The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World
New book offers tips for a pampering trip
Friday, March 5, 2004
by Mike Scopa, MousePlanet staff writer
When you plan a Walt Disney World vacation, the first thing that comes
to mind is usually the expense—your vacation budget determines the
level of luxury for your visit. But what if you wanted to mix and match?
What if you are looking for a vacation that will let you curb overspending
in one area so you can splurge in another?
In this session, let's look at The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World:
How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer by Cara Goldsbury
(Bowman Books: 2003. ISBN: 0-9726972-2-5) and what it has to offer in
designing the best of both worlds for a WDW vacation—luxury and economy.
A Title Misnomer
Although the title of this book has the word “luxury” in it,
the book goes beyond just telling the reader which spa is the best on
the Disney property or which concierge level offers the most perks of
all the deluxe restaurants.
On the contrary, this book could very well serve as a bible to a Central
Florida vacation. The bonus is the very comfortable writing style of author
Cara Goldsbury, who you will swear is sitting right next to you and chatting
to you as you read her words. The book has its luxury niche but offers
so much more.
The Goldsbury Style
Simply, I like it. She makes you feel comfortable from page one. As I
started to read through Goldsbury's book I felt that Cara herself was
sitting across from me, sipping coffee and chatting about WDW.
Goldsbury wastes no time in establishing and nurturing her relationship
with her readers, in an effective style that could be described as conversational.
The structure or road map established in the book works well as Goldsbury
lays out the proper sequence to take in planning a WDW trip. This road
map would be welcomed not only by the first-timer but the seasoned veteran
as well.
Goldsbury jumps right in as she discusses all the components that go
into planning the proper WDW vacation. She wastes few words, and provides
resources and data for making importation vacation decisions.
Goldsbury addresses three important areas that first-timers would be
wise to notice: What to pack, how long to stay, and whether or not to
rent a car. Goldsbury's way of providing advice is by asking questions
of her readers. The answers dictate what is best for the readers, and
more importantly, empower the readers into making their own decisions
rather than look to the author to lay out each component of the trip.
I prefer that method as opposed to books that say you should do this or
that. Everyone is different. Tastes, budget… so why not allow the
readers to customize the vacation to their liking based on some questions?
It's an excellent approach to helping someone plan their vacation.
Essential Essentials
In a chapter entitled “Arrival at Disney World” Goldsbury provides
simple yet effective maps of Central Florida and WDW, as well as a mini-reference
guide. She also discusses the essentials that first-timers should know,
such as WDW transportation. She even tells the readers how to have fruit
baskets ordered and delivered on-property, as well as where to go for
medical care.
Remember that luxury is part of this book's charter. Goldsbury will tell
you all about engagements, weddings, and honeymoons at WDW. Did you ever
wonder how much it would cost to get married at WDW? Intimate weddings
of eight or less begin at $3,500 and larger custom weddings begin at $7,500.
It's all in the book.
Staying in Luxury
When discussing accommodations, Goldsbury concentrates on those resorts
“meeting the standard of superior first class or deluxe,” and
provides facts not only for on-property resorts, but for off-property
resorts such as the Celebration Hotel, Gaylord Palms Resort, and the Villas
of Grand Cypress. In addition, she also looks at Universal Orlando hotels
such as the HR Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel.
Of course, although one would prefer to stay in a deluxe room, that doesn't
necessarily mean you have to pay deluxe prices. Goldsbury advises her
readers of what discounts are available to make those luxurious rooms
a bit more affordable.
Once again, Goldsbury provides phone numbers and Web sites to help us
investigate discounts and other resources that can turn a luxury vacation
into a bargain.
One of the sections I found most enjoyable was a discussion on considerations
when booking a concierge-level room; something I've never done before.
After reading this section, you will have a good idea as to whether or
not concierge-level is for you.
Remember that Goldsbury spends time discussing only deluxe hotels. You
will not find her providing information on either moderate or value resorts.
Goldsbury gives a complete review of each hotel, including her take on
guest rooms, suites, and concierge rooms. Pay attention to these reviews,
as they are loaded with tips that can save you money.
Theme Parks
For the first-timer who wants the basics of the Walt Disney World theme
parks, this guidebook is just what the doctor ordered. While planning
to visit WDW for the first time you don't want to be overwhelmed by an
overload of information. Goldsbury goes to great lengths to make sure
this doesn't happen.
