birnbaum or unofficial guide

[anthony27]

I'm trying to figure out what book I should buy. Last year, I bought passporter and even though I loved it, I want to buy a new one this year. I'm thinking about birnbaums and the unofficial guide. I already know where I'm staying so I have a couple of questions.

1. Which one is better for rides?
2. Which one is better for restaurants?
3. Which one is better for other things around wdw?
4. Which one is better overall?

Any information would be extremely helpful.
Thanks.

 

[bicker]

Neither. They're both pretty badly biased. The only way to get a good, reliable view would be to get them both.

Alternatively, consider a more balanced book, like the Passporter.

 

[powellrj]

birnbaums is a pretty picture book, but it doesn't really offer much information. I like the unofficial much better. You have to take a lot of what is said with a grain of salt.

 

[Gabe's Mom]

UG is much better, Birnbaums is fun but more like a commercial than a guide book. I got them together for a discount @ Amazon.com. Just a suggestion, but you may consider saving your money on either and signing up for Tour Guide Mike.Much better than either book. Happy planning!

 

[Colorado DISers]

We used Birnbaum's on previous trips to the World, but did not find it very useful. I picked up the UG for this coming trip and we'll see how it works out.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

The Passporter and UG combo is the best! UG has a wealth of info. Passporter has excellent maps and planning sheets. Both have heavy reader input/ratings.

Birnbaums is good for its pictures.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Neither. They're both pretty badly biased. The only way to get a good, reliable view would be to get them both.

Alternatively, consider a more balanced book, like the Passporter.

I'm not entirely sure how the Unofficial Guide is biased. Right in the book itself are excerpts from people who have used the UG's advice. They publish both positive experiences and negative ones.

I have a slew of guidebooks, and I think for overall information, the Unofficial Guide is your best bet. As has been said, I find Birnbaum's great for the pictures. I think the DIS has more content and actual information than Birnbaum's.

 

[bicker]

I found the UG to be biased in favor of the negative remarks.

 

[kima86]

We purchased the Passporter & UG last year and for our upcoming trip this year we purchased the UG, Birnbaum's & also TourGuide Mike (and have plans to get the Passporter once again).

UG - has A LOT of info from dining choices to resorts to attractions (both neg & pos) and offers a lot of reader reviews that were sent in from the previous year using the form in the back of the book.

Birnbaum - great pictures, easy read...not too much info that would be handy for Disney veterans, but can offer tips to newbies.

Passporter - since you're already familiar with this book, you should know what info you can get. (I like it because it helps organize my ADR & other travel confirmation #s in one place).

TourGuide Mike - just recently subscribed & have found his advice helpful by providing insight to things I didn't know about...even after going to the World 5 times previously!!!

It's just a matter of individual taste & as you can see we use a lot of resources for trip planning...(not to forget all the wonderful tips & tricks you can get from your fellow DISers!!!).

Enjoy your planning, no matter which direction you go. For us, planning is half the fun!!! Since we have all of our Disney matters in order, my DH ( ) gets to plan for our trip down & back!

 

[Micca]

With over three dozen visits, I still buy the UOG just for entertainment Get that book, and hangout on the Dis and you're good to go

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I'm not entirely sure how the Unofficial Guide is biased. Right in the book itself are excerpts from people who have used the UG's advice. They publish both positive experiences and negative ones.

The UG tries too hard to be the "unofficial not the party line source." and ends up biasing itself the other way. This is coming from someone that likes and uses it.

I would suggest UG for the OP. Birmbaums is the best one to read if you've never been there and know nothing about what anything is. It's got great and detailed descriptions with pictures of everything. There are a few tips and they do label the top attractions, but there aren't really all that many reviews of things and such and it's just Disney. The Maps of the parks in mine are top notch.

UG is far more comprehensive. But it really doesn't have that great of pictures and it's a bit too gung ho on commando type touring. They have great up/down surveys on places and they have good reviews (but certainly not the only opinion in town) of the restaurants, hotels, and such, and the like.

 

[MJMcBride]

I respectfully disagree with some of the other posts here. I think UG is hands down the best guide book and I don't find it biased at all. It does enjoy humor at Disney's expense but when they like something they let ya know it. Birnbaum's is a waste of money. The Passporter is good but doesn't contain nearly the info UG does.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I respectfully disagree with some of the other posts here. I think UG is hands down the best guide book and I don't find it biased at all. It does enjoy humor at Disney's expense but when they like something they let ya know it. Birnbaum's is a waste of money. The Passporter is good but doesn't contain nearly the info UG does.

 

[88Keys]

I respectfully disagree with some of the other posts here. I think UG is hands down the best guide book and I don't find it biased at all. It does enjoy humor at Disney's expense but when they like something they let ya know it. Birnbaum's is a waste of money. The Passporter is good but doesn't contain nearly the info UG does.

Absolutely!

The UOG is not biased -- it is pragmatic. How can it be biased against WDW when it rates attractions as "not to be missed"? All over the book, the authors praise Disney when the company is on top of its game and are quick to point out where improvements are needed--that is the epitome of being unbiased. They love Tower of Terror and do not like Stitch -- that's balance, my friends.

The Birnbaum book is one step above a souvenir book.

 

[88Keys]

Alternatively, consider a more balanced book, like the Passporter.

And I have found the Passporter ratings to be even less favorable than UOG at times.....

 

[scrappystamper1]

I have read the books and STILL learned more here on the board that I ever read in any book. These posts are real life eperiences, take opinions with a grain of salt (including mine...) but you hear it enough times you can see the trends. This was our fourth trip and it was totally different thanks to this board.
I have not seen better tips in the books. The board has great photos, etc,,,
Janet Paddock

 

[wdwmomma]

I enjoyed the official guide partnered with my PassPorter, Each of them have + and - factors. The Passporter gives an explantion of each ride, attraction and dining expirence. Each is rated by tweens and the general public and the authors. The Official guide also gives explanation of the rides as well as restrictions that you may need to consider for you or your group. The passporter comes equipped with maps and pockets to help you plan your trip. The official guide has the periods of time that are best to go etc... and what types of crowds to expect as does the passporter. Hope I could help a bit. Good Luck!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I have read the books and STILL learned more here on the board that I ever read in any book. These posts are real life eperiences, take opinions with a grain of salt (including mine...) but you hear it enough times you can see the trends. This was our fourth trip and it was totally different thanks to this board.
I have not seen better tips in the books. The board has great photos, etc,,,
Janet Paddock

That was the UG's best tip. The URL here.

 

[bicker]

I could've given you THAT for free.

I'm a bit amused at the assertion that the UG isn't biased.

 

[Goobergal99]

I like the UOG