Reviews

I never got the Proud Family. I wrote to the seller. They never responded!

I am a 35 year old Proud Family fan with no kids (lol) and I must say that this is a great movie that will keep you laughing. I am waiting on the series to come out so I can purchase each one.

I HAD SEEN THE PROUD FAMILY ON THE DISNEY CHANNEL AND ENJOYED THE TV SHOW. WHEN I SAW THEY HAD A MOVIE I HAD TO GET IT FOR MY FOUR YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THE MOVIE WAS VERY GOOD. IT WAS ENTERTAINING FOR MY CHILD AND ME AS WELL. IT A CUTE FUNNY FAMILY MOVIE I WOULD RECOMMENED THIS TO ANYONE .

I watched this on the Disney Channel. I first thought it was going to be dumb. Then turned out really great. I can't wait till the dvd comes out. Disney is finally releasing the Disney Channel Original Movies on dvd. I reccommend this and these other great DCOM's Get a Clue, Cadet Kelly, The Even Stevens Movie, The Cheetah Girls, Halloweentown/ Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge, Halloweentown High, Under Wraps (a rare dvd), and Miracle in Lane 2.

Reviews

THE HITCH-HIKER(1953)---(Directed by Ida Lupino)---Edmund O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, William Talman. This film may seem a little dated since we are accustomed to much more violent and bloody "nut-job" movies, but it still retains the power to draw you in and keep you on the edge of your seat as the plot plays out. O'Brien and Lovejoy play two buddies who live in southern California, near the Mexican border. As the film opens, we see a series of brutal murders committed by an unseen hitch-hiker and the police on both sides of the border are on the lookout for the murderer. O'Brien and Lovejoy set out on a week-end fishing trip but decide to take a detour across the border for a little "fun". Of course, they stop and pick up a hitch-hiker, played by William Talman, and, guess what?---he's the psycho all the cops are looking for. He takes the two hostage and the remainder of the film is taken up with Talman's sadistic "mind games" and with O'Brien and Lovejoy trying to figure out how to keep from being killed. Talman is particularly good as the deranged killer. As noted above, the film is directed by Ida Lupino and she does a very effective job of creating and maintaining the suspense. I would recommend this film the next time you want to spend an hour or so biting your nails!

Movies like this are the reason Kerouac's "On the Road" was never a big success. People were too scared to pick up innocent hitchhikers just searching for adventure under the Big Blue Sky after seeing this anti-migration propaganda. Thanks, lady!

This is advertised as "Re-mastered" A2ZCDS should be ashamed. The CD is like a poor home recorded copy from a local TV station. Poor resolution, bad quality picture. There are better copies of this famous film Noir out there. This is not one of the good ones.

The Bottom Line: The Hitch-Hiker may be the only film-noir ever directed by a woman, but it's unfortunately also one of the worst I've seen; exceedingly dull even at a short 78 minutes, with a minimum of tension and a lot of pointless wheels-spinning, this is a disappointing film that has little to offer and should be eschewed in favor of more interesting films like John Sturges's similar but better Jeopardy.

My continuing explorations of noir have brought me to this exciting low-budget affair featuring the unknown-to-me William Tallman giving a stunning performance as multiple murderer Emmett Myers, who kidnaps a couple of old war veteran buddies (Edmond O'Brien and Frank Lovejoy) in the desert and forces them to drive him to Mexico. This is superbly done, and along with the other Lupino films I've seen ("The Outrage" and "The Bigamist") offers strong proof that she was one of the great directors of the early 50s; she builds suspense slowly and steadily -- it's hard to believe the film is only 71 minutes, and not because it is in any way "slow" -- and her eye for the landscape and for the psychology of fear gives even the obvious rear-projection sequences in the car a feeling of authenticity. Location shooting was still pretty rare in the early 1950s and it's nice that Lupino got a chance to get out of L.A. for this effort, which really profits from the desert desolation and loneliness. Talman's performance and character -- the bum eye that causes a twitch in his face, the sadism, the sick sense of humor and the constant threatening of his companions -- is what is going to stick with most people, though O'Brien and Lovejoy are both fine in rather thankless roles; he is never so over-the-top that he becomes unbelievable, and he is given just enough depth through some vague comments about his past that you can practically trace his decline into insanity. We also are made uneasy enough that we never really are sure how things will turn out, as the captives become more desperate and their captor more crazy -- all the way up until the powerful climax on a pier in a port town in Mexico. I watched the KINO VHS.

