Beware of misinformation in the Birnbaum Dining Guide

[Harambe]

While online ordering the kiddies' summer reading books, I decided to treat myself to the Birnbaum 2008 Dining Guide (I was feeling Disney-ish!).

Reading through the book, I was surprised to see a fair amount of misinformation, such as:

1. "No Reservations? No problem!" This section lists a few places to try if you have no ADRs. They list Le Cellier!

2. They give the following advice - grab your fastpass, then go eat while you are waiting to ride. Yep, big ol' meal right before EE, or RR, or ToT.

3. Lists all of the old eateries in Japan, including a lovely write-up about the Matsunoma Lounge.

4. Leaves out the Concourse at the Contemporary, but doesn't mention the Wave (if it knew one was going, how come they left out the one that was coming in).

I know it must be extremely difficult for publications to keep up with all the changes at Disney. Just thought I'd give folks a heads up on this book. The DIS has more updated info.

 

[Disney Debbie]

I never buy Birnbaum anymore - it's the same as buying Disney ads IMO!

 

[kaytieeldr]

1. "No Reservations? No problem!" This section lists a few places to try if you have no ADRs. They list Le Cellier!

! That REALLY needs to be edited. Sure, back when Le Cellier was a cafeteria that didn't accept reservations, sure... but it was changed in what, 1999?

2. They give the following advice - grab your fastpass, then go eat while you are waiting to ride. Yep, big ol' meal right before EE, or RR, or ToT.

Eh, that's not technically misinformation; it's more personal decision and "knowing thyself" and thy internal system I mean, Little Mermaid is a FastPass attraction, and shouldn't cause any intestinal distress, right? But seriously, this WAS Disney's intention for FastPass - that Guests would shop or dine - i.e. spend money - while waiting for their (our) return time. The plan wasn't for us to fill that time with other attractions.

3. Lists all of the old eateries in Japan, including a lovely write-up about the Matsunoma Lounge.

Check the publication date. At the time that book was published (not additional printings, but actually published) or, well, really, compiled - this information was technically accurate. I mean, in August 2007 when (I think) it was published, the eateries in Japan were already being renovoted - but any reasonable travel guide writer will admit that 10% of the information in the book is already outdated by the time it comes out. That's where easily-updated websites have an advantage. They can, and do, update information in a timely manner.

4. Leaves out the Concourse at the Contemporary, but doesn't mention the Wave (if it knew one was going, how come they left out the one that was coming in).

Most likely, there was not enough information - no final decisions - about the new restaurant for a book published ten months before the restaurant opened, for them to put in anything about it. And I think Concourse was expected to close much sooner than it did.

 

[angelbearmom]

I just got my Birnbaums Dining guide the other day. I haven't read much but I did read the section on the dining plan. They say that tips and apetizers are covered in the ddp but that's not so this year. Again, I guess they had to send the book to the publisher so long ago the latest info isn't included. I still think it's a handy thing to have when you're looking for info.

 

[Aliceacc]

I think you have to expect that a certain percent of info will be outdated by the time a book goes into print.

I bought the 2008 Unofficial Guide as soon as it came out. Then, a week or so later, Disney completely changed the meal plan for this year. So pretty much as soon as the book hit the shelves, this HUGE topic was no longer accurate. (It must have killed all the tour book people, since all the books came out at the same time.)

As to the fastpass thing, I agree that it's a personal choice. If you can fastpass a milder ride (say, the Jungle Cruise or Soarin' ) it's not a bad idea to grab lunch in the interim.

But thanks for the updates!

 

[Harambe]

Yes - I guess misinformation isn't the right word, more like outdated. I just wanted to give a heads-up to people new to Disney that you shouldn't go totally "by the book". Allears.net and the DIS have the most up-to-date info.

Of course, my biggest complaint about the book was NO PHOTOS! I do buy Birnbaum for the photos of the resorts and rides, so was hoping the book would have some fun photos of the restaurants.

