2003 Unofficial Gude vs Birnbaum

[Patpat15]

The unofficial guide changed our lives! It rules!

 

[Uncleromulus]

mom_rules:
Think the latest edition is 2002-2003. But like all other WDW guidebooks, some of it is out of date just as soon as it is printed.
Borders (a book store in my area) and Barnes and Noble both have it. If you get to a reasonably large bookstore, pick one up and have a look.
Len:
Oh I'm sure they have. Too bad they couldn't come up with a better and more balanced guidebook!!
As one detractor has called it-- Disney Commando Style. Makes you want to go out and get some camoflage fatigues before entering the parks!!
I recommend full Navy Seal training before using one of their touring plans.

 

[punkin]

What's wrong with Disney Commando Style? Not everyone goes to WDW as often as you do Uncleromulus. They can't afford to take it easy and have no plans. Most people want to get as much attraction time in as possible with as little as possible standing in line. Th UG provides the best way to do precisely that.

Moreover, I can't understand why you thing the book is not balanced. In my opinion it describes the good as well as the bad at disney. I can't comment on the Perelmutter book (having never read it), but Birnbaum is truelly not balanced, giving only the Disney company line...I can get that from press releases!

 

[apagano]

The UG's touring plans worked fabulously for DW and I on our last trip. We had all the major attractions done before most people had even arrived at the parks! It was amazing how "right on" the touring plans were in terms of avoiding the crowds.

As far as balance, I think the UG is one of the most balanced guidebooks out there year after year. Is it critical? Sure it is, as it should be. I don't agree with everything in the book, but that's the beauty of opinions. Are the touring plans for everyone? No, and anybody who bothers to actually read the book would know that. An obsession with trying to be clever? It's a 794-page book! If it were nothing but straight information it would be unreadable.

I read the Perlmutter book. A good guide, but in my opinion a little too geared towards upscale couples and families. I got tons more useful information from the UG. Not every guidebook is for everyone. The UG has helped millions of readers enjoy Disney. So has the Birnbaum, the Passporter, Perlmutter and others. I would recommend for most people to pick up several of the guides and find the ones that work best for you.

 

[niks81]

Ok, my turn!

As you can see there are a huge variety of responses here. Everyone is different....here is what I did. Last year I was planning my first real vacation (at the age of 20) for myself and my fiance. I bought the Unofficial Guide first because I had no idea what I was doing

That thing was a lifesaver! It was very specific and detailed about everything you could possibly want to know! It also gave you the cold hard truth. I did find it a bit opinionated, but it's one of the few that is, so it is worth a shot to me. I did not use the touring plans, since that is not my style. Next, I purchased the Birnbaum book which is full of beautiful pictures and all the great fluff! I am glad I purchased this book second because by that time I had gotten the low down on what I needed to do from the other book. With that one I could just enjoy it, and get excited for the trip! I ended up purchasing the Passporter right before the trip and it was absolutely wonderful. It had detailed information and the passpockets were the best thing ever invented!! When I came home from my trip all of my confirmations and receipts were still in there and it was just a great tool.

That being said, I am just another one of the many opinions you will get on this thread.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'll just end my participation with this little story:
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine from work (before I retired) bought (against my advice) the Unofficial Guide and was soon whipped into shape for his first trip to WDW in about 15 years.
On their first day, (following the advice to "move as fast as you can down Main Street") his 7 year old daughter tripped and fell, breaking the little finger on her right hand.
After following the advice to arrive and hour and a half before Park opening time each morning, my friend and his family were so exhausted after their 3 days that they all got sick--he missed 2 days of work after getting back from WDW and his kids missed a day of school.
Some advice, it seems, is dearly bought--

 

[niks81]

Just for the record, I do not agree with being as compulsive about the touring plans as they suggest....while it's great to have short waits, it is by no means a vacation if you get up super early, spend your time running around the park to meet the criteria of the plan. There's even a story in the book about someone that was so obsessed with following his itinerary she had an anxiety attack LOL

 

[apagano]

There's even a story in the book about someone that was so obsessed with following his itinerary she had an anxiety attack

And the book gives this as an example of what NOT to do. Nowhere in the Unofficial Guide does it state that you absolutely must follow the touring plans to the letter or you will not enjoy your vacation. That is an interpretation of the book that some people incorrectly have. I think the book makes it pretty clear about how the touring plans won't work for everybody. If you're dragging young children around the park at breakneck speed, that's your own fault. Tired of waking up early every morning? Take a break or take a day off! The UG recommends that, but for some reason that page seems to have been omitted from everybody's copy except mine

Page 62 of the 2003 edition, and I quote "Every Walt Disney World Vacation itinerary should include some break days (when you don't go to a theme park) and some sleeping-in days (when you take the morning off)."

Seems to me that the book is not the problem. It's people with poor reading comprehension.

 

[niks81]

Excuse me, but if you will notice above that prior post I was all for getting the UG. So to state indirectly that myself or anyone else has poor reading comprehension is quite amusing...take your own advice

I meant that as a joke...notice the LOL....I buy a copy of the book every year so I am not against buying it. I was just indicating that I do not follow the tour guides they include.

 

[apagano]

niks81, I am in agreement with you. My post was meant as an addition to, rather than a challenge against your statements. The fact that you provided a specific example from the book shows that you "get it."

 

[niks81]

Got it

 

[punkin]

It seems to me some people have very strong opinions about the UG (going both ways). The other guidebooks just don't seem to eliscit this much debate.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I bought Birnbaum's back in 1997, glanced at it, and I haven't bought another Disney book since. I have never found a need for one. I have evented my own little tricks and tips for getting around the parks. HEY, maybe I should write a book???

 

[jwwi]

My vote is for UG. So many great tips, time and money saving information. I always amaze the people I travel with, sharing all the inside information. I have only visited this site for the last two years, but have been going to WDW since 1972. I really love to read and re-read this book. Birmbaum's book is ok, but nothing beats the UG.

 

[Uncleromulus]

"Ask not for whom the tome tells, Bubba, it tells for thee".

But not for me

 

[jdads2]

We bought Birnbaum's, Unofficial Guide and the Passporter. It was great getting different reviews from each one. Birnbaum's was like reading a commercial for WDW but it still has a few decent tips.

 

[Terk-1]

I really like Birnbaum's, but LOVE my Passporter!!! I just saw the 2003 one's in my local B&N, but since I bought the deluxe one last year, I need to order the new inserts from the Passporter website for this year. I know alot of people like the Unofficial one, but I don't. I think it's too big (thick) and way too critical & negative to be useful to me. I skimmed through it once a few years back and put it right back on the shelf. I collect the Birnbaum's guides, but again swear by my Passporter, this website and Deb's website. Brinbaum's is the "Official" guide. Just my opinion.

 

[jlambrig]

Get Birnbaum's and Passporter.