A new Disney World book is coming out in March 2009 - “Mousejunkies! Tips, Tales, and Tricks for a Disney World Fix”. Author Bill Burke and his wife Amy are members on our mousetalk lists. We recently talked with Bill about his new book and what makes it different from the other Disney World guidebooks available.
FamilyTravelGurus: What inspired you to write a book about Disney World?
The idea for “Mousejunkies” started when I first got hooked on Walt Disney World about ten years ago. Fifteen minutes after my wife and I walked into the Magic Kingdom I was hooked. Anyone who calls themselves a Disney fanatic knows the feeling.
Coming from a journalism background, the natural thing to do when I got home was to start writing. On each subsequent trip, I’d bring along a notebook to take down thoughts, impressions and ideas. When I got home, I’d write up trip reports designed to make my friends laugh.
I did that a lot. I was finding myself on a plane headed for Florida every chance I got and whenever finances would allow. And even if they didn’t. I just needed my fix. I really was an addict.
My wife would read my post-trip stories and tell me: “These are great, you should write a book!”
I’d answer with: “You have to say things like that. You’re my wife. You have to be nice to me.”
Then on one press trip, a Disney marketing contact told me, “You know, these articles are a riot. You should write a book!”
I said, “You have to say things like that. You’re my PR contact. You have to be nice to me.”
Even though I knew every blogger with a hankering for Dole Whips had heard that, her compliment stayed with me.
10 years went by, thousands of dollars flew out of my wallet, and scores of trips came and went. I did my best to break free of the newspaper business by taking a job at a magazine publisher. A year after my grand newspaper-free experiment, I found myself standing in the doorway of the local unemployment office. It was the dead of winter in New Hampshire, I was laid off, and I had a little time on my hands. There was no better time to get off my butt and chase a dream.
The next day I woke up, put on a pot of coffee, sat down at the computer and started writing.
Four hours later I realized I hadn’t poured the coffee. Instead, I felt like I had spent the morning at Walt Disney World. It was as if I was watching a movie and was just writing down what I saw. It was an engrossing, tiring process. The days melted away, and before I knew it I had 80,000 words written about my favorite vacation destination.
When I started writing, I knew that the world didn’t need another Disney travel guide - official, unofficial or otherwise. I knew I had an intense addiction to the place, and I had a large group of friends who were equally hooked. These people are the Mousejunkies. They’re seemingly otherwise well-adjusted adults who keep finding themselves inexplicably drawn to Disney World. I knew their collective experiences would make a great resource, so I started hitting them up for anecdotes, secrets and stories.
I do talk about touring the parks, and which restaurants are great, but I wanted to tell a story that made people laugh out loud. I wanted to approach it from an unexpected angle. I might regret it someday, but I gave up my secret on how to secure the best seat for a Sunday NFL game anywhere on WDW property. We surveyed the restrooms of Walt Disney World, even revealing the cleanest, best bathroom in all of the parks. (The scientists down at Mousejunkie labs can verify this claim.) I spoke to cast members about misbehaving guests.
I really tried to cover the whole Disney World addiction experience. How it started, what draws others in, how to approach the place, what it’s like to get married to the Mouse (DVC), boorish guests, what it’s like to have Disney treat you like a rock star during press events, and even how a Disney cruise can go horribly, horribly wrong. (Let’s just say it involves Robin Williams and a lot of pharmaceuticals.)
It’s not a list of how-tos. I wanted to tell the story through anecdotes and collective learned experiences.
When it comes to picking one of the many on-site hotels to stay at, the most important thing to consider is location, location, location. For that reason, I’d have to say my favorite resort to stay at is the Boardwalk. It’s within walking distance of Epcot, and a quick boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But perhaps even more importantly, it offers its own entertainment options. I love sports, so I very often end up at the ESPN Club. From there, it’s just a quick jaunt back to my room. The atmosphere after-dark is amazing. I could spend hours sitting out on the Boardwalk and watching the lights over Crescent Lake on a warm night. Plus, and this should not be understated, you’re right next door to one of the finest ice cream creations ever concocted: The Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream. Nothing says “I’m not at work” like 8 pounds of ice cream. Technically that’s at Yacht/Beach Club resorts, but if you’re at the Boardwalk it’s still in your sphere of dessert influence.
Dining at Disney is one of my favorite things to do while on vacation, so this is a tough question.
My first, quick answer would be ‘Ohana, and for several reasons. First, I love to arrive early, check in, and order two ‘Ohana Coladas from the Tambu Lounge. Why two? Because it makes me happier than one.
Second, the food is great. There’s a peanut dipping sauce that goes on every piece of meat they throw at me. And that brings me to the third reason - the volume of food is unmatched. If you go to ‘Ohana, go hungry.
Lastly, I love having a great meal at ‘Ohana and then waddling uncomfortably down to the beach to watch Wishes across the Seven Seas Lagoon.
That said, Raglan Road at Downtown Disney has become a real favorite of mine. The food is fantastic, the Guinness is magical, and the music and entertainment are unmatched. Of course, you are asking an Irish guy from Boston who plays tenor banjo and bagpipes. I love the Simple Salmon appetizer in particular, and Ger’s Bread and Butter Pudding is to die for.
Our ownership in the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) gave us many fun family vacations. We started our email discussion 
by Tim Larison