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Providing a sensible, objective, consumer's guide to travel, these easy-to-use travel handbooks provide useful evaluations of local hotels, attractions and restaurants in all price ranges; honest advice on local attractions that are worth the time and money; detailed maps; tips on special events and festivals; and extensive information on local shopping, sports, nightlife and other activities. Original.
List of contents
Acknowledgments x
Introduction 1
How Come "Unofficial"? 1
Declaration of Independence 1
Your Unofficial Walt Disney World Toolbox 1
The Music of Life 2
Your Personal Trainers 3
About This Guide 5
The Sum of All Fears 6
Letters and Comments from Readers 7
Reader Surveys 7
A Quick Tour of a Big World 12
The Major Theme Parks 12
The Water Theme Parks 14
Other Walt Disney World Venues 14
DisneySpeak Pocket Translator 18
PART ONE Basic Considerations 19
Is Walt Disney World for You? 19
Different Folks, Different Strokes 19
The Nature of the Beast 20
Know Thyself and Nothing to Excess 20
The Age Thing 21
About Inviting Your Children's Friends 26
A Few Words for Single Parents 28"He Who Hesitates Is Launched!" Tips and Warnings for Grandparents 29
Order and Discipline on the Road 31
Six More Tips 34
PART TWO Getting Your Act Together 37
Gathering Information 37
PassPorter's Guide 39
Walt Disney World on the Web 39
Going High-tech with Liliane 41
Important Walt Disney World Phone Numbers 43
Allocating Time 43
When to Go to Walt Disney World 44
Holidays and Special Events at Walt Disney World 48
High-low, High-low, It's Off to Disney We Go 56
Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation Budget 57
Walt Disney World Admission Options 57
Help Is on the Way! 59
Magic Your Way 60
Base-Ticket Add-On Options 60
A Cloud Is Just a Cloud 62
Big Brother Is Watching 63
How to Get the Most from Magic Your Way 64
Gotcha! 64
Where to Purchase Magic Your Way Tickets 64
How Much Does It Cost Per Day? 65
Babysitting 66
Special Programs for Children 68
Birthdays and Special Occasions 70
PART THREE Where to Stay 72
Some Basic Considerations 73
Cost 73
Location and Transportation Options 75
Commuting to and from the Theme Parks 76
Dining 78
The Size of Your Group 79
Staying in or out of the World: Weighing the Pros and Cons 79
Walt Disney World Lodging 81
Benefits of Staying in Walt Disney World 81
Walt Disney World Hotels: Strengths and Weaknesses for Families 87
Magic Kingdom Resorts 88
Epcot Resorts 93
Bonnet Creek/Downtown Disney Area Resorts 95
Animal Kingdom Resorts 100
HOTEL INFORMATION CHART 102-104
Independent Hotels of the Downtown Disney Resort Area 106
How to Get Discounts on Lodging at Walt Disney World 107
Lodging Outside Walt Disney World 110
Good Neighbor Hotels 110
Selecting and Booking a Hotel Outside Walt Disney World 111
The Best Hotels for Families Outside Walt Disney World 113
Getting a Good Deal on a Room Outside Walt Disney World 122
Condominiums and Vacation Homes 124
How to Childproof a Hotel Room 127
PART FOUR Dining 129
Eating Outside Walt Disney World 129
Buffets and Meal Deals Outside Walt Disney World 130
WHERE TO EAT OUTSIDE WALT DISNEY WORLD 132-133
Dining in Walt Disney World 134
Disney Dining 101 135
Advance Reservations: What's in a Name? 136
Getting an Advance Reservation at Popular Restaurants 136
Getting Your Act Together 141
Dress 143
Smoking 143
Food Allergies and Special Requests 143
A Few Caveats 144
Walt Disney World Restaurant Categories 144
WALT DISNEY WORLD BUFFETS AND FAMILY-STYLE RESTAURANTS 145
Hard Choices 146
THE TOP 10 SNACKS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 148-149
Fast Food in the Theme Parks 149
Disney Dining Suggestions 153
Readers' Comments About Walt Disney World Dining 155
Counter-service Restaurant Mini-profiles 156
Disney's Full-service Restaurants: A Quick Romp Around the World 165
Magic Your Way Dining Plan 168
Number Crunching 176
Throw Me a Line! 177
Purchasing Room-only Plus Passes Versus a Package 177
Character Dining 178
Walt Disney World Restaurants: Rated and Ranked 178
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS BY CUISINE 179-181
PART FIVE Disney Boot Camp: Basic Training for World-bound Families 182
The Brutal Truth about Family Vacations 182
Mental and Emotional Preparation 183
Division of Labor 183
Togetherness 183
Lighten Up 184
Something for Everyone 184
Whose Idea Was This, Anyway? 184
Disney, Kids
