Which "Guide Book" is better to buy for WDW?

[brocklesnar69]

I've been searching at Barnes & Nobles.com And I came across two Disney guide books which interest me. I just want to buy one of the two and I was wondering which one is better:


"The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2006"
By: Bob Sehlinger

or

Birnbaum's 2006
"Walt Disney World"
The OFFICIAL Guide


Any Advice for me?

And also, if anyone knows, could you tell me what the differences are. Pro's/con's of each.

 

[princesslibby]

Have you thought about PassPorter? www.passporter.com

 

[disneynutt1225]

Honestly, I used to swear by the Unofficial Guide. Then, in planning our honeymoon in Disneyland, I decided to purchase the passporter. I am a convert! I can't wait to buy the deluxe passporter for our WDW vacations next year! It's amazing how much information and organizational tools they pack into the passporter books. I'll never buy another UG again.

 

[GarrettJD]

I think the Unofficial Guide is much, much better. Either that or princesslibby's recommendation, Passporter. Those are my two favorite guides and the two I buy each year. The Official Guide has some nice pictures, but the information isn't that great.

Oh, and don't go to Barnes and Noble. Why? I work for Borders. You should go there instead.

 

[momrek06]

I have bought guide books for WDW since 1980. THE BEST EVER IS THE PASSPORTER. You can purchase it at Barnes and Noble or go online to Passporter.com!!!

 

[joece]

I use the official guide, and love it for the simple tips, but if your looking to do some hardcore planning, the UG is a must!

I would invest in both, instead of maybe TGM or another planning service, because merging the tips these 2 books can work out very well.

I can also recommend TourGuideMike.com for hardcore planning or just planning above any book to avoid the lines!

If your looking for tips and tricks, definently get the official!

 

[cocowum]

I vote for the UG. I Love, love love it!!!

 

[DisneyJade]

if you really must buy only one, i'd buy the unofficial guide. it is very frank and honest and by far the most thorough and well researched. i assume this is your first trip, or that you haven't been in quite some time, if you are looking at those two books. personally, i say go with the UNofficial. then, in the future, you'll only need the passporter.
if you can spring at all for two books, i'd recommend the passporter to accompany your unofficial guide. the information is not as repetitive as you'd think... and the passporter is worth the price for the passpocket alone.
in fact, for my upcoming trip, i'm tearing selected paged out of the unofficial guide and tucking them into my passpockets!!

 

[disneydancer1969]

do the unnoficial guide it is a lot more helpful

 

[CarolA]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't find the Passporter all that useful. I much perfer the Unoffical Guide.

I am not a fan of the pockets. And there is no way I am hauling that monster around the parks!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Another vote for Unofficial Guide. Birnbaums has lots of pretty pictures, but very little actually useful information.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

I always buy the all the Official Guides every year but I also have the Passporter. Passporter is really an excellent book. Alot of different information than the OG so I use them both.

 

[Fly me with Balloons]

I like the unofficial guide. You will get the good & bad..The truth & the disney spin all at the same time. Gives a realistic view of what to expect.

 

[izzys4]

I've bought both in the past. I love Birnbaums though for the colorful pics and info since I have young children. They love to look through it too and tell me what their favorites are and what they want to do next time. I vote Birnbaums especially if you have kids.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I like using the OG for the facts, and also like the Passporter for detailing and planning, both are excellant guides.

 

[mking624]

I really like Birnbaums for its simplicity...just a brief outline of all the different things. And I think if you'r elooking for something really simple, Birnbaums is a great choice.

I've never looked through UG, so I have no opinion on that.

We were given a copy of Passporter (it's a couple of years old) and I fell in love with it. I think for the details, it's definitely worth it.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

UG for me - Passporter if you are looking for a guide book and an organizer in one place. Birnbaum's is nice - but doesn't give you the pros and cons - UG does in spades!!!

 

[teentoddlermom]

Tour Guide Mike.....write that book!!!! Please!!!
He's got the best info, but we need it in hardcopy!!!
Please!

 

[Dustmouse]

I bought the Unofficial Guide, Passporter and Tour Guide Mike in that order. I've bought the UG twice and think it's quite good with excerpts from reader comments and detailed descriptions of rooms, rides, etc. However, I fell in love with the Passporter pockets, maps, colorful text and souvenir scrapbook feel.

(I bought Birnbaums in 2001 and it's more of a souvenir than a guidebook. Pretty pictures but that's about it.)

 

[Donold_Fan]

I have been 4 times in the last 5 years, and bought both in 2001. I thought the UG was better (although, the pictures were nice in Birnbaums). Granted my copies are 5 years old, but I thought the UG was better. I haven't bothered to update the editions since our first trip, since I get so much info from the web, but I am seriously considering the passporter after all the posts.