Ken's Reviews
by Ken Pellman

Anyone who knows me knows that one of my favorite things to do at Walt Disney World Resort is…eat. If you can't find food and dining experiences at the World's Greatest Resort to your liking, you're psychotically finicky. With so many different places to grab a bite or enjoy a feast at the massive Resort, it's good to have a guide to consult.

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide 2006 (purchase at the LP Store) is billed as:
"The Official Guide"
"A Complete Insider's Guide to Dining Disney Style"
"Expert Advice From the Inside Source"

Given that the "Disney" font is used on the cover and Chef Mickey is prominently featured happily serving food to what is presumably a mother, father, and their daughter, this would be easily recognized as an official guide even without the "seal" that tells you it is.

Small enough to be kept in a back pocket (though it will stick out), in a small purse, or to hold in your hand along with your map, this is the kind of book that is best to consult well in advance of your trip, fill it with bookmarks, and carry with you when you do make your visit.

You know you're never going to come across anything any official Disney guide that says "This is horrible. Skip this if you have any respect for your time and money." Still, if you can read between the lines, you can figure out what is less than impressive to those who put the guide together. On the other hand, an advantage of being an official guide is being privy to planned changes.

The Birnbaum brand, started by the late Steve Birnbaum, has long produced official guides to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resorts, and recently started up one on the Disney Cruise Line. Alexandra Mayes Birnbaum is listed as Consulting Editor for this dining guide.

The guide is well-organized, and helpfully includes a Table of Contents, a Guide to This Guide, and Indexes.

The indexes include a "Where to Find" listing, which includes, among other categories: Cheap Eats, Ethnic Eateries, Family Style, Good For Groups, Ice Cream and Frozen Treats, Kid Favorites, Knockout Views, Kosher, New to WDW, Open 24 Hours, Seafood, Solo Diners, Super Splurges, Terrific Theming, Vegetarian Selections, and Wine and Dine. There are no page numbers, however. Fortunately, the more traditional Index that follows does have page numbers.

The "Guide to This Guide" informs us of the icons used for Fast Food or Table Service and if the eatery is open for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and/or Snacks. It also explains the four "$" rating system for how expensive the food will be. Helpfully, a key at the bottom of each page is there to remind us what "B" means or what "$$$" means, so we don't have to flip back to this page.

Listed in the Table of Contents:

How to Book a WDW Table
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Downtown Disney
WDW Resorts
Character Meals
WDW Dinner Shows
WDW Clubs and Lounges
Celebration, Florida
WDW Recipes
Where to Find (Indexes)

Yes, there are a few recipes of favorite dishes right there in the guide, which is a great touch.

Some eatery entries get a single paragraph, others get several. After all, how can you write more than one paragraph about the Lunching Pad in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, unless you've actually worked there and have stories to tell?

Interspersed throughout are Disney characters, "Hot Tips," which give very helpful info, and the occasional facts you couldn't otherwise know or use – except in a Disney trivia contest – under the heading of "Did You Know?" There are no pictures, other than the one on the cover.

The guide does tell you how to offer feedback. Unfortunately, we are only given a mailing address.