Travel Guides

[JRawkSteady]

Out of all the travel guides out there, which do you guys think are the most:

a) realistic (in terms of wait times/busy periods/pricing/tips)
b) informative (chock full of the most information)
c) readable (some guides may be more interesting to read than others)
and
d) fun (interesting fun facts and even more)

I'm used to Birnbaum's, but the 2005 edition disappointed me, because there was a lot that was missing, especially from Animal Kingdom. So I'd love to hear what you think.

 

[NY Disney fan]

The Unofficial Guide to WDW is the creme de la creme. I won't read anything else. They go down to the nitty gritty and its a fun read!

This is the cover: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...102-6971722-3489724?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[disneydreamerinny]

I agree, the unofficial guide tops them all.
Passporter is great to take with you but as for information about EVERYTHING in every detail good and bad, UG is the way to go.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

I read them all to be honest with you. I have used, and am using for my trip in 35 days: The Official Guide, Birnbaums; The Unofficial Guide; The Passporter; and TourGuide Mike.

I like them all for different reasons. If I had to choose only one it would be The Passporter. That being said, I consider myself to be a Disney Pro. If this were my first trip I would have to say that I would choose two: The Official Guide and The Unofficial Guide. If I absolutely HAD to choose only one, it would be The Unofficial Guide.

The Official Guide: Chock full of pictures and easy to read.
The Unofficial Guide: Tells it like it is without sugar coating anything (not that I always agree, but most of the time I do).
The Passporter: Invaluable for planning and keeping things organized, not only before the trip but also during.
TourGuide Mike: Chock full of pictures (more than you can shake a stick at), good advice, and interesting information. The drawback is that it is not printed, bound material and therefore not easily transportable.


Hope this helps.

 

[Amyality]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide, it was my bible the first and second trips I took with DH and kids and we have always been one step ahead of the crowds! Even in August!
Have fun planning and touring!

 

[JRawkSteady]

Thanks so much for all your input. To be honest, I used to work at the parks actually, and I go at least once a year, but my fiancee has never been before...she loves looking into information online and I thought it would be cool if we bought a 2006 book for her. Maybe I'll end up buying all of the above!! hehe.

 

[unixadm]

What I did was get the Passporter Deluxe which has the leather bound binder/Daytimer/Planner style. Lots of pockets and slots for receipts, tickets, etc. It has some decent info, great pull out maps (although I wish they had lamenated them...I am going to do that myself).

I then subscribed to Tour Guide Mike and have found TONS of FANTASTIC information. What days to avoid certain parks and why, sample Itinerarys telling which rides to hit first, when to avoid certain rides, etc. I am doing a lot of copying/pasting into spreadsheets that I will be printing out to fit into the Passporter.

So basically, the passporter is the organizer, while TGM has the real beef of info, and I organize it to suit my own needs. It is definitely a manual process of planning out an itinerary.....they don't spoon feed you, but the hows and whys are what is important......if you understand the dynamics of crowds and why certain rides get backed up quicker than others, then you can make your own plan and avoid the crowds.


I got the Passporter at Amazon for $26 and subscribed to TGM on line with the $3 discount for $19. Well worth the money, IMO.