Frommer's EasyGuide to Disney World, Universal and Orlando 2018

Pauline Frommer Guides

by Jason Cochran

Preparing for an Orlando vacation can be a full-time job, and it costs a small fortune. Most other books on the market make the problem worse, burying vacationers in endless pages of pointless details unquestioningly cheering for the high-priced theme parks and resorts. But the lightweight, fact-packed Frommer's' 2018 EasyGuide cuts through the noise and compresses the information you truly need to know. No other book does what we do: Honest talk, solid essentials, and affectionate insider's secrets to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and the inimitable culture and history of Orlando and Central Florida. This Orlando guide is so groundbreaking that its author, Jason Cochran, was awarded Guide Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers for creating it. Cochran, who is also the co-host of the popular Frommer Travel Show on radio, has been going to Orlando since the early 1970s and he keeps you on top of the newest developments in this ever-shifting tourist scene. He wants to help you master the parks with a minimum of anxiety and expense. No other book is as comprehensive while remaining so concise and so honest. No other book synthesizes advice, history, and good sense in such an easy-to-read format. It's smart--like you. Smart appraisals of what's worth waiting in line for -- and what you can skip -- using the Frommer's star rating system, plus -don't miss- sections for each park Incredible restaurant recommendations -- a full chapter's worth. It's the only guide in which all city restaurants are family-owned and none are chains or franchises 16 pages of color photos Interior maps of the theme parks, plus area maps marked with hotels, restaurants, and attractions Rankings of the area's best resorts and well-priced hotels, including bold warnings for which ones charge extra resort fees Brilliant tips to save money, avoid crowds, and skip the lines Fully updated insider details and secrets, including for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the new Pandora--The World of Avatar, and Volcano Bay. Money-saving tips and hacks to tame the high cost of an Orlando holiday Step-by-step itineraries whether you're bringing kids or you aren't PLUS! A huge fold-out, indexed map of the entire Orlando area for on-the-go navigation It's Disney, the stress-free way! There's a reason that Frommer's has been the most trusted name in travel for more than sixty years. Arthur Frommer created the best-selling guide series in 1957 to help American servicemen fulfill their dreams of travel in Europe, and since then, we have published thousands of titles became a household name helping millions upon millions of people realize their own dreams of seeing our planet. Travel is easy with Frommer's.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 2007

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frommer's EasyGuides are to the point and easy to take with you. This edition is a nice resource for planning your trip to Orlando and includes hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

The Disney World information is a good starting point, but I would certainly look online for the most up-to date prices, hours, etc. So much has changed at Disney in the past few years that the info is already out-of-date. Still, the book can be used for learning more about attractions and restaurants, but again check to see if they are still operating before getting your heart set on any one place.

I would recommend this as a general trip planning resource for an Orlando trip, but if you are going to Universal or Disney, then I recommend you pick up a guidebook that is dedicated just to those parks. This one is best for early stage planning and dreaming of a future trip to Orlando.

[Mel Schanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to choose a non-fiction book for the summer reading program I'm part of and seriously dislike NF, so I chose something benefiting both finishing the summer reading program and my family travel plans for the coming Christmas. We are headed to Universal Studios and I haven't been in the past ten or so years. The book was pretty informative and I picked up a few websites to check out too.

If you too are considering a trip to the center of the Sunshine state anytime in the near future, I'd consider checking out this book. I realize you can use Google to find almost any information these days, but if you'd like a break from searching the World Wide Web, I suggest taking a load off and relaxing with this easy to read and navigate guide to all things Orlando. (And even a few outside the area, like The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral)

Bonus: A few maps of each park and a whole lot of websites included. Most of the "tips" are things I knew or would've found when visiting the theme park website, but still...they were all together in one handy book. Imagine that. And, I was able to check a NF book off my summer reading program. Woot! Woot!

[Jeanne Boyarsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the 2018 edition, but can't find it on Goodreads.

I like the style and inclusion of history. Good brief overview to the rides and light book to carry around. I don't like that the book assumes you are traveling when it isn't crowded. What do you do if it is crowded. Good list of gotchas and ways to waste money.

Trying to cover all of Disney + Universal + Sea World + the rest of Orlando in under 300 pages is quite ambitious. I would have wanted the book to go deeper.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a nice supplement on the subject but this is nowhere near what you need to learn about the area and the parks. Doesn't come close. I would suggest instead getting Birnbaum's 2016 Walt Disney World: The Official Guide, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2016, and [bookcover:Universal Orlando 2015: The Ultimate Guide

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the style of this rider. He give good specific tips (like rides where you have a non moving / non spinning option). I would enjoy a version that was just universal, since only 30 pages focus on that and that's what we are doing, so I want less to carry. This section focuses on the park itself, with details on rides and shows and food. I just realized there is info on the hotels in another section I have not yet read.

From Brentwood library

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guidebook was clearly organized, easy to read, and provided the right level of detail about Orlando attractions, restaurants, and hotels. This author seemed to be more unbiased than similar guides, especially in regard to Disney World. Based on a spot-check of current rates, it looks like prices have risen in the past year.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of information, but overwhelming and no photos
Liked Birnbaum's version better

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good guide. It had some money saving tips and was pretty detailed regarding the rides and restaurants in each park. It was helpful.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consistently among the best guide books for Orlando, the Easyguides give you all the information you need but manage to crunch it down into essential pieces and ditch all the fluff like readers comments etc.
Helpful, concise, useful, exactly all the things you want from a decent guidebook. I found more useful information in this than certain other more weighty tomes.
Recommended.

[Paul Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

EasyGuide is right. Brief, to-the-point. Just covers the facts you need. On size and weight, if you're bringing a guide into the parks, this might be the one. Contains strategies, but no plans for your best tour.

[Sarahjane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief information about attractions and food in Disney World was easy to process quickly. His opinions are strong, which gives a better source for discerning what to choose, but also allows more skepticism to color your experience. I was able to make better informed decisions after reading this.

[Alex]

I'm not going to give ratings to these books, but I am going to keep track of which ones I read.

This one was kinda pointless and provided absolutely no new information.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't bother. There's so much inaccurate information in this book.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good tips. Hope they come in handy

[Sarah Kochert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guide book. Actually read the 2019 version in prep for trip.

[Beth]

I seriously read this like a book. Well, it is a book but you know what I mean right?

[Stephanie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the most concise and informative of the planing guide I looked at. It had lots of useful information later out clearly so I could read just what I need and skip what was not relevant.