Favorite Disney Guide Books

[vettechick99]

Posted this on another board, but thought I'd have good response over here. Don't let me down!

I have the '05 Passporter and Birnbaums. Had Rita Aero's back in the day. I'm looking to add to my collection.

Now I don't really need a guide book for the information - although I do really want one that talks about Disney with kids - I really just like flipping through them.

So which Disney with kids books do you like?

Which regular Disney guide books do you like?

Unofficial Guide, Frommers, Fodor's, Disney for Dummies, Mini Mickey (Pocket Guide), Disney on a Dime, Hidden Mickeys, The Complete Guide, (most come with a "with kids" version)...?

TIA!!

 

[scottny]

sorry don;t buy any geared fopr kids but I do buy Passporter. I pre-ordered the new one and am waiting patiently for it to come.

I also have UG 2008 which is ok.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

I personally like the Passporter, and the Unofficial Guide....and for kids, I like the Birnbaums..they are so colorful with lots of pictures, and my dd likes to look through it as well. I didn't buy the kids guide..I just checked it out from our local library. I plan on buying the 2008 passporter when it comes out next month.

 

[tksbaskets]

I love the Unofficial Guides. Have used them every trip. It is GREAT for talking about Disney with kids as it rates every attraction on how appropriate it is for different age groups, the scare factor, etc. I also like it's independent bias. The touring plans ROCK!!

Birnbaums are nice to read while in the bookstore but they are basically an expanded park map with some decent tips.

I also have a collection of Passporter books (OK, I have an extensive Disney library to support my addiction).

My money is still on the Unofficial Guide for what you describe.
TK

 

[pkondz]

UG for sure! I don't bother with anything else.

 

[splashmtnfan]

Passporter, and Unofficial guide, also Birnbaum's For Kids By Kids version is great for the children!

 

[nutty4wdw]

for in depth and technical info as well as touring plans i like the UG. it gives good info on dining and accommodations. even has a section on what rooms to ask for and avoid in each resort. not really a kids book since it is more like a text.

the kids probably will like birnbaums because it's a colorful book which really turns out to be an advertisement for disney. they can relate to this book. it does not rate the attractions.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I have the UG but you know the books I have enjoyed and they are more readable -- not how to do the parks but things about the parks are the Imagineering Field Guides. There is one for MK, EPCOT and AK. I like the MK one the best but maybe because MK is my favorite. Really ... they are not even that expensive.

This is coming from someone who has tons of books including the Aero one. I have the WDW for Dummies, EZ Fun Guide to WDW (another great one and written by a DIS Member), Hidden Mickey and other Trivia books. (Plus some more guide type). Just showing you that I have a lot and enjoy them all but I really think the Imagineering Ones are fun ... text, pictures and even a couple things I haven't seen on the DIS boards --- BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

They will be listed as The Imagineering Field Guide to [PARK] ... and I don't know if one will be done for the Studios or not.

 

[vettechick99]

I have the UG but you know the books I have enjoyed and they are more readable -- not how to do the parks but things about the parks are the Imagineering Field Guides. There is one for MK, EPCOT and AK. I like the MK one the best but maybe because MK is my favorite. Really ... they are not even that expensive.

This is coming from someone who has tons of books including the Aero one. I have the WDW for Dummies, EZ Fun Guide to WDW (another great one and written by a DIS Member), Hidden Mickey and other Trivia books. (Plus some more guide type). Just showing you that I have a lot and enjoy them all but I really think the Imagineering Ones are fun ... text, pictures and even a couple things I haven't seen on the DIS boards --- BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

They will be listed as The Imagineering Field Guide to [PARK] ... and I don't know if one will be done for the Studios or not.

Thanks! Your post was very helpful. I saw those Imagineering books listed and will pick one up! I haven't seen the EZ one though. I'll go hunt for it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just had to stop, Allison, and say how darn cute your 'little chicklet' is.

Now back to the topic.

 

[bookgirl2632]

My favorite is the Unofficial Guide, due to its objectivity. Sure, I don't agree with some of their somewhat negative views, but they tell it like it is for the most part. I also like the Passporter, which gives differing opinions and ratings from Disney fans on everything from resorts to attractions to restaurants. And I like to check out Birnbaum's, even though it clearly serves Disney's best interests. It is informative and has a lot of pictures. That's the best one for kids.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I found the link to the EZ Guide on Amazon (2008) (below). She used to sell it directly on her website (no shipping!) but now I only see the E-Book.

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Walt-Di...3656068?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193490653&sr=1-3

I can't remember if I saw it in a book store like Borders or not. Anyway ... I liked it alot. I didn't need the planning as much but I really liked the maps in it.

I ditto the fact your baby chicklet is is cutie too!

 

[stacy347]

I know I'm in the minority here but I bought the UG 2007 after reading all the hype about it here and I was so underwhelmed by it. I still read it cover to cover because it is about WDW but I liked my other books much better!

I agree with the PPs who love the Passporter ~ it is written with enthusiasm and you get different viewpoints on each attraction.

I also really enjoyed Hassle-Free Guide to WDW and Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids.

The only version of WDW for Dummies that I have is the 2005 version and it was written by a former CM who IMO seemed more than a little jaded on the subject of Disney.

I also have the regular and Kids version of Birnbaum's and we love them ~ I know that for the most part they are just blatant promos for the parks but they are also a lot of fun to read .

Have fun book hunting!!

P.S. I also just had to say how gorgeous the chicklet is ~ congratulations!

 

[jmkrat]

Of all those ( and I think I have them all) Passporters is by far my favorite and then Unofficial guide. I get the new ones every year. I also get Birnbaum's because my DH likes the glossy pictures.

 

[JSweetman]

For pre-trip planing, I like the UG for its depth and insider info. I'm not a fan of the dueling reader comments, but I just skip over them. If they're the experts, just tell us which is more likely to be true or just say "our readers had mixed opinions about this"

For on-site use, I prefer the Passporter. It's easier to carry and the information uses lots of symbols and numbers so can quickly decide to go to a restaurant, attraction, or show without having to plow through lots of text. Plus, you can keep notes in it for trip reports. The biggest down-side is an apparent long lead time. I just got the 2007 version (published last Nov), and it had less info about new features (such as the Nemo show) than the UG.

Kids would probably like Birnbaum better for the pics. If you don't want to do much preplanning, you're probably OK with that one.

 

[catbertdave99]

I love the UG -- lots of info and I appreciate all the quotes from people and their opinions.

 

[savannahjean85]

another for UG, I love how detailed that book is. I also like the little side notes. Also there are a few good laughs in it.

 

[jamstew]

Posted this on another board, but thought I'd have good response over here. Don't let me down!

I have the '05 Passporter and Birnbaums. Had Rita Aero's back in the day. I'm looking to add to my collection.

Now I don't really need a guide book for the information - although I do really want one that talks about Disney with kids - I really just like flipping through them.

So which Disney with kids books do you like?

Which regular Disney guide books do you like?

Unofficial Guide, Frommers, Fodor's, Disney for Dummies, Mini Mickey (Pocket Guide), Disney on a Dime, Hidden Mickeys, The Complete Guide, (most come with a "with kids" version)...?

TIA!!

For kid specific, I think the best is the UG to WDW with Kids.

 

[05MM08MM]

I bought the UG also, but the one thing I don't like about it, is the timing it's released (Aug) is too early for the year it's advertised for (i.e. 2008-dining plan, prices, etc), but you can get updates online.

I was planning on purchasing the Passporter for '08 also since people have raved about it.