Which is better Unofficial Guide to WDW2004 or Burnbaums guide to WDW 2004?

[DonaldsGrl103]

On Mousesavers. com she has a link to go buy the unofficial guide really cheap but when you get their it recommends also burnbaums so I was wondering what you guys think is a better book for the year. We really want one with the best updates and advice since our last one is from 2002. THANKS

 

[MrsJ Henry]

For the most info I would say the Unofficial guide is the best. That being said..... I have that one as well as Birnbaums and the passporter. They all compliment each other well!!

 

[msteddom]

I'm another fan of the UG/Passporter combo!

 

[decker96]

Let me put it to you this way, I have both, but I only bought Birnbaum's so the kids could look at the pictures of all the rides! Unofficial Guide all the way!

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I think both are worth buying. They are very different.

 

[poohandwendy]

UG definitely has more detailed information..but we always buy the Birnbaum edition because it gets us in the mood for our trip...

I actually prefer Passporter over both, lots of detailed information, less negativity and more organized IMO. I really don't have anything against the negative reviews, but you really have to put it all into perspective, there have been many things that UG reported unfavorably about that we loved. Less so with the Passporter. They were more on the money when it comes to reviews IMO.

 

[mmeb144]

I also use the official guide for the picture/ride descriptions for the kids. I use the UG for the reviews and the humorous articles.

Marie

 

[goofy4tink]

I prefer UG and PassPorter for planning and good information. But you can't beat the pictures in Birnbaum's for getting you in the mood!!! And my dd loves the kid's version.

 

[sotoalf]

What some buyers would call "negativity" I call honesty; that's all one can expect from a critic. Honesty distinguishes the Unofficial Guide from all the others.

I've been reading it and Birnbaum's guide simultaneously since 1986, and I've been distressed by how much the Birnbaum guide has, for all intents and purposes, become the "official" guidebook, owned and edited by the Disney company, and it happened sadly shortly after Steve Birnbaum's own death in 1992. The Birnbaum book never has a wrong word to say about a restaurant, calls every experience "delicious" and "fun," and rarely dissuades you from thinking that the Disney experience is the best on earth.

The Unofficial Guide, on the other hand, tells it like it is. You can disagree with its opinions, but its writers know what they're doing, and you can respect their intentions.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Call me crazy (ok, I'm crazy) but I prefer Birnbaums....

I can make up my own dang mind about what's good and what's not.....I just want to know exactly what it everything is.....just the facts....

That being said, I think that Birnbaums does a MUCH better job displaying the actual facts of everything at WDW then the UG does......

JMHO.....

(edited for horrible spelling)

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I agree with what many others have said. Unofficial Guide and Passporter (I also like WDW With Kids by Kim Wright Wiley) but my almost 4 year old LOVES to look at the Birnbaums book. I think the passporter is best at some unbiased opinions without feeling negative but comapring UOG and Birbaums, I think UOG provides a lot more information helpful to planning.

 

[riopooh]

I like both also - but feel the UG was helpful with the day plans - we aren't the commando types but I picked up alot of tips (of course I hadn't discovered the DIS boards yet!!)

 

[alecam]

Another vote for both!! I love the UG, but the pictures in Birnbaum's makes me want to be there a little more!!

 

[lentesta]

Hi DonaldsGrl103,

I work for the Unofficial Guide. If you have any questions about the 2004 or 2005 editions, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[gizfish]

If I could only absolutely buy one, I would get the Unofficial Guide hands down. The touring plans and other tips are a must if you will be visiting at any of the busy times, or only staying for a short time. What I really suggest is buy the Unofficial Guide, and when you are done reading, hi-lighting and taking notes (which if you are as much a mouse fan as most of us here should take you about two weeks or so, lol) go and get Birnbaum's so you can keep the magic going a little longer before your trip.

 

[punch57]

Unofficial Guide all the way !!!

 

[Jillpie]

It completely depends on whether this is your first trip or your umpteenth trip. If it is your first trip, go with Birnbaum's. It is a positive, upbeat and informative guide. Not to mention great and fun pictures to look at! The UG gives alot of negative slants to restaurants that we love, so I hate to read that. But what I do love about the UG is they give personal stories, as a side to the facts from people "out there" that have experienced Disney. And you find yourself completely relating to what they are saying. So thats fun to read. So do I buy both every single year? Of course I do!! I can't get enough reading about DW.

Len, when is the 2005 guide coming out? Octoberish?

 

[danny1649]

Get's my vote,I feel it is the best and has been for several year's.

 

[DonaldsGrl103]

Thank you guys so much for your HONEST opinions. Since its our fiftty millionith time lol going to disney and its not with young kids- it seems we are leading to buy the unofficial guide since mousesavers.com provides us with such a great deal. THANKS AGAIN

 

[jbwolffiv]

I too use both the UG and the Passporter(my bible) and only got the Birnbaums guide for Kids by Kids for my DD to look at the pictures so she can be like her nutty DD.