Reviews (4)

A Must for any Newbie to Disney World
If you've never been to Disney World (or if you haven't been for a long time), this book is a must.As a first-timer, I am so very grateful that I bought it.Reading it prepared me for my trip like nothing else I did prior to leaving.The other books on Disney World vacations are of varying usefulness, but this one should be required reading for all first-timers. (By the way, in terms of the other guide books, I like both Passporter and the EZ-Guide for their maps and fun attitude, but found Birnbaum's Official Guide to be both lacking in substance and filled with too much detail about some attractions, which could have potentially ruined my experience had I kept reading that dastardly book).
FINALLY, Testa makes the cover!
I'm another loyal UG reader--every trip, every year (whether we go or not that year).I agree with a previous reviewer's comments that the book is peppered with author comments--for me, that's the beauty.If you are looking for the pure sunny version of "what's at WDW" this may not be the book for you.Consider Birnbaum's or the PassPorter.
Lots of new content for the new edition!!
I've bought this guidebook for the past 4 trips I have taken to WDW.This book is the BEST guide out anywhere for WDW.This issue has some new content which I was very pleased with.I especially like the new map of vacation house resort locations in/around Disney. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Special Interest - Family    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Florida    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (7)

Simply The Best
If you are going to Disney with your kids, this is, hands down, the best guide out there.

my kids (and grandkids) like action
My kids & I used to make a yearly pilgrimmage to WDW in Orlando and now my gradnkids want to do the same. So off I go again. But I wouldn't leave the house (or the car) unles I had Wiley's great guide book in my bag. Everything we need to know is there and the yearly updates make this an imperative take-along travel choice.
Excellent Guide
This is one of the best travel guides that I have used! I took my kids to Disney and this book helped me avoid the long lines (that we all know about!), know where to eat and helped me find a good hotel where my kids could be kids. This is a must if you plan on going to Disney! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family recreation    2. Florida    3. Guidebooks    4. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    5. Orlando Region    6. Orlando Region (Fla.)    7. Parks & Campgrounds    8. Special Interest - Family    9. Travel    10. Travel - United States    11. Travel Guides - U.S.    12. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    13. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    14. Walt Disney World (Fla.)    15. Travel & holiday guides    16. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (1)

Will Stoke a Child's Enthusiasm!
When my husband and I were considering going to WDW for our anniversary, we happened to visit a Disney store in a mall. The manager gushed about WDW (doesn't everybody, really?) and showed us the Birnbaum's 2006 guide for kids. I thought we'd buy it, just to get an idea of what was in the parks and such. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Travel - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    4. Special Interest - Family    5. Travel    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Travel    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. USA   

Reviews (21)

OK, but not complete
This book is a lot of fun, but I question some of the hidden Mickeys in the book. Some aren't exactly hidden (the Mickey's in MouseGear at EPCOT, for example) but merely decorations. Other are very questionable and really aren't hidden Mickeys at all (by this I mean, just because there are three circles together doesn't mean they are a Mickey. A true Mickey has one large circle with two smaller circle ears). Other Mickeys are just over looked. For a free list of the Mickeys, you can also just checkout SpaceCoast Hidden Mickeys on the web. Overall, it's a fun book, but don't buy it if you are looking for a real list of the Mickeys.

can't wait to get searching
I really like this book because it is set up that it will be very easy to use on a vacation to the disney parks. I wish that there was a disneyland version of this book

Family Fun
If you have been to Disney a ton of times, This is the book for you. If it's your first time I think you'll enjoy it as well, BUT for you returners get ready to see the park in a hole new light.Whether you're with the kids or just a bunch of fun loving adults you got to try this. The book is set up like a scavenger hunt (for hidden Mickeys) and will give you excellent hints on where to look (with out giving away the exact location) and at the same time show you the best way to see each park. As a 34 year veteran I know my way around and this is just the way I do the parks (for the most part)shortest lines and most attractions covered. The book includes a scoring system witch is great for deciding who is picking up the bill for the next meal. But how ever you do it, it is lots of fun. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Transportation    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - General    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Transportation / General   

Reviews (1)

