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11th out of 116 books
—
30 voters
The Dark Side of Disney
by
Leonard Kinsey (Goodreads Author)
The anarchist cookbook of Disney travel guides. Utterly unauthorized tips, tricks, & scams for your WDW vacation!"--Cover.
ebook, 0 pages
Published
July 30th 2011
by Leonard Kinsey, via Smashwords
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Save this book until you're planning your next vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It has several hints, tips, and resources to make your next trip a bit more adult than Uncle Walt may have had in mind. There are websites and maps and photos to help aid you in plotting where and when to get high, get laid, and how to get away with it all.
Having said that, I was a bit disappointed. I wanted more of the stories, more of the anecdotes that are sprinkled throughout the book. I wanted...more
Having said that, I was a bit disappointed. I wanted more of the stories, more of the anecdotes that are sprinkled throughout the book. I wanted...more
It takes a certain kind of reader to appreciate a book like this. First, you have to love Walt Disney World. Second, you can't be the kind of WDW fan that gets offended by stuff like reusing last year's refillable mug in a Disney hotel food court. (You can get kicked of many a Disney Internet forum for even daring to suggest such behavior.) And maybe third, you have to be at least mildly tired of reading the same old tour books, with the same old Brady Bunch-esque stories year-after-year. ("I lo...more
Apr 18, 2012
Margot Note
added it
I found out a lot of information on how to improve my next visit to Walt Disney World!
Here's what I can add from my experiences:
1) The best time to go is early September, when children are back in school. I was at Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and it was vacant except for some European tourists.
2) $100 cash is yours for the taking. In my naiveté, I didn’t understand that a free breakfast and a timeshare presentation meant that a woman would try to wear me dow...more
Here's what I can add from my experiences:
1) The best time to go is early September, when children are back in school. I was at Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and it was vacant except for some European tourists.
2) $100 cash is yours for the taking. In my naiveté, I didn’t understand that a free breakfast and a timeshare presentation meant that a woman would try to wear me dow...more
This E-book was not as good as i hoped it would be. Following my love of disney and the inside scoop I expected this to have some useful tricks of the park. However it was irrelevant unless you lived in America and could visit the parks often. He uncovered some other ways to save money and to almost con the system.
However from the cover and the blurb i was hoping for some more juice, and some inside gossip on the parks. Adventures he had and some of the 'darker' side to this disney park. When h...more
Come to the darkside. THE DARKSIDE OF DISNEY is not your ordinary Walt Disney World travel guide. DSoD is a guide to the unexpected cheap, unscrupulous and even down right illegal ways to enjoy a vacation at the happiest place on earth. You don't even need to be planing a trip to WDW to enjoy this fun guide.
THE DARKSIDE OF DISNEY is a complete beginning to end guide to alternative vacationing at WDW. From free drinks at airlines to free park tickets from less then reputable time share presentati...more
THE DARKSIDE OF DISNEY is a complete beginning to end guide to alternative vacationing at WDW. From free drinks at airlines to free park tickets from less then reputable time share presentati...more
First, let me state unequivocally that I enjoyed reading "The Dark Side of Disney". Heck, I finished the thing in less than 24 hours.
That said, I have to dock the book a couple of points because it is advertised as something other than what it is. Then again, the book doesn't seem to be all that sure what it is in the first place.
Part one is basically a travel book, focusing on the potential pitfalls and windfalls of various offers of free tickets and/or cheap merchandise and food at Walt Disney...more
That said, I have to dock the book a couple of points because it is advertised as something other than what it is. Then again, the book doesn't seem to be all that sure what it is in the first place.
Part one is basically a travel book, focusing on the potential pitfalls and windfalls of various offers of free tickets and/or cheap merchandise and food at Walt Disney...more
After finishing The Dark Side of Disney, I must admit that I was a little disappointed. I bought the book on Amazon because I am one of those people that have been to Disney World a million times (my wife and i even got married there). I hoped that with the inflammatory tone uncharacteristic of WDW guide books that I would find some information that I didn't already know. While the interviews at the end of the book were interesting, the guide portion of the book was filled with info that most "D...more
Not really a guide book but more of one Florida resident who's been there so much he has to find inventive ways to entertain himself and the tips/tricks/illegal/immoral activities he's learned along the way.
