which guide book

[e2_erin]

Ive heard that "the unofficial guide to walt disney world" the best one out there. Do you agree? would you get the original version or the "with kids" version if traveling with a 3yr old? Does the "with kids" version have all of the same info as the original or is it missing anything?

 

[3_disprincesses]

I always read the latest version of Birnbaum's Disney World. I also recommend it to all my friends.

 

[Kae]

PassPorter

 

[TINK0998]

Over the last 4 months in preparation for our trip, I have checked out about 20 travel books on Disney / Orlando. My favorite has been the Unofficial Guide. I have kept it and renewed the book several times. If you are unsure, maybe check out a few and see which format you like best and then decide which one to buy. So far, the only book I have purchased to take on the trip with me is Hidden Mickeys. Another book that I came across in my search is Kingdom Keepers, a fiction book set in WDW - pretty cool....

 

[MKB419]

I liked the Unofficial Guide,I found it helpful for my 3&4 yo.
MK

 

[srwarden1928]

The Unofficial Guide has the best information IMO. Birnbaums has really good pictures, but I think the info in UG is better. I have looked at Passporter again and again in the bookstore because some here praise it so highly and I just dont like it. Even the way it is put together makes it awkward to leaf through IMO. I dont like that the touringplans in Passporter omit so many attractions, including some of my favorites. I just dont care for it.

 

[RMulieri]

I have the Unofficial Guide, the Unofficial guide for kids, Passporter, Birnbaums and the Complete Walt Disney World. The complete WDW and Birnbaums have the best pics. Passporter is an excellent planning tool. As far as the Unofficial guides. Get the regular one. The one for kids is smaller and only has the info geared towards kids

 

[clc053103]

I vote for Unofficial and Complete. Birnbaums says the same thing year after year and doesn't say anything that isn't 100% sunshiney as it's the "official" guide sanctioned by Disney.

 

[alyssa810]

I've mentioned these in previous posts: Disney Like a Pro and the updated version, Orlando Like a Pro. While these are somewhat outdated now, they have tips that we've been using for over 10 years now.

 

[tassma]

UG - the larger one if you want a comprehensive guide. It also has better pictures (to the extent there are any).

 

[djp0630]

I like the Unofficial Guide. I also got the Passporter as well for organization. The unofficial guide has a website which you can get touring plans free with the book. I have a 3 year old and an infant and opted to get the Complete instead of the kids since the kids one is from 2008 not 2009. Plus there is a section on kids in the complete one. I figured I want to know everything and will supplement with the touring plans in the book & website for kids.

 

[richmo]

This is always a tough question, because it depends on who its for and how they want to use it.

I would agree that the Unofficial Guide is the most comprehensive and has the most information. You do have to be careful with it as it can easily lead to overplanning.

Birnbaum's is probably the best for a good overview, telling you what is there. But if you need information on park strategy, UG is a better bet.

I'm personally not a big fan of PassPorter. The concept is excellent, and some if it is very well done, but I think the authors made a huge mistake inserting themselves in the book. I'd recommend that one mainly if you need to get yourself organized before you go.

Actually, my favorite Disney book these days is Steve Barrett's Hidden Mickey's, because that has a lot of information I don't know, but would be totally useless for general information.

 

[LG2]

I looked at all of the books at the library last year and all have their merits. Last year, I purchased the UG to WDW with Kids. I really liked the focus on the kids and the comments of the 16, 12 and 8-yr-olds. Also liked the "scare factor" comments. Really great if you are going with small kids. Contains many touring plans for those with small kids and/or tweens.

Last Fall I purchased 2007 Passporter guides online for $1 + 3.99 shipping each. Gave one to each of my 4 adult kids as stocking stuffers.

The full UG is packed with details and I plan to buy the 2010 issue this September for next year's trip with the kids and grandkids. (I had the UG when we last went in 1996.) Also, the UG for Kids doesn't appear to be updated every year.

 

[Anna114]

The Unofficial Guide is great but rather large. It's a great research book. Passporter, I'm a fan of, also. I like being able to put all of my info in the book. All in all the UG has everything you could want to know, it's not very easy to bring with you.

 

[iluvsplashmtn]

I took out as many books from the library as I could find. I like the Unofficial guide the best

 

[mom of princessx2]

We love the UG. It is big but so packed with info. Do not get Beyond the Attractions:A Guide to WDW with Preschoolers. I thought it would have great info for young kids but it really just gives basic info. Like this is what a Fastpass is not how to use to your advantage. And it doesn't really rate anything which I personally find helpful.

 

[nicolepdonnelly]

I took out as many books from the library as I could find. I like the Unofficial guide the best

I agree

Test out some books from your local library before you buy!

 

[djp0630]

We love the UG. It is big but so packed with info. Do not get Beyond the Attractions:A Guide to WDW with Preschoolers. I thought it would have great info for young kids but it really just gives basic info. Like this is what a Fastpass is not how to use to your advantage. And it doesn't really rate anything which I personally find helpful.

That's good to know as I saw that book and was debating on buying it. I ended up buying UG & Passporters since they seem to be the best. I had UG when I went to WDW in 2003 and loved it!

 

[tinkerlisa]

I vote for the passporter! I got it for the first time a few months ago and its great! They give reviews of resorts, restaurants, what the rides are about.

The downfall: Its a bit to bulky for me to take on our next trip. So I bought the pocket sized version of Birnbaum's to go with us. I have been marking down rides that DS(2) can go on, and what rides have fast pass.
I figure I will already have my ADR's so no need to bring the passporter to choose what kind of food to eat.
As for Counter service meals, anywhere there is food is good for us.

Check your local library before buying a book to decide which one you like best.

I also just bought the hidden mickey book by steve barrett. and I can't remember the name of it but it is by the Imagineers and its about the building of the Magic Kingdom. I mainly got it for for my fiance since he is not to into the pixie dust so I figure that since he likes learning books, this will be a good book to teach him all about forced perspective and other little details about the park.

 

[BNukem]

I like the Unofficial Guide for a very comprehensive overview. I like Passporter for planning. I also take the passporter with me and write everything down in the back day by day.