Best book for first timers

[cassie714]

My inlaws are going to disney for the first time in July. Since we aren't gooing with them to share our vast knowledge, I wanted to buy them a touring book. Which one do you think would be the best one? I am sure Disney hass got to be overwhleming if you have never been there. I want to make sure they know the inns and outs. Thanks

 

[akenneson]

I am also a first time trip planner and I bought The Unofficial Guide to WDW 2009. It was recommended by many and gives an unbiased overview of the parks. It covers a lot of inforamation, but I thought it was an easy and enjoyable read. There is actually quite a few parts where I found myself laughing out loud. There are also a few more that I want to read before I leave, but I haven't decided which ones yet.

 

[CarolAnnB]

Unofficial Guide is our favorite, we get a new one every few years. If they are web-savvy, allearsnet.com is a great resource too - we love the menu feature.

 

[TheCharmingLizard]

I think I'll be looking into the book myself - I'm taking the kids for the first time in a month, and I want to to be the best vacation I can make it.

 

[beccasmom]

The Unofficial Guide is really good. It does not hesitate to say things you will not find in other WDW guides, which I think is good. You are better off knowing such things on the way in! Parts of it are pretty funny and they sprinkle reader's letters throughout the book with reviews that are often spot-on.

 

[Synndy]

Passporter hands down

It works as a planner & tour book & is very easy to use.

I gave one to my parents when we suprised them with a trip (going in Sept & they havent been since 93) and they really like it.

It contains just about everything you need with spaces to write all your info so youre not stuck carrying around 4-5 different things.

 

[Alesia]

I think the passporter is great for first-timers. It's well organized and easy to read.

The unofficial guide is great, but I think it could be overwhelming for someone who isn't a natural born planner.

 

[carlbarry]

I just read the Unofficial Guide, which I borrowed from the library. I think it is the best book I have seen. But I must add one caveat: it scared the heck out of me!
I have been to WDW 4 times now, and each park once, Epcot twice. I have always gone off season. I am planning another trip for my birthday in September.
Although I found the information in the Unofficial Guide to be very in depth, it was also intimidating. From what they say, a novice would think that you will ALWAYS find long lines, and that only in the first hour of the park being open can you get in to a ride with out an extended wait. Further, they say that if you arrive 15 minutes "late," you will have missed this window of opportunity!
As I said, I've always gone off season (early Dec., early March, Feb.) and have never had extended lines. So that is my only criticism of this otherwise very valuable guide.

 

[klacey1]

The first trip I planned, I tried to use the Passporter and hated it. The Unofficial Guide, however, is super informative! I loved it-- no need to buy any other books (which I did anyway haha).
Paula Frommer's and the Fodor book, which I also bought, were terribly out of date for the year the were supposed to be "current." I also don't reccoment Birnbaum's-- official guides will always be too biased...

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

ive been 5 times but you know you can always learn more. i bought a passports guide and the unofficial gudie to travelling with kids. i prefer the passporters myself, and everytime i look at it i find something else i didnt know!

 

[TagsMissy]

Hands down -- Unofficial Guide to WDW

 

[thepwa]

My inlaws are going to disney for the first time in July. Since we aren't gooing with them to share our vast knowledge, I wanted to buy them a touring book. Which one do you think would be the best one? I am sure Disney hass got to be overwhleming if you have never been there. I want to make sure they know the inns and outs. Thanks

Unofficial Guide, no question. I have used Passporter, Birnbaum's and UG, and I get much more info from UG.

Passporter is cute and multifunctional, and a nice supplement, but for real in-depth info, UG is my fav.

Birnbaums is nothing more than a brochure on steroids.

 

[ty93850]

The Unoffical is the best book. You can skip sections that you dont need IE stay off site, THe dining section alone is awsome and is a must read with the way Disney does reservations at the resturants now. If you have never been to Disney you have no Idea where to eat and this will help narrow the field. THe travel times to and from parks and hotels I also find to be awsome. The section of touring plans they work. If you want the get the most out of a Disney trip they are perfect. I agree the book can be overwhelming when you first look at but it is great tool.

 

[Bill and Jen]

I vote for The Unofficial Guide to WDW as well.

Another thing is that if you buy this book you can access thier website to see crowd calanders and wich parks to aviod/attend for each day of the year and it is said to be extremly accurate.

 

[TheCharmingLizard]

You all are starting to make me nervous, lol...

I've never had to actually plan my trip by myself before (my husband + planning = not so much)....

 

[rottiemom]

I'd suggest the Unofficial Guide and The Passporter. To me, as a first timer, the Passporter was worth it for the maps alone. I found the maps that they hand out at the parks pretty annoying & confusing when compared to the Passporter's maps. Plus the information was very much "at a glance" on the back of the map so I could easily just rip the Passporter map out of the book and have a nice crib sheet for whatever park we were going to tucked in my pocket.

 

[Shenanigoat]

I'd suggest the Unofficial Guide and The Passporter. To me, as a first timer, the Passporter was worth it for the maps alone. I found the maps that they hand out at the parks pretty annoying & confusing when compared to the Passporter's maps. Plus the information was very much "at a glance" on the back of the map so I could easily just rip the Passporter map out of the book and have a nice crib sheet for whatever park we were going to tucked in my pocket.

Yes, this is the best idea. When I went for my first trip where I was doing all the planning I did an Unofficial Guide and Passporter combo. It had been 7 years for me and I found both books together created the best information guide. The passporter is so interactive and is great to carry in the parks, but the Unofficial Guide has soooo much helpful info.

My parents are going to WDW for the first time in 17 years (since I've been talking about it almost nonstop and am working on my 3rd trip in two years!) and I wanted to give my Mom help without being her overbearing travel agent. I told her to get these two books. She said it's the best idea ever and has recommended it to her friends who are thinking of going, now that she's been talking about it.

 

[Greysword]

The Unofficial Guide also makes a good bathroom book, too

We usually bring ours as a quick reference guide to plan the day (such as an unplanned ADR) or for telephone numbers and such.