The best Walt Disney World & Orlando guide on the planet (yes, it's Frommers) covers almost everything most travelers need and want to know. But there are a few areas where we bow to the expertise of less-than-mainstream or special-interest books. So here are a few additional books that may be available in your local library or bookstore.
Florida's Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore (2005, Pineapple Press). Move over Haunted Mansion, this is the real deal. Strange tales of the supernatural reveal Florida's slightly spookier side. Ghost stories, legends, and accounts of strange occurrences may make you think twice about turning out the lights.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida (1998, Knopf) is a handy back-pocket guide that delivers a wonderful education on the state's flora and fauna, parks and preserves, land, weather, natural phenomena, and much more. Plus, it's dripping with pictures to help newcomers and natives alike tell a yellow-bellied slider from a cooter.
A Photo Journey to Central Florida (1992, AAA Publications), though somewhat hard to find, features some rather nice photos of the area's architecture, historical sites, and scenic spots, along with pictures of the parks and attractions. It offers a brief glimpse into Florida and its natural beauty alongside the more commercial aspects of Orlando.
Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, 2E (2003, Vegetarian World Guides) is the most comprehensive and enterprising guide around for vegetarians, vegans, or mainstream diners looking for a break from carnivorous menus. Susan Shumaker and Than Saffel review 275 restaurants and hotels, more than half of which are on Disney soil. They also give tips about what to eat going to and from Orlando as well as the dos and don'ts of ethnic dining in Central Florida. There's also a section on kids' dining.
Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook (1994, Disney Editions) is full of some of the most popular recipes from the House of Mouse -- a few culinary secrets that Disney is willing to share. You can keep your vacation going even after you get home -- providing you can cook. For a collection of the Mouse's most requested recipes try perusing the pages of Cooking with Mickey (2000, The Walt Disney Company). Do note that another way to take home some of the flavor of WDW is to simply ask for the recipe of a dish that you enjoyed. In most cases, Disney will be happy to e-mail the instructions and ingredients to you at home.
Kids (and even adults) will enjoy Popping Up Around Walt Disney World (2004, Disney Editions). This colorful and detailed pop-up book offers an illustrative tour through the world of Disney. It takes readers through the parks, details some of the attractions, and tosses in a bit of trivia, too.
50 Hikes in Central Florida (2002, Countryman Press) and Hiking Florida (2000, Falcon) feature a more natural approach to visiting Florida, showcasing its parks and hiking trails for those who prefer the great outdoors.
Hidden Mickeys, 3rd Edition: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets (2007, The Intrepid Traveler) is filled with trivia, and, of course, those Hidden Mickeys -- including tips on where and how to look for them.
