Walt Disney World & Orlando For Dummies

Like the original Dummies books, this book has a light hearted and down-to-earth style with the occasional cartoon scattered amongst the 400 pages.

Format: Paperback
Page: 408 pages
Publisher: For Dummies (Wiley), 9th edition
Date: January 14, 2009
ISBN: 0470382244
Size: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.0 inches

Laura Lea Miller has written a number of books about Central Florida and in particular Walt Disney World including Walt Disney World & Orlando For Dummies, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando with Kids, Frommer's Florida from $70 a Day, Frommer's Florida 2007 as well as running a web site for families visiting Central Florida.

If you like the Dummies style and are looking for a book that covers all of Orlando's theme parks, then Walt Disney World & Orlando For Dummies is a good choice. About one quarter of the book is devoted to all things Disney and another quarter covers the other parks and attractions in the Orlando area.

This revised edition was published on November 19, 2007 and generally the book is re-published every year.

There are details on managing your money, cutting costs without cutting the fun and "Best of the Best" icons are used to highlight all the best attractions, rides, restaurants and hotels.

The rest of the book addresses familiar 'first time in Florida' topics such as history, the weather, seasons, monthly events calendar, best time to go, shopping, eating, money and what to do if you lose your wallet or credit cards.

There is also information on getting to Orlando by air, rail or driving plus getting around the Orlando area by all means of transport including rental car, using Disney's own transportation system, taxi, shuttle, trolley, motorcycle, bus and even on foot.

The chapters on the parks cover topics such as choosing the best ticket options, finding your way around, beating the lines, maps and detailed descriptions of each attraction, ride and show.

There are also interesting comparisons of parks so if money is tight or you don't have the time, this book can help you decide which parks to visit and which ones to skip.

One nice touch are details of cheap and lesser known alternatives to the main parks including the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, the Central Florida Zoo, Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Eatonville and the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, Lake Eola Park, Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards, the Peabody Ducks and Winter Park scenic boat tour.

There are two chapters dedicated to the best hotels in Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and the surrounding areas with an index by neighbourhood or price and the restaurants by neighbourhood, cuisine or price.

If you are looking for an alternative that covers all of the Orlando area, then you might like to consider:

Note that most guide books are re-published annually so you can often pick up a bargain if you don't mind last year's edition.