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Editor's picks

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  The Complete Walt Disney World 2012

  Book (Coconut Press)
  

  Rating (36 reviews):

  (4.9/5)

  

  Disabled? This is the Disney guide you want

  I have an inner ear problem that prevents me from riding roller coasters and spinning rides like a merry-go-round. My wife is in a wheelchair. We bought this book before going to Disney with our kids and grandkids this Christmas. So helpful! The descriptions of the rides and shows all include what the authors politely call "Access" specifications that make it quick and easy to determine what all three generations of us could do together. There is also a whole general section for disabled guests that is comprised of very detailed information on "Hearing Services," "Mobility Services" and "Visual Disability Services." It's nice to be respected. Bravo. 5/5 Kenny Prowse (Seattle) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Complete Walt Disney World 2012 (Paperback) I have an inner ear problem that prevents me from riding roller coasters and spinning rides like a merry-go-round. My wife is in a wheelchair. We bought this book before going to Disney with our kids and grandkids this Christmas. So helpful! The descriptions of the rides and shows all include what the authors politely call "Access" specifications that make it quick and easy to determine what all three generations of us could do together. There is also a whole general section for disabled guests that is comprised of very detailed information on "Hearing Services," "Mobility Services" and "Visual Disability Services." It's nice to be respected. Bravo. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , December 31, 2011

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  I'm using it now

  Thank goodness someone finally wrote a Disney World guide book that is worth the money. I haven't finished using this book yet but already know how useful it is. I got it while down here at Disney when we first arrived last week and, since we're still here, I'm still using it. Basically, it has become my Disney World "bible." I carry it with me wherever I go. This book does for me what I can't do; provide all the inside advice for each Disney theme park that only a seasoned expert would know, give me all the practical info (like how long you have to wait for each ride, or where to meet Cinderella without forking over big bucks at a restaurant) that Disney doesn't tell you, and provide all the facts and figures you need to manage your vacation. In short, it is helping make this vacation easy, saving me effort, and heightening my family's experience. And by the way if you happen to be going to Animal Kingdom you must have this book. It will double, maybe triple, your fun there. I bought... 5/5 I. Adrian "Sarah" (Research Triangle NC) - See all my reviews, December 15, 2011

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  A couple of quibbles; otherwise great book

  My family bought this guidebook in 2009 for a weeklong vacation to Orlando, and were so pleased we ordered this 2012 edition.Like the previous book (which is actually pretty dogeared by now), this edition has page after page after page of color photographs. The information is detailed and comprehensive.A quibble: Our favorite ride, Splash Mountain, was downgraded from a 5-star rating in 2009 down to 3-star in 2012. What gives? It's a "satisfactual" ride all around.One last complaint: There is no mention of Seaworld or Universal.If you are only interested in Disneyworld on your vacation, you'll be very pleased with this book. 4/5 Charles Donovan "Cardinal Charlie" (St. Louis) - See all my reviews, January 18, 2012

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  List Price: $24.95
  

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  Epcot Center, Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA Photographic Poster Print by Angelo Cavalli, 9x12

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  List Price: $24.99
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  Size: 9 x 12 inches

  Photographic Print Title: Epcot Center, Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA

  Artist: Angelo Cavalli

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  Pirates of the Caribbean: Ultimate Trilogy Collection (7-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray Box Set) [Blu-ray]

  DVD (Walt Disney Video)
  

  Rating (120 reviews):

  (4.6/5)

  

