Birnbaum '07 Guide confirms CR change

[crazy4wdw]

I just purchased the Birnbaum '07 guide to WDW. The restuarant section confirms that the Contemporary snack bar will be moving to the fourth floor concourse.

"Snack Bar: After leaving its first floor home of 35 years, the Contemporary resort snack bar has moved up in the World...All the way to the fourth floor, beside Chef Mickey's. This spot serves light fare around the clock."

Also the Concourse Steakhouse is no longer listed as a restuarant option at the Contemporary either in the resort section or restaurant section.

Another interesting note, the last ticket price increase is not included in the '07 guide. The one day ticket is still listed at $63. I thought I read that one reason WDW increased the ticket prices in August was so the guidebooks would contain the correct prices for 2007. Guess Not!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Are there any other MAJOR changes in Birnbaum for 07?

 

[MJMcBride]

Who buys Birnbaum?

 

[mitros]

I have purchased one every year since 1985, and still have every copy. It's interesting to compare things such as prices as the years go by.

 

[raidermatt]

I do, primarily for this reason. They are the only "official" guide, and therefore the guide we have to assume Disney has at least approved. They put tidbits like this one in it. Much like last year's comments about the potential changes to FastPass and ME. They aren't making stuff like that up. The changes may or may not come to pass, but we can reasonably assume that if its in Birnbaum, Disney is at least considering it.

Another example is the apparent omission of the latest price increase. That would indicate the increase wasn't planned all that far in advance. Its possible it was an oversight, but not likely.

The guide must be out early, because it was due to be published 10/1.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Are there any other MAJOR changes in Birnbaum for 07?

The major changes are descriptons of the new additions: Laugh Floor Comedy Club, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Finding Nemo-The Musical, Albatross Treasure Cruise, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The sections on magical express, internet access at the parks/resorts, and the disney dining plan seem to have been expanded. The section on the Poly indicates that Captain Cook's may have a name change when its refurbishment is completed.

Also interesting, there is no mention of the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration.

I also buy a copy of the Birnbaum guide every year.

I do, primarily for this reason. They are the only "official" guide, and therefore the guide we have to assume Disney has at least approved. They put tidbits like this one in it. Much like last year's comments about the potential changes to FastPass and ME. They aren't making stuff like that up. The changes may or may not come to pass, but we can reasonably assume that if its in Birnbaum, Disney is at least considering it.

Raidermatt: Just to let you know, the Birnbaum guide is now published by Disney. Look at the spine of the guide; it says "Disney Editions". At one time the Birnbaum guide included hotels/motels outside of the "World". Since Disney acquired the publishing rights, the only resorts included are the on property resorts and the resorts at Downtown Disney.

 

[MJMcBride]

I've bought Birnbaum in the past as well. But it just cannot compare to the UG in info. Heck, Birnbaum even says nice things about the 50s Prime Time Cafe.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I've bought Birnbaum in the past as well. But it just cannot compare to the UG in info. Heck, Birnbaum even says nice things about the 50s Prime Time Cafe.

I enjoy reading trip reports and while I've never been, most of the people writing the trip reports love the 50s Prime Time Cafe.

I only have one copy of Birnbaum's while owning two copies of the UOG.

 

[YoHo]

Why buy a guide at all now that we have the Internets? Except for those tasty tidbits of which Matt speaks.

I've bought the guide in the past. Never bought an unofficial guide, but I have taken them out at the library. Never seemed worth it to me.

 

[mitros]

The major changes are descriptons of the new additions: Laugh Floor Comedy Club, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Finding Nemo-The Musical, Albatross Treasure Cruise, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The sections on magical express, internet access at the parks/resorts, and the disney dining plan seem to have been expanded. The section on the Poly indicates that Captain Cook's may have a name change when its refurbishment is completed.

Also interesting, there is no mention of the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration.

I also buy a copy of the Birnbaum guide every year.


Raidermatt: Just to let you know, the Birnbaum guide is now published by Disney. Look at the spine of the guide; it says "Disney Editions". At one time the Birnbaum guide included hotels/motels outside of the "World". Since Disney acquired the publishing rights, the only resorts included are the on property resorts and the resorts at Downtown Disney.

