birnbaum or unofficial guide

[Tam1067]

I love UG, and I have to say that the touring plans really do work. We had excellent experiences with those on our last trip, especially in MK. I bought a new version for our upcoming July trip. Birnbaum's is completely biased as a Disney mouthpiece; UG gives the positives and negatives about everything, and it includes reader feedback, too.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

i just got the ug and like it alot better than the others. It has a ton of info in it.

 

[Maxie86]

I own the 2004 edition of the UG. Is there a enough new/updated info in the 2006 version to make it worth it? Or, should I buy a different book this time, like the Passporter instead?

I don't think there is enough new info to buy a new book after only 2 years. You can get updated info on their website. I have a 2002 and 2006 and even though there is a lot of new info, most of the book is exactly the same. You might want to try passporter or TGM.

 

[scheddj]

UOG was by far the most informative on every subject.
Birnbaums was OK for getting the kids pumped up to go.

 

[Carolc]

I don't think there is enough new info to buy a new book after only 2 years. You can get updated info on their website. I have a 2002 and 2006 and even though there is a lot of new info, most of the book is exactly the same. You might want to try passporter or TGM.

Thank you for your input!

 

[letterdavidman]

One more vote for the UOG. Birnbaum's is entertaining, but if you're going to purchase only one WDW guidebook, it's definitely best to go with either UOG or PassPorter (tho' I didn't personally care for PassPorter too much, when comparing it to the UOG). As stated, another option would be to subscribe to Tour Guide Mike (tho' I still prefer the UOG).

Any of these choices, taken alone, are a wiser way to spend one's money than the Birnbaum book.

 

[letterdavidman]

I could've given you THAT for free.

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

Can you elaborate? I mean really elaborate, apart from semi-witty one liners and relying on smilies to get your message across?

 

[letterdavidman]

 

[johnvree]

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.

The UG is certainly more opinionated and less biased than Birnbaum's. I am pretty sure if you dusted a copy of Birnbaum's for prints, you find mouse prints all over it.

If I could only buy one book, it would be the UG followed closely by the Passporter.

 

[LilyWDW]

I have not touched the Passporter so I am unable to say how the other two match up. I am personally an UOG lover and I do not like Birnbaum's at all. I walked away from the Birnbaum's book feeling like I had learned nothing and only gotten another Disney Planning Video from WDW itself. UOG I have read many a time and always feel like I have gained one more tidbit of information. I like the honesty in the UOG, I do not want to be told only the happy go lucky stories. I feel as if the UOG gives me the real news over official hype.

However, the Dis boards have blown them ALL out of the water!

A question... I will be booking in Late Summer, Early Fall. Should I buy a Passporter even though I have UOG and Birnbaums? Can I wait until the next edition to come out?

 

[GrandmaBarb]

The Passporter has great maps - both have lots of pictures - but neither has up-to-date info. How can they when they are printed material that is not subject to change when changes occur, until the next edition, then that quickly becomes outdated.
If you want the best updated and complete info sign up for TourGuideMike.

 

[LilyWDW]

I have thought about signing up for TourGuideMike, but am still wondering how worth it it will be... starting to worry about overplanning at this point anyways lol.

One thing I like about the UOG is that you can catch up to date information and any changes through their website as well. I usually find that place in the book and make a note there about it.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Hey LilyWDW, don't want to confuse you more but I have the UOG and I am reading that now but I also subscribed to TGM. There is a LOT of info on TGM and maybe a little hard to get around (as opposed to just putting a sticky note on a page of a book you want to come back to.) but it seems really helpful, he seems to have little tips and tricks that I have not really seen in the UOG. I do like both and I am trying to not get too caught up in the over-planning as well. I just want to be as prepared as possible. I know from our 1st trip last year (with 2 little ones) that it is IMPOSSIBLE to see it all and we were in the parks for 7 days! Just want a little better plan this year.
Remember, TGM has a money-back guarantee. I'm sure if you subscribe and then really do not like it, I've heard he will refund your money.
Good luck!