Here's a great book about some not well known great places.
Although you could probably find books on the Four corners, the Gulf Coast, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Chesapeake Bay, the Great Basin, the Ozarks, and the badlands/prairies of the Upper Midwest, it would take you a very long time, and a lot of money to find books covering these regions as well as they are covered in this single book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. North America    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States    7. United States - General    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / General    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. Description    2. Disneyland (Calif.)    3. Guide-books    4. Guidebooks    5. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. Travel Guides - U.S.    9. United States - Pacific - California    10. United States - West - Pacific (General)    11. Florida    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - Western    3. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Europe    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / General   

Reviews (23)

I actually give this book 10 stars...**********
This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone planning a trip to Walt Disney World.It is jam-packed full of all the important information you need to plan your trip.The book has an extensive list of all the WDW resorts including maps of the resort, ratings, cost, a blueprint of the room layout, and a million other little details.The book also has a wonderful list of all the WDW restaurants; including those in the parks and at each resort.The restaurant guide is extremely comprehenisve and helpful when making any advanced dinner reservations.Of course there is also a TON of information on each of the four parks; including comprehensive, easy to read and helpful maps, touring guides, time tables, etc.You name it - this book has it.
WDW Novices Rejoice!
As a novice in the realm of WDW visitors, I have been planning a trip to visit WDW for Halloween.I found this book to be a terrific guide.This edition of the book is spiral bound and has fold-out maps of each of the 4 parks and a review of each ride.Also invaluable are the guides to the restaurants (sit-down as well as counter service) as well as tips to help you get through the trip without killing your traveling companion out of frustration.The book is well written and lovingly researched by Disney vacationers.The spiral binding makes it easier to open and the packing list is invaluable.Anyone who wants to visit the Kingdom of the Mouse, this book will be quite helpful in getting the most enjoyment out of your travel budget.

An excellent guide book
I recently added this to my collection of Disney Guidebooks and find it extremely helpful. The actual trip planning tools are great, especially the maps and daily planning sheets and pockets. Pair it up with the Unoffical Guide and you've got everything you need to plan a succesful trip. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    5. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    6. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (10)

A must for any Disneyphile!
A wonderful small book and a worthy sequel to the Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom.Whatever you want to know about Epcot, its history and attractions, is covered here.A perfect companion to any trip to Walt Disney World.

very awesome addition to a collection
I loved this book and was glad to pass it on to other family members as a well to psych them up about our upcoming trip to florida. I always love the book editions that are affiliated with the disney company.

Very interesting
This book was great! It explains the reasoning behind why and how all the current attractions were constructed. I would have liked to see a little more on the past and the potential for future attractions, but it was good. They spent a considerable amount of time on world showcase and not as much on future world.Also, forced perspective is one of the strong topics - they must explain it 5 times.Regardless of the disappointments, it was overall an interesting look into the concepts of what went into Epcot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Parks    3. Pictorials    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    8. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (77)

A Delightful Journey
The reader will travel with the author throughout the Middle East, following the steps of the patriarchs through the beginnings of the conquest by Joshua, in source of a connection with history and ultimately a divine spark. This author is very easy to read and provides colorful descriptions of his surroundings that allow the reader to be there. Throughout the book is an undercurrent of "Why can't we just all get along!"
A Wonderful Guide to the Lands of the Bible for People of all Faiths
I've been a fan of Bruce Feiler's writing after watching him on C-Span's Book TV talk about his first book about Abraham. This must have been about four or five years ago now. I went out to purchase ABRAHAM and discovered a treasure. Feiler brings many gifts and talents to writing, particularly religious writing. First of all he writes about issues regarding faith from the point of view of one who practices his faith. Like many of his readers, his journey to faith has not been a straight path which seems to give him a good perspective on the questions people are asking. He also has a fluid writing style and is able to weave personal memoir, always interesting and at times moving stories, geography, history, and theology together to create a great read.
Succeeds despite itself...
Walking the Bible is not among the better travel writing I've read primarily because it focuses more on the author than the locations he visited.Feiler did get around:from Turkey to Egypt, from the Negev to the Sinai, from Jerusalem to Jordan, but he minimizes the narrative elements one typically associates with good travel writing for a seemingly endless array of personal epiphanies. Despite it's subtitle, Walking the Bible is more a journey by catharsis through Bruce Feiler's mind than a journey by land through the five books of Moses.Thus, beyond his ubiquitous food metaphors, a descriptive presence is often found wanting.
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Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Bible    3. Bible - Study - Old Testament    4. Bible.    5. Description and travel    6. Feiler, Bruce S    7. Feiler, Bruce S.    8. Geography    9. Middle East    10. Middle East - General    11. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    12. O.T.    13. Pentateuch    14. Religion    15. Travel    16. Travel - General    17. Journeys    18. Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology    19. Essays & Travelogues    20. Judaism - History   

Reviews (17)

American Casino Guide -- Yes
It's a win win book.Use just a coupon or two and you've paid for the book. There is much good information in there too.Can't afford not to have one.

