Best WDW books for planning?

[Quaktastic]

I've been buying Birnbaum's every year I go. Does no one else like it???

 

[crisi]

My own take:

Go to the library or bookstore. Plan on spending some time. Pick a Barnes and Noble with some comfy chairs. Read a few pages from each book and see what fits your style.

The big three around here:

Birnbaums - I like Birnbaums - especially for first time visitors. It has color photos, an upbeat attitude and it isn't overwhelming. However, its the simpliest of the books and being "official" everything is good. Which lets you make your decision on what sounds interesting to you, but you might want some more advice.

Passporter - Dave and Jen (the authors) are obviously Disney freaks. This book is great for planners and has pockets in it to keep your stuff and take notes about your trip. Its the most "workbook" like and as a veteran of the parks, its the book I buy for each trip - if only because it lets me put my tickets, etc. in pockets.

Unofficial Guide - Bob and Len and company have the best and most complete touring plans. IMHO, their attitude is a little commando, and the information overwhelming. I also don't find the data to be very accurate (making PSs online, or still having Le Cellier as a cafeteria years after its switch to a steak house). They also do an unfortuate job of stating opinions as fact - for instance their attitude of "every small child will need to go back to the resort for a nap" tells me they've never met my kids. This one is, however, far and away the most data packed book. However, the book is very well liked by a lot of DISers (if not by me, I still buy it occationally because I'm a queuing theory geek).

There are plenty of other books as well, and one of them may be even better for your needs than the three mentioned here.

Web sites:

Tour Guide Mike - a fee based "electronic book." Having used it, I think the paper books have more info, easier to access and I can carry them around. A lot of people print the TGM articles.

www.wdwinfo.com - home site to the DIS boards, contains a wealth of information for free. Still has the same problem of not being able to take it with you.

www.allearsnet.com - my favorite of the Disney information sites, Deb does a great job of letting people know what's new.

 

[SugarMomma]

I've been buying Birnbaum's every year I go. Does no one else like it???

I always recommend Birnbaums's to first time planners, because it tells about everything in great detail. I also recommend going to your local library and checking out whatever they have to get a well rounded view. But............I LOVE MY PASSPORTER.......

 

[Drizzo67]

Love, love, love my Passporter. I have the Deluxe version and order the new refill every year. Just ordered two Deluxes to give as gifts to my DMIL and DSIL as they will be joining us on our trip this year. Hope this helps with your decision. You can get the regular Passporter in book stores but you can order the Deluxe on-line.

 

[rt2dz]

Passporter is good, but I highly recommend the Unofficial Guide. especially if you have never been before. It really doesn't get any better than the Unofficial Guide as far as gleaming info. I also highly recommend mousesavers and all ears

 

[kathie859]

I enjoy the Unofficial Guide's sometimes irreverent attitude and the occasional joke in the text. It makes for interesting reading. I agree with a previous Disboarder who mention they were a bit "commando" in their approach.

I've been reading Birnbaum for over 20 years and I think that the recent annual issues are a mere shadow of what the book originally was. It now seems to be just a Disney lovefest--all sunshine and lollipops--with no discussion or hint of the pitfalls of travel. I guess I like a more rounded vision of what a WDW trip entails.

 

[Jimdamedic]

I like the Unofficial Guide, but for up to date information no paper guide compares to the information on these boards.

 

[lentesta]

Must resist urge to name UG research team "Sunshine and Lollipops."

Len

 

[lilbitlate]

I am a passporter fan. I have used many resources for more detailed information to include DIS (especially this board) and a couple of other sites. but the Passporter has been the main tool in our planning. I like to just look through it on days when I just have to have something disney to look at.

 

[Mickey&Co]

I always recommend Birnbaums's to first time planners, because it tells about everything in great detail. I also recommend going to your local library and checking out whatever they have to get a well rounded view. But............I LOVE MY PASSPORTER.......

I'm with you SugarMomma...Birmhaums' and Passporter get my vote!!!