 

[Aliceacc]

Actually, let's continue the thread-- what other glaring topics are no longer accurate?

As I mentioned, the biggie in the 2008 editions is the Meal Plan. The old meal plan included appetizer and tip; the 2008 version does not.

Also, any 2008 guidebook that talks about the price of stroller rentals is probably off; they went up (by a LOT!!) a few months ago.

What other inaccuracies have people found in the guidebooks that people need to know about??

 

[disnut8]

Guidebooks do get outdated fast for the specifics. But, they are good for general knowledge (how the parks are set up, what an attraction is about) to help with the initial plan.

And guidebooks are now including websites to further help with planning. So, general planning with the books, specific planning with the websites.

 

[disneychick0412]

My favorite guide is The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 by Mike and Julie Neal. The pictures are beautiful and the 2008 version does mention the changes to the DDP. (I think it is published later than the others, thus making the info more accurate).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Guidebooks do get outdated fast for the specifics. But, they are good for general knowledge (how the parks are set up, what an attraction is about) to help with the initial plan.

Yep. It will be interesting to see how accurate the 2009 books are, on the above issues and anything else anyone notices is outdated in the interim. "Official" and "Unofficial" are generally published in August.

Oh, I know! Without even reading, I know the ticket prices are (likely) wrong! Those went up the first Sunday in August - too late for the books' prices to be accurate!

 

[PlainJane]

2. They give the following advice - grab your fastpass, then go eat while you are waiting to ride. Yep, big ol' meal right before EE, or RR, or ToT.

I, personally, could ride any of those rides after eating. For those who don't have strong stomaches you could always get a FP for one of the less intense attractions ie. VOTLM, HM, or Peter Pan.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

While online ordering the kiddies' summer reading books, I decided to treat myself to the Birnbaum 2008 Dining Guide (I was feeling Disney-ish!).

Reading through the book, I was surprised to see a fair amount of misinformation, such as:

1. "No Reservations? No problem!" This section lists a few places to try if you have no ADRs. They list Le Cellier!

OMG that's hysterical!! And embarrassing for the authors! Thanks for the tip. I'm a guidebook junkie but think I'll avoid that one.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

4. Leaves out the Concourse at the Contemporary, but doesn't mention the Wave (if it knew one was going, how come they left out the one that was coming in).

In the 2008 Birnbaum Guide to Walt Disney World on the Contemporary page it does mention The Wave, although it did not mention the type of food they would be selling. I believe it just said a new eatery to be located at the Contemporary.

 

[brcworks]

I love the "Unofficial" guide, because I have found the Touring Plans to be invaluable. However, the 2008 guide doesn't have Toy Story Mania, so the plan for DHS is essentially useless!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I love the "Unofficial" guide, because I have found the Touring Plans to be invaluable. However, the 2008 guide doesn't have Toy Story Mania, so the plan for DHS is essentially useless!

Check the guide's website... I believe the touring plans are updated online to include TSM.

 

[JESW]

I used to LOVE that guide and bought it every year - back when Birnbaum was still alive. Once I learned about on-line sites and the DIS boards there has been no going back to the printed word with Disney information. Information changes so quickly that it seems impossible for publishers to keep up.

Jill

 

[Uncleromulus]

Exactly, Just as soon as any of these guide books are printed, they are already out of date with something or other.

 

[angelbearmom]

The dining guide also doesn't mention that Yak & Yeti is part of the dining plan and I"ve just checked to make sure that it is. It looks like the counter service area is also on the dining plan.

 

[acourtwdw]

We have bought those book every year since 92 an will continue to do so. I love looking at all the old ones and remembering when...

Most paper publications are outdated by the time they hit the shelves, that includes most magazines. Did you know all those holiday pictures are shot in July?

 

[Carlyzmom]

I was not impressed with this book either. I am going to order the Zagat Disney book. I LOVE Zagat's.