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 DARK SIDE OF DISNEY reveals all of the tips, tricks, scams, and stories that THEY don't want you to know about! Unabashedly unafraid of offending the family-oriented audiences catered to by other Disney travel guides, author Leonard Kinsey gives intrepid travelers access to the seamy, raunchy, and often hilarious underbelly of Walt Disney World. From cautionary tales of scoring illegal tickets, to thrilling accounts of exploring off-limits areas, to chronicles of drug-induced debauchery, this completely unauthorized guidebook will change the way you think about vacationing at "The Happiest Place on Earth". "Pack the trunks and leave the kids at Grandma's because THE DARK SIDE is about to make your next Disney vacation the best one ever!" -Chris Mitchell, author of CAST MEMBER CONFIDENTIAL

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.

Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World, the most respected and well-known name in travel guides, takes readers to the world’s most popular tourist attraction. Since ours is the only guidebook that’s official, this book includes the most accurate information on prices, changes, and new attractions for 2012. Highlights include complete coverage of Walt Disney World's newest resort-in-the-making: The Art of Animation; expanded information about the ever-popular Disney Vacation Club, including details on Aulani, a deluxe Disney resort and spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii; and an insider look at Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy—a luxury ocean liner based out of Barcelona, Spain. Fans of Fantasyland will be thrilled to hear that is it now the center of the greatest growth-spurt in Magic Kingdom history! We'll deliver all the info on this happy expansion—including a description of new attraction featuring The Little Mermaid. Also, come here for the scoop on Star Tours II--an immersive 3-D journey into the beloved Star Wars realm.As always, Birnbaum will provide strategic sample itineraries; an insider's look at the newest attractions, stage shows, and restaurants; and tips for travelers of every age! And with more money-saving coupons than ever before, this guide is a must-have for every Disney World guest!

Comments and tips on Walt Disney World from surveys of more than 10,000 familiesAdvice on how to prepare mentally, physically, and logistically for your ideal Walt Disney World vacationInformation on which attractions frighten kids and whyWhen to go, where to stay, and how to beat the crowdsField tested touring plans that can save you up to four hours of waiting in line.How to keep your family happy on vacation and how to return home rested and relaxed

Packed with opinionated advice on visiting top sights, such as Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum, Bruges' 14th-century belfry, and La Grand Place in Brussels, this new edition offers a healthy dose of back door intimacy with visits to local markets, community theatres, and family-run chocolate shops. It provides a broad array of dining and lodging options, from cheery cafeterias and backpackers' dorms to trendy cafes and elegant B&Bs. It also recommends self-guided walking tours that mix the famous and not-so-famous and includes practicalities, such as when to go, planning your time, estimated costs, red tape and taxes, and banking hours. Rick Steves guide feature the most current information available in any European guidebook, based on research conducted during the summer before publication. He shows travellers how to delve into European culture, make friends with the locals, and experience each region's natural wonders-economically and hassle free. Inspiring yet practical, Rick Steves' guidebooks are perfect for anyone hoping to make the most of their limited holiday time.

Sure, it's the Happiest Place on Earth, but how much do the 45 million-plus people who visit the Disney World theme parks annually really know about it? From where to find all the hidden Mickeys to the truth behind Madame Leota's ring at the Haunted Mansion, learn all about the hidden magic that permeates these fabulous resorts in this tell-all handbook. Readers also get the insider's take on: The smell of home-baked cookies on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom The Fountain of World Friendship in Epcot that contains water from rivers and oceans around the globe Walt Disney's opening day speech tapped out in Morse Code in Frontierland The eco-friendly benches (recycled milk jugs) in the Animal Kingdom Two versions of The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios Complete with secret tips from Disney's Imagineers, this book is the perfect in-park companion for Disney World fans.

Sarah Vowell exposes the glorious conundrums of American history and culture with wit, probity, and an irreverent sense of humor. With Assassination Vacation, she takes us on a road trip like no other -- a journey to the pit stops of American political murder and through the myriad ways they have been used for fun and profit, for political and cultural advantage. From Buffalo to Alaska, Washington to the Dry Tortugas, Vowell visits locations immortalized and influenced by the spilling of politically important blood, reporting as she goes with her trademark blend of wisecracking humor, remarkable honesty, and thought-provoking criticism. We learn about the jinx that was Robert Todd Lincoln (present at the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley) and witness the politicking that went into the making of the Lincoln Memorial. The resulting narrative is much more than an entertaining and informative travelogue -- it is the disturbing and fascinating story of how American death has been manipulated by popular culture, including literature, architecture, sculpture, and -- the author's favorite -- historical tourism. Though the themes of loss and violence are explored and we make detours to see how the Republican Party became the Republican Party, there are all kinds of lighter diversions along the way into the lives of the three presidents and their assassins, including mummies, show tunes, mean-spirited totem poles, and a nineteenth-century biblical sex cult.

Your Ticket to a Magical Family Vacation!Inside this new edition is all the information you need to have the family vacation of a lifetime at the Orlando theme parks. Up-to-date and written with the help of more than 500 families, this guide is packed with details on all the attractions at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld. It's user-friendly, fun, and designed for at-a-glance reference. And it will help you and your family plan the vacation each of you wants.Inside you'll find:• Time- and money-saving tips, insider’s secrets, and scare factors for every ride and venue• Clear, easy-to-read maps• Full restaurant and hotel descriptions, with star ratings• Quick Guides, Don’t Miss Lists, and favorite attractions by age group• Updates on Disney’s Fastpass system and Universal’s Express system• Know-how for Disney cruises

With nearly 13 million visitors, the original Disneyland Park still ranks as one of America's Top 25 Visited Sites according to Forbes Traveler.Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure continue a 1 billion dollar expansion with new attractions based on the successful Pixar films- new attractions already added to the park include Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Toy Story Mania, World of Color, and coming soon Goofy's Sky School and The Little Mermaid- Ariel's Undersea Adventure scheduled to debut in Spring 2011.In 2012, Disney's California Adventure is scheduled to continue with a 12 acre expansion adding a new land to the park based on the Pixar animated film, Cars.