  Great value of all 3 titles on Blu-Ray

  As the other reviewer stated, this is a repackaging of the previously released Pirates of the Caribbean blu-ray discs, with all the extras that were on those discs, but no new additional material. To rehash what you get:"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" Review:This is the strongest of the 3 films. Although each film definitely has somewhat of a "fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants" type story style (as if there were no strong script, but rather ideas that popped up on set), this one actually works and makes for a very fun viewing experience. Pirate Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp, who created this legendary film character) teams up with blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) to help rescue the Governor's daughter Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) from pirate Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Of course there is treasure involved as well as a curse. Depp walks away with the picture. The love interest (Bloom & Knightley) do their best to compete, but without... 5/5 Dave "Davelandweb" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) As the other reviewer stated, this is a repackaging of the previously released Pirates of the Caribbean blu-ray discs, with all the extras that were on those discs, but no new additional material. To rehash what you get:"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" Review:This is the strongest of the 3 films. Although each film definitely has somewhat of a "fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants" type story style (as if there were no strong script, but rather ideas that popped up on set), this one actually works and makes for a very fun viewing experience. Pirate Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp, who created this legendary film character) teams up with blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) to help rescue the Governor's daughter Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) from pirate Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Of course there is treasure involved as well as a curse. Depp walks away with the picture. The love interest (Bloom & Knightley) do their best to compete, but without... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 17, 2008

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  Technical note

  This trilogy edition includes the corrected version of the "Curse of the black pearl" blu-ray, with no miss-framed shots. Great. 5/5 J. A. Torrontegui (Spain) - See all my reviews, February 24, 2009

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  Must-have for Blu-ray Player owners

  This is a must have because all three movies are worth seeing multiple times. The blend of action and humor is outstanding and it is a pleasure to take it all in over and over again.My minor complaint is that the second and third disc seem to not have the same high quality as the first and it always takes some adjustment on the HDTV to keep the quality consistent. The Samsung reports 1080i on disc two and three while one is registered as the 1080p; don't know why. This should not hold you back, because the quality of the trilogy is among the best we've seen.If you have to own just one Blu-Ray it should be from this series. 5/5 Coach "Gerald" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews This review is from: Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) This is a must have because all three movies are worth seeing multiple times. The blend of action and humor is outstanding and it is a pleasure to take it all in over and over again.My minor complaint is that the second and third disc seem to not have the same high quality as the first and it always takes some adjustment on the HDTV to keep the quality consistent. The Samsung reports 1080i on disc two and three while one is registered as the 1080p; don't know why. This should not hold you back, because the quality of the trilogy is among the best we've seen.If you have to own just one Blu-Ray it should be from this series. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 26, 2009

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  The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2012 (Unofficial Guides)

  Book (Wiley)
  

  Rating (49 reviews):

  (4.8/5)

  

  Great book, but zero stars on the kindle edition

  I've bought several editions of this book over the years and it's really the best guidebook for Disney that there is. It's huge and covers everything you could imagine wanting to know. It's also witty and interesting and filled with tidbits of information that you didn't even think you needed to know.I had a 2010 edition and just wanted to check out some changes, so I downloaded the less-expensive Kindle edition for 2012. When I went to search for the specific information, I found the book had not been indexed. That means it's not searchable. For a book this size and for this type of content, it makes it practically unusable.If you want a read through and plan to make a lot of notes, I suppose the kindle edition could be a good choice. But, if at this point, you wanted to look for specific information, then I don't think it's a good choice at all on the Kindle. The hardcopy would be a better choice. I realize there's a table of contents that was partially... 5/5 Kendra - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2012 (Unofficial Guides) (Paperback) I've bought several editions of this book over the years and it's really the best guidebook for Disney that there is. It's huge and covers everything you could imagine wanting to know. It's also witty and interesting and filled with tidbits of information that you didn't even think you needed to know.I had a 2010 edition and just wanted to check out some changes, so I downloaded the less-expensive Kindle edition for 2012. When I went to search for the specific information, I found the book had not been indexed. That means it's not searchable. For a book this size and for this type of content, it makes it practically unusable.If you want a read through and plan to make a lot of notes, I suppose the kindle edition could be a good choice. But, if at this point, you wanted to look for specific information, then I don't think it's a good choice at all on the Kindle. The hardcopy would be a better choice. I realize there's a table of contents that was partially... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 21, 2011

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  Filled with goodies!