Through 1989, the publisher was Houghton Mifflin Co. & Hearst Professional Magazines Inc.
From 1990 through 1992, it was published by Avon Books & Hearst Publishing
From 1993 through 2000, it was Hyperion & Hearst Business Publishing Inc. When they started using a Disney name {Hyperion} that was when they stopped talking about off property Hotels and restaurants.
From 2001 to 2007, it is simply Disney Editions.

 

[Honeymooners1021]

I just got it in the mail yesterday!!!! I have had UG for about a month. I am glad I bought it not for content but the pics are great! I can't get DF to touch UG but he looked through Birnbaums last night!
Maybe he will get into planning this trip after all. Amazon said that passporter doesn't come out til Nov. ohh well!

 

[MJMcBride]

Why buy a guide at all now that we have the Internets? Except for those tasty tidbits of which Matt speaks.

I've bought the guide in the past. Never bought an unofficial guide, but I have taken them out at the library. Never seemed worth it to me.

The internet does make some of this stuff obsolete. But I still enjoy having a book in my hands as opposed to reading it on the screen sometimes. Birnbaums has nice photos but they generally stay the same. Tim Devine's web site has much better pics as it is.

 

[Smooshdog]

I buy a Birnbaum's before each trip, it's a tradition.

 

[mitros]

The internet does make some of this stuff obsolete. But I still enjoy having a book in my hands as opposed to reading it on the screen sometimes. Birnbaums has nice photos but they generally stay the same. Tim Devine's web site has much better pics as it is.

How does one find this Tim Devine's site?

 

[MJMcBride]

How does one find this Tim Devine's site?

http://timdevine-disney.blogspot.com/

This should do it. Great pics.

 

[BrianD]

Birnbaums = beginner's who don't want to get completely overwhelmed by a mostly print (and small print at that) book of biblical proportions, but want a concise, "official" overview, with nice colorful pictures. It also makes for a nice annual souvenir.

UG = If you really want the OCD WDW fan guide book. For DISboards types. Seriously, I think it is a great guide for those whole REALLY want to know EVERYTHING about WDW, and are willing to spend the hours reading it. Credit to their thoroughness. TMI for the average family who will enjoy a WDW vacation, and then actually go to other places for vacations in future years.

This is why I prefer the UG.

 

[MJMcBride]

Birnbaums = beginner's who don't want to get completely overwhelmed by a mostly print (and small print at that) book of biblical proportions, but want a concise, "official" overview, with nice colorful pictures. It also makes for a nice annual souvenir.

UG = If you really want the OCD WDW fan guide book. For DISboards types. Seriously, I think it is a great guide for those whole REALLY want to know EVERYTHING about WDW, and are willing to spend the hours reading it. Credit to their thoroughness. TMI for the average family who will enjoy a WDW vacation, and then actually go to other places for vacations in future years.

This is why I prefer the UG.

UG is #1. But if its too big, I would take the Passporter guide over Birnbaum's any day.

 

[Jennasis]

Never read the UG. ALways buy a Birnbaum guide as a souvie each year even if we don't actually go. MUCH of the info never changes, but I find the book comforting and reassuring (my parents used to buy one before our family trips as a kid). No need for it or the UG as I know just about everything they do and can find anything I don't know just as easily online.

 

[sotoalf]

In the early days Birnbaum and his research teams were rather good writers. I still remember their comparison of the Polynesian and Contemporary, written in the mid eighties: as far as I'm concerned nothing's changed. The team would take the time to describe the flora and fauna spotted from the Frontierland railroad station – a lovely plus I doubt any contemporary Disney travel writer would attempt.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

I buy Birnbaum's every year. Bought my first UOG last year and didn't care for it... I didn't like how the writing was small and the book was to thick... Way too much info.. I really don't care what a family from St. Louis has to say about a restaurant.. I will go and judge on my own... As for information, UOG is top notch though.... I also got my first passporter this year and loved it...