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For many families, a trip to Walt Disney World is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For others, it’s a yearly tradition.  In the 47 years since opening day, Disney World has become an international destination with nearly 20 million visitors each year. The days when you could pop into a park and just wing it are gone (unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to live nearby and have an annual pass). Disney takes planning if you have time constraints and a limited budget, and the best way to plan includes books.

When I was growing up, we traveled to Florida every four years, starting  when I was seven.  My mother planned trips down to the last dollar.  She kept records of what we spent at every stop along the highway and was meticulous in her preparation, reading books and saving maps and brochures from year to year. You could say that I learned from a pro. When we first decided to take our kids to Disney (pre-Internet), I had the perfect model to follow. I started with buying the most essential book of all: Birnbaum’s 1998 Walt Disney World: The Official Guide, a later edition of my mother’s prized book.

Planning the Perfect Disney Trip: Tracy’s Top Three Books to Peruse and and Ponder

Best Books Pick #1: Birnbaum’s 2019 Walt Disney World: The Official Guide

There are a myriad of books on Walt Disney World.  For the visitor who only goes once in a lifetime or every few years and is planning six months to a year in advance, Birnbaum’s is a wonderful overview of the Walt Disney World Resort and has something that many of the other guidebooks do not: color photographs on nearly every page.  This book shows visitors what to expect and helps build excitement for the family. If I could only buy one book, this would be the one I would purchase. If you decide not to get this one, pick it up at your local library. You won’t be sorry.

Best Books Pick #2: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

Now, if you’re planning to stay on Walt Disney World property and never leave, Birnbaum’s might be all that you need. However, if you want to stay elsewhere, visit attractions like Universal Studios or Sea World, or learn the details that Disney may not want you to know (or even other travelers’ experiences), you may want to add a second book to your reading list: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. This book is huge with 864 pages in the 2019 edition which will be released on August 14, 2018. Authors Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa’s knowledge about central Florida attractions is unparalleled. Be prepared for thin pages and small print! There is a lot of well-researched information in the Unofficial Guides.

Plus, if you are a niche traveler, you can find the just-right book for your family. The Unofficial Guides Series includes The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups, and more. They do offer a book with color photographs, The Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World. However, I don’t recommend buying this one unless you actually have the regular Unofficial Guide as well. I also do not recommend buying this book in Kindle format–there’s just too much information, and it’s not easily accessible in the Kindle version.  Been there, done that.

Best Books Pick #3: The Easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2018

The third book that I recommend is The Easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2018. If this is your first visit, you can’t go wrong with this one.  The Easy Guide gives step-by-step instructions for planning your first (or 15th) visit to Disney in an easy to read format. With a mere 328 pages, it’s much easier to navigate than the Unofficial Guide.  It comes in both Kindle and paperback format. I prefer paperback because I can highlight information and make notes as I read. The authors even offer free digital updates with proof of purchase. If you’re new to Disney, this book won’t overwhelm you.

In order to make the most of your Disney vacation, you will need to prepare.  Which hotels are considered value resorts? Which are deluxe? What days are the best days to visit? What are extra magic hours? How do I use Fast Pass? Which rides have height restrictions? These are all questions that a good guide will help you answer. There are a lot of Disney guidebooks to choose from; however, these are my top picks to help you plan the perfect Walt Disney World vacation. Happy planning!

To find out more about any of the books on this list, click on the cover photos. These links will then take you to Amazon. If you purchase a book from one of these links, I may receive a tiny portion of the profits. This income is through the Amazon Affiliates program.

If you have more than four people in your party and are planning a trip to Disney World, click  here for my post on lodging for larger families.

If you are interested in learning about our next trip to the most magical place on Earth, click here.

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