  I am a Disney World fanatic, and I've borrowed older versions of the Unofficial Guide from the library many times. I finally decided to buy the 2012 copy for myself since next May will be the first time I stay on Disney property. This is a heavy book; my wrist hurts after a while from holding it! But I love it anyway! The authors say that most people use this as a reference guide, but I'm the kind of weirdo that kind of reads it straight through (minus some of the info that doesn't apply to me). I like how they include the comments and opinions of readers in blue within the text. That way you get both sides of the picture. I have guide books and trivia books, but this is one that's filled with info about the parks with humor and lots of opinion included. If you just want a guide book telling you what rides are where, choose a different book. This has a lot more than that. 5/5 RachelNinja (New York) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2012 (Unofficial Guides) (Paperback) I am a Disney World fanatic, and I've borrowed older versions of the Unofficial Guide from the library many times. I finally decided to buy the 2012 copy for myself since next May will be the first time I stay on Disney property. This is a heavy book; my wrist hurts after a while from holding it! But I love it anyway! The authors say that most people use this as a reference guide, but I'm the kind of weirdo that kind of reads it straight through (minus some of the info that doesn't apply to me). I like how they include the comments and opinions of readers in blue within the text. That way you get both sides of the picture. I have guide books and trivia books, but this is one that's filled with info about the parks with humor and lots of opinion included. If you just want a guide book telling you what rides are where, choose a different book. This has a lot more than that. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 6, 2011

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  Get this guide!

  Ok, if you are going to go to Walt DisneyWorld, aka Epcot, aka The Magic Kingdom, etc, this book is simply a must-get. No questions asked, no debate. Get this book. Period.It is beyond exhaustively comprehensive. We are talking 800+ pages and quite thick and heavy. Ok, maybe you might just take out the quick guides or print off a page or two when actually at the parks. Being rather bulky is my only complaint. But it has to be, so...The authors say that following the plans in this guide will save you about 4 hours in line. We used the 2011 Unofficial guide during our 2011 visit, and even tho we went off on our own after the midday part (which the book actually OKs), it was a HUGE timesaver. Not to mention- one part of our party went off without the guide and got lost & confused and re-joined us admitting they had just wasted about 2 hours. So, even with our "let us stick with the tour plan until we get the must-see rides done, then go off on our own" it... 5/5 Wulfstan "wulfstan" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews, September 27, 2011

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  List Price: $19.99
  

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  Main Street USA, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA Photographic Poster Print by Nik Wheeler, 30x40

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  List Price: $69.99
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  Artist: Nik Wheeler

  Photographic Print Title: Main Street USA, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA

  Size: 30 x 40 inches

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  Universal Orlando 2012: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure

  Book (The Intrepid Traveler)
  

  Rating (8 reviews):

  (4.6/5)

  

  Study This Before You Go

  Universal Orlando use to be one of the "also rans" down the highway from the Mouse, but Harry Potter changed everything. Even though Universal is a fraction (thankfully) of the size of the neighboring behemoth, there is a big payoff to doing a bit of advanced study. Our primary motivation for going was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure. The author obviously loves his job and totally gets the entire Harry Potter experience. His observations and advice were spot on and greatly enhanced our experience. He describes all kinds of details and attractions we might have missed without knowing to look for them.I'm not a big fan of rides, so I really appreciated the author's mention of the "Castle Tour," which is a way to tour Hogwarts without going on the ride. He also describes an observation area at the end of Dragon Challenge which I never would have found on my own. The strategy advice is invaluable, especially if your visit is during a busy... 5/5 J. L. Harrison "Snowbird" - See all my reviews, December 11, 2011

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  Orlando weekend

  I can't imagine how anyone can go to Univeral/Islands of Adventure without this book. Our family went for 2.5 days - went on EVERY ride, saw EVERY show. And then went on all the good ones again. The REAllY good ones 3 and 4 times.We saw folks standing around with the maps they give out deciding what to do, the THRONGS of people waiting in lines....we did NONE of that.Follow the instructions in the book....like stay at the hotels in the Park if you can, get there an hour early, go to the rides in the order they suggest....you'll have an AWESOME time. We did. 5/5 Beth - See all my reviews This review is from: Universal Orlando 2012: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure (Paperback) I can't imagine how anyone can go to Univeral/Islands of Adventure without this book. Our family went for 2.5 days - went on EVERY ride, saw EVERY show. And then went on all the good ones again. The REAllY good ones 3 and 4 times.We saw folks standing around with the maps they give out deciding what to do, the THRONGS of people waiting in lines....we did NONE of that.Follow the instructions in the book....like stay at the hotels in the Park if you can, get there an hour early, go to the rides in the order they suggest....you'll have an AWESOME time. We did. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 4, 2012