You need a sense of humor for the book and the info presented is definitely a big off kilter from the normal tips you'd read. For the most part, they're not the kind of thing you're going to want to do yourself either. But, the first section does have some helpful information for those who ar...more
You need a sense of humor for the book and the info presented is definitely a big off kilter from the normal tips you'd read. For the most part, they're not the kind of thing you're going to want to do yourself either. But, the first section does have some helpful information for those who ar...more
Sometimes I think my Kindle enables me to read books that I otherwise wouldn't be caught dead purchasing. Despite the cheesy name and cover art, the book has some interesting insights and tips if you have ever visited Disney or never want to again. Most intriguing are the author's numerous adventures in the tunnel system reserved for cast members over the years and his interviews of others who have gone behind the curtain at DisneyWorld by jumping off rides, following doors that are off limits a...more
Okay. So I was really excited about this book when I saw that it existed.
And to be honest, I wasn't expecting much from it.
However I was totally surprised. The author is an actual Disney fan, not someone who wants to destroy Disney for the sake of some punkpoints.
The tips are actually useful, and for someone who is more "unconvention"--for lack of a better word--when it comes to planning their trip to Walt Disney World, this book is a must have.
Though, in that same vein--if you are not plann...more
And to be honest, I wasn't expecting much from it.
However I was totally surprised. The author is an actual Disney fan, not someone who wants to destroy Disney for the sake of some punkpoints.
The tips are actually useful, and for someone who is more "unconvention"--for lack of a better word--when it comes to planning their trip to Walt Disney World, this book is a must have.
Though, in that same vein--if you are not plann...more
I enjoyed most of this book. What made me want to give this 4 stars is the humor and the details in the behind-the-scenes adventures (swimming across bay lake to the now-defunct Discovery Island). Some of the travel trips (those that aren't illegal or morally questionable) were also great. I spent a good hour googling things about Discover Island, the utilidors, Horizons and other things after reading and will likely be doing that for days to come.
I highly recommend this book for adults who hav...more
I highly recommend this book for adults who hav...more
I should probably give 3 stars for this. It was fantastic. But it did make me laugh out loud and was extremely informative in things un-family-like at Disney. And being an adult that visits, I'm all for that! Not to mention, the constant highlighting of Epcot's drunken event, the Food and Wine Festival - my favorite!
Hearing about someone else going through the catacombs of Disney's parks is fascinating. And this book told me about so many things I could buy on eBay that I wouldn't have even tho...more
Hearing about someone else going through the catacombs of Disney's parks is fascinating. And this book told me about so many things I could buy on eBay that I wouldn't have even tho...more
This was a fun quick read, a purported Disney "guidebook" that really didn't address too many things that I'm concerned with or interested in at Disney. Even so, I found the irreverence and "coolness" of the book to be a lot of fun to read.
If what you're looking for is stories about sex, drugs, borderline illegal explorations of Disney properties, cast member interactions, and how to experience the resort for less money, this gives you some good tips. The most useful thing for me was the inform...more
If what you're looking for is stories about sex, drugs, borderline illegal explorations of Disney properties, cast member interactions, and how to experience the resort for less money, this gives you some good tips. The most useful thing for me was the inform...more
I may have been slightly misled as to the book's contents before reading it, but don't be fooled: THIS IS AN HONEST-TOP-GOD TRAVEL GUIDE. I think I was expecting more of an exposé on WDW's underbelly and a behind the scenes look at how things work there--and those are included--but it is first and foremost a practical guide for tourists who want to enjoy the theme park but want something different from the experience, and in this it excels. I don't know when, if ever, I'll be going to WDW (thoug...more
May 19, 2012
Richard Kelly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Disney Fanatics
Strange book to review because it is essentially a vacationers guide to Disney World, if you are cheap, a crook, and incredibly daring. There are some interesting tidbits in there, mostly stuff you would have guessed.