Las Vegas bound
If you are going to Las Vegas, you get your money back and then some with the coupons in the back of the book.It helps if you are renting a car or driving, as many of the 2 for 1 offers are outside of the strip area. I have used this book for 3 years and told others about it - everyone likes it.

american casino guide 2006
Great book, helped me alot in vegas and saved me money. Great buy ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gambling - General    2. Games    3. Games/Puzzles    4. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - General   

Subjects:  1. Battlefields    2. Campaigns    3. Europe - General    4. Guidebooks    5. History    6. Military    7. Military - World War I    8. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Western Front    11. World War, 1914-1918    12. Battles & campaigns    13. Europe    14. European history: First World War    15. First World War, 1914-1918    16. History / Military / World War I    17. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (8)

Explore New York
Great guide to quirky shops, less well-known sports and odd bitss of history.A joy to read and to guide your explorations.

A Treasure and A Perfect Gift
City Secrets New York City is not only an amazing guide to the lesser known sites and sounds of New York but it is the perfect gift for those traveling to the great city. Ifind thestrolls through the neighborhoods helpful and amusing.The commentary offered by the contributors is inciteful and offers an education to the great city rarely found in other travel guides. YUK!
I'd get my money back on this one, if I could.As a first-time traveler to NYC, I found this book absolutely less than worthless.It's probably better-suited to use by people who are experienced NY visitors, and are looking for new and different things to do, but even then I can't see how it would be worth spending the money for the hardcover.We made an honest try to use it, but found it essentially no help at all, and it spent the entirety of our trip sitting in a pile on the hotel dresser. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amusements    2. Art, American    3. Guidebooks    4. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    5. New York    6. New York (State)    7. Travel    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    10. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    11. United States - Northeast - New England (General)    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)    14. Travel / United States / Northeast / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)   

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. Travel Guides - U.S.    5. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    6. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)    8. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (113)

History is fun!
A look at the history of U.S. presidential assassinations.Part history, part comic commentary, Ms. Vowell extensively documents her visits to sites (official or not) associated with these events.The history of the assassinations alone is interesting and details are often overlooked (or not looked at at all - e.g., Garfield, McKinley) when these events are presented / captured in popular forums.It is a quick read that will shed light on and insight into these assassinations that you never considered before.

I will buy this book from you if you don't like it
I read this book aloud to 5 pre- and teenagers on a grueling road trip down south over Easter. Not only did it hold their attention the entire time it was an incredible coincidence to pass an important site in the book at the EXACT time we were reading about the capture of John Wilkes Boothe. Because of the author's exacting description we were able to arrive at the exact site she describes in such detail and VOILA, nearly living history. (Of course, being uncouth Northerners we allowed our dog to pee on the shrine in question and one child left eggs from his Easter basket on the marker).This book compelled me to read three or four more books about Lincoln, Booth and assorted others Vowell writes about. She captures history in such a remarkably approachable manner, I've since bought copies for every history teacher in our school district. Every American should read this book and even if you think you know about our first assassinations, you will learn something, and laugh while learning it. Spectacular.

Move over Bill Bryson, there's stiff competition
Assassination Vacation is one of the best books I've read this Summer. Ms Vowell should take up teaching American history. Her brilliant and expert knowledge of her subjects (normally written about in stententious and serious tones given the subject matter) is quite impressive. But, it is the wit and humor and unusual angle of expression and personal observations that is the most captivating. I was amazed to learn so much more about the Lincoln assassination and conspirators (despite more than 35 years of reading and research on the subject) and view it from a different and less reverent angle. But even more, I was entranced by the Garfield and McKinley coverage - which added huge amounts of information to my very limited knowledge of either of these presidents or their assassins and the events surrounding them. Garfield came off so much better than I ever knew - which was very little. And his hilarious "disappointed office seeker" far more ambitious (Ambassador to France?) and political (Stalwart for Grant) than I ever knew. Don't know how one can make an account of assassinations hilariously funny? Read this book - and don't assume that it isn't historically accurate, because it is. This one is a real keeper and I am thinking of buying it on tape - just so I can listen to it while stuck in traffic, so that fellow travellers can see someone who is having fun while in the midst of DC rush hours.Have fun with this book and share it with everyone you know who loves history and has a good sense of humor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assassination    2. Biography    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. History    5. History: American    6. Homes and haunts    7. Islam - Shi'ism    8. Murder - General    9. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    10. Presidents    11. Special Interest - General    12. Travel - General    13. United States    14. United States - State & Local - General    15. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Reviews (2)

Top 10 Guide
The guide is a good compliment to Eyewitness: Italy, more so than the individual book on Florence.

