What are the best books/Guides for Disney World?

[gsmartin]

Hello, were are going to Magic Kingdom for 2 days ... March 8&9, not sure, but we may do MGM for 1/2 a day, anyway... I was wondering if there is any good books or guides that we could buy to read before hand to make the experience a little easier for us, We have an 11 mo. old and a 3 yr. old.

Thanks!
Shelly

 

[akrake]

the passporter from www.passporter.com

have fun.
amie
www.fairuzasball.com

 

[disneymama73]

Try Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2003: Expert Advice from the Inside Source.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...b_b/104-0206788-5447916?v=glance&s=books&st=*

 

[Naisy68]

I like the Unofficial Guide to Disney. It is very in depth and informative. They discuss just about anything that you would want to read in there. It is written by Bob Sehlinger and I believe it is sponsored by Frommers. I have read all of the others and they are good too. I just prefer The Unofficial Guide. Have an enjoyable trip. Don't try to squeeze too much into your time there. Relax and enjoy yourself.

 

[gsmartin]

Thanks so much! I just ordered from amazon Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2003, and The Unofficial Guide to disney 2004 by Bob Sehlinger. If anyone else has any other suggestions, please let me know... I have a couple of months to get as much reading in as I can!!

Shelly

 

[girlsx2]

Another vote for the Passporter!! I just ordered and received my 2004 version. I LOVE IT!!! I got the Unofficial Guide at my local library and read it over and while I do like that book, the passporter has reader tips, ranks all of the restaurants, rides etc. Tells you what not to miss. Gives you pages to write down your own info and in the back are 10 envelope pages where you can detail your own trip out by the day. The "envelope pages" are there for you to put any receipts, tickets etc there for future reference. It has an elastic tie that keeps it closed so that none of your notes can fall out and it has a book spine where where you can write your name and dates of your trip. There are places to confirm your PS, your hotel ressie etc. It is very good. JMHO!!


Cya There!!

 

[Kapp]

I believe everyone should have this one and use the other guides as supplements, if even needed. The Unofficial gives great "real-world" advice with differing opinions and great hints. Everyone we know swears by the Unofficial. You can't go wrong with this one! Good luck and enjoy!

Kapp

 

[toystoryduo]

Yet another vote for The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Since you have children, you may want to get Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kid by Kids. My 2.5 year old loved looking at all of the colorful pictures before the trip! Also, if you have not already, you may want to order the WDW Planning DVD or Video. I am not sure if it will arrive in time for your trip or not, but your kids will love to watch it and will know what to expect when you go to WDW. My DD (1 year old) watched the video with her sister and loved it! I don't know if she remembered anything, but everytime she saw Mickey, she got so excited!

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Selket]

I highly highly recommend subscribing to Tour Guide Mike (http://www.tourguidemike.com). He has the best advice I've gotten anywhere (and I have the unofficial guide and the passporter and others). His advice on everything was right on the money and we hardly waited in lines even though we were there in the summer when it was busy. We have 2 young kids and the best thing about his plans I think, that you can't get other places, is that his advice is the most flexible....you don't feel marched around the park on a schedule but you know basically your best options for what to do next should things not go as you had originally planned! LOL! With kids that young you may not see as much but you will still have a lot of fun...enjoy!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

The Unofficial Guide is a greatly detailed and can be overwhelming, but I enjoy thumbing through it.

Since you're traveling with little ones I suggest you get a *with kids* guide. I have one by Kim ______ from 2002 that was very informative.

I've found that each guide has its advantages so I have a bunch ... the unofficial, the official, for kids by kids, with kids, and passporters ... that I've bought over the last couple of years.

 

[cinmell]

Another vote for the Passporter.

 

[KristaTX]

Definitely the Unofficial Guide. Len Testa, who posts here on the boards, does research for these. I had the pleasure of meeting Len and Bob Sehlinger in December at Mousefest. They are super nice guys and their guide is very enlightening and quite entertaining.

 

[jtjarvis]

Another vote for www.tourguidemike.com ! We're going next week with sons 6 and 4 and I actually feel like I know MK like the back of my hand (last time I went, I was 12). I too have several guides and while they all have their own good input, TGM is the most in-depth and practical all-around IMHO. The trivia is cool too. Another advantage: it is up to the minute as only a constantly-updated website can do. A small investment that pays off a thousandfold.

Good luck!
JT

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Another vote for Tour Guide Mike here! We went between Christmas and New Years and even though parks closed a capacity several days we were there, we didn't wait in lines much at all. His advice was right on the money!! The longest line I waited in all week was to buy lunch at Epcot!

As far as books, I bought the Unofficial Guide, the Birnbaum's book and WDW with Kids (by Kim Wiley if I remember correctly). If I were to only get one, I'd recommend the Kids one first then unoffical guide and birnbaum's last. Between Tour Guide Mike and the WDW with kids book, I felt very prepared.

 

[lentesta]

Hi gsmartin,

Thanks for ordering the Unofficial Guide! I work for Bob Sehlinger, mainly on the touring plans for the parks. Drop me a line (testa@ncat.edu) if you have any questions on the Guide.

Sincerely,

Len

P.S. Thanks again skporter!