I'm a geek. I'm going to Disney in August 2008 and I'm already planning. I HIGHLY recommend this line of books (they come out yearly) for anyone who loves to plan and dream about their Disney trip(s).

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

clearly i fit the target market for this book, but i cannot imagine having survived 7 days at disney without knowing in advance what i was getting into. it also helped to eliminate the non-kid-friendly rides so we didn't waste our time. FASTPASS ROCKS!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Actually read the 2009 version.) Though our trip was no where near as stressful as the book might build you up for, there are still tons of great tips in here. If you have kids, you must read about the swap system for rides!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought we could just show up at the park and wing it, but it sounds like we will have much better luck seeing and doing things with a plan. I'm willing to give it a try - the authors are very convincing.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're supposed to be going to WDW next suumer with Scouts so I got this book to help plan the trip and get some advice. I like the touring plans which tells you how to plan your day (which ride to see at what time).

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read over 5 different guides and even subscribed to a tour guide site in prep for our Disney Vacation and this one was the best(2009 version). It is a thick book but it is full of useful information and the touring plans really work.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2009 version. I didn't read it cover to cover, but I read a good deal of it. It was so helpful on our vacation. I referred to it many times and it saved us a lot of time. Highly recommended for anyone traveling to Disney World.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I've been to Walt Disney World many times, I still find Mr. Sehlinger's book absolutely essential in planning a successful trip. WDW is not a place to go without a specific plan, and this book helps you do so without stress or worry. It is THE best book on the subject.

[MaryBeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used the latest version (2011 I believe) and it was very informative. Great for insider tips, dining and hotel recommendations, and off the beaten trail type of things as well. A definite recommend for planning a Disney trip!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

preparing for our trip in May . . .

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most comprehensive guide to Disney World. A must read for anyone planning a trip to Orlando

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're planning a trip to Disney World, this is the only book you need.

[Rob and Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be prepared!!