My brother and his family recently returned from WDW and they raved about TourGuideMike. I might check it out for our next WDW vacation.

M&Co

 

[AKQJ10]

Also, don't forget the WDW Trivia Book by Lou Mongello. I have it (in my bathroom...sorry if that is TMI) and it is very interesting, although not necessarily a planning book.

LOL - Thanks for the kudos on the book... and don't worry... It's not Shakespeare, the Bible or War & Peace... I know my book's place in the "Circle of Life"

 

[Drizzo67]

Hey Lou - Just to let you know, your book comes to the parks with us and as we wait on line we have trivia contests (for WDW prizes). We often find that other people around us jump into the game as well. Great Book.....

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

LOL, Lou! Thanks for such a great book!

 

[AKQJ10]

Drizzo... Wow!! That's GREAT!! That's exactly what I hoped people would do with the book, and I'm thrilled to hear that it not only came in handy, but that others on line enjoyed it as well!!!

WLLover... thank you as well for taking the time to post a nice comment about it. It's hard to describe here what a wonderful feeling it gives me to hear those types of reactions (whether it's in the bathroom or the parks!) LOL

 

[SeaShelley]

For planning I like the Passporter. But I must always buy Birnbaums Guide to WDW too, I guess I like the color pictures.

This is just what I was going to write! I will never again plan a Disney vacation without a Passporter!

 

[bub]

I have become a bit of a Disney guidebook snob, having been reading them carefully and visiting annually for about the last 10 years. Although I now find most of my new information online (from this site as well as allears - never from Disney's own site), I do think some of the books can be helpful, especially for first timers.

The Unofficial Guide used to be my favorite, and I have run around with the best of them, crossing MK multiple times to avoid long waits for rides. The touring plans do work if you're willing to follow along. [When MGM first opened, my DH and I once did every attraction - although there were not as many then - by 10:30 a.m.] Love the humor and honesty here. I do wish they would update the book a bit more - some of the jokes in the new editions are exactly as written about ten or more years ago, making it a bit dull if you buy this more than once. I've found it harder to follow the plans now that I have kids - there are too many opinions and energy levels to satisfy within the group, to make following a prewritten plan possible. We do still follow the basic philosophy of this guide, which is to go early and have a plan. I think of this like a classic college text - everyone should read it at least once before visiting WDW.

Birnbaum's Guide is as described by other posters - too focused on the magical and not enough on the reality of a Disney vacation. As it is the reality of hot weather, long lines, mediocre overpriced food and lots of walking that you experience on your actual vacation (and that can ruin the most carefully-planned trip), I think it's best to be prepared for an actual Disney vacation, not a trip to Fantasyland.

I'm new to the Passporter (bought one as a gift and have not gotten to use one for my own trip yet) but I think they look terrific. I was surprised by the high quality of the information and I like that the authors give their opinions throughout. The design of the book is outstanding. My sister, who is not usually too organized and rarely reads any type of guide, loved the one I gave her, and can't wait to use one again for their next trip.

Glad to be reminded of Lou Mongella's trivia book - I will get this for our next trip, to pass the time on the drive down with my DD11 and DS13 who think they know everything Disney.

When my kids were little I always wished someone had written a guidebook for toddlers - one that parents could read to them to prepare them for a trip, with lots of pictures, and some stories to go along with the rides. The guidebooks written for kids work best when they can read themselves.

 

[willis37862]

Another vot for the Unoffical guide. Really found this book helpful. And it was fun to read.

 

[AKQJ10]

Look for another new book which just came out this week, called Disney On A Dime, available at www.disneyonadime.com. It's the ultimate resource to saving money on all aspects of your Disney World vacation. and believe it or not, each book comes with a $200 money-back guarantee!

 

[Drizzo67]

Thanks for the heads up on the new book, Lou. This book will be added to my library real soon.

 

[Princess Steph]

I've borrowed all the books for my local library, but every trip I buy the Passporter. It always has the most accurate info.