*What Information Is Left-Out of Most Guidebooks?

[DisneyaHolic23]

I have been to Disney World many times. I still buy every guidebook and pour through it when I am preparing for a trip. I seldom find new information, but it still gets me hyped for my next trip.
If you could create a "wish-list" of information included in a perfect guidebook, what would you include?

My first thought is information relating to all the special events at Disney World - I've been three times at Christmas, yet most guidebooks generally allot about half a page to that most magical time of year. I'd love a long wish-list of guidebook "must-haves" - maybe Birmbaums will read our list and respond!!

 

[Tiggery]

Lol I go every year and still buy the guides.
What id like to see is a guide book for veteran visitors, a book that would focus on more about what else you can do at disney or includes tips hints and lesser known attractions. I agree with your point on special events Id like to see something mentioned on MNSSHP , MVMCP , star wars weekends, mardi gras etc

 

[Talking Hands]

I'd like to see a guide book that addresses accessibility for varying levels of disability.

 

[mickeysaver]

Well, it's not in a book, but it should be. Check out the links below. Mickey

http://www.wdwig.com/ridsiz.htm Guidelines for Fluffy Folks @ WDW
http://www.wdwig.com/rr.htm WDW Ride Restrictions
http://www.wdwig.com/asl.htm ASL Info
http://www.wdwig.com/listen.htm Assistive Listening Devices
http://www.wdwig.com/reflect.htm Reflective Captioning
http://www.wdwig.com/visual.htm Visually Impaired
http://www.wdwig.com/mobility.htm Mobility Issues
http://www.wdwig.com/ecv_faq.htm Wheelchair/Scooter/Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) FAQ
http://www.wdwig.com/wchair.htm Touring WDW in a Wheelchair/Scooter - Part I
http://www.wdwig.com/wchair1.htm WDW from a Wheelchair/Scooter Perspective - Part II
http://www.wdwig.com/special.htm Special Dietary Needs
http://www.wdwig.com/vegcsparks.htm Vegetarian/Vegan Counter Service Meals in the Parks
http://www.wdwig.com/vegtsparks.htm Vegetarian/Vegan Table Service Meals in the Parks
http://www.wdwig.com/guestceliac.htm Gluten Free Guests Experiences
http://www.wdwig.com/guestfood.htm Food Allergies WDW Guest Experiences
http://www.wdwig.com/guestkosher.htm Keeping Kosher at WDW
http://www.wdwig.com/rev_lowcarb.htm Low-Carb Dining
http://www.wdwig.com/dis_aut.htm Autistic Child @ WDW
http://www.wdwig.com/guestother.htm Other Special Diets at WDW

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since most of the books go to the publisher about a year before they are on the bookshelves, they sometimes don't contain the right information. It would be nice if they could always be current.

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

I wonder how long a book goes to press before it is released. Sometimes it seems like the information in the book is more than a year old!! I remember noting that with Early Entry - books contained information about EE when it had not been available for over a year!! (Of course, maybe they knew something we didn't, since it is now back!! )

 

[TDC Nala]

How to handle Disney transportation!

Although that would be a book in itself.

 

[Chuck S]

Don't overplan, be FLEXIBLE. About 5 years ago, we took some first timers as our guests to OKW. She had EVERYTHING planned, what attractions, in which park, in which order, on which day, regardless of weather. She even had restroom breaks planned. The first time I saw her list, I laughed. After the second day, she threw them away.

OK, I'm not talking about making PSs for "must do" meals or shows - but really, restroom breaks?

 

[Talking Hands]

Mickeysaver,
I am well aware of the information on accessibility on Deb Wills site. In fact I wrote some of it. Unfortunately many don't have access to the web or know where to find the information and it is never in the guide books so they haven't a clue.
I often will be coming into one of the parks and see a family signing. When speaking to them, I find they have no idea what accommadations are available for them. So I share the information I have. The Deaf Community learns a lot of their information by word of hand.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Ditto Rileygirl. $20 bucks is definetely worth it when you're spending $$$$ in Disney.

We were in Disney the week of Christmas and by using the suggestions, guidance and insights from TourguideMike, we were able to be in right spots thereby avoiding the crowds or as we generally say avoiding "the wrong place at the wrong time". I am using his advice again for our upcoming tip of 10 (less than 5 weeks away).

 

[Rileygirl]

Hi

just wondering, my previous post on this site has been deleted, and not by me. I was wondering if maybe a moderator took it off because they did not like it? If anybody read it and knows why it might have been deleted, could you tell me why? I am new to this forum, and have just starting posting things, so maybe I am not suppose to talk about other websites? but I have seen lots talked about in other threads, so I am not sure.
thank you
rileygirl

 

[AmyA]

Originally posted by Rileygirl
Hi

just wondering, my previous post on this site has been deleted, and not by me. I was wondering if maybe a moderator took it off because they did not like it? If anybody read it and knows why it might have been deleted, could you tell me why? I am new to this forum, and have just starting posting things, so maybe I am not suppose to talk about other websites? but I have seen lots talked about in other threads, so I am not sure.
thank you
rileygirl

Hi rileygirl,
I didn't see your previous post so I have no idea why it's been deleted. You could PM one of the mods of the forum and maybe they can give you an explanation???

 

[mom_rules]

I'd also like to see some information on the
"packages". I got it all from the various
sites but I'd love to have it spelled out in one of
the 15 books I've bought in the last year lol.

 

[Plan Man]

Great question - truly unique.

I would like to see a book on just the resorts. What to see, where to go, what is nearby, what is the pool like, how many games in the arcade room, etc. I mean - 5-10 pages on each resort. Someone could do a small pamphlet on Fort Wilderness alone.

I would also like more specific detail about crowds and wait times. Actual wait times at different times of the year would be great. I know that there are "averages" in the books but I want some of the actual data. Crowd size is such a frequent question on these boards - a book could break it down almost by week using holidays as a reference point.

A seperate restaurant book would also be nice.

One last little book. I wold like a good condensed pocket book with rides, wait times, and restaurant info to use in the parks. I never want to carry the big book but I would like some of the info. I usually carry a little notebook and some book pages.

All of this info is on the web but I would buy the books???

 

[DisneyaHolic23]

I love the idea of separate restaurant and resort books. I can never get enough information about the resorts. It would be cool if the restaurant guide was a part of another book that could be removed and taken to the parks. That would make it more convenient for me, I think.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Plan Man
Great question - truly unique.
I would also like more specific detail about crowds and wait times. Actual wait times at different times of the year would be great. I know that there are "averages" in the books but I want some of the actual data. Crowd size is such a frequent question on these boards - a book could break it down almost by week using holidays as a reference point.

I know this question is asked frequently, but doesn't it stand to reason that such a publication would almost immediately render itself obsolete? If we were to learn, for example, that historically the lowest crowds of the year are the third week of September, doesn't it stand to reason that attendance could then jump 10-20% that week? I'm sure that MANY people intentionally plan their trips around the peak attendance, and I think it stands to reason that as soon as specific weeks are identified as slow periods, attendance would immediately jump due to the additional visitors trying to hit those slow periods.

And that's not even taking into account events like cheerleading competitions, spring training games, business conferences and Disney Promotional offers which may impact the attendance on specific days / weeks.

I'm sure that if such a resource were ever available, I would be as interested as the next person. But as time progressed, it would be little more than a source of reader frustration. It wouldn't be long before claims started flying of "ruined" vacations due to higher than expected attendance levels.

Just my $.02.

 

[Madi100]

I LOVE the idea of the resort book.