This best selling and definitive guide to Disney World is bigger and better than ever!Exhaustively researched and packed with insider advice that will save you both time and moneyTried and tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single dayTips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own wordsAlmost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for familiesA complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the WorldEvery attraction rated and ranked for each age group. Coverage of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter including best times to beat the crowds, the best places to buy Butterbeer, and the scoop on all the shops in the village of Hogsmeade.Walt Disney World Resort theme parks are rated best in the world. earning high marks for things outside of the traditional theme park experience. Epcot's International Food&Wine Festival, which takes place for six weeks every fall and showcases food from twenty-five countries, was rated by Forbes Traveler as one of the Best U.S. Food and Wine Festivals.In 2011, Disney not only launched its new cruise ship, the Disney Dream, it also announced plans of a complete overhaul of Pleasure Island set to begin construction and reopen as Hyperion Wharf Q&A with Author Bob Sehlinger Author Bob Sehlinger Do you need a car at Walt Disney World? I prefer to have a car. The Disney Transportation System is very efficient, but with the exception of commuting to the Magic Kingdom, driving your own car is usually faster. Plus, having your own car makes it easier to dine outside WDW where restaurants are less expensive. We've documented that the bucks you save eating outside the World will more than pay for the rental car. Also, having a car allows you to visit other area theme parks like Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld. Where can you find crowd estimates for the days of your visit? The website for The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World is touringplans.com. For a small subscription fee you can access our Crowd Calendar that is updated daily, and projects crowd levels for all four Disney parks for every day of the year. The calendar also specifies which park will be least crowded for a particular day. We used to publish the Crowd Calendar in the guidebook until it became apparent that to be accurate it required updating every day. What's the best Disney park to visit on a really crowded day? While there are a couple of exceptions relating to unusual circumstances, Epcot is the go-to park for holidays and other periods of extremely heavy attendance? Epcot is large, spread out, and open with plenty of elbowroom. Additionally, most Epcot attractions are engineered to accommodate more guests per day than attractions in the other parks. If you have to take your Disney vacation in the summer, is one time less crowded than another? Because most families take a couple weeks to get into their summer routine after school lets out, and another week or two to prepare for returning to school, late May, early June, and the last two weeks of August are the least crowded. The school year in Florida starts a week or more earlier than in most of the rest of the country. Consequently, comparatively few locals visit the theme parks on weekdays. Do hotels outside Walt Disney World provide free transportation service to the parks? Many do, but the shuttles don't run as often as those serving Disney hotels. What's more, non-Disney shuttles usually do not have the ability to increase carrying capacity during the busiest hours in the morning and at park closing. Though some shuttles serve only one hotel, others provide service to several hotels making for a long and potentially crowded commute. What is Downtown Disney? Located on the north side of WDW, Downtown Disney is a shopping, recreational, dining, and entertainment complex arrayed around Lake Buena Vista. Divided into three contiguous areas: Disney Marketplace, Hyperion Wharf (formerly the Pleasure Island nightclub complex), and the West Side. While the Marketplace is Disney World’s shopping Shangri-La, the West side offers a 24-screen AMC movie theater and is home to Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba. Also on the West Side is DisneyQuest, a sophisticated electronic games arcade frequently referred to as “a theme park in a box.” Hyperion Wharf is a venue in the making that may become Hyperbole Wharf, Wishful Wharf, or any of a dozen other things as Disney laboriously ponders its options. What is the best Disney World restaurant for a quiet romantic meal? Our experience and that of our readers indicate that quiet romantic meals are few and far between at WDW. Children are the rule rather than the exception at WDW's better restaurants, and readers attest to the presence of kids at all hours of the evening. Often, the later the hour, the crankier the children. Pressed to offer a suggestion, however, I would recommend Citricos at the Grand Floridian Hotel and Spa. The food is excellent and the subdued atmosphere tends to attract fewer families than other Disney dining venues. What's available for adults in the way of nightlife at Walt Disney World? With the former nightspots at Pleasure Island shuttered, what remains is an Irish Pub and the House Of Blues, both offering live music at Downtown Disney. Overt at Disney's Boardwalk there’s a dueling piano bar and a dance club. At the Swan Resort, there's Kimonos, a Japanese sushi and tempura restaurant that hosts karaoke after 9 p.m. Rounding out the roster at the Coronado Springs Resort is Rix Lounge, a Vegas-ultra lounge clone that seems to come to life only when there’s a big convention at the hotel. What's the best time of year to go to Walt Disney World? If your children are pre-school age go in the off-season, preferably in November before Thanksgiving or in early to mid-December before Christmas. The crowds are comparatively light, the weather is usually warm and sunny, and the theme parks sparkle in their Christmas regalia. If you have school age kids your best bets for avoiding huge crowds are early June as soon as school is out or late August just before classes resume. How old should a child be to go Walt Disney World? Just about any age can be rewarding as long as you're practical and realistic. Children three years and younger will respond to the color and festivity and you’ll bring home some really sweet pictures of the kids on Dumbo, but they won't remember a lot about their experience. And our research has documented that kids up to age 7 or 8 cite swimming in the hotel pool as their favorite thing on a Walt Disney World vacation. If your objective is to spend most of your time in the theme parks wait until your children at least a mature seven or eight. What are some considerations concerning selecting a hotel? Selecting a hotel can be tricky with over 220 hotels in the area to choose from. Perks like extra hours in the theme parks, free parking, and use of the Disney transportation system come with staying in a Disney hotel, but comfortable, clean hotels outside the World can be had for a fraction of the price. Kayak.com, a travel search engine will tell you which Internet travel seller has the best price for any hotel you are interested in. After finding the best Internet rate, call the hotel itself (not the national reservation number) to ask about specials. About 25% of the time the hotel will beat the best Internet rate available. Inquire about the age of the hotel and when the guestrooms were last refurbished. Also consider a vacation home rental. These offer exceptional room and amenities at a fraction of what comparable quality in a hotel room would cost. Finally, because Walt Disney World is so large, be aware that some hotels and vacation homes outside of the World are actually closer to the theme parks than several on-site Disney resorts. How can you save money on food and dining? Disney World restaurants are typically expensive so economizing on meals is much easier if you stay and eat outside Walt Disney World. Free coupon books abound outside of Walt Disney World and can save a considerable sum. Whether you lodge in or out of the World it's a good idea, not to mention a time saver, to buy a cheap cooler and breakfast staples so that you can have breakfast in your hotel room. What type of admission is best? Depends. Disney theme park admissions start with a Base Ticket or “Starter Pass.” Features such as visiting more than one park in a day (park hopping), a no expiration option, and the inclusion of minor theme parks and attractions admission can be added to the Base Ticket on an a' la carte basis at additional cost. The objective is to purchase exactly what you need, no more, no less. The Website TouringPlans.com has a nifty free program that will tell you, after answering a few basic questions about your itinerary, what the best admission option is for you. What's the best way to avoid the long lines? For starters, try to visit during a slower time of year. Secondly, arrive before the park opens, admission in hand. Third, have a plan. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World offers scientifically derived, field-tested touring plans for each of the theme parks that can save you 4 1/2 hours of standing in line on a day of average to high attendance! The research behind the touring plans has been the subject of features in the New York Times, the Dallas Morning News, and in numerous academic journals. What are your five most important tips for having a successful Disney vacation? 1. Prepare physically. You’ll walk as much as 8-12 miles in a day. Start your family on a walking regimen months in advance to build endurance. 2. Don't overload your agenda. Less is more at Walt Disney World. Better to devour Disney World a bite at a time with plenty of rest and relaxation in between. 3. Resign yourself to not being able to see everything in one visit. 4. Have a plan but don't over plan. It’s about having fun, not sticking rigidly to an itinerary. Allow for spontaneity. 5. Anticipate surprises both good and bad. Stay loose, roll with the punches, and maintain a good sense of humor.

