Book Review: Walt Disney World, Official Vacation Guide 2023

I am thinking so hard about doing our next Disney trip soon, and visiting two, maybe three, parks. Olivia and Jackson have been to all of them, Matt and I have been to all of them (and Typhoon Lagoon), but Pep and Lu have only been to Magic Kingdom. It would just be fun to see other places, but with a family of six, it is really hard to plan it out. Enter this book and I am obsessed with planning.  

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World

The Official Vacation Guide 2023

Walt Disney World honors its fiftieth anniversary with "The World's Most Magical Celebration," an incredible 18-month event that lasts until March 2023. As the resort celebrates and continues to grow and evolve, trust Birnbaum as your 2022-2023 guide for:

• insider tips on how to see and do it all--and according to enhanced health and safety measures
• detailed descriptions of all attractions, resorts, and eateries
• money-saving strategies
• a fold-out property map on the inside back cover

Get the scoop on what's new at Walt Disney World:

• The latest additions to your "must-do" lists: the groundbreaking attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance the, the exciting Slinky Dog Dash, the zany Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, and the Disney Skyliner--the aerial gondola system connecting EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and four resorts.
• Epic new resorts: the now-open Disney's Riviera Resort and the forthcoming Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience.
• The insider's updates on Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, the upcoming expansion at EPCOT, and more!

Inside we'll also tell you how to:

• Plan a Walt Disney World vacation that's right for you, including deciding when to go
• Stretch your dollar with money-saving tips and great value resorts like the Art of Animation and Pop Century
• Utilize the latest options for Extra Magic Hours, the MagicBand, and Disney's FastPass+
• Choose (and book) a Disney dining experience with our extensive restaurant coverage
• Understand the Disney Dining Plan program
• Reserve a breakfast with Mickey Mouse and his Disney pals
• Enjoy Disney Springs, a vibrant dining, shopping, and entertainment district
• Sign up for behind-the-scenes tours
• Detect dozens of Hidden Mickeys throughout the theme parks
• Plan the ultimate "land and sea" vacation with our Disney Cruise Line bonus chapter

If you're the kind of vacationer who wants someone to just hand you a schedule and tell you what to do and where to go, this book has you covered. If you like to plan everything down to pee breaks, you are going to get all of the information you need to do that. It covers all of the extra experiences in each park, most of which I had no idea even existed, including an Epcot Seas Aqua Tour, which doesn't even require park admission! So even if you maybe don't want to spend time in the park, you can still partake in Disney oriented attractions. 

I also liked that it broke down where to find food, specifically something your kids (or you) will eat, every food option is listed and broken down by what kind of fare it is. It'll tell you what park you'll find it, and it even includes ice cream AND kid's favorites, plant based selections, kosher, locations with the best views, open late, a great spot for those dining alone, or where to splurge if you're going on a fancy date night. 

I have to also mention there is information in here about the Disney Cruise Line (which Pep and Lu always shout for me to watch the commercials because they believe we can just go on a boat ride... I wish!), which is helpful because I feel like people don't always connect that with the parks. 

The frugal mom in me was SUPER thrilled to get pages and pages of coupons at the end because this mama also be a broke mama. At the very end there is a fold out map that shows you all of the parks and the resorts around them. It at least gives you an idea of where you want stay in relation to the park(s) you plan on going to. 

Overall? If you're a Disney newbie, THIS is a great starting point. If you're a Disney expert, this is still something you need to really maximize your vacation beyond what you've already done. I absolutely loved this and already have pages tabbed off and some plans coming together. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for having me on this tour and sending me a copy for review! 

This post contains affiliate links.