Overall as a guide book it is ok. Not a lot of tips that most people would give much credence to, but the last chapter makes the book. When he talks about the things that you aren't allowed to do....
He talks about going "backstage", wandering the utilidoors, and even going to see t...more
Overall as a guide book it is ok. Not a lot of tips that most people would give much credence to, but the last chapter makes the book. When he talks about the things that you aren't allowed to do....
He talks about going "backstage", wandering the utilidoors, and even going to see t...more
I absolutely loved this book. I ended up devouring it in three sittings and found it a welcome relief from the usual guidebooks. Not as definitive as the normal ones but a hell of a lot more entertaining. Some of the tips and scams turned out to just be common sense (I'm thinking in particular the toppings bar tip) but it's how the anecdotes are told which really made it for me.
I can easily see this being a book that I read on our trips to see the mouse asit's quite light reading but I think ne...more
I can easily see this being a book that I read on our trips to see the mouse asit's quite light reading but I think ne...more
If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney world I definitely recommend that you read the first section of the book. It's filled with tips and tricks on ways to save money and still enjoy your disney experience. It also gives you warnings on some on the scams being run by people on tourists that come by.
If you want to keep the child-like magic of Disney alive then I would stop after the first chapter, the rest of this book is filled with the author's experience if ways to enjoy disney that I'm pre...more
If you want to keep the child-like magic of Disney alive then I would stop after the first chapter, the rest of this book is filled with the author's experience if ways to enjoy disney that I'm pre...more
Easily one of the trashiest books I've ever read.
I mean, I get it's supposed tell you how to have a great time at Disney if you're an adult that likes doing illegal things.
But he writes with the prose of a hypersexed 15 year old that just learned about drugs and hasn't actually done any of them.
I finished it in one sitting, although, I'll be honest, I skipped the section about drugs in the parks because, it's not pertinent to my interests.
And realistically, I probably wouldn't ever try many of t...more
I mean, I get it's supposed tell you how to have a great time at Disney if you're an adult that likes doing illegal things.
But he writes with the prose of a hypersexed 15 year old that just learned about drugs and hasn't actually done any of them.
I finished it in one sitting, although, I'll be honest, I skipped the section about drugs in the parks because, it's not pertinent to my interests.
And realistically, I probably wouldn't ever try many of t...more
This is a book of tips & tricks for how to turn your Walt Disney World vacation into (1) an affordable vacation and (2) an "adult" vacation (think - sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll). The author is a genuine Disney fan who has spent his life growing up in the parks. He went through an adventurous teenage phase, bored and over it, and thus has been able to find a few valuable (and a few over-the-top) tricks to make the above things happen. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for (1) or (2)...more
This is an actual travel book. It even contain some good tips, but it also includes tips that an honest person would not do, although it's interesting to know you could. Some of the "cheats" included in the books are being addressed by Disney. For example, they are going to start enforcing fast pass return times and the refillable mugs are going to contain a chip that will not allow expired mugs to work at the fountain. Read this book with a sense of humor and remember, just because you can, doe...more
In contrast with the racy cover and marketing subtitles, this is a pretty tame guidebook to saving some time and money at Walt Disney World. The most interesting segments for me were the stories about sneaking around the Utilidors and the interview with the Horizons super-fan. (Who would jump off the Horizons cars with his friend and sneak around the ride taking close up pictures/videos of everything).
There are far more racy documents of extreme Disney behavior out there, but the price is right...more
The first half of this books is useful for the frugal vacationer in need of some handy tips on how to save money at The Mouse. It should be heavily pointed out, however, that many many of the tips are now out of date and irrelevant and if your only aim for buying this book is to save money you may wish to purchase a yearly, updated guidebook instead.
