Stephen Birnbaum

[FOJMO]

Wouldn't you think that Stephen Birnbaum, author of all those Walt Disney World and Disneyland Guides, would have already written an Official Guide to Disney Cruise Line? We all could give him some pointers, that's for sure!

Maybe we should all get together and write our own book -- whadya think?????

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Stephen Birnbaum, US tourism writer, died on December 20, 1991, at age 54.

 

[mmouse37]

I am sure he would, but he died a few years ago!!!!! No, really, there is a small section in the WDW Birnaum guide on DCL>

They really should devot a whole book to it.

MJ

 

[MelissaE1]

Hmmm... they are still releasing Birnbaum's guides. Is this what they mean by "ghost writer"?

(No I am kidding... I know they are now written by "editors" and the like.)

 

[mmouse37]

Before his death he would always be on the cover of the guide. It was very sad when he passed away.

MJ

 

[MelissaE1]

Originally posted by mmouse37
Before his death he would always be on the cover of the guide. It was very sad when he passed away.

Sorry MJ, I wasn't trying to be flip. I don't remember the guides 12 or 13 years ago as I was too poor to travel much beyond the grocery store (and even then it was iffy sometimes! {Grin}).

It is interesting that if you look on Amazon at the 2002 WDW guide they are still giving him credit as an editor. I was wondering if he had a son by the same name, or is that done as a tribute?

 

[mmouse37]

MelissaE1

Don't worry, didn' think it was a flip remark at all!!! No offense taken!!!!! We certainly have to be able to laugh at things or we would all go nuts!!!

I was just remembering all the guides with him on the cover. I think his wife or some family member was still contributing to it for awhile. Good question about if he has a son by that name or if it is a tribute.

I know the new 2003 guides just came into the Disney Store this week. I'll have to pick one up.

MJ

 

[disneydebk]

Hi!

The authors of the Passporter book are coming out with a book devoted entirely to the Disney Cruise Line in December....

 

[mmouse37]

Awesome...I have been to their site...it is pretty neat.

MJ

 

[atigeg]

I think the big challenge with the cruise line would be keeping a book current. It would be outdated quickly due to the ongoing changes (for example, reclassification of the obstructed verandah rooms, experiments with new dining times, new Mickey pool regs, etc.). I for one with stick with the internet for the most up-to-date info!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[FOJMO]

Thanks for the update on Stephen Birnbaum (the late) -- I had no idea he passed away. I guess his books will keep him forever in our minds, though.

 

[mmouse37]

I don' think it would be any harder keeping a cruise guide current Than it would keeping the WDW guide current. Changes take place every day at WDW. Each year you could update the cruise guide. No guide is ever as current as it could be....that's why we have the DIS!!!!

MJ

 

[atigeg]

That's one of the reasons I don't like the WDW guides...they tend to be woefully out of date. I think they are good for people who have never been to WDW before, but once you have some experience, you are better off with the internet. Also, it seems like they never reveal the "real" secrets...it will be interesting to see if Passporter includes things like the secret porthole rooms.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[disneyholic family]

actually, all things considered, the birnbaum guides are quite up-to-date...
the woefully out of date guides are the "unofficial guides' by bob sehlinger...

 

[alexcturner]

I bought the new 2003 guide last night, and noticed one little tidbit that has been out of date for awhile. Re: The Grand Floridian, that they have child sized robes. They did away with that about 3 yrs ago, or so. I wonder how much of the other info is up to date? Lisa

 

[*Huey*]

A few weeks ago, I was thumbing through "The Everything" travel guide to WDW and the author still had Mr. Toad listed... The copyright date is 2002. I guess unofficial guides take even longer to become current (or maybe they will always remain one step behind!).

I've also been waiting for an excusive DCL book (but I think I'd be more interested in just a glossy photo book! You know, the brochure with about 200 extra pages!)