Book Review: “Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide”

Hi everyone!

I just received Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide to review. The release date of the book was September 28th, 2021 but it has been hard to get so far (shipping delays are really prevalent right now). If you are looking to purchase Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World or other books (or anything) for the holidays, ordering early is important this year.

There are two reasons I purchase Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World each year. The first is for the coupons, but there are none this year (they were promoted but now are not). And the second reason is as a souvenir guide to look back on in future years. I average a couple of days in the park each week so I don’t need a guidebook for traveling since I live here. But I’m reviewing that aspect as well for those who want to know more about Walt Disney World.

The cover of Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide features Mickey and Minnie in their EARidescent costumes for The World’s Most Magical Celebration, celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World. That in itself makes a nice souvenir for my bookshelf. There are also a few pages at the end of the book that commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.

Some aspects of Walt Disney World in the book no longer exist, like Fastpass+. At the end of page 25, it says that Fastpass+ was “on pause” at press time. Since then, Fastpass+ has been discontinued. Fastpass+ is referred to throughout the whole book and even the new nighttime spectacular “Harmonious” is shown as a Fastpass+ attraction. There will be a new paid service called Disney Genie+ coming soon.

The difficult thing with any Disney guide book – even one that is official, like Birnbaum’s – is that the parks are in flux right now. By next issue that hopefully won’t be as much the case but for example – looking at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios one-day schedule listed on page 37…Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance no longer has a virtual queue and lately it is better to arrive later in the day for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (though it can depend on the day).

There are quite a few restaurants and shops that have still not reopened to guests across property. Most resorts are open or are opening soon. Of course, it is still 2021 and the guidebook is for 2022 and some locations and shows will have reopened by then. Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide still has a lot of good, current information and nice photos. It does note that The Wave…of American Flavors closed as of press time, that is now open as Steakhouse 71 and the book also mentions the Incredibles themed rooms for the resort.

The section for Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground talks about the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (it has not yet restarted) and also of Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge as a current project (it is delayed or canceled).

On the other hand, I find the EPCOT section quite helpful to learn about the new “neighborhoods”. I am so used to having Future World since 1982 and it’s still going to take me a while to remember the new neighborhood concept fully – World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. The pages are nicely laid out. World Showcase does stay the same. The new Club Cool and Creations Shop are noted as is the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster.

The book does also mention new EPCOT restaurants – Space 220 at the Mission Space pavilion, Gelataria Toscana in Italy and La Crêperie de Paris in the new France expansion. A number of World Showcase restaurants have not reopened as of this review, but hopefully we will see more opening by early 2022.

Each year, there are changes that happen after press time. This year, it is more. And there is no way to know what those changes all will be – the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is reopening on December 19th and some other entertainment also is reopening soon. So as 2022 begins and as the year progresses, more of the book will probably become correct as opposed to the other way around. And the book has some fun tips, information and hidden Mickey notations.

There is Disney Cruise Line information at the end of the book.

Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide is a nice souvenir guide with helpful tips and information about the various shops, restaurants, resorts and more for Walt Disney World. But it has to be used in tandem with other information you can find online (including on the official Walt Disney World website and My Disney Experience).

I had originally ordered Birnbaums 2022 Walt Disney World for myself and the new shipping date for it would have been shipped in early November, even though it officially released September 28th. I ended up receiving it as a review book but if you want a copy, I recommend ordering well ahead of time. I do hope the 2023 guide will bring back coupons.

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