An Easy Review of The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit

My first visit to Walt Disney World was easy; one park, 23 attractions, and two resorts hotels were simple enough for my family of five to navigate during our week-long stay.  In 2014, however, those 40 square miles have become so developed that planning and choosing can seem like a daunting task for a first-timer.  Enter Disney gurus Dave Shute and Josh Humphrey to the rescue!  As a Disney blogger, I am social media pals with Dave and spent some time riding The Magical Blogorail with him.  I’ve long admired his spot-on assessments of Walt Disney World hotels, restaurants and attractions at yourfirstvisit.net..  (Admittedly, I am not as familiar with Josh’s work, Dave’s endorsement is good enough for me!)  You can imagine how excited I was to hear that Dave’s work was published, and even more delighted when I was offered the opportunity to review his book.  Though we are friends, I promise that I am a tough (Carrot Cake) Cookie to please when it comes to Disney guide books…

While I always suggest checking the Disney Parks Moms Panel site as a first stop, if you know of any family looking for additional resources for their very first Walt Disney World vacation this book would be a godsend.  Though The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit clearly outlines the basics (when to go, where to stay, which tickets to buy and what to do), it is the compare/contrast nature of the book that makes it stand out from all others.

“Our preference for Port Orleans French Quarter comes largely from its being so much easier to get around than any other moderate, and the relative ease in getting from it to the Magic Kingdom.”

Other noteworthy features include “The Cheat Sheets” (coded maps, touring plans and FastPass+ priorities per park) in Chapter 6, and budgeting guidelines in Chapter 8.  Most importantly, I’ve long said that Dave has the absolute best Disney resort room information I have found (Chapter 5).

And now for my easy review: Get the book.  (Amazon sells it HERE.)  Even as a Disney Parks veteran I have found myself referring to it often during the past month; I love its Disney details!  Do I wish there were pictures included?  You bet.  Dave and Josh’s sites have those!  I also appreciate the provided links for up-to-date changes to the Walt Disney World Resort.

** I received one copy of The easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit for review purposes.  As DIStherapy readers know, my thoughts are always my own, and not for sale!