Unlike planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World, nothing about Walt Disney World with Kids: 1999 is overwhelming. It's clearly written and laid out on easy-to-read noncluttered pages. Kid-travel expert Kim Wright Wiley makes planning a Disney trip sound like fun. She's done her homework, interviewing more than 300 families and using their feedback to add lots of real-life experiences to her reviews of rides, restaurants, and hotels. This book takes a step-by-step approach to planning, including the best times to visit, suggested lengths of stay, the pros and cons of staying on site, and things to discuss with your kids before you leave home. It also includes a chapter on how to choose the hotel that's best for your family, and another on touring plans and tips. The rest of the book is devoted to each park attraction. Helpful "ride reviews" not only describe the rides, usual wait times, and give tips, but rate each with a "scare factor" so you can gauge if your child is up to the thrill. For example, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride includes "one dark segment where Mr. Toad--briefly--goes to hell. Fine for most kids over 4."
In addition to coverage of Disney World and its latest attractions (Animal Kingdom and the Disney Cruise Line), the guide covers EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios, Universal Studios Florida, and Sea World. --Kathryn True
Price: $16.95
Entering its 20th edition, Fodor’s Walt Disney World® with Kids delivers the definitive but always-easy-to-access advice of former Disney Magazine contributing editor Kim Wright Wiley, who has logged more than 50 visits to the parks both as a keen-eyed journalist and as a parent. Every family needs her tips and insider knowledge to make the most of a trip to Walt Disney World.