has anyone heard of this book?

[justadonkey]

The book is called "The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide" by Beth Haworth, a former castmember. It is an online/ebook.
There was a link to it from this week's About.Com - Theme Parks newsletter.
the url is http://www.dw-secrets.com/?gclid=COCNooSanoYCFThILAodGg5Nsw

I am just curious if any taginators have heard of it and if so, any opinions.

[Princess Madelyn's Daddy]

I am also very interested if anyone has read this book. Hopefully its not one of those "If it sounds too good to be true..." stories.

[kathleena]

I'm not into buying Disney books anymore, just because I've been so much and read so much on the internet.

I read through her list and my honest opinion is this: It's probably a good one course stop for information for those new to touring the parks, but my guess is that you can find all the stuff on the internet also. My reasoning behind the guess is, just how much new stuff is there that hasn't been written about anyway? I just can't see where she would know any more about how to get discounts on rooms, how to get on attractions, what about ticket upgrades, ebay bargains, which line to get in etc.

But the plus side as I said - is a one stop source and if it's only $20, well, you can certainly spend that $20 quick enough at Disney, maybe she'd have that one tip that's worth $20 to you!

:D :minnie:

[SusanP]

I do wish she had just one tip spelled out on the page so we knew what kind of stuff she was talking about!

ie, just what does this mean? What is a 5 star resort?

Disney 5-Star Resort: Retail cost $3,110 for 10 days
My cost: $1,130

It is tempting to hit the paypal button thought, isn't it?

[3princesses]

I am also curious if anyone has read this book yet. I'm with Kathleena on this one, with all the information we receive on this site and others, how many more money saving tips can there be? I used to buy the Unofficial Guide to WDW everytime we went, but after going several times I thought I pretty much know what works for our family. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for saving money, but with this year's trip total cost, I think we're saving a bundle!

[kathleena]

I do wish she had just one tip spelled out on the page so we knew what kind of stuff she was talking about!

ie, just what does this mean? What is a 5 star resort?

Disney 5-Star Resort: Retail cost $3,110 for 10 days
My cost: $1,130

It is tempting to hit the paypal button thought, isn't it?

I was thinking this is what it means: don't pay rack rate, don't buy the park tickets and the meal plan that they will try to sell you. Instead, book the room separate, buy tickets thru ticket broker and bring your own food.

Any one who wants to send me $20 via Paypal, PM me and I'll send my ID. :lol:

Grand Floridian is in the five star alliance, but have you ever seen a GF room for $113? Unless she means the All Stars??? :lol:

[Daddio]

My guess on the room is that it is a DVC Resort room that could go for $3110.00 for 10 days and she rented points from a member who was in a panic situation (points about to expire) dumped them at a low price.

I can't explain the 5 stars though. That could be her personal star rating.

kathleena, I'll kick in $5.00 if you find three more takers.

[Princess Madelyn's Daddy]

My guess on the room is that it is a DVC Resort room that could go for $3110.00 for 10 days and she rented points from a member who was in a panic situation (points about to expire) dumped them at a low price.

I can't explain the 5 stars though. That could be her personal star rating.

kathleena, I'll kick in $5.00 if you find three more takers.

Heck I will kick in $5.00

[Daddio]

Wait, wait, wait.....

It's available on Ebay for $14.95:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170009587681&ih=007&category=47103&ssPageName=mem_guide:1&rd=1

[Daddio]

OK, hold on, I think I'm going to buy it..

I'm on the check out page and the item is now called:

Disney World Orlando Florida Park Hopper Tickets Guide (https://www.paypal.com/row/cgi-bin/webscr#)

Should I? Should I? Should I?

[Princess Madelyn's Daddy]

Wait, wait, wait.....

It's available on Ebay for $14.95:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170009587681&ih=007&category=47103&ssPageName=mem_guide:1&rd=1

What a deal. Hmm and there are only 30 available. I guess they are trying to create a buying frenzie:p My $5.00 is still on the table:D

[Daddio]

Ah ha!

5-Star HOME AWAY FROM HOME RESORT right on Disney Property.

Know the value of SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

Plus a link to a popular rent/trade board.

I've got to hand it to her, it's right up to date with news flashes and current offerings from Disney on room discounts.

[kathleena]

Wow - easy come easy go on that $10 :lol:

I looked at that eBay - it says that it's a digital guide that will be sent.

[Daddio]

Yes, you get a link to a .pdf file so you can down load the book and go back anytime for the latest updates.

[Princess Madelyn's Daddy]

OK, hold on, I think I'm going to buy it..

I'm on the check out page and the item is now called:

Disney World Orlando Florida Park Hopper Tickets Guide (https://www.paypal.com/row/cgi-bin/webscr#)

Should I? Should I? Should I?

Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy!!!!!!

[Daddio]

kathleena:

Shoot me an e-mail at david@dvcrequest.com. I have some info for you.

justadonkey:

I think it has a fair bit of savings in it. I actually added a link to my site with a little description of how I came upon it, thanks to you, and have referenced your name in the paragraph. I hope that's Ok cause I'll remove it if not. You can see what I'm talking about at http://www.dvcrequest.com, scroll down to "Here's More Savings"

[SuzyQ]

After reading so many of these "savings" book, I think the best savings is just buy not purchasing the book. (For me, that is.) SO many of these books help inexperienced travelors save money at Disney. For those of us that are internet savvy (or at least members of a board like this), there really are very few ideas that you haven't already heard of.

By suggesting one purchases an AP for the 7-10 stay at at a deluxe resort, they can save a ton of money. By booking your trip during a free dining promo - you save a ton. Renting points from DVC owners, again savings. All these tips are readily available to those who just pose the question on a Disney fan site. :)

But, I do recommend these books to people that I don't see very often who are inquisitive as to how to save at Disney (and who do not frequent the internet). :)

[Daddio]

Exactly SuzyQ,

These books are not for those that frequent the boards or Disney Fan sites. But if you look at the responses this author got on EBay from buyers, you will see that there are a big number of people who were happy with their purchase (100%), and of course a big number of sales of the product.

The thing that most impressed me is that you are given a link to the book (a .pdf file) which seems to be updated on a frequent basis (July discount codes at Disney are posted). If I didn't have time to surf the net, it would be a great buy for me. Oooppps, I did buy it :)

[justadonkey]

justadonkey:

I think it has a fair bit of savings in it. I actually added a link to my site with a little description of how I came upon it, thanks to you, and have referenced your name in the paragraph. I hope that's Ok cause I'll remove it if not. You can see what I'm talking about at http://www.dvcrequest.com, scroll down to "Here's More Savings"


not a problem Daddio; I did go to your site and read the description. I am glad you found it worthwhile and up to date. As I said in my original post here, it was an advertised link from this week's about.com theme parks newsletter. I too wondered could it possibly have something I've never heard of before? Kind of like the "secret special spots" around the parks that aren't so secret to the disney devoted that do alot of research on disney sites or make frequent trips to the parks. I've been reading disney websites for quite awhile now but there's always something new to learn or discover. Every time I go to WDW I try to find something new that I've never done before...the last time was finally trying Tonga Toast!