Which Unofficial Guide Book ?

[Mike Bartenhagen]

Which Unofficial Guide Book is best the with kids version or the "plain" version. What is the difference?

Mike

 

[swilphil]

It's been a year since I looked at the Kids' version, which I guess tells you my answer is the "plain" version. The regular Unofficial Guide has a chapter on young children, as well as information and ratings through out for children. I just found it to be more comprehensive than the Kids' version, which definitely leaves a lot of stuff out. My kids are 2 and 4, so that may make a difference.

 

[goofy4tink]

I always get a new UnOfficial Guide for each year. Then I get the Birbaum's for Kids for my dd, 10. She loves being able to sit down and make her 'plans' on her own!!

 

[lentesta]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your interest in the Unofficial Guide. The "For Kids" version focuses specifically on trips with the little people, and includes more information specifically geared to children that wouldn't fit into the regular edition. The regular edition, for example, handles Disney for singles, couples without children, and families with grown children.

Let me know if this doesn't answer your question, and I'll forward it on to Bob. If there's anything else we can help with for your trip, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

The reason I asked about the two books is because the Unofficial Guide gets great reviews on Amazon but the Unofficial with Kids gets pretty poor reviews. Is the kids guide meant to be an addition to the regular guide or in place of? Does the kids guide include all of the information in the regular guide and then more?

Mike

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to say, sorry Len, that I did buy the WDW with Kids UoG and it just seemed to be very repetitive of the main UoG. And I don't think there has been a new one printed for awhile, has there? But, the big UoG is still my favorite for general planning, kids stuff included. But, like I said earlier I do get my dd the Birbaums for Kids. It doesn't help me in my planning but it's nice for kids.

 

[DCSingle]

I am a longtime fan of the Unofficial Guide, but depending on when your trip is, you may want to wait for the 2005 edition to come out (probably in October). I purchased the 2004 edition and could not believe how poorly edited it was. I'm not an English teacher or particularly picky or anything, but there were sections cut off and several lay out issues and just all kinds of obvious errors like the thing had never been proofread. I actually found myself reverting back to my 2002 edition instead.

I also concur that I'd go with the regular version over the "with kids" version as it is much more comprehensive.

 

[renessa]

I've never read the "Kid's Version" as I don't have any little ones of my own yet, but I buy the UG every year...and have for many years!!! Can't wait for the next one...hint, hint...

I would also have to agree with DCSingle about the 2004 version and the editing, however. There were many little errors that made me want to get out my red pen..made me feel like a 4th grade teacher!!!

Although I have read from cover to cover each year, I would really like an "updates" section...that way I can quickly see what's new for the 2005 version!

 

[StephMK]

I have the UG for Kids & Passporter. I love them both!

 

[lentesta]

I believe the latest edition of the 'Kids' UG is a 2004 edition. Let me check with Bob to make sure. I'll post his reply here.

As for the typos, yes, there were more than a reasonable amount in the 2004 edition, and we've corrected them for the 2005 edition. Any typo that materially affects the meaning of the text has also been posted to the website.

Several readers, whom we cannot thank enough, have helped us in this process. If you notice a typo and would like to notify us, feel free to do so. The address is webmaster@touringplans.com.

Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks Len. That should teach me to keep my big ole mouth shut unless I've checked!! I haven't seen a new one for awhile and to be honest, haven't checked out the one on the shelves now. Maybe I should!!

 

[lentesta]

No problem at all, goofy4tink! I didn't read anything personal into anyone's posts. Remind me to tell you sometime what I ended up doing to get the room diagram for POR corrected. (Hint: it involves Microsoft Paint.)

Mike, I've checked with Bob, and the latest edition of the Kids UG is indeed 2004. As with the regular UG (and every other published guide), some things may have changed at Disney since the book was published. While we don't have a separate errata page for the Kids version, it should take only a couple of minutes to peruse the corrections page for the big book to see if anything applies to your trip. Again, if there's anything in particular I can help you with, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Len Testa