What is the best guide book for first-timers?

[califred]

I love my UG

 

[Thumper's Tara]

I loved the Unofficial Guide. In fact, I read it cover to cover and a lot of it didn't have anything to do with me! I love the humor in it and it had a ton of usefull information.

We followed (well, sort of) the tour plans and they were a big help!

 

[dwmlaf]

I signed up for Tour Guide Mike after looking at so many other things.

It is the best site for planning I have ever seen.

www.tourguidemike.com

 

[Sandi]

Another Unofficial Guide vote here. I have had all the guidebooks at one point or another. I buy TUG every year and use it as my WDW bible. I also appreciate Len's addressing questions here on the DIS.

 

[Amyg]

I'm a big research-a-holic and I really enjoy UG! It's informative but yet really funny!

I haven't gone to WDW yet (not till May 2006) but UG was very helpful when we went to DL a few years ago. This guide tries to take you every step of the way. Since it's printed months before the following year, it won't have up to the minute advice so for my next trip I'm subscribing to TGM as well as reading up UG!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide. It really prepares people for what can happen. I think many first timers go without any concept of all that WDW entails. It can be overwhelming. UG gives a more balanced impression than the Birnbaum's. You might as well just call that another brochure from WDW marketing.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

For the first timer that knows nothing about what's there except they have Mickey Mouse and a Castle, without a doubt the best one of them all is Birnbaum's. It has detailed descriptions and pictures of nearly everything. It's a bit weak on tips and a bit weak on helping you organize things and other than a sort of best of award, has no real ratings or tips other than age appropriateness.

The UG is a much more comprehensive guide with tips and ratings on nearly everything. But it isn't as detailed in its descriptions and it's pictures leave much to be desired. It would be nice to get both the UG and Birnbaums and read birnbaums first then the UG.

 

[edingerc]

The UG will tell you all about the rides that Tour Guide Mike will actually help you to ride!

Bought and Read them all (UG, Birnbaum, Passporter, Luxury, Eyewitness, Fodor's) and Mike is the Man!

 

[deltachi8]

I love the UG.

Birnbaum is a nice read, but i take it with a grain of salt as it is endorsed by Disney.

The UG can be a littel harsh at times, but its their opinion, not influened by the mouse and they clearly point that out.

 

[debkorb1]

Unofficial Guide definately. I haven't used TGM, but Birnbaum is too upbeat about Disney! It sounds crazy, but before you go you want a realistic picture of how Disney can get - queues, heat, families arguing about which ride to do next etc The Unofficial Guide will help you to have an amazing time despite these things. Of course this depends on when you are going - if it's peak or near peak then get the UG. We went 27th June-11th July last year - did not queue for more than 15 minutes for anything (and often less!).

 

[Pedler]

www.tourguidemike.com gets my vote.

 

[turbo594]

This website

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

I am currently reading the '05 UG for the second time. It is very helpful. I am taking notes and highlighting and dog-earing like crazy. I have never been to DW yet, but this book is really helping me plan. I intend to buy the '06 version when it comes out. I would highly recommend it.

I feel that Birnbaum's is sugar-coated.

 

[Harambe]

I live in my Passporter. If the house is on fire, I'll grab that before my wedding picture! LOL!

I also like the Birnbaum guide for the pictures. Really gets you in the mood.

 

[Aalore]

I liked reading the Unofficial Guide as well. But have also recently got Tourguidemike as well and found that it has a ton of information!

 

[Christine & family]

I've read them all and have found the information on Tour Guide Mike's web site to be the most helpful.

 

[ShuisFan584]

I think a lot of the guidebooks are good, but for first timers, I think the best one is Birnbaum's. It's presented in a very organized way, and they don't really give you their opinions, just facts. Of course there is always www.allearsnet.com and this website. Especially if they have any questions, they could just come here and they'll get plenty of answers!

 

[Safari Queen]

Birnbaum. We get the Adults and Kids version to use as appropriate.

 

[disneygoof]

...for first-timers. I think it's a good cross between Birnbaum and UG. It's not to rah-rah (Birnbaum), and it's not overly comprehensive (UG). UG has a TON of information in it, and I think it could be overwhelming to a newbie. Frommers is more condensed, ie. highlights of each category of resort rather than every resort, highlights of restaurants in each park, not every restaurant in every park, etc. It does cover every attraction so their coverage of the rides, which I consider essential, is complete.

Now, if they get hooked, and they plan to go back, they need UG to learn all the ins and outs.

 

[mattr555]

i thought the UG was great but i wouldnt take it as gospel. ballance the info in the UG with info gleened from forums and get a ballance view from different perspectives. Wasnnt that keen on TGM but its another source to stir into the mix and he gave me a full refund when i wasnt happy.