Which guide book?

[DNSDisney]

Need some opinions on Guide books for WDW. I had bought one many yrs ago and actually gave it away. I loved the book and can't recall who wrote it. I was thinking of buying a new one and wondered what one most people prefer and why.

So which guide book do you prefer and why?

Thanks
Sharon

 

[Muffy]

I would suggest Birnbaum.

 

[jaysue]

My vote goes to

First Place The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disneyworld

Second Place to Passporter

The above two are worth purchasing

Fodor's is not good at all - out of date and too brief

Birnbaum's I just get from the local library to make sure I have not missed anything and to get a different viewpoint

Thanks
Jason

 

[cleo]

I use Birnbaums for quick answers to basic questions, the Unofficial for a more realistic viewpoint, and the Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World for a unique perspective on Disney and a much more comprehensive look at central Florida.

And, of course, the DIS boards. What a wealth of information and a vast resource for real-life experiences!

 

[mad4themouse]

If you're a WDW newbie, I suggest Birnbaum's Official Guide. It's a little sugar-coated but will tell you a lot of what you'll want to know. Being the "official" guidebook, you will not get any of the negativity that some of the others can offer up.

If you're WDW veteran, I say go for the Passporter or Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide to WDW. They are not as pro-Disney (especially the Unofficial Guide) and they offer insight and ideas that Birnbaum can't.

Whatever guide you choose, make sure that it has recently been updated. Anything with a publishing date prior to 2002 is not worth spending the money on.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Another vote for the Passporter here! I love this book, very well set up, gives GREAT info on the different Hotels/Resorts and some info on all the resturants. I find this the most useful planning guide of anyone I have ever picked up.

 

[natt]

You don't mention if you have children. If you do, I suggest WALT DISNEY WORLD WITH KIDS by Kim Wright Wiley. It's well written and comical!

 

[erinch]

i love sehlinger's Unofficial Guide.

Waldenbook's has Birnbaum's 2002 guide on the bargain table right now in our area for $3.99. Not that much has changed to 2003 so it's a very good deal

 

[Harambe]

I like the Passporter for the nifty pockets to hold our reservation confirmation, airline tickets, our passes, etc. It's all in one place. If the house catches fire - I'm going back for the Passporter!

I also pick up the Birnbaum guide because the kids like to look through the color pictures. We do this on the flight down and it really gets them (and me!) smiling.

 

[awatt]

I used the UNofficial Guide for our last trip and found it invaluable.

 

[cindy_k]

I use the Passporter and Walt Disney World With Kids by Kim Wright Wiley.

I buy them everytime they publish a new one.

Cindy in NY

 

[DVC-Don]

I used to buy four or five different ones every year. Now I just buy a PassPorter for each trip.

 

[Tinks]

Another #1 vote for the UNOFFICIAL guide and a #2 vote for the passporter. I would NOT but the official Birnbaum book if you want to know how to avoid crowds and lines...it is too sugarcoated. I use the passporter for planning out my days and the unofficial guide for touring the parks (It lays out touring plans for each park that we've found priceless with our kids). We've always had success with this combo on our many Disney adventures. Good luck and have fun!

 

[OzFan]

Another vote for the Passporter! I love the pockets and all the helpful planning tips along the pages. I also like discount they give you if you have previously bought a Passporter. I check out the library and give what they have the once over. Hope this helps! Happy reading!

 

[DisneyBen]

Both Birnbaum's and the Unofficial are good, but I would say that the Unofficial is better because it gives you tips that the official guide would not give you. Most Disney people already know most of the stuff in Birnbaum's, but it's still well worth the price.

 

[DNSDisney]

I think the Unoffical one is the one I had before! Can you tell me if anyone else uses Unoffical in the title of their guide?
You guys are always such a huge help, Thanks!

 

[lentesta]

Hi DNSDisney,

I think there's only one "Unofficial Guide" to Walt Disney World. It's part of a series. Let me know if you have any questions.

While we're on this thread, I'd like to mention again that updates to the 2003 edition of the Unofficial Guide can be found here: www.TouringPlans.com/GuideUpdates.html . We're trying to track here any changes Disney has made since the 2003 edition came out. If we've missed something, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[wisconsinmousermom]

I bought all 3, Birnbaum's 2003, Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2003 by Bob Sehlinger, and The Passporter.

My all time favorite is The Passporter

2nd helpful; The Unofficial

Birnbaum's really hasn't been to helpful and I've barely used it.

Some will say the the Unofficial is too negative, but I enjoy it, I'm not going to do something just because this guide book doesn't recommend it however, if I think we will enjoy it then I will give it a try. My passporter is my Bible, it has been soooo helpful and it will go with me to Disney. You can purchase any of these at amazon.com. You can also go to passporter.com to purchase it.

Happy Planning

 

[disney4me4ever]

I would also have to say Passporter. I think I have a library full of Disney books, and just recently bought this one. I really like it! The tips were excellent for either a first-timer or a Disney veteran. I got mine for a great price at overstock.com

HTH~
Nancy

 

[MouseClubMom]

Birnbaum is by far the most accurate and most read around our house! We buy a new edition every year.