Official Guide to Walt Disney World

UPDATED!  Links have all been updated to direct you to the 2019 Official Disney Guide.

A Must Have Book for Disney World Vacationers

This book has information about just about everything that you could want to know ton plan a trip to Walt Disney World.  It even has details about things that you might not even have thought of yet.  Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2019 is The Official Guide.  With over 350 pages, in my mind this book is a must have for folks visiting Walt Disney World for the first time and even for seasoned guests.

An assortment of knowledge has been collected in this book that can help you figure out:

• average weather
• when to go
• tips for getting there
• booking rooms
• what to pack
• resources for road trippers
• budgeting
• sample schedules
• how to use Fast Pass+
• rainy day suggestions
• and we could go on

With all of those topics, we have not even gotten through the first section of the book yet!  How many sections are there?  Ten.  Actually, there are ten sections and a coupon section that includes over $400  of coupons.  That alone makes this book worth having, right?

Transportation and Accomodations

What would the official guide to Walt Disney World be without these main components?  Where will you stay, and how will you get to the parks?  Unless you are local, those are two of the most important details that you need to figure out before arriving in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, right?

Would you like tips for getting oriented with the area?  Do you know how to use the buses and monorail?  If you are flying into town and would like to rent a car, did you know that you can speak with the concierge right at your Walt Disney World resort about renting one?

Do you know which resort is right for you?  Which theme would suit you or your group the best?  Turn of the 20th century Atlantic City, South Pacific, America’s national parks, Nantucket, American pop culture, Tropical islands, and classic Disney animation are only some of the resort themes on Disney property.  Do you know what it means when your room has a certain view?

Suggestions for the best places to eat and drink at the different resorts are included, and information about different amenities and shopping at the resorts is in the same section.  There is a map of the Good Neighbor hotels in the Disney Springs area.  These are not Disney resorts, yet Disney considers the Good Neighbor Hotels and offers certain perks for staying at them, like Disney transportation buses.

Side note:  When we stayed at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in January, we even got to enjoy Mickey waffles from the breakfast buffet!

All of the Parks

The next four sections of this guide to Walt Disney World focus on each of the four parks.  Each of the four sections focuses on giving lots of information about various topics in each park.

• Getting Oriented
• Park Primer
• Attractions
• Shopping
• Entertainment
• Hot Tips
• Future World at Epcot
• World Showcase at Epcot

For some added fun, there is a Where in the World? page for each park.  If you do not know where any of the places pictured are, then you can look at the answer page and use the pictures as suggestions for places to see when you visit that Disney Park.

Everything Else in the World

Did you know that Walt Disney World encompasses about forty square miles and that the theme parks only take up a portion of that?  Do you know about all of the places and attractions and activities around Walt Disney World?  This section of the book is your go to guide for lots more.

• Disney Springs
• BoardWalk
• Water Parks
• Daredevil Disney (What is that?)
• Fort Wilderness
• WDW Spas
• Just for Kids
• Specialty Cruises
• Tours and Programs

If you are looking for adventure beyond the parks, you can find boating, fishing, ballooning, surfing, bike rentals, parasailing, carriage rides, wake boarding, archery, swimming, horse trail rides, motor boating, and even a black smith shop to visit.  So much fun, right?!

Would you like to treat yourself to time at a spa, there are details about the different spas on Disney property.  There is even a list of tips for your spa experience.

There are ideas just for kids in this official guide to Walt Disney World.  In addition, there is also a second book FOR kids.  What interesting things do you think you could find in that book?

Maybe Sports are Your Thing

If you know much about Walt Disney World, there is a good chance that you know about ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  Maybe you have been there for a martial arts or cheerleading competition.  Perhaps you have attended a competition or sat in the bleachers for a baseball game or any other numerous possibilities.  This 220 acre facility certainly does have a lot of reasons for you to visit.

When it comes to sports, though, participating in and spectating competitive sports are not your only options at Walt Disney World.  Play a round on one of the courses, or play a round of miniature golf if that is more your speed.  Schedule a match at one of the multiple tennis courts that are free for resort guests.  Enjoy some scenery while getting some exercise on a pedal boat.  Go running during the cooler hours or swimming in a pool.  Play basketball or volleyball.  Go for a walk if you want some more restful exercise.

Hungry?

If there is one thing for which Walt Disney World is known, it is food.  Oh, yes.  The choices are many.  The styles and themes are varied.  There are meals and snacks for different budgets from casual to fine dining and from American to Asian to Italian and so much more.  This section of the book shares where you can get the best pizza, the best seafood, the best steak, and a list of other bests.  What restaurants are where?  Which restaurants serve what foods?  Grab this book for yourself to see answers to detailed information, tips, and suggestions for dining.

• In the Theme Parks
• At Disney Springs
• In the WDW Resorts
• Character Dining
• Reservations Explained
• Dinner Shows
• Bars & Lounges of WDW

Do you know what times are the best times to dine and what times are the mealtime rush hours?  Did you know that, when you are celebrating, you can plan ahead to have a custom made, personalized cake delivered to your table at just about any table service restaurant?  Are you aware that you do not have to always eat at the parks because some favorite restaurants are at the resorts?  This section of the official guide to Walt Disney World alone is sixty-five pages long, so you can only imagine how thorough the book is.

Won’t You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise?

Imagine a cruise vacation designed to entertain and accommodate both children and adults.  From shows to activities to dining and Disney activities, could the Disney Cruise Line be a new getaway idea for your family?  Did you know that Disney even has its own tropical island?  You can even send letters and postcards from the private island.

Birnbaum’s official guide to Walt Disney World includes helpful details for how to book a cruise, choosing a stateroom, and what to pack.  There are even tips focused on people traveling with babies, travelers without children, what to do in the case of medical issues, business services, and so on.  There is even advice for disembarking.

Family entertainment, character meals, children’s activities, teen activities, shopping, movies, bingo, water fun, etc., etc., etc.  I mean, I cannot tell you everything, right?

Wrap It Up!

There is not a way to fully describe what fills the hundreds of pages of Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2018.  Are you planning a Disney vacation?  Are you dreaming of a Disney vacation?  Maybe you just want to learn more and fantasize about some day.  This book is affordable, thorough, and is almost certain to bring smiles and surprises.  Do you have your own copy?  Oh!  Did I mention the over $400 worth of coupons in that back of this book?  Yes, you read that correctly!

I was so impressed with this official guide to Walt Disney World when I received it as a gift from DisFanChat that I decided to share it with you.  I hope that you enjoyed what you have read so far, and I hope that you are thrilled with the book if you decide to get your own.  Happy Disney dreaming!