Best WDW book?

[Luv4Disney]

I go by Birnbaum's. I personally think the PassPorter and many other books are too bulky. Birnbaum's is slim and includes everything. "The official is also the best."

 

[goofy4tink]

I must have about 20 different travel books, dating back to '99!!! The ones I continue to buy are...PassPorter (we use it as a travel diary and then use it to look back on, we have several now!), the UnOfficial Guide...yes, a bit hard on Disney but it's okay..WDW isn't perfect and people need to have an unbiased picture, and we get Birnbaum's Kids book for dd each trip. Sometimes I splurge and get the regular Official Birnbaum's for myself.

But those are the three that I always recommend to people, especially the novices. And, of course, the DIS!!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I think it really depends on what you're looking for.

If you want to cram as much in as you can into your vacation, the Unofficial Guide is best. The touring plans work. Their information is also unbiased. They really try to put positive and negative reviews about something. But when you're dealing with things like food, rides, accomodations - it's a tough thing to adequately review because EVERYBODY is going to have different tastes.

If you want a good planning tool, the Passporter is a great book to have.

From there, I think all books are created equal. I have quite a few. Econoguide to Disney World, Fodor's Disney World, Birnbaum's, the couples guide to Disney World. I've also looked through Disney World and Orlando for Dummies, Rita Aero's Guide, the Luxury side of Disney World, cause I considered purchasing them.

They all contain about the same information. Even the specialist guides (for couples, for luxury) are the same as all the others.

The one that does stand out, however not really as a guidebook, is the Walt Disney World Trivia book. It's FASCINATING! It's a great companion to any of the aforementioned guides.

 

[Bellefan66]

I'm a Passporter gal! It was invaluable on our last trip! We will be getting another one for our trip in 2006!!

 

[DizBelle]

Easy - the Unofficial Guide. I usually go in November and the UG for the following year is released a couple of months prior to my trip. I would expect the 2006 UG to be out a couple of months before your trip this November.

 

[Jen D]

The Unofficial Guide is hands down my favorite. Love it, love reading it.

But I always buy the Passporter for my trips too. I love the ability to use it as a "planner." It's a very good guide too, although Jennifer and Dave have definitely drunk the Kool-Aid. Not that there is anything wrong with that!

Birnbaum's is a good overview but doesn't really give you the "inside scoop."

 

[tigerlilly]

I have not bought a Guide Book this year yet because I figure most of the books on the shelves don't have updated information regarding all the new ticket prices, package plans and dining plans that came available January 2. Do you think it is better to wait if your trip isn't till next fall/winter or just go ahead and get one and skip the "ticket" section etc?

 

[Unofficial Fan]

Unofficial Fan of course votes for the Unofficial Guide!

 

[rlyrehc]

I am so glad to see that some of you prefer Birnbaum's guide. On our first trip I bought all the guides that I could find but realized that I liked Birnbaums the best. I buy a new one every year and pass the old one on to somebody who is going for the 1st or second time. We carry it in our backpack and pull it out while we are in line to check questions that come up. I also carry the trivia book and the hidden Mickey book to look through in case we get stuck in a long line but the one I wouldn't leave home without is Birnbaum's.

 

[Drizzo67]

Here's another vote for the Passporter. We have the Deluxe Edition and just order the refills every year. We found updates on the website and print them just before we leave. Love it, Love it, Love it.

 

[Mainebound]

Unofficial Guide. So informative, well organized, and funny!

I also buy the Birnbaum's to flip though with my kids to get them psyched for the trip and to remember our trips.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Passporter!

Passporter!

Passporter!

 

[ear_poppin]

I have all of the guides

Unofficial for the detailed Imfo especially on the restaurants.

Passported for the Imfo on the hotels.

Birnbaums - for the wonderful pictures inside! I buy new guides every year and this one makes me feel comforted! It always gets me in the mood for WDW ! but that ain't hard !

Denise

 

[AKQJ10]

I know this has nothing to do w/your orig quesitons but I picked up "The Walt Disney World Trivia Book" by Louis A. Mongello for the Plan Ride down, have finished more that half already....fun book!

Thanks to Mr. Belding and Snack for the kind words about the book! Happy to hear that you're enjoying it!!!!!

 

[areno79]

Well, I finally decided on The Unofficial Guide My library has the Birnbaum's, so I figured I could get the best of both worlds. Barnes & Noble didn't have the Passporter though, so I was a bit disappointed with that