Which guide book should I get?

[Pedler]

I liked the UG for helping plan the how to get there and choosing a hotel. For tour planning I prefer TourGuideMike. Birnbaum has nice pictures but is of limited value for planning.

When we go again I will probably limit myself to TourGuideMike and Birnbaum for the kids.

 

[safaulk]

I like the Birnbaum's guide myself. They also have a kid's version of Birnbaum's that I always by for my girls. I also like the Passporter. We're leaving in 6 days, and I can't find mine.

 

[Kuzco]

I haven't bought a guidebook to WDW in a few years, but I liked both of them for different reasons. The Official Guide treats everything like it is absoluetely wonderful (falsely), but it does have a lot of great pictures and some interesting history. I think it is a good book for first timer's to start with.

I also like the Unofficial Guide. It is GREAT for planning comprehensively. That said, however, I have found that I disagree with the guidebook on quite a few of its ratings. I'd have been upset if I had taken everything the book said at face value as I would have missed some of my favorite attractions and restaurants. (It is very critical of the restaurants.) It is very good, though, and I would recommend it. Just don't skip trying something out because the guidebook doesn't recommend it.

 

[debloco]

As an Unofficial Guide groupie, I recommend their book first over all others. Absolutely comprehensive; tells it like it is-with some great humor to boot.

 

[Chickkypoo]

I love my Passporter. Not only do I find it has a lot of great info (plus online updates), but it's great to keep everything in one place - Plane tickets, hotel confirmations, etc while I'm planning my trip.

 

[nliedel]

I use a combonation of the UG and the Passporter and I am thrilled with that.

 

[figmentfan1]

Being that we are SO excited and want the most out of our trip... I have them all. I subscribed to TourguideMike and I think it is really going to work! He gives you his logic and you know what, it makes sense. I, however, am using a combination. I am using TGM advise and doing my tour plans online from the UG site (I like their format) and will print those to take with us... so really a combo.

Birnbaums is nice. I am using it more for my kids to get them excited. Nice, glossy photos, some pretty good info, but not nearly as much as UG or TGM.

Good luck!

je

 

[disney1990]

I have been using the Unofficial Guide since 1990. I just bought my 2006 book yesterday.

 

[madgomez]

It really depends on your style of planning. I love UG for its entertainment value, and it's loaded with good info about resorts, restaurants, rides, etc. but I stopped using its touring plans a few years ago - seemed like I was too much with the crowd. I love Passporter"s Deluxe Edition, because it's a binder you can open and take pages out. I did that on my last trip, so I could leave 3/4 of the book in the room, utilize the pockets and maps, and include my notes from TGM. I use TGM for the actual planning and it's worked well for me. Like others have said, Birnbaums is a little to "everything's wonderful", but the Kid's edition is good if you have kids going for the first time who aren't too swayed by the opinions of other kids. However, my step kids were too swayed by the "reviews" from other kids. It resulted in them picking which rides they wanted to do before we went, and making drastic changes in the parks. This was a bit of a problem as I was using UG back then and it was harder to change plans mid-stream. I had to drop the plan and wing it - we still had a good time, but I knew it could have been better.

So my top three in order are TGM, Passporter and UG. I've never used Fodor's or Idiot's Guide so I can't comment. Hope that helps!

 

[IluvtheAKL]

The main ones that my husband and I use in planning (and I have loaned them to friends and family) are The Unofficial Guide and Passporter. Passporter just came out with a version for park guests with special needs that is wonderful (my next trip will be with my Mom, and there are mobility concerns). We also utilize the allearsnet website quite a bit. Have fun planning!!

 

[vatmark]

Passporter for the maps and TGM for the rest.

Annie

 

[cocowum]

The UG is the BEST!!!

We buy the UG every year. I bought the deluxe passporter several years ago and now I use it as an organizer. I tried TGM last year and really didn't like it. I also really like www.touringplans.com

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I also buy the UG regularly, and am a TGM subscriber (multiple times)

UG is like the farmers almanac. IT has tons of information. I have planned great trips using the UG alone.

TGM is a lot of background info, descriptions, recommendations etc but it is also like the weather channel with regular updates on what is happening now. When things change (like EMH schedules, and ticketing) no book can beat TGM.

Passporter is a great organizer. I like the format and the maps, but that is about it. I plan on buying one of the updateable versions and making my own pages from TGM and UG info.

I recently went to Barnes and Noble and looked through all there guidebooks.

Some of them are hilarious... one suggested for MGM to get there for park opening proceed directly to ToT get a fastpass then... this is the good part... leave the area and go ride GMR then experience the animation courtyard. WHen time for your fastpass return to Tot and ride it then go to RnR and wait in the standby line if it is less than an hour... WHO WOULD DO THIS!?! Wait for an attraction for an hour when everyone knows you can 1)fastpass it or 2) ride at a different time where you can basically walk on...

Oh, do NOT use the touring plans from DK Eyewitness guide. I like there format and info, but the plans aren't worth it.

You should be able to get everything you need from UG, TGM, Passporter, or the DISboards or some combination.

 

[TENIA66]

let me also add, walt disney world for kids.....

 

[ktmouse]

I highly recommend the UG! We use it every year we visit. It's our Disney "bible."