Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids, by Kids 1997: The Official Guide (Serial) - Softcover

The year 1997 is the much advertised 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World, and Birnbaum's 1997 official guides take full advantage of it. Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids 1997 includes a 25th-anniversary planner, a few pages of details such as extended hours, and an explanation of how to become part of the interactive anniversary parade. Several other changes from the 1996 edition include new restaurants and the combining of the sections "Special Events" and "Where To Go." This guide is easy to read, with photos, drawings, and sidebars full of hints and tips. Though it's comparable to other adult guides to Walt Disney World, this year's edition may be preferable because of the official anniversary information. Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids 1997 also includes a few pages on the 25th-anniversary celebrations. Written in simple language, it contains plenty of quotes from actual kids, as evidenced by the sprinkling of the words cool, fun, neat, and, more occasionally, boring. The print is large, with photos and many drawings of Disney characters. A less attractive feature, at least for libraries, is the "scrapbook" spaces, where kids are encouraged to check off what they have seen, paste in pictures, and write notes. Birnbaum's Disneyland: Expert Advice from the Inside Source is similar in format to the Walt Disney World guides. Designed to appeal to a wider audience, it includes photos, drawings, and well-defined headings. While the focus remains on the park itself, there is more detail here than in the other guides on the surrounding area. Both adult guides to Walt Disney World are attractive and easy to read, and offer tips for people with disabilities, for pets, and for singles. They should prove useful to public libraries, and the changes from the 1996 edition are significant. The children's guide is less appropriate, though it includes information on what to do when one's parents are lost. Buy depending on how popular these destinations are in the travel section.
Alison Hopkins, Queens Borough P.L., Glen Oaks, N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.