Which book?

[WendyWorld]

Bob Sehlinger or Birbaum's? Also I have a 4 YO and 8 YOu would they enjoy the Birnbaum's Disney for kids by Kids?

 

[OLT2004]

The UG wins hands down!
It has more tips, touring plans and hotel and restaurant reviews.
It has been criticizied for being "too hard" on Disney.

Official Guide is not critical @ all.
Everything in it must be approved by Disney.
Because it is the Official guide it can use Disney trademarked pictures, and I must admit that the maps are better.

A good comparision would be this website compared to the official web site.

 

[debkorb1]

I have both Sehlinger's unofficial guide and Birnbaum's general guide (but not the one for kids). I am 21 and will be going to Disney with just my partner of the same age.

For us it has to be Bob Sehlinger hands down for the simple reason that it is a consumer geared product, which is to say it is primarily a critique of Disney rather than something to wet your apetite and make you smile (although it will do that too!). There is just so much information in the UG on the parks (including Universal), hotels, reastuarants, planning, shopping and a really interesting section on World Disney with kids. Be warned - it is a brutally honest book and will not sugar coat the pitfalls of Disney -an approach I like.

I also am incredibly impressed by the enormous team the unoffical guide has - its not just Bob Sehlinger, but restaurant critics, a local shopaholic resident, child pyschologists, a golfer, a computer programmer (Len Testa who walks these boards) and many more. And then there's the TOURING PLANS. They can shave 4-5 hours off your time in lines - they have ones for each park and some tailored to kids.

Birnbaum's is worth having - it has cool colour pictures, which will get you excited but once you read UG you won't need another guidebook for info.

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

Birnbaum has some nice pictures, but the unofficial guide is the best. We are on our third edition, and all of them are so dog eared they are about to fall apart. I loan them out to co-workers who are planning trips.

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

I bought the for kids by kids when my daughter was 9. I thought she would really enjoy it, but it never seemed to catch her interest.

 

[WendyWorld]

Should I get the UG with Kids seeing I am traveling with hubby and 3 kids ages 9 months 4 and 8?

 

[debkorb1]

Why not buy the UG and read its kids section - if you feel you need more advice check out the Kids version!

 

[Kapp]

"Unofficial"

 

[karemore]

It depends on how you want to use the book.

DH is going to WDW for the first time since it opened.....and he has only glanced at the "Official" guidebook we received as a gift.

I, on the other hand, have read through the Unofficial Guide twice.

I'm in charge of the touring plans, so that was by far the best resource for me.

He just wanted a basic understanding of where we're going and what we'll see, so the other book was better for him.

Karen

 

[goofy4tink]

I love the UnOfficial Guide. I have to have one for each trip!! I also do a PassPorter. But, I do get the Birnbaum's WDW for Kids for my dd each trip. She loves having her own book to mark up. She got her first one when she was 6. Now on her third. We also give them to kid's who are going for the first time.

 

[Disney Debbie]

If it an either/or - then no doubt about it - Unofficial Guide. The Official guide is only good for pictures and maps IMHO. Otherwise it's pretty much a big old ad for WDW that YOU paid for!

I buy the UG for every trip and study it!! According to LenTesta - who posts here btw (he's does tour plan research for UG) they're coming out with a different version of it for 2005 with some new writing. I'll probably buy that as well even if we don't go next year just because I think they're funny!

I've never bought the w/kids or the kid versions so I can't help you there. There's certainly plenty of information about kids in the regular one!

 

[Luvmyfam3]

I have both and definitely use the UG more. But, I also LOVE the Passporter!!! It is awesome because not only does it have the maps and suggestions, but it also becomes a Disney trip organizer/scrapbook! I bought one for a trip a few years ago and I love that I can go back and see what restaurants I liked, remember experiences, etc. My 2004 is on it's way for my July trip!

After saying all that, my issue of UG is 1998. Has much changed in it since then???

Thanks! Kim

 

[ktglads]

Check your local library. I know that we have most of the different versions at mine, so you could actually sit down and read through the books and see which one you like the best and which one you want to buy. I know I've seen all the books there except the Passporter (which is what I used last year to keep all the reservations straight).

 

[junderwood7]

I have used the UnOfficial Guide and it was great. I also got the WDW for Kids by Kids for my DS (4 at the time and now 5). He loved the pictures in it. I think between that book and the vacation video he was prepared for some of the rides.

 

[QuickGold]

Bon Sehlinger's is the best IMNSHO

 

[Soupermom]

Len Testa from the UG is THE BEST!! You must BUY his book; the library is good, but you'll want it for reference.

 

[bethbuchall]

Another vote here for the Unofficial Guide. I have read most of the books out there, but I go for the UG time and time again.

I must admit that I have never tried the Passporter.

Beth

 

[decker96]

We have both, but I only bought Birnbaum's so my kids can look at the pictures! The Unofficial Guide is definitely the best. I wish I had bought it before our first trip, things probably would have gone much more smoothly!

 

[dina7]

I would buy Bob Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide (which I have purchased twice). It has the best tips and gives a very honest picture of what you will encounter in Disney. Tour plans are great too. Then I would borrow Birnbaum's Disney book from the library because it's fun to read and has great pictures. That would also be a good one to look at with your children. Good luck.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I borrowed several from the library that I didn't like too well, then I bought the Unofficial Guide, since they didn't have it at the library. It's a good book, doesn't just show the positive side of everything, I think it's up front about things. Don't let it scare you off though!

I'm planning on asking for a Passporter for Christmas, that way I'll have the 2005 one since our trip is in 2005, and I'll get to plan more in the 6 months prior to our trip!

Steph--determined to plan this trip without DH help, only his wallet