The finest guidebook ever written for Kaua'i. Now you can plan your best vacation--ever. This all new eighth edition is a candid, humorous guide to everything there is to see and do on the island. Best-selling author and longtime Hawai'i resident, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so lush and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Explore with him as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to dine, relaxing resorts, exciting waterfalls, colorful canyons and so much more. Every restaurant, activity provider, business and resort is reviewed personally and anonymously. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes Kaua'i so exciting.• The most up-to-date and accurate information available anyplace with up-to-the-minute changes posted to our website• Frank, brutally honest reviews of restaurants, hotels and activities show you which companies really are the best…and which to avoid--no advertisements• Driving tours let you structure your trip your way, point out sights not to be missed along the way and are complemented by over 100 spectacular color photographs• 15 specially-created maps in an easy-to-follow format with mile markers--so you'll always know where you are on the island• Clear, concise directions to those hard-to-find places such as deserted beaches, tropical jungles, hidden waterfalls, rugged scenic coastlines, water-filled lava pools and scores of other hidden gems listed nowhere else • Exclusive chapter on Kaua'i's beaches with detailed descriptions including ocean safety • Unique Adventures chapter and over 60 pages of exciting activities from ATVs to ziplines• Fascinating sections on Hawai'i's history, culture, language and legends• Companion website with links to every business, events calendar, over 70 resort reviews complete with aerial photos--so you'll know if oceanfront really means oceanfront "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" covers it all--from the mile-high summit of Mt. Wai'ale'ale, to the sparkling underwater reefs. This is the best investment you can make for your Kaua'i visit. Whether you are a first time visitor, or a longtime kama'aina, you will find out more about Kaua'i from this book than from any other source. Discover the island of your dreams with "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook."