The second half is where the book gains it's title, though for those not interested in public sex, drinking alcohol or taking drugs this book is a...more
The second half is where the book gains it's title, though for those not interested in public sex, drinking alcohol or taking drugs this book is a...more
Although I've always liked reading books about Walt Disney World, this book is just about the worst book out there that deals this company. I don't like the fact that his methods are all illegal methods(especially those in the first chapter to begin with) and as the book progresses, the methods of other things just are too irate to read! Don't purchase unless you want to end up in jail and/or Disney Jail(as the author mentions). Or, if you find yourself with this book in your hand, don't try any...more
Awesome Read! Great Stories of Debauchery and Tips for Disney World
This book had me laughing through almost every page! The author has an amazing style that just brings every word to life. Crude, yes. Drugs, yes. Sex, yes. Illegal activities, YES. The stories that the author tells, whether they are his own or ones he collected, are fantastic. If you don't take away any fun tips from this because you are already a hard-core Disney fan like I am, the stories make it worth it. I really hope he writ...more
This book had me laughing through almost every page! The author has an amazing style that just brings every word to life. Crude, yes. Drugs, yes. Sex, yes. Illegal activities, YES. The stories that the author tells, whether they are his own or ones he collected, are fantastic. If you don't take away any fun tips from this because you are already a hard-core Disney fan like I am, the stories make it worth it. I really hope he writ...more
Hilarious and awesome. I loved the no-holds-bared, nothing-is-sacred approach to this material. For first time park goers, or those planning a family vacation, this is not the book for you. There are whole shelves that can meet your needs. This book is geared towards those of us who have probably been to the parks more times than we ever needed to. And while almost everyone in that position seems to have an enormous amount of respect and reverence for the parks, they just see things there a litt...more
I found this book to be interesting, and funny, but I completely did not like the middle chapter on places to have sex in the parks. Really? Are people THAT desperate? And drugs? Come on! I liked Kinsey's approach on things, and at a few points, I laughed out loud. If all three sections had been created equal, this book could have easily gotten 5 stars. All in all though, the edgy Disney fan would definitely enjoy this.
Not for people looking for pixie dust and mickey bars but I loved it. It was a refreshing realistic look at my favorite mouse. I can tell Mr. Kinsey is actually a fan and does not me ill will in this book. I may have viewed some parts differently if this was not the case. I don't think I have a guts to go into the utilidors but I love living vicariously through the people who have. Thanks for sharing
Good tips and great ideas to not go to jail while trying to vacation. Very funny stories and scenarios but not a lot of useable info. I would have rated it higher if I thought I could actually use some of this knowledge. As many times as I have been to Disney I am sure I ran into these knuckleheads back in the 80s.
Planning a family trip there in a few years so I can try some tricks :)
Planning a family trip there in a few years so I can try some tricks :)
I know I have a dark sense of humor, but so far this book has had me cracking up. Only about half way through... I think this book (so far) is really funny if you are an adult fan of Disney, like to travel there without the kids, and have been a large number of times...
So now that I have finished this book, I still stand by my original review. I was fascinated by the people who snuck into the tunnels, the closed attractions... I wish I had the guts to do that. Fun quick read for an adult Disney...more
So now that I have finished this book, I still stand by my original review. I was fascinated by the people who snuck into the tunnels, the closed attractions... I wish I had the guts to do that. Fun quick read for an adult Disney...more
Not your typical guide book, The Dark Side of Disney is certainly not for the faint of heart or the obsessive Disney fan.
Off the wall, rude, and very hilarious, this book looks at some stuff that is "off" the beaten path, and definitely on the dark side.
I recommend it for those looking for something different and not easily offended!
Off the wall, rude, and very hilarious, this book looks at some stuff that is "off" the beaten path, and definitely on the dark side.
I recommend it for those looking for something different and not easily offended!
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Leonard Kinsey was born and raised in Clearwater, FL, and was lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World over 100 times by age 18. As an adult he still harbors an unhealthy obsession with The Mouse, has acquired a large collection of vintage EPCOT Center memorabilia, and visits WDW at least once a year, maintaining connections throughout the rest of the year with Cast Members and other Orlando-based...more
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Jan 09, 2012 09:59pm