Grumpy's Hollow

Grumptastic Reviews: The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Guide

2010-09-29T18:48:00.003-05:00

A couple weeks ago, I got an e-mail asking if I'd be interested in reviewing the 2011 edition of Steve Barrett's latest book, The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation.

After a short wait for the postal service to do their job, I was really excited when I went to the mailbox and found the brown envelope containing the book I was asked to read and review. I quickly tore it open and snapped a picture of the cover with my iPhone in order to send it to my friend and Disney book aficionado, George Taylor, to show him that I was actually going to read a Disney-related book.

I must admit that I'm not that big of a reader due to the fact that my Asperger's causes me to have ADHD-type tendencies. In order for me to increase my odds of staying focused on a task, it must be engaging. It takes a very colorful and detailed writer to enable me to get sucked in and stay engaged long enough to enjoy the words they put to paper.

It didn't take long for me to realize that I wasn't going to have an issue with reading this book. Steve's writing style is very informal, engaging and most importantly for me, descriptive. But, be alert, he does like to throw the occasional $10 word in the mix.

The book takes you along in an almost linear approach to how a family typically plans a vacation:

When to go
Where to stay
How to get there
How to get around once there
The plan once there

This is not a very thick book, comprising only 262 pages including the index). I need to commend Steve for his ability to be descriptive and entertaining while being thrifty with the words.

Steve has a chapter devoted to each of the parks, Downtown Disney and the Water parks. Within each of these chapters he provides a good high level overview of the park, it's theme and a few things it's "known for". In addition to the quick tour of the parks he does point out where to look for a few Hidden Mickeys.

After the "tour" he launches into what I'd consider the meat & potatoes of the book….the touring plans. He provides several different plans focused at different groups: Adults with Teens, Families with Small kids and then older park guests. Each of these plans are further enhanced with a plan for when there is Early Magic Hours (when the park opens an hour early for resort guests) and when there isn't Early Magic Hours. He also has one and two day touring plans for each of these.

What I found great about the touring plans was that they read like a GPS navigation system. He literally provides you turn-by-turn directions that includes such fabulous tips as to where to "duck in" to avoid bottlenecks and how to get to where he's taking you quicker.

He really seems to have all the bases covered. Even though all the touring plans are geared toward the "rope drop" guest, he does provide a starting point for those who like to get a little more shut eye.

The thing that I found really enjoyable about the book was Steve's levity. An example that has stuck in my head is from the section where he talks about not wasting a day of your Magic your Way Tickets on the first day and to do something instead. Well, he rattles off a list of excellent things to do and one of the things you could do he provided was to "get married". I got a great chuckle out of that.

Steve has also included 8 pages of 20 color photographs that challenge our knowledge of Disney World. Each photo is of a place around the parks and we are to name where the photo is taken. Even as many times as I have "Wandered the World", I still found the pictures challenging and I must admit I didn't know where all of the pictures were taken. But, I wasn't left dangling for the answers. The answers are provided in the back of the book.

It may not be readily known, but Steve Barrett is a doctor and he frequently provides tips regarding things like blister prevention, dehydration, sunburn protection, etc. So, I recommend that you pay particular attention to all the tips that revolve around medical or first aid since that is an area he's an even greater knowledge expert than Disney related topics.

I really feel this book is a great addition to your trip planning arsenal. If you want a book that is easy to read, very concisely and descriptively describes the Walt Disney World travel experience and provokes easy to follow trip reports, then this book is definitely for you.

For those of you that like to jump on a deal, there is a special advance offer: http://www.intrepidtraveler.com/wdwadvance. It’s available at just $9.95, including shipping.

I would be remiss if I didn't include a reminder that Steve Barrett's Hidden Mickey Field Guides are also a must haves that make it way to your book shelf and travel bag to the parks.

The Claw

2010-08-29T12:18:00.001-05:00

Found at Target

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Princess Tiana debuts at The Disney Store

2009-11-01T16:22:00.001-06:00

Was at our local Disney Store and spotted the Princess Tiana merchandise

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Found at my local grocery store

2009-10-10T16:50:00.001-05:00

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Getting Kai's Gotcha Gift

2009-09-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

Grumptastic Video: Tim Devine meets Wes Palm

2009-09-19T22:25:00.001-05:00

I finally have a way to process high definition video and I have a lot of it on my camera taken since June 2008. I found this one and thought it would make a great inaugural video post. Pay attention to what Wes says to Tim Devine about his camera. [Editor’s Note: I don’t think Tim knows I shot this video of him because he saw us right after I shot this]

Tim Devine meets Wes Palm

Technorati Tags: Tim Devine,The Magic in Pixels,Disney's Animal Kingdom,Wes Palm

Enchanted Rose loves me

2009-09-18T10:29:00.001-05:00

The closest I'll get

2009-09-08T18:55:00.000-05:00

This is the closest I'll get to celebrating my birthday at a Disney
Theme Park

Rays birthday dinner

2009-09-08T18:06:00.000-05:00

Well it's not Blue Bayou but it will do. (notice the button I made him
wear)

My first Birthday Present

2009-09-06T13:42:00.000-05:00

Trace from The Disney Dudes and Lisa from Those Darn Cats got me this
fabulous Scrooge McDuck collectible for my birthday

Our Dog has a Really Long Tail

2009-07-28T13:08:00.000-05:00

Enchanted Rose was sewing the binding on the quilt for Kai (not the 100 wishes quilt but the one she started before that) and I saw this when I walked into the living room. It made me laugh and I had to snap this shot with my iPhone. Coco has this thing for fabric and must be touching it if it’s on the floor.

D23: Free Members-Only Gift with Issue 3

2009-07-27T16:19:00.001-05:00

Technorati Tags: Disney Twenty-Three, Disneyana

Boom Goes the Dynamite (aka The fates must really have a sense of humor)

2009-07-16T13:51:00.001-05:00

Technorati Tags: Pregnancy

I don't think Kai would ever get to play with this

2009-07-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

Doing a little research at Toys R Us. I haven't really spent much time
in here since I was a kid

I saw this stylized Mr Potato Head. I doubt it would ever come out of
the packaging and into Kai's room if we bought it

Kai's First Backpack and Lunchbox

2009-07-05T13:08:00.000-05:00

Found this at the Disney Store, had some money on our Disney Visa
Reward card and decided to get it.

This will be used by him when we go to get him from China

Waiting to get in

2009-06-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

Hanging out in Critter Country

2009-06-23T14:32:00.000-05:00

Golden Horseshoe

2009-06-23T13:35:00.000-05:00

Waiting for breakfast at La Brea Bakery at Downtown Disney

2009-06-23T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's crowded for fireworks

2009-06-22T23:01:00.001-05:00

I'm standing near partner's statue looking toward Main Street Station

Decisions, Decisions

2009-06-22T20:25:00.000-05:00

Toy Story Mania

2009-06-22T18:40:00.001-05:00

The back breaking Matterhorn

2009-06-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

Gadget's coaster

2009-06-22T14:01:00.001-05:00

Grumpy don't do teacups

2009-06-22T13:23:00.000-05:00