best guide book

[twinkletoesmom]

What is the best guide book to buy. I will be traveling with my fam dh, dd7, ds4. I really only want to buy 1 and get planning!!!

 

[JulielovesDisney]

My family always uses Birnbaum's Official Guide to Walt Disney World. It's about $15 - $20, and has tons of info. They also have a children's guide book, which would be nice for your kids. It explains all about the rides for the younger kids, and I think it even has some games and stuff in the book.

 

[Wazzo]

I have searched and searched for years for the best guidebook, and I finally found it this year!

The Passporter is the best! The new 2006 version just came out this year! (ISBN 1587710277) I HIGHLY recommend it!!! It has the best dining reviews of any book, and very good general insider information, even though it is unofficial.

Check it out!

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

I have searched and searched for years for the best guidebook, and I finally found it this year!

The Passporter is the best! The new 2006 version just came out this year! (ISBN 1587710277) I HIGHLY recommend it!!! It has the best dining reviews of any book, and very good general insider information, even though it is unofficial.

Check it out!

Passporter hands down!! It has LOTS of information, budget worksheets, and note pages. In the back it has "envelope" pages for each day of your trip to write down your schedule, reservation #s, memories, etc. They also have an excellent website www.passporter.com/wdw

 

[scoutsmom99]

I have always enjoyed the unoffical guide...they also include Universal and Sea World in the book if you are going there as well. Another great tour guide is Tour Guide Mike it is kinda like an on-line guidebook where you can put together your own itineraries and what not.

 

[Sandy]

Unofficial guide has been the best for me. It's broken down to give you tips if traveling with kids, alone, all sorts of different situations. I never take a trip without one and always update my Disney version before I head there.

Of course I've found lots of tips on these forums.

 

[twinkletoesmom]

thanks guys !!!!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Birnbaum's is Disney's book. There are adorable pictures and it can really get you excited. For the kiddies, Birnbaum's For Kids, By Kids is really good.

The Unofficial Guide (get the 2006 one) has all the information you need. Everything! It helps you with choosing hotels, parks, when to go, what days are best for which park (all year), and most helpful - how to avoid standing in long lines! There is also info on Universal, if you're venturing out that way. If you're only buying one, this is the one to get!!!!!!

The Passporter is OK, very pro-Disney, but doesn't have any cute pictures (except some of the authors) and isn't close to as comprehensive as the Unofficial Guide.

Have a great trip!

 

[88Keys]

Birnbaum's is too biased-- UOG is the way to go....

 

[Hanover]

I have Birnbaum's, Passporter's and UOG books. I like them all for different reasons, but would have to say the UOG is my favorite. However, nothing beats all the great information here on the Disboards!

 

[richard_andmel]

PassPorter is the best by far in my opinion.

Mel

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I have them all and IMHO the UG is the most comprehensive with more useful info. Birnbaum's is more like a brochure than a guide. It is very nice and good pics but not as much critical info. Passporter is good to but not as down to earth as the UG. UG has the many touring plans that you can follow and the graphs for the best park to visit on specific days not to mention the in depth resort and park descriptions. Some think it is too critical of WDW but there are some things about WDW that the average tourist will not like/appreciate and the UG covers that.

 

[Mom to a Princess]

I have the Passporter and the Unoffical Guide. I find that both are helpfull when planning my trip out months ahead of time. It is the passporter that I take with me when I go. I just got the 2006 edition this weekend.

 

[tinabheart]

I have Birnbaum's, Passporter's and UOG books. I like them all for different reasons, but would have to say the UOG is my favorite. However, nothing beats all the great information here on the Disboards!

Ditto!

Although, I must mention that I spent over two hours today at Barnes & Nobles looking at 'other' Disney guides. I don't remember the exact name, but the title was something like the Cheapskates's Guide to Disney, and my DS12 picked up the Birnbaum's Kid's guide. He absolutely loved it.

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

I LOVE the unofficial guide! Bob Sehlinger really tells it like it is. Lots of honest, great info!

 

[beccawes7471]

I used the UOG this trip and sil bought Passporters, def liked them both. I recommend checking your local library if you are near one, mine already had the 2006 Birenbaum's and the 2005 Passporters last October, so I checked them out numerous times, plus checked them out right before the trip (jan 06) so I could bring them with for quick references (restaraunt hrs, etc) thus the money I saved on buying the books I used at Disney, on food I'm pretty sure

 

[LordAthens]

The Unofficial Guide is like a Disney Encyclopedia. It has almost as much information in it than these boards contain. IMO, a must have.

I buy the Birnbaums book just because that was the first book I bought when we planned our first Disney vacation so it holds some sentimental value It has some good information, not nearly as much as the UoG, but it's still recommended.

And, every year I also buy the Passporter. I don't buy the Passporter so much for the information (though it's probably the best for dining recommendations). I mainly buy it because it's a cute concept. We take the receipts for every day and put them in the pockets. This helps our planning from year to year as I can go back to the last years books and say "We spent $XX per person per day on food in 2003 and we spent $YY per person per day in 2002, so we can budget $ZZ for this year". It's really great knowing how much to realisticly budget for us. Sure, you can get great opinions on the Dis, but for some reason, my G\F and I spend quite a bit less than what is the "usual" recommendation around here.

All 3 go down to The World with us

 

[MJMcBride]

If I had to get one it would be the Unofficial Guide as it has a lot more infor. The Passporter would definately be #2. Birnbaum is a waste of money especially, the dining guide.

 

[kat3668]

heres another vote for the unofficial guide.....
Birmbaums is cute but the UOG has more info

 

[fitzperry]

Another vote for the UG--humorous, well organized and tons of useful info!