Disappointed in the 2005 Official Dining Guide for WDW

[ppony]

I was really expecting more details. Not menus per se but more than just the general overview you read in the regular guide. Something like a list of a dozen of the meal samples of something. Oh well...still worth getting though fer sure.

It's a good first stab though at this guide. it's narrow to carry with you but the margins should have been left wider on the outside rather than the inside so you don't have to craaaaannnkkk the book open to read into the gutter.

I wonder if it's going to be an annual thing like the regular official guide.

 

[louisaho]

me second, and it is too expensive

 

[disney queen]

birnbaum's? yes i agree. was hoping for a little more info.

 

[JEANMR1]

I saw the book in the store and was so excited until I browsed through it a little bit. Any page I flipped to was information I already knew so I didn't buy it. I really really wanted to buy it but couldn't justify the expense of it for the information I saw in it. The only interesting page I had noticed was the list of places around the World that you could get real coffee rather than Nescafe. Again, that did not justify the price.

 

[Pats Dragon]

It was disappointing. It didn't even have times of meals or any substantive info. I won't buy it again.

 

[wasabi girl]

Me too! I ordered it from Amazon and I don't know what I was expecting...more than it is certainly. Sample menus, photos, experiences (details!)...it is a little bit helpful though, I may give the Morroccan restaurant in epcot a try because of it...

 

[sotoalf]

I used to be a devoted Birnbaum reader until it became the "official" guide to WDW. With very few exceptions the guide seconds everything WDW says. How is that objective?

The Unofficial Guide for many years has been the best guide - by far. You may not agree with the reviews, but you can't deny the staff is well-informed, well travelled, and is 10 times funnier...

 

[BCVBRUCE]

I use to be a Birnbaums follower. I chose not to buy it again this year pretty much for the reasons already stated.

The UOG did not appeal to me in the bookstore because I thought it was rather negative. So, I bought the Passporter. I like the setup, the ability to take notes and plan without everything being scattered and unorganized. I definitely like the idea of ratings for both rides and restaraunts. I also like the average dollar cost of a meal info, rather than just $$. However, I think the guide is a little weak on detail.

To each their own.

Have Fun,
Bruce

 

[ppony]

'Course, then there's me buying Birnbaums for just the fun of it, the unofficial guide for more actual info and the Passporter for the organizing fun. It's a whole planning thing for me. I just read and read since our trips are years in between. My hubby always knows when I'm down because I'm planning a new trip or on this board!


I think I'll write (ooo, paper writing?!?!?!? freaky deekey) in to the addy that is listed in the dining guide to tell them what I think and what i'm hearing. Essentialy it looks like a cheap compliation of already known and published info. Having been in the publishing biz for decades, I know that is the way they LOVE to make money. Do nothing new and pull old info and put a new jacket on it. It's such a scam (in publishing). I hated being a part of misleading people.


I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking this. I bought it of of Amazon too not knowing what was in it but hoping for the best. Maybe next year?? Course they will have to spend some money on a writer/editor.

 

[Leota]

Would one of you who have the guide, mind posting the places to get real coffee vs. Nescafe? That would be great - I've been bringing my own coffee & travel coffee maker for years. When I need that afternoon cuppa, I usually trek back to my room. I'd love to know where in the Parks I could get some real java in a pinch.

 

[*Flower*]

Me too!

DH is dying for some REAL coffee- NOT Nescafe........

 

[ppony]

Okay coffee drinkers!:

Here's the list:
Artist Point -WL
California Grill-CR
Contemporary Grounds -CR lobby
Flying Fish Cafe-BW
Fountain View Espresso & Bakery-Epcot Future World
Fresh—Mediterranean Market-Dolphin
Kona Cafe-Poly
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery-AK, Harambe
Sleepy Hollow-MK,Liberty Square
Starring Rolls-MGM
The Writer's Stop-MGM

That's the list from the book

 

[Leota]

Many thanks! I have printed it out & will add it to my palm.

 

[*Flower*]

Thanks!

DH will be a happy camper in a couple of weeks........

 

[Disney Spaz]

I too bought the Dining Guide and was very disappointed. I had hoped for pages of color pictures of food and maybe a menu or two with real prices not just the $$ signs. Those are so hard to get a real budget going with becuase I do not eat breakfast but my DH eats worth two and half people. Then my DS's one is picky so my not eat a lot in one place but go crazy at another. All I know is I felt let down by the book.

 

[wilso]

Major let-down. No color. No glossy pages. The pages are around 3" across. Nothing happy or cheery. Blah. Bluck.

No info that isn't in the regular Disney book.

Stick with the Unofficial Guide. It's black & white, too, and more informative.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Most books are for general info. Passporter is my now favorite. If you want menus go to allearsnet.com

 

[FanofG00fy]

When I saw the guide in the bookstore, I was so excited I just bought it and went back to work

I agree with many, very very big let down.

I have bought all books over the past years, but I continue buying the passporter. I love how I can organize all my paperwork into the passporter. We call it "The brain" of the trip.

Unless they fix up this guide, I won't be buying it again.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Chris