Wondering about the best Disney guidebooks? Read my reviews below and learn where to get a great discount on them, too! In addition, I've scouted out some excellent deals on "behind the scenes" books, classic Disney art books, Disney magazines and lots more.

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The Best Walt Disney World Guidebooks

		The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 - 30% off! Of all the guidebooks, the Unofficial Guide is the the most thorough. Editors Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa pull no punches in telling you the best way to organize your trip and avoid hassles and rip-offs. The "touring plans" in this book are excellent and can be a huge timesaver, particularly if you're visiting Walt Disney World during a busy time of year. The book covers all the basics in depth -- descriptions and reviews of all the Walt Disney World attractions, the hotels, the restaurants and more. There is also some excellent information on the two Universal theme parks and SeaWorld. The tone of the Unofficial Guide is humorously cynical. Some people think it's too hard on Disney: I find it funny and usually right on the mark. This terrific book includes articles by experts about things like how to decide whether to buy a vacation package. Many of the write-ups about the attractions provide fun and interesting background information. Also, there are lots of maps and charts, including an amazing chart that tells you what the crowd levels will be for any specific day of the year, and which of the parks will be best and worst to visit on that particular day! Wow. (And this information is kept updated year-round at TouringPlans.com -- if you own the current edition of the book you can access the crowd calendar updates for free.) If you haven't bought a guidebook for your upcoming trip to Disney World, get this one. I know you'll be astonished at the amount you'll learn. The Unofficial Guide offers frequent online updates that you can print out and add to your guidebook.

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2009 - 30% off! This is the official guide, produced with Disney's blessing. Yet surprisingly enough, it's a pretty honest and objective book with a lot of great information, and it's nicely compact (much thinner than the other guidebooks, though the pages are larger). Since this is a Disney guidebook, it does not cover other Florida theme parks and attractions, unlike competing guides.

PassPorter Walt Disney World is a Disney fan favorite, and justly so. I'm especially impressed with the way this guidebook manages to cover everything important, and yet remain concise. Plus, the useful pockets in the back of the guidebook -- to hold your plane tickets, passes, hotel confirmation and other important documents -- make the PassPorter different from any other guide. The PassPorter offers frequent online updates that you can print out and add to your guidebook.

Specialty Walt Disney World Guidebooks

PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line - 30% off! This book, which in its first edition was titled PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs, was written by Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma from the excellent resource web site AllEarsNet.com. It's exceptionally useful for many people planning a vacation at Disney World and/or on the Disney Cruise Line, including some who don't think of themselves as having "special needs." Among the issues it covers are hearing and visual impairments, mobility problems, ADHD, autism, dietary issues such as allergies and vegetarianism, many medical conditions from diabetes to epilepsy, pregnancy/breast-feeding, size (tall/big) and age (infants and seniors). The new edition is considerably expanded and covers an astonishing varity of situations, offering useful advice for each. One of the best parts of the book is a set of charts for each attraction, which is very helpful for those wondering if they can safely or comfortably ride.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids - 25% off! Co-authored by Liliane Opsomer and Bob Sehlinger (who is the longtime editor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World), this book is based on survey of more than 12,000 families who answered in-depth questions about their Disney vacations. The book is full of excellent information about how families can prepare for a thoroughly enjoyable Walt Disney World vacation, including detailed information on which attractions are scary for kids and why. As with all of the Unoffical Guide books, this one has excellent information about avoiding crowds and minimizing wait times.

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids 2009 - 20% off! If you have children old enough to enjoy their own Walt Disney World guidebook, this book would make a good gift and help them prepare for the trip. It's pretty much the same material covered in the regular Birnbaum guide, but designed and written on a level that kids can enjoy.

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids 2009 - 20% off! If you're planning a honeymoon or other romantic vacation, this one is worth a look. The regular Birnbaum guide covers most of the same material, but this book goes into slightly more detail about the nightlife and "romance factor" of the various resorts, etc.

Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, 2nd Edition - Offers reviews of over 300 restaurants, hotels and markets. Unfortunately, the most recent edition was released in October 2003, so some material may be outdated. Available for 20% off!

Parents' Survival Guide to I-75 is a very useful book for any family planning to drive along I-75 (the major north-south highway that runs from Michigan through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia to Central Florida). It includes extensive notes on family-oriented places to stop along the highway, ranging from playgrounds to zoos and museums, and includes information on every rest stop and over 90 fast-food restaurants with play areas. There's even an appendix of car travel games.