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  An Absolute Must

  This book is an absolute must to plan for your trip to Universal Orlando. Study it well before you leave home, and you'll have a much better time at the parks. The book is packed with invaluable information that will, 1) save you money, 2) save you time, and 3) allow you to see much more during your visit than you normally could. Actually, I would recommend that you read the book a couple of times, skim through it again on the flight to Orlando, and carry it with you inside the park. Excellent, excellent job, Seth. Thank you!I just returned from a trip (March 2012) and have a few comments about things I'd like to see in future editions:Page 9: It would be nice if this map (or another map) showed the canals and walking paths which connect the three hotels to City Walk. Don't miss walking along these paths and/or taking the water taxis - spectacular landscaping. (By the way, it's possible to walk from the lobby of the Royal Pacific Hotel all the way to... 5/5 Charles F. Myers (Portland, TN USA) - See all my reviews, March 12, 2012

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  List Price: $15.95
  

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  The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2011 (Unofficial Guides)

  Book (Wiley)
  

  Rating (80 reviews):

  (4.6/5)

  

  Third version I've purchased ... Don't go to WDW without it

  My family and I are planning to go to Walt Disney World in a couple of months, so I ordered the 2011 Version of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (WDW). I first went to WDW in the late 90's, and as I wanted to make sure I enjoyed everything there was to enjoy, I bought three or four books on WDW and the surrounding area. I found that the Unofficial Guide had pretty much everything the other books had, and more, so for my next trip in 2004, I only bought the Unofficial Guide.After receiving the 2011 version and heavily perusing it, I find that, if anything, it's even better than the previous versions. If nothing else, its a LOT larger than the first one I bought in the 90's. It gives ratings and reviews of hotels and dining establishments in the area (both on and off Disney World), covers all of the parks and attractions on Disney in tremendous detail, and the parks and attractions off of Disney in lesser detail (primarily Universal Studios and Seaworld)... 5/5 WryGuy2 (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews, November 4, 2010

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  Best Guide to WDW

  This is the best guide book to Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL that I have found.This is the second edition I purchased.Has the most information in one book I can find.Tells the good and the bad.Can be complex. They give you schedules and plans to see the most, which may seem like a military drill, but you can read these guides and use the pieces you like. 5/5 jbsand - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2011 (Unofficial Guides) (Paperback) This is the best guide book to Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL that I have found.This is the second edition I purchased.Has the most information in one book I can find.Tells the good and the bad.Can be complex. They give you schedules and plans to see the most, which may seem like a military drill, but you can read these guides and use the pieces you like. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 5, 2010

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  You don't need if you have an older edition

  I have a 2005 Unofficial Guide and loved it. It contained a lot more information than this newer guide. You now have to go on-line and become a member (for a discounted price of $8) to get the really important information, such as what days to visit certain parks! The old guides had charts in them and I knew how many people typically visit each park, each day. This guide is now a hotel guide with a lot of "he said, she said" for every hotel/restaurant. For every opinion, there is another opinion telling you the opposite. I actually enjoy the touring plans, but there are only a few in this book. I could have gotten all the updated information online by becoming a member and not purchasing this book. If every page did not tell you to go to touringplans.com then it was every other page! I wish I had saved the $18+ and just subscribed. I thought this would contain new and exciting information. The only new and exciting information was about Universal Studios/IOA...and it made me wish for... 3/5 Karen Wilger "Karen" (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2011 (Unofficial Guides) (Paperback) I have a 2005 Unofficial Guide and loved it. It contained a lot more information than this newer guide. You now have to go on-line and become a member (for a discounted price of $8) to get the really important information, such as what days to visit certain parks! The old guides had charts in them and I knew how many people typically visit each park, each day. This guide is now a hotel guide with a lot of "he said, she said" for every hotel/restaurant. For every opinion, there is another opinion telling you the opposite. I actually enjoy the touring plans, but there are only a few in this book. I could have gotten all the updated information online by becoming a member and not purchasing this book. If every page did not tell you to go to touringplans.com then it was every other page! I wish I had saved the $18+ and just subscribed. I thought this would contain new and exciting information. The only new and exciting information was about Universal Studios/IOA...and it made me wish for... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 13, 2011

