Which Guide Book?

[Natazu]

Hello all,

I've noticed a lot of people talking about the Birnbaum's guide. I picked up a copy and didn't care much for it. It wasn't horrible, it just read like a big Disney ad. Being a fan of the Frommer's, it got me thinking what else was out there.

This poll is designed to find out what guide books people like and maybe give people an opportunity to see what others read.

You can choose two books in the poll since some people use two. For instance we buy the Frommer's every year and the Luxury Guide when there's an update.

NOTE: The Unofficial Guide and Frommer's is the same book.

[ March 29, 2005, 06:58 PM: Message edited by: SteveL ]

[offwego]

I'll fess up till I found intercot I bought Birnbaums, I also bought passporter which I will continue to buy.

I bought one of the frommers and didn't like it at all.

It was the mini one so maybe that was it but I really can't say it was helpful or informative (for us at least).

[Maleficent's Dad]

I still enjoy Birnbaum's - it's really positive on Disney. I love Passporter and feel it's the best of them all. graemlins/thumbsup.gif
I can't stand the "Unofficial Guide." Very clear that those writers hate Disney and just want to make a buck by selling off their unofficial unhappiness. :mad:

[EricandMe]

Passporter is the most postive/truthful guide.

I like the Unoffical Guide, I really feel like it gives you the best descriptions of everything, though it is true that some parts are exageratedly harsh. Overall I feel it is the most comprehensive. But it doesn't change much from year to year, I don't think that many guides do.....

Intercot is the BEST though, better than the guide books. graemlins/clappy.gif

[Momof2boys]

Besides Intercot ;) it's Passporter for us graemlins/clappy.gif

We bought it last year & it was really useful, easy to read, and accurate. Plus, the back pages are wonderful for trip notes.
I just got my 2005 Passporter in the mail today graemlins/clappy.gif

[DVC2004]

I like Passporter the best, but the Unofficial guide is pretty good as well. I agree with you about Birnbaum's- it's not my favorite.

[HooksLeftHand]

I like the idea of a guidebook that offers the "inside scoop," with actual criticisms and such, but ultimately, so much of that is a matter of opinion that none seem to be helpful. I mean, some people like things that the guidebook hates.

Intercot is great for getting a broad range of opinions, which is great.

For people who just want to familiarize themselves with everything WDW has to offer (which I think is the main reason to buy a guidebook anyway), Birnbaum's is probably best...just remember to take everything in it with a grain of salt.

[Ltmoko]

We used the Unofficial Guide the first 2 times we went. Now we do not buy them anymore. I just use this site and the Disney site. I have gotten alot of info from Intercot.

[Brooklynos]

I bought both birnubam (sp?) and the passporter. I read thru the birnubam one and it was informational but nothing really new. The passporter was great. I still fill stuff in to the worksheets and find myself highlighting things that I want to not miss. I love it.

[Think_Tink]

I voted for Aero because it's the most useful out of all the choices. I would have voted for Fodor's by Kim Wright Wiley though.

[delarosa]

I use Walt Disney World for Couples when it is just DH and me. This time I got a couple of the ...with Kids books since I don't travel much with kids. I HATED Kim Wright Riley's kids' version (2005). It was horribly out of date and had some just out and out bad information in it.

I will buy a new Birnbaum's every few years, but otherwise I just use the net.

[satchel01]

I just found a new one!! DK put out a Disney and Orlando area guide book in 2005. DK puts out those educational books for kids with the great pictures. It has info on Disney and surrounding hotels, Disney attractions and surrounding attractions (Sea World, Universal, other things i've never heard of...) I bought it for the pictures!!

[Funcruiser56]

Passporter is our all time fav and if I am planning a trip to WDW it is the first thing I buy. I also really like Rita Aero's guide book but have not bought a new one since 03.

Funcruiser

[Tavel]

I have to admit, I read them all -- I borrow them from the library. I did buy a Passporter -- highly recommended!!!

[Spaceship Tigger]

I think the Unofficial Guide is the most informative for the money. They don't hate Disney, but they write guidebooks for all sorts of different destinations and can be quite critical of all of them.

I also like the Passporters for the pockets and everything. From what I've read of the Birnbaum guide, it seems like it could have easily been written by Disney itself - i.e. little critical material. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

[conniehar]

Tour Guide Mike - better than any book.

[drosenbe]

I vote for the Unofficial Guide. The touring plans are great and, if you take the reviews with a grain of salt, the information is accurate. That, along with Intercot for up tothe minute info, completes my planning.

[Natazu]

Originally posted by Ltmoko:
We used the Unofficial Guide the first 2 times we went. Now we do not buy them anymore. I just use this site and the Disney site. I have gotten alot of info from Intercot. You're right. A regular reader of Intercot shouldn't need a guide book every year. I still use the Unofficial for things like crowd levels and which rooms to get at the resorts.

[belbook]

Has anyone seen the Irreverant Guide to WDW from Frommer? It's a bit different from the others. I'd suggest borrowing from the library, not buying it but it's kind of fun to look at plus it's got some good info about the Orlando area.

My favorite is still the Unofficial Guide though I like reading everything I can get my hands on. I may try Passporter this year after all the referrals.

[ March 31, 2005, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: belbook ]

[mrte62]

I have to disagree with comments that say the Unoffical Guide people "hate Disney". I have found it to be funny and very honest.

I recommend it to any first time visitors as I think it really opens your eyes on what to expect.

I'm not breaking any new ground here- but everyone reading this knows a trip to WDW is not your "lay on the beach for a week" vacation. To prepare people for the good and not so good, is not a bad thing.

[Tbelle1976]

I have to say that I'm a Birnbaum's fan and can't go a year without purchasing it. I also do like Passporter, but haven't gotten around to get the new one yet. ;)

[Spindrift]

I used the Unofficial guide and liked it. And I don't think they hate WDW, they are critical of things but that's what a good guide book should do: critique the subject, not just give descriptions.

[Vacation Dad]

The unofficial guide all the way, because I want more than the official line.

Also because I like the WuffoWorld cartoons. ;)

[AvonleaCF]

Birnbaum's is great for the pictures, but not for tips & info. Unofficial Guide all the way! I read the 2003 edition cover to cover (I had jury duty and wasn't called, so I sat there for about 6 hours with the book). It has so much info for the first-timers and their suggested tours are good.

[JCO]

I like both Birnbaum's official guide (more like a magazine) and Frommer's Unofficial Guide (which is a lot more comprehensive, almost like a dictionary).
I take the info. from both guides with a grain of salt.
My mother-in-law and father-in-law are accompanying us to Disney this year, so I let them borrow Birnbaum's. I certainly don't want to load them down with all the stuff in the Unofficial Guide, although I've found it to be very informative, interesting and entertaining. I don't get the feeling they hate Disney, they're just a bit on the cynical side (kinda like a lot of teenagers!)