LOVE IT! Perfect size - essential information to take with you on a trip.
Buongiorno!
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. Reference - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel / Europe / Italy   

Reviews (1)

An absolute MUST for your Disney World Trip!
This book is very detailed and gives you information on everything in Disney World and the surrounding theme parks (including a very detailed map!). From the prices and what to expect at the restaurants to very detailed descriptions of the rides including age recommendations.
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Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. Travel Guides - U.S.    5. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    6. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    7. Florida    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (5)

Great Travel Companion...
For those of you interested in the praticality of this as a travel companion, trust me, it works.The maps are not enough alone to find buildings in their respective cities but between knowing their general locations and addresses you can easily navigate your way to find them.I carried this book in my pocket around Europe and can say first hand that it was the best travel guide I had.A must for any Architect or student planning on traveling.

So Many Buildings In Such A Little Book
When the original Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture was released in My 2004, several reviews were more enticed with the size of the tome in contrast to its contents. Frankly, I was put off by the price tag (albeit well deserved).
Excellent resource for an Excellent Price
I think this is a book EVERY architect student should posses as a reference. It contains a large selection of references from all over the world. In comparison to the large version, which is rather costly for a student, this version contains brief descriptions and its a good size. I just wish there was a version on DISK!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. International Architecture - General    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. Reference - General    4. Special Interest - Adventure    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. 21st century    8. Architecture    9. Architecture / General    10. Reference works   

Reviews (14)

BIG BIG BIG BIG fan of the movies :)
I love Disney world and I love love The Pirates Of The Carribbean! Great if you like both!

Fascinating read for Disneyland fans
I really enjoed the first chapter on how the concept translated into the final product of a ride. Amazing how these things come together. The second chapter comparing the ride throughs between the four parks I found a bit frustrating - hard to really picture it unless you're there (for me). I was more interested in the ride portion than the movie chapter myself. Worth the buy (though I bought it used).

Fabulous read
I greatly enjoyed this book. It gives a comprehensive history of the attraction at all the Disney parks, starting, of course, with Disneyland. From the early idea of a walk-through wax museum to the full-blown attraction we know today, the book gives an interesting historical look at the process of Imagineering and how it came about for this particular attraction. The info on the development of the first movie is the icing on the cake. (Note that this book pre-dates the "Dead Man's Chest" movie and the 2006 updates to the attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, so it does not discuss those things.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Aspects    2. Children's Books/All Ages    3. Film & Video - Direction & Production    4. Film & Video - General    5. General    6. Motion Picture Directing And Producing    7. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    8. Pirates of the Caribbean (Amusement ride)    9. Pirates of the Caribbean, the curse of the black pearl    10. Puppetry And Marionettes    11. Puppets & Puppetry    12. Travel    13. Travel - United States    14. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    15. Films, cinema    16. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure    17. Popular culture   

Reviews (3)

Truth in Labeling
This pocket size guide really does make a trip tp Paris easy. The details by Arrondissement(district/neighborhoods)are very useful. The restaurant/Bistro tips were uniformly solid. The walks were easy to navigate and enriched strolling through Paris.The most useful guide to Paris I have seen.
THE guide to pack
I picked up Paris Made Easy just before a return trip to the City of Light, and I wish I'd had it the first time around! The title says it all: the content of this book, the way it's organized, and even its size made it the one guide I used day in and day out.
The best sights and walks of Paris!
I am the author of Paris Made Easy. This handy pocket guide to the best sights and walks of Paris is all you need to make your visit fun, memorable, and easy. Inside, you'll find short opinionated descriptions of both well-known and off-the-beaten-path sights; detailed walking tours with street-by-street directions, nearby day trips - even a travel-planning section to help arrange your trip to the most fabulous city in the world!
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Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Travel / Europe / France