The finest guidebook ever written for the Big Island and the only one written by writers who anonymously review the island. They visit every beach, restaurant, activity and trail on the island. The result is this comprehensive, humorous and easy-to-read full color guide that will lead you to more adventures than any other book. A must for travelers.

Children are perhaps Walt Disney World’s biggest fans. On playgrounds and in classrooms, there’s always excited talk about who went to Walt Disney World and what they did each day—or minute. It has become almost a rite of passage to visit America’s most popular travel destination, and kids can be wonderful sources of information. Every area and attraction of Walt Disney World is covered, with kids’ honest reactions and impressions included. There is a whole chapter devoted to each of the theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Another chapter describes the rest of Walt Disney World, including Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Fort Wilderness, Downtown Disney, and dining spots with kid appeal. The book is updated annually, and the 2012 edition features new insights and tips from young Birnbaum readers—our esteemed junior Disney Experts. The book contains kid-focused descriptions of what's what at Walt Disney World, including theme parks, water parks, resorts, and sports; tips on how to find healthy meals and sweet treats—not to mention veggie burgers, caramel apples, and pizza. The younger set will also love "Magical Memories"—a scrapbook chapter devoted to preserving Disney memories that includes special pages meant for Disney characters to autograph. Now kids can help plan the family vacation!

Your Best Vacation EverEven the most hardcore power mom will like this best-selling travel guide. It's written by a former Walt Disney World concierge supervisor who's also the mom of a teenage girl. Packed with candid reviews and thorough descriptions of every ride, show, restaurant and resort, The Complete Walt Disney World 2012 features the most in-depth information ever published about the world's No. 1 vacation destination. Paging through the book is just plain fun, as 535 color photos reveal details you just can't find anywhere else. More frank than Disney's own guides but less snarky than other independent books, the guide is loaded with straightforward insight and helpful information. Though Disney itself has honored the book (naming it an Outstanding Family Product in its iParenting Awards), the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the guide is 'refreshing in its honest opinions.'Walt Disney World Your WayCreate Park Days Your Family Will Treasure.Comprehensive attraction pages make deciding what to do at Disney easier than ever. Going beyond mere ranks and ratings, reviews also give you insight into a ride or show's appeal, such as its architecture, history, music, storytelling or attention to detail. Helpful specs include hourly wait times, fear factors and weather issues. Once you're at an attraction, useful tips and lists of 'secret' Fun Finds help your family enjoy the experience to the fullest.Plan Meals With Confidence. Thoughtful restaurant reviews cover everything from burger joints to gourmet bistros to unique character meals. Quick-read summaries let you scan restaurants by rating, cuisine, price or hours of operation. A Policies section uncovers hard-to-find facts on children's meals, special diets and Disney's new rules about canceling reservations.Helpful Tips Make You a Disney Expert. Spread through the book, hundreds of specific tips reveal such things as how to save time with Disney's Fastpass system, how to save money with the Disney Dining Plan, even the best spots to watch parades, shows and fireworks.Detailed Hotel Reviews Save You Time. Seriously thorough hotel descriptions let you compare every aspect of every major place to stay, including swimming pool features and other family-focused amenities. Reviews cover each property's Highs and Lows, room decor and both rack and discount rates. Forget the hassle of researching hotels online; everything you need is right at your fingertips.Cheer For Your Child. Is your boy or girl playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex? Learn how to view coverage of their events and get the scoop on spectator seating, dining and other amenities.Disney News You Can Use. Only The Complete Walt Disney World includes all 662 Disney changes for 2012 every new attraction, activity, hotel, restaurant, shop and price increase. (Turkey legs are now more than $9. Ouch!) Readers get insider advice on new rides starring The Little Mermaid and Snow White's Seven Dwarfs, as well as revamped attractions based on Dumbo, Goofy and the Star Wars universe.Photos Take You There. Over 500 colorful images give you a clear sense of every ride, show and parade and exhibit, and reveal the quality of hotel grounds, lobbies, rooms and swimming pools. Parents will enjoy looking at The Complete Walt Disney World 2012 with their children, as the abundance of photos makes it easy for little ones to decide 'Let's do that!'Instantly Find What You Need. Color-coded chapters and a 1,000-item index let you find any topic quickly. A Walt Disney World A-Z chapter offers a wealth of data on airports, rental cars, park tickets and the like. An appendix holds a Character Guide, a new What Things Cost section that makes it easy to plan expenses, and telephone and Internet directories.

