This is NOT really a book for collectors who are building a Disney library, but is IS useful for anyone who wants to vacation at WDW. The earlier in your planning process that you buy the book, the more you can save.

The Carlsons, according to the book's dedication, have four children, so they can understand the expense a family faces. They aren't writing as a way to subvert Disney. On the contrary, they state in the book that WDW is a "magical place" and that every family should take at least one trip to WDW when the children are still children. So, they've written a book that will make it possible for more families to do so. Disney may get less money from the readers who would have gone to WDW anyway, or those readers may spend the money they "saved" on experiencing more of WDW. But Disney will come out ahead if a book like this prompts people to visit who would not have done so otherwise. I also believe someone is more likely to buy Disney products and experience Disney media back home if they did make it to a Disney Resort, especially when they were children.

One of the "little" things the authors covered was explaining briefly what Walt Disney World Resort is exactly. Maybe I'm too much of a Disnerd, but I'm glad they covered that. I'd rather people understand that the Magic Kingdom is IN Walt Disney World, not think that it IS "Disneyworld". I'd rather they know that they don't "go to Disney one day, and Epcot the next." It's ALL Walt Disney World Resort. Thanks to the Carlsons for explaining that.

Other than the fact that prices will need to be updated regularly, there's almost nothing I'd change about the book. On page 54, they tell readers to find "Ice Station Cool" by looking for something like an iceberg. That's already outdated, as you know if you poke around sites like LaughingPlace.com. The book is small enough in size to carry in a purse or backpack when visiting the parks.

The only downside I can think of to a book like this is that some of the powers that be at Disney may read this book and try change things so that some of the money-saving tips will no longer work or will be much more difficult to carry out. Sometimes, it seems that there might be people working for Disney who are awake late at night, worried that someone, somehow, is returning home from a Disney vacation and still has money to their name. When too many guests surveyed call something a "great value", those folks tend to see that as a reason to raise prices. In that case, people who already knew these tips would lose out. Let’s hope the rest of the powers that be at Disney keep that from happening. It's good for people to be able to visit WDW and not sell off a kidney on the black market to pay for it. (Hmmm… sounds like a possible standard payment plan for guests if a Disney park ever opens in mainland China.)

Disney on a Dime is a good companion piece to a full guide to WDW when you are planning your vacation. The authors advocate very frugal and thrifty practices, but they don't make impractical suggestions like hiring an airplane in Cuba and parachuting into the parks at 3:00 a.m., nor do they advocate dishonesty. Their advice is specific, practical, and workable. They even give advice on saving up and preparing for the trip, how to save while traveling to WDW, and even how to save money at home while you are away on vacation. As you can see, some of their suggestions have applications beyond WDW and are adaptable to different places and vacations. So, even if you never do go (back) to WDW, the book can still save you money.

Of course, this makes me wonder if they'll put out a companion book about visiting the rest of the central Florida area on a dime.

Disney on a Dime
ISBN-13: 978-1-887140-57-7
ISBN-10: 1-887140-57-3
Library of Congress Card Number: 2005924120
US$12.95, Can$16.95
Published by The Intrepid Traveler
Written by Chris & Kristal Carlson
©2006 Edward Christopher Carlson
First Edition, Printed in the U.S.A.
223 pages, cover to cover – paperback, 5.5" x 8.5" x .5"

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