Disneyland Guidebooks

The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009 - 30% off! The best overall guide to Disneyland. Includes information about how to save money as well as excellent strategies for maximizing your enjoyment and avoiding long lines. There is thorough information about both Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure theme park, plus coverage of Universal Studios Hollywood.

Birnbaum's Disneyland 2009 - 30% off! This is the Official Guide, produced with Disney's blessing. Naturally it tends to glorify Disney a bit, but it provides plenty of useful, in-depth information about the two parks and the three Disney hotels. Since this is a Disney guidebook, it does not cover other Southern California theme parks and attractions, unlike competing guides.

PassPorter Disneyland Resort - 30% off! The authors of a fan-favorite Walt Disney World guidebook PassPorter Walt Disney World) have now turned their attention to the Disneyland and other Southern California attractions. They bring a unique perspective and of course the clever "organizer pockets" that allow you to stow your paperwork right in the guidebook. Released in May 2006.

Disney Cruise Line Guidebooks

PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call 2008 - 30% off - The sixth edition of this excellent guide by Jennifer and Dave Marx, the authors of the best-selling PassPorter Walt Disney World, covers Disney cruises in splendid detail. Jennifer and Dave tell you everything you need and want to know, from embarkation to debarkation. They provide helpful pre-planning information including how to decide when to cruise and how to pick a stateroom -- there are even detailed deck and stateroom plans. And once you've booked your cruise, the book provides a wealth of detail about what to expect and how to maximize your enjoyment. It explains how Disney's unusual "dining rotation" scheme works, gives excellent information about the ports and shares important tips and tricks. Even if you don't currently have a Disney cruise planned, this is great armchair reading. It certainly took me back to happy thoughts of my last Disney cruise, and made me want to plan the next one! The 2009 edition can be preordered now at a discount.

Birnbaum's Disney Cruise Line 2009 - 20% off! This official guide to the Disney Cruise Line is a very small (almost pocket-sized) volume that offers basic information about the 3-night, 4-night and 7-night Caribbean cruises. The reviews of the various shore excursions are useful and surprisingly critical. Considering that this is an "official" Disney publication, I was surprised to find the authors stating that some of the excursions are not worth the money or not very enjoyable. That's good to know! This book is nowhere near as in-depth as PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line, but unfortunately the PassPorter guide is currently out of print. This book does have some worthwhile information and it's inexpensive, so if you're hungry for info, it's worth taking a look.

Disneyland Paris Guidebooks

There are no guidebooks in English devoted to Disneyland Paris, and most general guidebooks for Paris or France devote only a paragraph or two (if that) to the theme parks. Be sure to read the information available here on this site, which should be about the most up-to-date you'll find in English, and it's FREE.

Tokyo Disney Resort Guidebooks

The bad news: there aren't any guidebooks for Tokyo Disney Resort in English. Most general Tokyo or Japan guidebooks have only a paragraph or two about Tokyo Disney Resort.

The good news: I have extensive information about Tokyo Disney Resort here on this site, based on two visits and extensive research. As far as I know, MouseSavers.com has the best information available in English about Tokyo Disney Resort, and it's FREE! Click here to read it.

Behind the Scenes at Disney

Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park - This NEW book by former Imagineers Bruce Gordon and Jeff Kurtti explores the relationships between Walt Disney and the visionary Imagineers who created the Disney theme parks. It delves into their rivalries, creative breakthroughs and more. It is now available for pre-order at 30% off and is due to be released about August 26, 2008.

The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World - This book is like visiting Magic Kingdom with an Imagineer leading your tour! It's a modestly priced, pocket-sized volume that provides lots of "behind-the-scenes" details.

The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World - Second in the Imagineering Field Guide series, this book is chockful of fun details about the theming and planning of Epcot. Lots of fun for the Disney fan who wants to know how things work!

The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World - Third in the Imagineering Field Guide series, this guide provides fascinating Imagineering insights into Disney's Animal Kingdom Park.

The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World - You can now pre-order the fourth title in the Imagineering Field Guide series, which covers the Imagineering background of Disney's Hollywood Studios. The book is due out in April 2009.

The Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland - A new entry in the Imagineering Field Guide series, this guide promises to provide fascinating information about the creation of Disney's first theme park. It's available for pre-order and expected to be released in November 2008.

Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show - The author of this book is John Hench, who remained an active Imagineer (Senior Vice President of Imagineering) until his death in 2004 at age 95. Mr. Hench designed attractions for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Toyko Disneyland, and was a true expert on the subject of how Disneyland, in particular, was created. If you are fascinated by Disney's attractions, architecture and designs, you won't want to miss this fantastic book. It's over 30% off through the link above!