Reviews

I am a seasoned Disney veteran, having experienced Disney World as a child, teenager, adult without children, and now as a parent. I love it and consider myself to be very highly versed on the topic. This book is very entertaining to someone like me, who can relate to the things the author is describing in the beginning part of the book. I was able to visualize his wittily described endeavors as if I was on the trips with him. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a unique guidebook that goes above and beyond your typical "what to do and where to stay" types of books on the market. A good read for getting ready for the next Disney trip to really get you in the Disney mood. Great book!

Mousejunkies is not your typical guidebook or vacation planning book-- it's so much more! This is a book that is FUN to sit and read cover to cover. It's like talking to a good friend about his experiences (as well as those of his friends) at Walt Disney World. But this friend happens to know quite a lot about WDW, enough to make it interesting and fun to talk about. It has tons of great information and personal experiences, as well as opinions on most any question one might have about traveling to and visiting WDW. If you're looking for a guidebook with ratings, descriptions of every hotel, restaurant, park, and ride, this probably isn't the book for you. But if you want a fun read about all things WDW, this is definitely a great book to consider. (And this is coming from an avid WDW fan who visits the parks on a very regular basis.) Try reading it before your next trip to WDW-- it might just get you even more excited!

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is Way more informative. Skip this book and get that one.

This book is very entertaining. It is a very different way to tell the Disney World Story. The book is a mix of personal tales and some very interesting inside facts about Disney. This mix of styles makes the park come alive like nothing else, unless you have visited there. Then you know first had the magic that is Disney. He also breaks things down into easy reference chapters so you can find exactly what you are looking for. These chapters cover the parks, their attractions, various hotels, information about special events, and other things. For those who are confused about what a mousejunky is he answers those questions. The author explains that attraction better than anything else. Read this book and you can understand why the Disney Vacation Club does so well.

If you find yourself daydreaming about your next trip to DisneyWorld while filling your tank at the gas station, or perhaps wondering whether it would be better to spend your last snack credit on a Dole Whip or a Mickey bar - seven months before your trip - then order this book right now! You'll love it, and laugh your head off as you realize that contrary to what you may have believed previously, you are NOT alone!!! First-timers will benefit from the tips and suggestions, but it's the closeted Mousejunkies out there who will truly appreciate this gem of a book.

Reviews

Some good ideas, much of the saving ideas I already knew and have been doing for many years when we travel anywhere. But, the tips on using the wdw landscape to create photo's was great thought, activities that don't cost extra at the resort areas are all useful hints. thanks.

I had to respond to some of the nay-sayers that have reviewed this book. We go to Disney a few times a year, and it is by far one of the least vacations that we can take. This book hits the nail on the head! You can DEFINITELY bring in a cooler with your food, and not only will it save you money, but is healthier and better tasting than the burger and fries that you will find at the park. Staying in a rented house is not only less expensive, but infinitely more comfortable for a large group. Most people don't even realize that this is an option. Going to Disney doesn't have to be an all-out spending fest! You can still give your kids the world without paying for it for months on end and spoiling them in the process. Set up limits on when/where to buy souvenirs, bring your own food, find budget accommodations. Once you get to the park it is the same magic for everyone, whether you've spend $1000 to get there or $5000.

After thoroughly reading "Disney on a Dime: Money-Saving Secrets for Your Walt Disney World Vacation", all I can say is save your money and the time you would spend reading this book. Not only is there nothing earth shattering revealed in this book, there is easily better information available online for free. There are many Disney based web sites out there, and I'd venture to say that 99% or more offer better information than this book does. The first myth of the book to dispell is bringing your own food to the park and storing it in a cooler in a locker. Not only does Disney not allow outside food, they surely do not allow a cooler! Apparently the author has never been through the outside security checkpoints or bag check that has been implemented since 9/11/01. Secondly, the author advocates stealing condiments, cups, and just about any foodservice item you can fit in your pocket/purse. While this can be done, it's absolutely ludicrous to think anyone WOULD do this. Is this really saving money, when everything you are taking is provided free of charge in the park? I think not. I can go on and on, but I think anyone with a brain gets the idea here. In closing, I think the average person understands that a Disney vacation is by no means inexpensive. The published statistic is that the average family of four will save for seven years to take a 1 week Disney vacation. With many of the offers Disney has had the past few years (discounted 7 days vacation promotions, free dining plan, etc.) it is now even easier to take that vacation AND stay on Disney property. Do your homework online for free, and avoid this book at all costs. That'll be your fist step in saving for your Disney vacation. It's a shame that I actually had to give the book 1 star to write the review, as it's not even deserving of that.