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  List Price: $19.99
  

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  Main Street USA, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA Photographic Poster Print by Nik Wheeler, 12x16

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  List Price: $29.99
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  Photographic Print Title: Main Street USA, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA

  Artist: Nik Wheeler

  Size: 12 x 16 inches

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  Pauline Frommer's Walt Disney World and Orlando (Pauline Frommer Guides)

  Book (Frommers)
  

  Rating (17 reviews):

  (4.1/5)

  

  great, accurate, fun to read -- best of the several Disney guidebooks i bought

  This book really made my vacation at DisneyWorld. I'll admit I'm not a Disney 'fanatic'; I'd been once before and enjoyed it just fine, but hadn't thought about going back until this family reunion came up. I was put in charge of the DisneyWorld planning and bought several guidebooks -- this book was definitely the best.It was clear that the author knew the parks inside and out, but he didn't seem to have 'drunk the Disney kool aid' if you know what I mean. For example, he pointed out rides that were disappointments and eating options that were overpriced, whereas the other guidebooks basically said it was all great, and gave you no caveats whatsoever.I really appreciated the book's frankness and wonder if that's why it got those negative reviews from the folks who seem to go there over and over. Sometimes he was ironic about the parks too in a way that made me laugh out loud (never chuckled at a guidebook before).I thought the book was very accurate. We ended up... 5/5 Erin Hill (Long Island City, NY United States) - See all my reviews, October 3, 2007

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  A Wonderful Guide that Saved my Family Vacation

  I am, quite honestly, dumbfounded by the previous negative reviews (one reviewer of which didn't even read the guide). This guide, recommended to me by a friend (a high compliment in itself), was superbly written and indispensible for my family trip to Walt Disney World. Here is why: I knew that we couldn't possibly afford to stay in the park, partake in the meal plans, and come in on budget. My husband and I have limited time for vacations (we both work to put our kids through school), and our kids - one in grade school, one in highschool - were about to disown us if we didn't take them to Disney at least once in their lifetime. Of course we wanted to go, but we didn't know how to swing it financially. Enter Pauline's guidebook: the writer, Jason Cochrane, gave us the tools to accomplish this feat without sacrificing any quality time with the kids and pointed us in every right direction to keep more money in our pockets for spending in the park. I WOULD MARRY THIS MAN IN A SECOND,... 5/5 Lauren Van Vorst - See all my reviews, October 1, 2007

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  hilarious and informative

  Jason Cochran's writing is encyclopedic, witty, and fascinating. He does all the typical guidebook stuff: lists of recommendations of where to stay, where to eat, what to do...but what makes this book a delightful read over and above its utility as a guidebook is the terrific prose. Jason provides an unvarnished picture of what Orlando's really about, and, interestingly, how it got to be that way. The history of the region, the beginnings of Disney World and the rivalry between WDW and Universal Studios--it's fascinating stuff.So if you like your guidebooks to be boring and uninteresting, please avoid this terrific, well-researched, highly informative and amusing paperback. It's a great read for anyone considering a trip to the biggest tourist mecca in the continental U.S., and a great read for anyone else for that matter. 5/5 Brendan Milburn "songwriter, producer, geek" (NYC) - See all my reviews, November 4, 2007

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  List Price: $18.99
  

  Orlando

  Jason Cochran

  Pauline Frommer's

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  Main Street USA, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA Photographic Poster Print by Nik Wheeler, 42x56

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  List Price: $124.99
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  Artist: Nik Wheeler

  Photographic Print Title: Main Street USA, Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida, USA

  Size: 42 x 56 inches

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