How does she do it? By remaining consistent in her manner of providing
information and by her writing style. She keeps everything simple, starting
with the theme park maps. They aren't fancy but they certainly appear
to be very good tools for navigating the parks.
Goldsbury has a very charming, conversational style of describing the
attractions, restaurants, and shops. She provides her readers with the
basic facts for each ride, dining spot, and shops, and moves on.
Finally, Goldsbury provides her readers with several example itineraries
for navigating through the parks. Usually I'm very skeptical of itineraries
in WDW guidebooks, since sometimes they are idealistic when they should
strive to be realistic. Fortunately, Goldsbury's sample itineraries fall
into the latter category, allowing flexibility and letting her readers
make adjustments as they see fit. Her itineraries also include some thinking
ahead tips like fast passes and priority seating arrangements.
Goldsbury's little tips along the way enhance her descriptions and again
make it seem like you are chatting with a friend instead of reading a
book.
Beyond the Theme Parks
Goldsbury also devotes a chapter of her book to such resort areas as
Boardwalk, Downtown Disney, the water parks, and—here comes that
luxury connection—spas. She also discusses such things as arranging
for a special cruise and even renting a yacht. By the way, the cost for
renting a yacht is $350 an hour—at least it was at the time of the
printing of this book.
Goldsbury also takes us to areas that include golf, tennis, biking, water
activities, and especially Disney's Wide World of Sports and the Richard
Petty Driving Experience.
In short, she covers it all.
The WDW guest needs energy, and dining is a big part of the WDW experience.
Goldsbury takes a tour of the WDW dining establishments, which includes
a brief description of the cuisine, a sample menu, and a price range.
There are also tips from time to time that you may not find in other guidebooks.
For instance, Goldsbury advises us that the pasta that is cooked at L'Originale
Alfredo Di Roma Ristorante at the World Showcase in Epcot is cooked in
the traditional al dente way. If you prefer it prepared differently, you
should ask for yours to be prepared the way you like it.
Goldsbury does not limit herself to WDW. She also provides information
on off-property hotels and restaurants. Restaurants covered include Arthur's
27, Black Swan, and other notable Orlando and Kissimmee restaurants, and
she devotes quite a few pages to Universal Orlando, Sea World, Discovery
Cove, Wet 'n' Wild, Kennedy Space Center, and the Disney Cruise Line.
Tips, Tips, Tips
If you're like me you like to skim through such books as these, and look
for highlights within the book instead of having to read from cover to
cover. Goldsbury took steps to satisfy these types of readers by providing
shaded areas that contain tips for making the WDW experience as best as
possible. There are quite a few of these shaded blocks of text and they
are most helpful. Some of these include:
- Tips for Disney newcomers
- E-Ride night information
- Magic Kingdom character greeting spots
- Best places to view Illuminations (would you believe she lists nine
spots)
- Best restaurants
Although some may question the preferences noted, Goldsbury's information
is accurate and very helpful even to the WDW veteran.
Goldsbury's Web site (link)
compliments her book with updates, “Cara's Favorites,” and an
opportunity to subscribe to a newsletter.
If you are visiting Central Florida for the first time with special emphasis
on Walt Disney World you would very well be served by The Luxury Guide
to Walt Disney World. It is the best-kept secret among all the Walt
Disney World guidebooks.
Next Time
Imagine if you will, the Disney Zone phenomenon.
Thoughts, questions, or comments? Contact Mike here.
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Mike Scopa first visited Walt Disney World almost 30 years ago. Planning a trip was simple back in the 1970s, with only the Magic Kingdom and a few Disney-owned resorts in Orlando. Over the past 11 years, Mike has been perfecting his WDW trip-planning skills as he has hosted chats and bulletin boards about Disney for a Fortune 100 company. Mike brings his experience to MousePlanet in a series of lessons to help you with all the phases of planning a WDW trip. Mike pays special attention to all the details that ensure your family has the best possible time at the Happiest Place on Earth. You can contact Mike here. Here are trip reports that Mike has written that are part of MousePlanet's archives: Michael Scopa -- August 1999 -- Walt Disney World (CSR) Michael J. Scopa -- July 1997 -- Walt Disney World (WL/CBR) Mike Scopa -- July 1994 -- Walt Disney World (WL / CBR) Also, don't miss Lani Teshima's column, “The Trip Planner” for more travel planning information. Get the latest info about the resort at “Park Update: Walt Disney World.” 
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