Best printed guide for a newbie?

[StoneyPA]

I know that you can get great advice on these boards, but what do most people like as far as a printed guide to take along?

We're going May 1-7 to the Caribbean Beach resort with a 4- and 2-yr old. Been there once personally but when I was a kid 27-28 years ago. A bit different nowadays...

 

[Trisha0608]

Someone recommended the unofficial guide to WDW to me the other day. I plan on picking up a copy for my first trip in June I however can't recommend one lol. Good luck

 

[MHSweb79]

WELCOME TO THE DIS!

I love love the Unofficial Guide but it's 800 pages. Might be too much for a newbie. When my DD was young, we always picked up Birnbaum's Disney for Kids. My AAA office has it at a greatly discounted price so you might want to check that out.

The book gives the age-appropriateness, scary level, etc. of each ride and attraction. Listen to their advice!!! So you can avoid what happened to us: Took DD (4) to Disney for her first magical experience back in 1995. Ride #1: Mr. Toad. Upon exiting, she told us she would not ride anything else that was dark or where things jump out at you. She's in college now and still scarred for life! She still won't do any 3-D shows there, either.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

My friend swears by the Passporter... though I think it is up to personal preference.

 

[itsalebeau]

I checked out a bunch from the library, and the first one that came in was the Unofficial Guide. It is huge! BUT! I started to flip through it and got hooked, and read through the whole darn thing (taking notes all the way). It totally spoiled me for all the other books that came in. I really enjoyed it. It probably helped that I was sick with the flu for a week, so I had plenty of time to read it!

 

[ZoZo]

I checked out a bunch from the library, and the first one that came in was the Unofficial Guide. It is huge! BUT! I started to flip through it and got hooked, and read through the whole darn thing (taking notes all the way). It totally spoiled me for all the other books that came in. I really enjoyed it. It probably helped that I was sick with the flu for a week, so I had plenty of time to read it!

I'm also an Unofficial Guide girl. It's by far my favorite, but as others have said, it's big. I use it mainly for "research" before my trip, but don't carry it around with me at the parks.

See if you local library has books you can check out - then you can find your favorite! (That's how I found the Unofficial Guide!)

 

[Minniemouse07]

If you buy one book..PassPorter (especially as a newbie)...if you buy two books PassPorter and the Unofficial Guide.

For kids...I would go with Guide to the Magic for Kids, it makes the Birnbaum kid's book look like a poorly made pamphlet!

 

[Indynanny]

How often do they update these books??? I hate to buy one and the next month they come up with a new one...

 

[Hootch]

read through most of the guides. Some approach WDW from different angles.

The Unofficial Guide is the most comprehensive. It's long but there are parts that you may not need. For example, we've only flown to an Orlando once for our vacation. I used the section on rental car agencies to help me look for companies. I haven't read that section any other time. We also stay on site so the only time I have looked at the section on hotels outside WDW is to help someone else.

Passporter, to me, is a fan's view and is designed to be carried in the park. It's interesting and useful.

The Complete Guide has a lot of interesting information on small things in the parks and specifics about rides. I had never understood the story in Splash Mountain until reading The Complete Guide. And the detail for Haunted Mansion is amazing.

I would get the UG. It's long but you can pick what you read. You already have your resort picked out so that section can wait until your next trip.

How often do they update these books??? I hate to buy one and the next month they come up with a new one...

Each book is updated annually. I bought the UG editions four years apart but there was little difference other than small specifics like how far in advance you can make an ADR. Given the lead time on publishing, these details can be dated when you can take your trip. This site is better for details like that. Passporter does provide a place on their website where you can see and print out updates for their guides.

 

[momabaarjo]

I love the Unofficial Guide...makes for great bathroom reading! It really goes in depth in everything...and the discount to Touring Plans website is a great perk. With the being said, lots of reading and few pictures.

For this trip, I am patiently waiting for my Passporter to arrive...so I can plan more.

I love Birnbaum Guides for the colorful pictures!

 

[mrssmith06]

I have the 2011 Birnbaum Guides and I love them! The kids version has a place for character autographs and they books are small enough that I can tote them in my backpack around the parks. I haven't looked at the Unofficial Guide yet but I'm thinking about checking it out as well!

 

[Trisha0608]

I couldn't decide between Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2011 and the unofficial guide so I got them both and should be getting them today!

 

[quagmire0]

I'm a Disney newbie and my resources have pretty much been these boards, Mousesavers (early on), Tour Guide Mike, and unofficial guide. There is definitely an OVERLOAD of information out there, so give yourself some time to soak it all in. Generally, I think all these sources hit upon certain common themes that you'll pick up and be able to integrate into your own plan.

 

[mom2munchkins]

I love my passporter. It has places in the back to keep all the things you'll need for your trip. I really love it.It goes to the parks in the bag we pack. The Unofficial Guide was good too just a bit much to travel to the parks with

 

[sharona]

Definitely the UG. It is a lot of info but turned out to be a fun read. Just skip the parts that don't apply (onsite vs. offsite, car vs. bus).

 

[dsiind]

How often do they update these books??? I hate to buy one and the next month they come up with a new one...

I have my preference (OBVIOUSLY!), but to answer your question, the main guides are updated by most publishers annually. Typically the next years edition comes out in August/September. So the 2013 guides should hit the bookstore shelves around August or September 2012.

Hope that helps!

 

[Dismom55]

I have gotten Birnbaums guides for years and still do. Love them and love the Kids edition. First started reading them in the mid 1980's when I worked in a Library. Recently got my first Passporter, it is great to, but heavy to carry around. Either would be great for a newbie, but the Birnbaum edition for kids worth every penny. I keep them too as a way to compare how WDW has changed over the years.

One other thing since the Birnbaum is the Official guide, I tend to think some info to be more reliable when the computer is not at hand.

I also rely heavily on Disboards and other chat sites when planning my trips.

 

[homedad]

UG is great, Passporter is nice to organize and Birnbum is worthless but has nice pictures

 

[StoneyPA]

Big difference in the two guides? Or pretty much the same?

Leaning towards getting both an UG and a Passporter.

 

[mom2munchkins]

I have both! Different takes on the same info.Woth having both IMO