| A former Disney Cast Member created The Ultimate | | | | the more expensive resorts at Disney. It does involve |
| Disney World Savings Guide to help families save | | | | a little work and some risk but seems to be worth the |
| money at Walt Disney World. She also wanted to | | | | effort. |
| provide you with tips and techniques for maximizing | | | | I could also see how money could be saved using |
| your time and making the most out of your Orlando | | | | another one of the tips that she provided in the guide. |
| vacation. | | | | She explains how to find vacation rental property and |
| We have all seen these e-books all over the web | | | | the pros and cons of staying in a vacation property |
| claiming to have secrets that no one else knows about | | | | versus staying in a hotel. |
| and promising you the world. I have wasted my | | | | The author then goes into the different ways of |
| money on some of these myself in the past. | | | | saving money on your tickets. Hands down one of the |
| However, I was very interested in seeing whether you | | | | best ways to save money on 1-2 day tickets with |
| really could save money at Disney World as she | | | | Disney is by attending timeshare presentations. |
| claims. Considering that I live an hour's drive from | | | | But most people do not want to spend their precious |
| Disney and have a 2 year old, I figured that I would | | | | vacation time fighting off high pressure salespeople for |
| soon need to know these secrets in the coming years. | | | | 2-3 hours. |
| With that said, I purchased the e-book and | | | | The author does a good job of explaining the other |
| downloaded it from the download page. | | | | ways to save money on tickets. But don't expect to |
| As I opened the e-book I will say that my initial | | | | find free or even $10 Disney tickets anywhere without |
| response was disappointment because of the length | | | | attending a timeshare presentation. |
| of the book, 140 pages (40 pages of which are | | | | You can save the most using the author's techniques |
| readers' comments giving tips and websites, forms, | | | | on the multiple day tickets with the added options such |
| more tips, etc.). Some people may like long e-books | | | | as Park Hopper (ability to go to the different Disney |
| but not me. | | | | parks using one ticket) and No Expiration option. |
| I like for them to get straight to the point, leaving out all | | | | Although the author does a good job providing a lot of |
| fluff. I also don't like having to read on the computer | | | | useful information there are some things that I think |
| screen for hours on end. | | | | would make the guide better. |
| However, the more that I read the book the more | | | | NEGATIVES |
| satisfied I became. I came across many tips and ideas | | | | I think that the presentation of the information could be |
| in which I was unaware. | | | | improved and that it should be shortened. |
| POSITIVES | | | | I have already expressed my disdain for long e-books. |
| The e-book is very comprehensive giving you | | | | Maybe it is my short attention span, but I thought that |
| information covering saving money on lodging, dining, | | | | the book was too long and boring in some places. |
| tickets, and souvenirs. | | | | Also throughout the e-book there are areas of large |
| She even gives you information on nearby hospitals | | | | blocks of text. Separating this large block into |
| and provides forms to help you keep track of | | | | paragraphs would have made the information easier |
| reservations, confirmations and other important | | | | to read on the screen and more scannable when |
| information for your trip. | | | | reviewing for specific information. |
| The guide starts off by discussing ways to save | | | | VERDICT |
| money on lodging. This includes staying in one of the | | | | Overall, I would say that the Disney Secrets guide is |
| Disney resorts, nearby hotels or vacation properties. | | | | worth the money. You may be able to find some of |
| Lodging is likely to be one of the biggest expenses of | | | | the tips on your own by scouring the web for hours on |
| the trip. The author does a good job of explaining your | | | | end in forums, signing up for newsletters and other |
| different options for lodging and how to find the best | | | | time consuming methods. |
| deal. | | | | You can certainly do so and may find ways to save. |
| She even goes into extreme detail providing tables | | | | However, I would recommend investing in the guide |
| with the different rates according to the different | | | | and using it to get a jump start on planning your trip. |
| seasons (peak season, off peak season, holiday | | | | The guide will unquestionably pay for itself with the |
| season, etc.) | | | | information inside. |
| One of the strategies that she explains in this section | | | | After all time is money and the kids are all ready to |
| could possibly save you hundreds if you chose one of | | | | visit the happiest place on earth. |