Streetwise Manhattan Map - Laminated City Street Map of Manhattan, New York - Folding pocket size NYC travel map with integrated subway lines&stations - bus mapThis map covers the following areas:Main Manhattan Map 1:27,000Manhattan Bus MapSome people think Manhattan and New York City are synonymous, but technically they are not. Manhattan is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City. The others are Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. It’s a persnickety detail, but detail is what STREETWISE® is about. For example, the architectural details drawn on the Manhattan New York map are in outline form. A solid drawing would obscure the streets surrounding the location, and therefore hamper the usability of the map. Only in unobstructed locations will you find a solid drawing.You may not notice this or any of the many other details that combine to make a NY city map that has been called the best selling map on earth*. The STREETWISE® Manhattan Map is detailed from lower tip to upper tip. It is layered with information about sites and mass transit routes. The New York City Subway system is one of the most important and vital rail networks in the world. It is also the fastest and cheapest way to travel north-south in New York. Our Manhattan street map has the best designed diagram of the Subway system ever produced on a street map. An inset of Manhattan bus routes complements the Subway system. You are now prepared to travel the length and breadth of Manhattan. From shopping in SOHO, dining in the Village, working in Midtown, visiting the Met on the Upper East Side or strolling thru Central Park, you’re covered with the STREETWISE® Manhattan Map of NYC. From the Staten Island Ferry up to the rediscovered realm of Harlem, you can navigate like a native New Yorker with this pocket size Manhattan Map.Good city maps, like the STREETWISE® map of Manhattan, will guide you in the right direction and directly impact your experience of New York. A good Manhattan map will also keep you grounded, relaxed and confident in your decisions about where to go and how to get there. Whether by car, train, bus or on foot you are confident because you carry the most knowledgeable travel companion when you carry our NYC street map, the best laminated Manhattan Map on the market.Our pocket size map of Manhattan is laminated for durability and accordion folding for effortless use. The STREETWISE® Manhattan map is one of many detailed and easy-to-read city street maps designed and published by STREETWISE®. Buy your STREETWISE® Manhattan map today and you too can navigate Manhattan, New York like a native. For a larger selection of our detailed travel maps simply type STREETWISE MAPS into the Amazon search bar.* Publishers Weekly January 2004

Full-color throughoutFree full-color, foldout mapCompletely updated every yearInsider advice on avoiding the crowds as you make your way from the Bronx (up) to the Battery (down)Where to find the best bagels, burgers, and pizza, as well as the hottest new eateries, and classic dining experiencesInsightful commentary on New York City's "greatest hits" from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Statue of Liberty, to hidden gems like The Grolier Club and Louis Armstrong HouseOpinionated reviews. No bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our expert authors are all passionate New Yorkers: they tell it like it is in a colorful and helpful way.Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity--no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people.User-friendly features including star ratings and special icons to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and overrated experiences.

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.