would like to buy a guide book- which one?

[dkbnyc]

would like to buy a guide book for our 3 day trip in Dec. We are also planning a longer trip in dec 2011
which book do you rec? I have seen 'the Unofficial Guide' mentioned before, but went to the bookstore today and thought the 'Passporters' book looked interesting- it was a guide book with planner pages in it.

thanks for the help
d

 

[contenttob]

I just bought the Complete Guide to Disney World 2009 (I think that is the title) that someone on another forum suggested. I know the authors are a couple with the last name Neal. I absolutely love it. I'm already on page 102 and I just started. Fantastic descriptions of the attractions and shows, one by one with full color. Also great trivia and interesting facts with locations of hidden Mickey's.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I just got Passporters for the first time and love it. I'm a compulsive list maker so all that handy planning stuff in the back is great for me.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We like the "Unofficial Guide". An added benefit is that you get access to their website. It has customized touring plans and a crowd calendar.

Access is free if you bought the book, or about 8 dollars (for a year) if you did not.

 

[dancin'girl]

I second the Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2009. I have pretty much read them all and just loved this one!

 

[SKWDW]

I used Birnbaum's, but found that a decent amount of time spent on the Dis and at mouseears.net negated the need for a guide.

Your mileage may vary...

 

[Connorsmom0]

I also use the unofficial guide. It is a great book and like pp said it gives you access to the tour guides on the site.

 

[beccasmom]

I love the Unofficial Guide. We are Disney veterans, but I still like to keep up with what has been happening at WDW, so I usually purchase this book every other year or so. It is very large - over 800 pages! - so probably not something you would bring with you.

It offers candid advice about everything at WDW as well as reviews and comments from readers. It can be quite comical to read at times. The advice is usually spot-on. Lots of great information about the parks and resorts that is not usually found in other guides (I've read many of them). Worth the cost or at least a trip to the library to check out.

 

[MusicMouse]

Hold off and buy your WDW guidebook in September. Many of the new guidebooks for 2010 come out then. I know it's tough to wait , but the info will be much more up to date. Remember that the 2009 giudebooks actually came out in 2008, so they don't include some of Disney's newer attractions and policies. That being said, I admit that I have already borrowed and read several of the 2009 guidebooks from the library for our Jan. 2010 trip.

 

[LovinRafiki]

Save some cash and do what I did, get them from the library! If you really like one of them, buy it. But you can check them all out before buying them!

 

[Horbar]

"Unofficial Guide" hands down. Birnaums is a Dis mouthpiece and Passporters is a lot of fluff.

 

[BonnieP]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide. I have bought many copies over the years, but I always try to read the newer one from the library. Most of the time I have to reserve it-very popular book...

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

I like the Unofficial Guide. My last version was 2007, so I'm waiting to buy the 2010 version! I like that it gives fact AND opinions of the authors and readers. Lots of great info! I've read Birnbaums and Passporters, and neither taught me anything I didn't already know.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

Unofficial Guide. Yep.

 

[WDWMaiselFamilyWDW]

Unofficial Guide all the way! Wait for the 2010 edition. I have 2009, and it's already got some outdated info.

The books by Julie Neal & her DH are nice to have, but are mostly pictures and attraction guides. They don't get into the nuts and bolts of things.

 

[debbiedana]

The Unofficial Guide and the disboards are all you need for a great trip!