Complete WDW 2011 Guide book - Just got it

[captainkidd]

This has always been my favorite guidebook. I must say, I'm very surprised by some of this year's ratings. For those not familiar, the authors rate each attraction and hotel anywhere from 1 to 5 stars. The following are kind of hard to believe:

Splash Mountain gets 3 stars, while the TTA gets 4
It's a small world gets 5 stars, while Peter Pan gets 3
Buzz Lightyear only gets 3 stars
Main Street Electrical Parade gets 2 stars, while Move It, Shake It gets 4
WDW Railroad gets 3 stars, while Main Street Vehicles gets 4

Crystal Palace gets 2 stars, while Tony's gets 3
50's Prime Time gets 5 stars, while California Grille gets 4

Pop Century gets 4 stars, while French Quarter gets 1

 

[bcornette]

it may be time to find a new favorite guidebook.

 

[captainkidd]

it may be time to find a new favorite guidebook.

LOL. It's still a great book, but I definitely don't agree with many of the choices. Plus, it lists Yacht Club as best place to stay. Birnbaum does as well, however the Unofficial Guide, which is based on what readers say, lists Yacht Club as the worst of the Deluxes. I agree with them.

 

[majorrfb]

it may be time to find a new favorite guidebook.

DITTO! SOMETHING APPEARS TO BE AMISS. :hammer:

 

[Figments Friend]

-
Methinks the authors of said book are aging...( check our what they liked!)

 

[blackthidot]

I love this book. It is by far my fav of all that are out there...and its different EVERY year.

 

[fosse76]

This has always been my favorite guidebook. I must say, I'm very surprised by some of this year's ratings. For those not familiar, the authors rate each attraction and hotel anywhere from 1 to 5 stars. The following are kind of hard to believe:

I love that book. Though I can't believe it took this long to update from last year.

Splash Mountain gets 3 stars, while the TTA gets 4

That's just bizarre.

It's a small world gets 5 stars, while Peter Pan gets 3

Neither should get more than a 2, if that. They're both kitschy and nostalgic, and that's the ONLY thing they have going for them. Both need serious updates.

Buzz Lightyear only gets 3 stars

I don't see what's wrong with that. The blaster can be tedious to use.

Main Street Electrical Parade gets 2 stars, while Move It, Shake It gets 4

MSEP is definitely showing its age, so perhaps that's why the low rating.

WDW Railroad gets 3 stars, while Main Street Vehicles gets 4

Well most of the train ride is a view of nothing but trees.

I think many things people here rate highly are based solely on nostalgia, and not the greatness of an attraction. Plus, I'm wondering if perhaps the authors arenow starting to let personal biases creep in; after all, how many times can you watch Indiana Jones before it starts to look stale to you but fresh to the person next to you. Rides, particularly slow, family ones, can easily have the same problem.

 

[KYfriedPanda]

I love that guidebook as well, moreso for all of the comments they include sent in from readers. But if there's one thing I've learned from this site and books like those over the years, it's that you can't take subjective ratings seriously. Everyone has their own strange tastes - how else can you explain yankee fans? :lookaroun

 

[graphite1326]

I love that guidebook as well, moreso for all of the comments they include sent in from readers. But if there's one thing I've learned from this site and books like those over the years, it's that you can't take subjective ratings seriously. Everyone has their own strange tastes - how else can you explain yankee fans? :lookaroun

Could be worse. They could be a Boston fan.

 

[mickeysshoes]

This has always been my favorite guidebook. I must say, I'm very surprised by some of this year's ratings. For those not familiar, the authors rate each attraction and hotel anywhere from 1 to 5 stars. The following are kind of hard to believe:

Splash Mountain gets 3 stars, while the TTA gets 4
It's a small world gets 5 stars, while Peter Pan gets 3
Buzz Lightyear only gets 3 stars
Main Street Electrical Parade gets 2 stars, while Move It, Shake It gets 4
WDW Railroad gets 3 stars, while Main Street Vehicles gets 4

Crystal Palace gets 2 stars, while Tony's gets 3
50's Prime Time gets 5 stars, while California Grille gets 4

Pop Century gets 4 stars, while French Quarter gets 1

I agree with this rating. Spot on in my book.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

A lot of those are strange. I wonder if the authors have just had some bad experiences certain attractions/hotels or what? Subjective ratings can be hit-or-miss, but I wouldn't say it should stop you from buying the book. Every book will have its things that bug you or things that just don't make sense. I bought the Unofficial Guide 2011 recently because I wanted to see what everyone raved about. There is at least one restaurant (don't remember which... maybe Boma?) where the overall rating is lower than any of the sub-category ratings that they give. So **** cleanliness **** for service ***** food quality, *** overall. Also, they seem to think Buzz is one of the Magic Kingdom "mountains", and they say that 1999 Imagination is better than the original.

 

[Master Yoda]

One thing to remember......Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has a couple and most of them stink.

Who cares how someone else ranks an attraction? If you like it, great! Case closed.

 

[mickeysshoes]

One thing to remember......Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has a couple and most of them stink.Who cares how someone else ranks an attraction? If you like it, great! Case closed.

Had not heard that one!!! I sure do like it!!!! :lol:

 

[captainkidd]

One thing to remember......Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has a couple and most of them stink.

Who cares how someone else ranks an attraction? If you like it, great! Case closed.

This is still a Disney discussion board, right?

 

[captainkidd]

I should add, what I find odd about it is the comparisons to last years book.

2010 - Splash Mountain gets 5 stars
2011 - Splash Mountain gets 3 stars

2010 - TTA gets 2 stars
2011 - TTA gets 4 stars

I do however agree with many of the other opinions in the book. Prince Caspian - "Absolute waste of time.":lol:

Tom Sawyer Island only got 1 star. Granted, it's no E-ticket attraction, but kids love it (as do some adults.) The caves are great!

 

[Master Yoda]

This is still a Disney discussion board, right?

Sure it is but this is one of those discussions with no conclusion because there are no wrong answers. We can debate someones opinion until the sun goes nova and it will not make it any more or less valid.

 

[captainkidd]

Sure it is but this is one of those discussions with no conclusion because there are no wrong answers. We can debate someones opinion until the sun goes nova and it will not make it any more or less valid.

Aren't most discussions ones with no conclusion?

I'm not saying the authors are right or wrong. Just stating my opinion.

 

[mickeysshoes]

I need a new Disney book to read...i might have to get this one this weekend. I have the 2010 and DH is reading it now and he always has questions about something he read that he did not understand...something he thought was differnet. Its very funny!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

Aren't most discussions ones with no conclusion?

I'm not saying the authors are right or wrong. Just stating my opinion.

Some of course do not, but most do. People accepting the conclusion is typically the problem. Horizons is a great example of this.

 

[captainkidd]

Just noticed a mistake in the book too. Says there is a hot tub at the Poly. I must have walked by it the past 3 times we stayed there.:veryconfu