Which guide book?

[disneyluv4]

Which guide book do you prefer? I was getting ready to order from amazon and I was going to order the unofficial guide to wdw and the passporter. Or do you prefer birnbaum's? I was thinking of getting their guide for dining. So was do you think?

 

[mommapoppins]

We have all three of those and I think my favorite is the UG. Birnbaums has really nice pictures and is full color. I have an old edition of Passporter, but I think the new edition is full color also. The UG is the biggest and has the most info. They all have their own strengths. If I had to choose only two, I would go with UG and Passporter, like you!

Have fun... the planning is 50% of the fun!

 

[runwad]

I've read all three and my vote is UG too. I just got the Passporter from the libary and read it and I don't see what all the fuss is about, if I'd of bought that book I'd of been disappointed in it.

 

[matysgrandma]

Me, too. I love Bob Sehlinger's style of writing. Very funny but full of info. But I never to to WDW without my Passporter. Buy the leather bound edition and it has places for everything! Then when you're ready to get a newer edition, just buy the replacement pages.

 

[ZoZo]

Definitely the UG. Birnbaum's is nice, but it only gives you facts (descriptions of rides, restaurants, etc.), not opinions.

The UG has tons of feedback, from both the readers of the book as well as their writers/researchers. You might not agree with every single opinion, but I find they do try to give a balanced view of everything.

I'm not a passporter person. I hate to lug things around with me (especially heavy things like guidebooks), so this doesn't work for me. I usually extract the things I need and put them in a compact format (photocopies, etc.) so that I don't have to carry around a book.

 

[loopner67]

I have all three - 2006 versions.

I'm partial to the Birnbaum's Guide because it was the first one I ever bought and I find it the easiest to reference when you are looking for something. I like the bigger text and the vivid pictures.

The UG has a TON of info and, like it was stated here, has more than just facts. The opinions and ratings of each and every attraction has made for great reading. It's a little daunting in that it has a LOT of info, but it seems to be the most comprehensive of all the guide books.

I bought the passporter mainly for the pages in the back (to record info). In retrospect, it was probably a waste of money, but I wanted to check it out for myself. There's nothing new (info wise) in this book compared to the other two. It has a little bit of opinions (ratings) and has really nice maps.

If I had to chose 2 out of the 3, I'd go with Birnbaum's and UG. OR, if you want the passporter for the back pages, then UG and Passporter. Just my two cents. I should also admit that I had originally intended on toting around the Passporter, but have reservations now about lugging around something so large. Like I need more weight in my carry bag?

 

[phantom728]

I agree with UG (Unofficial Guide). They have a lot of good, useful information and it's not a snoozer

We also got the Passporter and like it as well. It's great when you have kids because there are pockets in the back to keep track of each days events and any items that you want to keep.

 

[fanofdisney]

Unofficial Guide! That is my favorite. It should answer all of your questions and help you with decision making.

If you're getting two, I would get Birnbaum's as well for all the pictures and facts.

 

[mattsdragon]

We have Birnbaums without kids edition, and the passporter. I like em both enough.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Unofficial Guide - Absolutely! There are few things in the world you can count on, but the UG is one of them. Honest and clear information. AND it includes info on Universal and Sea World.

Disney's book (Birnbaum) is just too cute not to get. The pictures alone get you in the mood.

The Passporter doesn't have close to the the information the UG has, and even though it is very pro-Disney can't give you the excitement the Disney book can.

 

[disneyluv4]

Thanks for the replies. It will be UG for sure and then I may get Birnbaums, we'll see. Thanks again!!

 

[Brian Noble]

Birnbaums: a pretty commercial for WDW. Nice to browse, not for planning.

Passporter: excellent maps (better than the official ones!). Good resorts section. Cute pocket gimmick. Not much else useful.

UG: the nitty gritty. Very useful, but very tongue in cheek. If you often think that Walt should be canonized, you'll find UG annoyingly smug. I love it.

We have all three. We use the UG much more than any of the others.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

We have the UG and Birnbaums, although I'm living out of state, so my mom put me in charge of Birnbaums, while everyone back home uses the UG. I also get a ton of info off the web, so that's very helpful. I think it's useful to have the official because it contains certain things because it is the official, but the UG is essential because of the extra stuff it has.

 

[richard_andmel]

My first choice would be PassPorter, my second UG. I have enough of my own pictures that I don't need Birnbaums.

 

[Alice Sr.]

UG for information, but I can't wait for the new Passporter Treasure Hunt Book. I think it is coming out March 26th, if my memory serves me correct. It sounds fun, we will definitely be buying that one.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It depends upon your needs.

If you know absolutely nothing about the parks, then get Birmbaums. It has the most detailed description of what things are, both rides, restaurants, and such. It also has a few tips on how to get around and such. It has a few reccomendations for some do not miss type things, but other than that it is weak on advice. It is very weak on advice to save money.

If you'd like some plans as to how to get around, what to do first, how to avoid long lines, etc and general reviews and ratings and such, the UG is tough to beat. It has time saving tips, and money saving tips. It really is a good resource. I personally don't like the commando park plans, so I do not follow them to the letter. But certain principles laid out in the book are invaluable even if one doesn't go the park commando route. But if you've never been there and don't have a clue as to what anything is, the descriptions of things are basic as much more space is devoted to ratings and stats and what rooms have the best view and the like.

 

[staylor]

Not a book, but a great guide is tourguide mike. He has a website with that name. It costs $21 to join but there is a $3 discount code somewhere on these boards. He used to be a VIP Tour Guide for WDW.
Staci