The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies - If you're a Haunted Mansion fan, you will love this book! It's jam-packed with information about how the attraction was developed and how things work. It includes great drawings and photographs of the various versions of the Haunted Mansion, too. Plus, you can get great savings off the cover price!

Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies - Jason Surrell, Disney Imagineer and author of The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, returns with another fascinating backstage look at how an E-Ticket Disneyland attraction was developed and how it eventually became a popular movie (soon to be a movie trilogy). I was fortunate enough to hear Jason Surrell lecture on this subject and he has really done his research -- plus, he's a very entertaining storyteller. Plus, you can get great savings off the cover price!

Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real - I love this book! I paid full price for it at Disney World. This is the official Disney book about "how it all happens," and is written by Imagineers. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and there is some really fascinating material, including descriptions and drawings of attractions that were never built, explanations of how some of the attractions changed during the design process, and insider information about how the magic is created. The price is extremely reasonable for such a beautifully designed, full-color "coffee table" book. Now save over 30%!

Disneyland Hotel: The Early Years 1954-1988 - Full of fascinating history for those who grew up going to Disneyland "back in the day" -- or anyone interested in learning more about that time! During the period covered by this book, the hotel was operated by the Wrather family under a licensing agreement with Disney. (Jack Wrather was a personal friend of Walt Disney.) Very interesting stuff in this book, including many photos of early brochures. The book is available through major retailers like Amazon, but if you order it directly from the author (use link above) it costs the same, you get FREE shipping and he will autograph it for you!

Disney Art & Animation Books

The Disney Treasures - Expensive, but worth every penny to a Disney aficionado! Not only does this book cover the history of the Walt Disney Company from its founding until Walt Disney's death, it reproduces dozens of intriguing items, such as letters written by Walt Disney and tickets for Disneyland's opening day. Many of these items can be pulled out and examined! Save over 35% and get FREE shipping through the link above.

The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms - If you want the single most comprehensive book on Disney art and animation, with some fascinating biographical information about Walt Disney and the Disney Company thrown in, this is the book for you! Includes many beautiful color photos, drawings and illustrations. Get great savings through the link above.

Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation - If you are interested in the history of Disney animation, this oversized, wonderfully illustrated book is a must-have. The animators Walt Disney called his "nine old men" were all fascinating characters and their relationships with each other are intriguing, too. You can get it here for over 30% off plus FREE shipping!

Bargain Disney Books

The books below are offered by BookCloseouts.com -- I've ordered many books from them and they have some amazing bargains. Since the books are closeouts, they may have a mark along the page edges... or not. Most of the books I've bought from this site were in excellent condition, but avoid the "scratch and dent" books, which can be in terrible condition. Such books are clearly designated.

Listed below are a few especially nice books at great discounts. To find hundreds more bargain Disney books on BookCloseouts.com, be sure to search using the word DISNEY under both title and publisher.

DisneyWar - Fascinating, well-researched look into the rise and fall of Michael Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and the effects his leadership had on the corporation. Some of the allegations in this book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author James B. Stewart are quite shocking. A must-read for anyone who has ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Disney. Save 78% through the link above!

Disney on Broadway is a behind-the-scenes look at Disney's three Broadway productions: Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aida. Lavishly illustrated with costume and set designs. Marked down 76%!

Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney collects the anecdotes and reminiscences of dozens of friends and family members who were close to Walt Disney. Funny, moving and fascinating. Lavishly illustrated with vintage photos. Foreward by science fiction master Ray Bradbury. A great deal at 63% off!

Magazines

Celebrations - If you're mourning the loss of E-Ticket and Disney Magazine, this new magazine might help you fill the void. Discover the magic of the Disney theme parks & resorts, relive the classic films, and celebrate the secrets, stories and history of the most magical place on Earth.

Tales from the Laughing Place - This professionally designed, oversized "coffee table" magazine focuses on Disney theme parks worldwide. The extensive photography included in each issue is stunning. Disney fans will find Tales from the Laughing Place tremendously enjoyable. 4 issues a year.

FamilyFun Magazine - A Disney publication that is full of great craft, cooking, party, travel and vacation ideas. I don't even have kids, and I LOVE this magazine! 10 issues a year.

Disney's Princess magazine - All princesses, all the time! Stories, activities, projects and posters for girls 4 and up. 6 issues a year.

Disney and Me magazine - Pooh-themed magazine with stories, drawing, matching, counting, coloring and fun educational games for kids 2-6 years old. 6 issues a year.

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