Best Guide Book?

[lclark0621]

We are taking some friends in March to WDW. The have never been there. I want to get them a really good guide book for Christmas.

Any opinions?

 

[zachnlucy]

I love the Unofficial Guide to WDW, and have also received great information from www.tourguidemike.com.

 

[madgomez]

I agree with Cindy about both. If they're computer literate, I would put Tour Guide Mike first. If not, UG has great info. If they like to organize, save momentos, scrapbook, etc., then Passporter is nice as a gift.

 

[aengus]

Great advice there. I like the unofficial guide and the passporter as well.

I have never tried to tour guide mike however.

 

[Wendy1953]

I particularly like Birnbaum's Official Guide to Walt Disney World!

 

[salmoneous]

I think a lot depends upon what you are looking for in a guide book. If you goal is to help get your friends excited about Disney and get them thinking about the fun things they want to do, Birnbaum's is a great book. If they are into maps and note taking, the Passporter may be best. And if they are obsessive planners, maybe you go with the Unofficial guide.

For what it's worth, I'm an obsessive planner and read every guidebook, every online site I could fine before going. Heck, I do this for every trip wherever I go. And I disliked the Unofficial Guide more than any guidebook I've ever read. I know tons of people love it, but when he described your child wanting to meet Mickey Mouse as an obstacle that needs to be overcome, I knew this book was not for me.

 

[ratfam]

I have been reviewing several guidebooks I checked out of our local library and I found the Unofficial Guide most helpful, easiest to use, and even funny sometimes (for my sense of humor, anyway). I would not recommend Frommer's 2006--it seemed much less comprehensive and based on what I read here, on allears and in other books, some of the information (especially about restaurants) seemed just plain wrong or very outdated.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think a lot depends upon what you are looking for in a guide book. If you goal is to help get your friends excited about Disney and get them thinking about the fun things they want to do, Birnbaum's is a great book. If they are into maps and note taking, the Passporter may be best. And if they are obsessive planners, maybe you go with the Unofficial guide.

For what it's worth, I'm an obsessive planner and read every guidebook, every online site I could fine before going. Heck, I do this for every trip wherever I go. And I disliked the Unofficial Guide more than any guidebook I've ever read. I know tons of people love it, but when he described your child wanting to meet Mickey Mouse as an obstacle that needs to be overcome, I knew this book was not for me.

My thoughts exactly! I know some find Birnbaums too cheesey and nicey nice but I love it. Its great for kids to read because of the pictures and its an easy read. Passporter is great for me because I loved all the charts and places to write my conf. #'s and expenses. UG is okay but it is so huge, with so much information it felt more like a textbook to me. Also, I agree, I hated the way some of the sacred cow moments were described almost like a visit to the gynecologist, something you gotta do but dread!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

I'm an obsessive planner and I LOVE Unofficial Guide. Yes, it isn't all nicey and sweet but it gives you tons of information and they are usually dead on. It describes all the rides, the restaurants, and information on getting to and from the parks. I really don't have to have this guide book but I can't help wanting to read it. Actually, I have learned more from this site and the subscribers than any guide book I've read. I know you are looking for a guide book, but I would still recommend this site to your friend. You can find an answer to any question on here, and people are happy to give you their honest opinions.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I think I've had every WDW guidebook under the sun and my favourite by a mile is Unofficial Guide, the touring plans and honest information are just great.

However I would agree with previous posters that if they have a computer a subscription to Tour Guide Mike is the way to go. I hardly ever refer to my books now

 

[Minerva]

I've got more guidebooks than I care to say <g> but if I could only have one it would be the UG. Hands down.

 

[Hanover]

I have a few different guides, but really love my UG.

 

[ryley26]

Another vote for UG love that book

 

[bicker]

I haven't found a fair and balanced guidebook, so I recommend getting two: Birnbaum's Official Guide and the Unofficial Guide. Truth is somewhere in between the two, and with both, you're getting as much of both sides as you can.