I used this book and from what I've read it mentions stuff that I might not have or didn't think of. Disney is and will always be expensive. The title itself is not to be taken literally. We took our lunches in and not a word was said..I did this without a second thought. Believe me,they got plenty of money out of me when it was all said and done. So I feel no guilt about saving a few bucks for lunch. If you can save some money while at "The World" do it. This is a guide and an informative one at that. 263 days and counting!!

You can't do Disney on a dime. And if you could, you'd have a miserable time. Most of the tips in this book are either ridiculous or downright hilarious. Did you really come to Disney to fill your pockets with free food and condiments from a topping bar? That's one of the tips for saving money at the park. Or how about bringing your own food into the park after driving there from your off-site motel room and telling the kids that they can't buy any souvenirs? What a vacation. There are a few good tips in the book, but you probably know about them already or can easily find them for free on-line. I'm a big fan of saving money at Disney. It is possible to save money there without ruining your vacation by cutting every corner. A good Disney vacation is expensive. All the penny jars (another tip from the book) in the world won't help with that. Do your own research and don't expect miracles. And don't be misled by authors whose next tip might involve panhandling outside Cinderella's Castle.

Reviews

This book helped us make the most of a 3 1/2 day trip from Jan.3-6, 2010. We successfully followed his "game-plan" for WDW, EPCOT, and making restaurant reservations. Everything worked out perfectly-- his restaurant reviews were right on the money---everyone very good. Highly recommend this book. Our group was 2 teens and 2 forty year olds. We stayed off-site (one mile away and saved tons of money as compared to staying in a WDW property).

No trip to WDW is completely hassle-free, but Mr. Barrett's touring plans and advice allow you to make the most of your time in the parks. His touring plans may seem too structured at first but you must remember his "Basic Rules for Touring" and adjust your day as necessary. Tips for the least-crowded restaurants and restrooms are invaluable on those hot, shoulder-to-shoulder days. The book was just as valuable on our third trip to Disney World as it was on our first.

Unfortunately, "The Hassle-Free WDW Vacation" did not help decrease our WDW "hassles". Actually, I suspect that anyone who tried to follow any of the "Touring Plans" detailed for the WDW parks would end up feeling like their vacation was more work than play. Here are some of the reasons I would not recommend buying this book: 1) The book is essentially a book of lists..."what to do on arrival day" (a confusing array of suggestions), "what to do on departure day"-that list includes "revisit attractions (!) , look for Hidden Mickeys" -(..hmmmm-there's a "Hidden Mickey" book also written by this author) , and what to pack (this is the one helpful list!) 2) The bulk of the book is a series of minute to minute one and two day plans broken down by visitor age groups. I suppose some WDW visitors would wish to "attack" the parks, list in hand with the plan to run to the most coveted ride at opening, sprint to the first FastPass in the next 20 min, "exit and turn left" and approach the character greeting place, etc. However, these plans are going to fail at the first changed mind or missed step. Also there is a lot of generalization about what would appeal to an age group without taking into account individual needs. 3)The plans also include suggestions that have actually (believe it or not) been tested for accuracy and disproved elsewhere...such as the frequently stated (by this author) "choose the left queue". That "truism" is at the level of an urban myth by now. 4) If visitors do want to attack the park this way- following plans step by step- the weather, time of year, crowd level and make-up all need to be considered. These plans do not take these factors into account. (For example if you go to WDW-as we did- when school is "in"- Fantasyland will be packed with the tiny tots, while rides appealing to grade school and older kids will be less in demand. For the few times we actually "went on attack" it really helped to take this factor into account.) 5) There are frequently vague suggestions in the plans such as "Take in a show"...there is significant variability as to the amount of time a visitor needs to set aside for each and every show in any of the parks in WDW- Each show is different and needs specific timing and cannot just be randomly plugged into a timed out "plan for the day". 6) There is little other helpful information or details in the book. I would only recommend this book to someone who has one or two days to spend at all of WDW and wants to seriously prioritize. And if you are one of those people, check the book out at the library, look over the ideas then make your own schedule, using information from guide books that are a better buy for the money.

I liked this book. The list of things to bring, etc. was a good start.

While this may be an OK guide, please note that it was reprinted in 2006 withOUT being updated. Much of the information here is no longer true -- there are tips for attractions that don't exist anymore! Particularly troubling are inaccuracies related to ticketing, park hours, special events, on-site amenities, and dining/recreation/reservation policies. Some hints are still applicable and therefore helpful, but unknowing first-timers (or anyone who selects this guide as his/her sole source of information) will be misled in significant ways.