Guide Books

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Although I purchase the bible (the fab Brits Guide) every year (even if I am going or not) was just wondering if anybody else out there could recommend a good guidebook?

Have noticed the following:

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando Eyewitness Travel Guide
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World(R) with Kids
The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort
Fodor's Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Central Florida

Just wondering if you had any thoughts.

As I have free dining I am also going to buy Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide - anybody think its worth having

 

[Disney owl]

I had a voucher from WH Smiths giving £5 off any one book worth £10 or more. Today I bought the UNofficial guide & whilst only a few pages into it I@m really enjoying it & can recommend it. It would be too big to take to the parks with you but I'd def ttake it on holiday with me.

Also got another voucher redeemable in May/june so will probably buy the newest Brits Guide. I will then have saved £10 & bought 2 books!

 

[eyoreaud]

Other than the "Brit's Gide" the only other guide i have bought in years is the pocket sized AA Guide to Florida, it was a waste of money IMO. Have had a look through some of those you mentioned above while in WH Smiths but never bought one. Maybe i should but i just like my "Brit's Guide" Thanks Simon

 

[wilma-bride]

Another recommendation for the fab Unofficial Guide. I really like it - and their touring plans are great

 

[pixiepower04]

I usually buy the Brit's Guide, The Unofficial Guide and Birmbaum.

They all offer something different and I enjoy the different perspectives. I buy them whether I travel or not as I like to keep up to date with everything.

You get money off coupons in the Birmbaum guides too.

The Unofficial guide comes in a "Mini Mickey" format, just the right size for the pocket or handbag!

 

[lisaj]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide, bought it in 2003 and the 2007 version. Excellent although to be fair the information on here and allears tends to be more up-to-date. Another good one is Passporter although I have never managed to find it in the shops and have always had to order online (amazon definitely stocks it), passporter also makes a good keepsake as there are gaps to record holiday memories.

 

[mikki.young]

Another vote for Passporter. You can order from them direct and once you have bought one you get a 30% discount on future issues. It does concentrate on Disney but it is an excellent guide.

 

[UKDEB]

Of those you mention (and I own them all and a million more besides), The Unofficial Guide is far and away the best. Birnbaum's is the "official" Walt Disney World guide and a bit lightweight. The Luxury Guide is just another guide. Fodor's is, of course, one of the big players, but you won't get anything from it that you can't get from a combination of the Brit's Guide and Bob Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide. The Eyewitness guide is, as with all the DK stuff, immaculately presented and illustrated. Worth owning, but I wouldn't choose it above The Unofficial Guide as a serious piece of journalism. Another in the same vein is the Insight Guides Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando - nice book. Another worth taking a look at is Passporter. I'm not convinced I'd choose it above the Unoffical Guide, but it is unique.

 

[chocolate mouse]

Another vote for the Unnoficial Guide - I had the 2005 version and took it with me last year. It was a very wise move for checking up on restaurants, rides, etc, while you are there. A couple of months age I bought the 2007 edition and it's well worth the money - if you can't find what you're looking for in this book then you probably don't need to know it in the first place!

 

[Chilly]

I've got Brit's Guide, Unofficial Mini Mickey and Foders. They have all got good points. Mini Mickey for ride descriptions and touring guides and foders for their restaurant descriptions which I found the others only touched on while the Brits guide is a good all rounder.

 

[Dimplenose]

I love the Unofficial Guide too - I like the ride and restaurant ratings that it gives. I also use Birnbaum's - obviously a biased view as it's the official one, but it has a lot of info and pictures. And it goes without saying I also find the Brit's Guide good as it contains a lot of non-Disney info.

Libby

 

[jen_uk]

I really like Birnbaums, its got a nice layout, some of the others can be a bit crowded.

 

[sharon78]

The unnofficial Guide is great I like the touring plans and reviews it has. I have the 2004 & 2007 edition. It has everything in it that you need to know. I also use the Brits Guide.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Birnbaum is great!!!

 

[wifey]

We've used Passporter for the first time for our upcoming trip it's full of great information and website addresses and telephone numbers too. We have also used The Unofficial Guide to WDW by Mcmillan Travel , A Brits Guide to WDW and Orlando by Simon Veness, WDW with Kids by Kim Wright Wiley. All of them have been great especially the one for travelling with kids that was a life saver when DS was younger

 

[Hobbes]

I love Birnbaums and passporter-Birnbaums also does a "By kids for kids" which is excellent for the little darlings

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

If anybody would like a £5 WH Smith book voucher to go towards their guide I am willing to post if you let me know. Just bought mine today & got another voucher!