got the unofficial guide as a gift

[luvmyfam444]

was kinda surprised ---since they know I do everything online - why they'd think I'd need that book...but was browsing thru it last night & have decided to take it back & get a refund!!! I get WAAAY more info from here (of course!) BUT the info here I've ofund to be more accurate....I've been to WDW 3 times this year - so I know a LITTLE about WDW, not much -there's a TON still to know...but that book was useless!

AND I didn't agree with any of the ratings---I feel sorry for the folks that buy that book & go only by it - the rated Dumbo as a minor attraction??? yes it's not major in the fact that it's not RNR, BUT it's 1 of the MAJOR rides in Fantasyland that if you're not there @ the right time you'll wait 1 hr...that means to me it's pretty major - not one people are gonna skip....
They rated dinnder @ the castle only a 3....actually I couldn't find anything rated abouve a 3 in the book other than V&A (I didn't read everything!) Cinderella was the highlight of our trip & my 2 dd's STILL talk about it & it was in MAY...so if I was just going by the rating of 3 stars I would have skipped it...you know I think of the stars like the AAA ratings & being 3 is just ok & 5 the best & according to the book everything was just average.

Sorry I just wanted to express my initital thoughts on this book

NO_ I WILL take it back I did find the trivia to be interesting (behind the scenes with JIm) so its not COMPLETELY useless, those facts were nice.

ANYONE else not like it? OR is it just me??

 

[lillygator]

so you read it?
I haven't bought and Disney books since I get my info from here, but I have bought ones like the hidden Mickey's and trivia ----!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Since the giver knows you like to research and plan your WDW trips, perhaps he was just trying to be thoughtful? Personally, I'd keep the book.

 

[swilphil]

I've read several Disney Guide books, and the Unofficial Guide is my favorite by far. I do still use this site and Allearsnet.com to get more updated info, but sometimes it's much easier to just look something up in a book. I also like to take it with me to WDW, so I can look up info while I'm there. I don't agree with many of the restaurant reviews, but they do offer a nice summary.

 

[luvmyfam444]

the other odd thing about it - I'm pregnant & due in 2006 so it's highly unlikely that I'll make then trip next year with an infant in tow....maybe, but I doubt it - it's too far of a drive - so the info will be outdated before I could use it...

Guess I should have posted this under the gift catagory that made me go hmmmmmm.... LOL

Yes, I guess it could be helpful or looked at as insulting -since I planned the last trip strictly from the info here - & they were on the trip! SO I COULD see it as Ididn't plan it well enough...NAAAAHH I choose not to think of it that way! BUT the crazy thing was they called dh & asked how I plan my stuff & he said all online! YOU"D think that'd be a CLUE! HA HA

OH WELL! It could have been WAY worse some other funky useless gift - so @ least this one could be used....

 

[grinningghost]

There are many people (myself included) who enjoy reading a book more than reading off the internet. Perhaps they thought you were a "gotta hold that book in my hand" type.

Besides, it's harder to take a computer into the bathroom with you anyway.

 

[pixiemomma]

I like the Unofficial Guide as well...I've planned all of my vacations on the internet, but like the indepth info the book provides.

 

[Allison]

Count me as a fan of the UG.

 

[MsLeFever]

I love the unofficial guide- I think that it is well written and has a really nice sense of humour about it.

But with all of the changes that WDW makes every year an outdated guide may not be much help.

 

[MariDisney]

I love my Unofficial Guide. Although I've got the whole freaking thing memorized I just like to open it to a random spot and do some daydreaming.

 

[Planogirl]

I buy the UOG just about every year and have for a very long time. I really don't need it any more but I enjoy reading it.

The author is kind of picky about food but then I'm way too easy-going. I just look at his ratings in his context and go from there.

 

[Aidensmom]

I had the Unofficial Guide for 2003 and got a lot of useful info from it, even though I had been to WDW more times than I can count already. I don't agree with all the ratings either, but I don't agree with everyone's opinions on here either, that kind of thing is really a matter of taste and I always take things like that with a grain of salt.

 

[mark&sue]

I have to have everything to do with Disney and I get the book every year along with the Brits Guide (as we are in UK).

I was disappointed no-one got me any Disney Guides this year. We like to take friends with us so I give my older books to my friends!


Susan

 

[simba928]

I asked for the Unofficial Guide for Christmas and got it from my parents. I heard about it on here and went to Barnes & Noble to see if what I heard was true. Sure enough, the page I happened to turn to was talking about the insanity of people with strollers (you know the parents that pretend Disney World is a giant bumper cars thing only using strollers instead of cars). I thought it was hilarious. I have been reading it ever night and I find it very humorous. I love how its written, but I don't agree with many of the things in it. (EX: go to one of the parks for the morning EMH, which is an hour, and then leave when it opens for the public and starts getting crowded. That just seems like a waste of time and a pass to me.) Its not like I need the book, though. I don't plan our trips (my mom does it all through the internet). And, I have been to WDW 11 times so far, so I could plan a trip without the help of a guide book. We do usually get Birnbaum's just to look at and see what's new.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm pretty sure that one of the UOG authors is a regular on the DIS. So although I don't expect to learn anything by reading it, I always look forward to reading it every year to see how any DIS comments may have influenced what's said in the book!