Audio Guide to Walt Disney World by Lou Mongello

So far, we’ve reviewed several guide books (for adults and children), a book of fiction, a magazine, an iPod/iPhone app, some jewelry . . . (you can see previous Disney-themed reviews here.) This week, we’re adding a new dimension to the Disney reviews --- Audio Guides.

Lou Mongello, the voice behind WDW Radio and co-editor of Celebrations Magazine (previously reviewed here), is the creator and narrator of the Audio Guides.  Lou is also the author of the Walt Disney World Trivia books, which I’m hoping to review here sometime soon!

Maybe you’re wondering what an audio guide is and why you might want them.  Well, let me tell you a bit about them . . .

So far, there are 5 audio guides in the series.  Each one is based on a different section of the Magic Kingdom.  We received the set of 5 – Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, and Mickey’s Toontown Fair.  Disney Buffs – what’s missing?  Yep – it’s Frontierland and Tomorrowland (those are in the works!)

We’ve really been enjoying listening to these guides in the van.  We pop one in and right away we are transported to another place – one of our all-time favorites – Walt Disney World!  And that’s a very positive thing, especially when we’re in PA, dreaming of warmer weather that seems like it’s never going to get here!

In each audio guide, Lou takes you on a walking tour through each “land”.  This isn’t just any walking tour though – it’s extremely detailed.  I sit there listening, and occasionally find my mouth dropping open in awe of all the neat little details that he knows.  It’s amazing!  I’d love to take a real-life Disney walking tour with Lou, but these audio guides are definitely the next best thing.

My kids will pick up on certain things as we’re listening and say things like “hey, I never noticed that!”, “we need to look for that next time”, or “I remember seeing that!”  Now that we’ve listened to all the guides, I’d like to listen through them again, with pen and paper in hand, to make a list of the cool details that I want to be sure to look for when we go back to WDW.

Not only does Lou share about what is there NOW, but he also gives a history lesson of what was in/at each location since the park first opened in 1971.  Since I love history AND Walt Disney World, this is of great interest to me.  I like hearing about what has changed since the park first opened, and how it has changed even since my first visit in 1988. 

He talks about EVERY building, attraction, shop, and show.  No detail is too small or insignificant for Lou – he shares it ALL!  The tidbits of trivia that he shares have me longing to get my hands on his Walt Disney World Trivia books. 

Yes, I love these audio guides!  I’ll be on the look-out for more guides to be added to the series so that we can add to our collection.  These guides are available on cd ($8.99 each) or as an instant download ($6.99 each).  You can also order the first 5 in the series for the discount price of $34.95 for the set. 

Oh, I also wanted to point out that if you have a visually-impaired friend or relative, these guides would be awesome!  Part of the magic that IS Walt Disney World is seeing it.  I remember seeing Cinderella’s Castle for the first time and just staring at it in awe.  Lou describes everything in such wonderful detail that even a visually-impaired guest will be able to “see” Walt Disney World.  And that’s exciting! 

NOTE: I received these audio guides for free, in exchange for my sharing about them on my blog. I was not compensated in any other way and I was not obligated to write a positive review.  All Disney-themed products recommended on my blog have received my family’s seal of approval!