-By Darlin’ Diva
The Unofficial Guide series has once again generously donated one copy of any of their books to one lucky winner. To enter, click here.
Disney Diva Disclaimer: Liliane Opsomer from the Unofficial Guide series provided me a free copy of her book, “Mini-Mickey The Pocket-Sized Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World” for review. I received no other compensation for my review and the opinions in this review are 100% my own.
Copyrights for the photographs used in this article belong to Liliane Opsomer and are being used with her permission.
I’ve long been a huge fan of the Unofficial Guide series on Walt Disney World and own several versions of the original big book. I adore the incredible volume of information delivered in user-friendly fashion. When I was chosen to review the Mini-Mickey version, I was thrilled! It’s pocket-sized but still packed with tons of helpful information, organized for ease in finding whatever Walt Disney World trip-planning information needed.
If you’ve not had the pleasure of using an Unofficial Guide before, let me tell you my favorite part – like our website, the Unofficial Guide is completely honest about the very best and sometimes not-so-great aspects of a trip to Walt Disney World. Realistic expectations make for the most successful vacation experience and the Unofficial Guides, in their honesty, help trip-planners be prepared well in advance for every aspect of their vacation.
The Mini-Mickey is divided into 15 sections that take readers from planning and accommodations to dining to attractions and even to costs and travel necessities. Packed with rankings and ratings for everything from hotels (on and off-property) to restaurants and attractions, the guide’s specialty is offering useful information for all types of travelers. There are tips and suggestions for traveling alone, honeymooning, visiting with children, celebrating special moments and getting around the huge property that is Walt Disney World – all packed into less than 300 pages.
While the book is specifically designed for “visitors with just a few hours or a few days to spare”, the information provided will be of use to anyone planning a trip to the House of Mouse. It’s straight forward, easy to read, and, most importantly, FUN! Let’s take a brief look at a couple of my favorite chapters…
Part Two: Making the Most of Your Time and Money – What I love about this section is the realistic look at where your money goes on a Walt Disney World vacation. There’s also valuable information on exactly how to use your time efficiently – the best way to get the most for your money is by having solid touring plans – and you’ll find touring plans throughout the guide.
Part Five: Walt Disney World With Kids – This chapter’s packed with excellent info! Starting with the basics (including a “Small-Child Fright-Potential Chart” for every attraction in every park) and offering tips, tricks, and strategies, section five explains Baby Swap, character meet-and-greet opportunities in the parks and at character meals, and babysitting options.
Part Nine: The Magic Kingdom – Of course there’s a chapter for every park, but this one’s my personal favorite. This section talks about Magic Kingdom strategies, including FastPass+ usage. The guide’s ratings (using a star system) and recommendations by age group for each attraction are spot-on! The customized, detailed touring plans are excellent. I particularly love the “Magic Kingdom Dumbo-or-Die-in-a-Day Touring Plan for Parents with Small Children” and the “Authors’ Selective Magic Kingdom One-Day Touring Plan for Adults”.
The Mini-Mickey is an excellent one-stop resource for all things Walt Disney World. The fact that it’s pocket-sized means you can take it with you wherever you go. I would recommend this book to first-time Walt Disney World trip planners and seasoned visitors alike.
If you would like to read some of our other reviews for the UG Series, you can read the following reviews:
The Unofficial Guide to Disney World with Kids
The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando
The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland
Until next time!
