Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's

[bethram]

I have a book store gift card that is burning a hole in my pocket. We're not planning a trip until the end of 2013, but I thought I'd use my gift card on a new WDW book anyway. I've got my sister's old copy of Unofficial Guide from 2009, but it's almost got too much info and too many personal anecdotes. Is Birnbaum's any better? I already own The Hidden Magic of WDW and the Complete Idiot's guide from 2012.

Thanks!

 

[luv]

Really? What do you mean exactly?

I can't speak for that poster, but here's my take on it...

Birnbaum's is Disney's book, so they obviously will not mention anything that isn't complimentary. The UG will point out bad stuff so you can make informed decisions about what you want to do. The UG will also suggest ways around bad stuff, when that is possible.

I really love the Birnbaum book...I really love Disney! Nobody puts out a better book to make you completely kazzed about your vacation than Disney. They're great for cutting up and using in the scrapbook, too.

But if a person is planning a Disney trip, especially a first or second trip, the UG is the best way to go. I'd get the actual book instead of the kindle one. I think reference-type books are better used in person...but that might just be me.

 

[unkadug]

I can't speak for that poster, but here's my take on it...

Birnbaum's is Disney's book, so they obviously will not mention anything that isn't complimentary. The UG will point out bad stuff so you can make informed decisions about what you want to do. The UG will also suggest ways around bad stuff, when that is possible.

I really love the Birnbaum book...I really love Disney! Nobody puts out a better book to make you completely kazzed about your vacation than Disney. They're great for cutting up and using in the scrapbook, too.

But if a person is planning a Disney trip, especially a first or second trip, the UG is the best way to go. I'd get the actual book instead of the kindle one. I think reference-type books are better used in person...but that might just be me.

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I can't speak for that poster, but here's my take on it...

Birnbaum's is Disney's book, so they obviously will not mention anything that isn't complimentary. The UG will point out bad stuff so you can make informed decisions about what you want to do. The UG will also suggest ways around bad stuff, when that is possible.

I really love the Birnbaum book...I really love Disney! Nobody puts out a better book to make you completely kazzed about your vacation than Disney. They're great for cutting up and using in the scrapbook, too.

But if a person is planning a Disney trip, especially a first or second trip, the UG is the best way to go. I'd get the actual book instead of the kindle one. I think reference-type books are better used in person...but that might just be me.

Huh those are great and true points-never thought about that! I love the Birnbaums book, maybe because it is so positive. Interesting.

 

[Jillie Fish]

But if a person is planning a Disney trip, especially a first or second trip, the UG is the best way to go. I'd get the actual book instead of the kindle one. I think reference-type books are better used in person...but that might just be me.

Just to clarify I am not even sure they sell it for the kindle - I searched, but you can purchase the hard copy and have it sent to your home using the kindle like I did. But like you, I recommend a hard copy so you make notes, highlight etc.

 

[pixiesteno]

I have experience with both and I prefer Birnbaum over Unofficial Guide because I want an overview on stuff and not someone else's kamikaze plan for running through parks. I haven't purchased a guide in numerous years, hmm lots of new stuff, hmm.

 

[bsiev1977]

I have experience with both and I prefer Birnbaum over Unofficial Guide because I want an overview on stuff and not someone else's kamikaze plan for running through parks. I haven't purchased a guide in numerous years, hmm lots of new stuff, hmm.

The touring plans are only one part of the UG. The rest of the book is filled with info, reviews, etc.
It's most certainly not all about the touring plans.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Unofficial Guide -- and then subscribe to touringplans.com, which will give you a discount for having bought the book! Together, they are kryptonite against your having to stand in long lines.

 

[RickP330]

Not much of a mention of the Passporter book in this thread. I had one last year and liked it. How does it compare to the UG and Birnbaums?

 

[RonAnnArbor]

There is absolutely no discussion here -- the Unofficial Guide is the ONLY resource out there that fully gives you all the information you need to make the most of the parks. The Birnbaum guide has nice photos, that are all pre-screened by Disney, and it makes everything look like its wonderful, must-do, beautiful, walk-right-on-and-enjoy it happy...rubbish....The Unofficial Guide is essential for first time visitors. Even after 40 years of visiting, I still buy a copy every other year or so to stay up on whats going on, what traffic patterns have changed, and what's coming up...

By the way, touringplans.com is the ONLY iPhone app that I feel is worth the money -- their time estimates for the rides are dead on...and not only do they post the estimates and the actual times that Disney posts, but their tens of thousands of users (thousand of whom are in the park each day) help post the REAL times...Disney's posted stacked time might say 70 minutes for Space Mountain, but the real time inside is 11 minutes from riders who just went through the line...there is no more valuable information than that

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Passporter is a nice guide that is good for keeping your materials together when you get home -- I like the envelopes in the back. They are also good for reading up on things before you go, as you are planning, and they have good maps inside....but they do not compare with Unofficial Guide to planning your time wisely in the park for new visitors and providing all the information you need.

The reality is, once you've been to WDW a few times, you pretty much have your routine set, and none of the guidebooks are necessary -- and you are no longer rushing to do everything in a few days, and you know how lines work, and how fastpasses work, and how long it takes to get from one place to another, and which rooms are better than others at all the resorts -- and usually, you just go and do whatever you want at the theme parks and parkhop to the next one to do whatever you want....

But if you have never been, and you want to experiences as much as you can, UG is the way to go.

 

[wolf359]

If I ONLY had to choose between the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's, I'd choose neither. There are much better books out there.
Passporter's layout and design is much better, and the photography of The Complete Walt Disney World is the best I've seen.

The Birnbaum's guides read like an expanded park map; they're stuffed with very official nonsense and aren't objective in the slightest. I think they're good for first-timers (because that lack of objectivity lets people make up their own mind if they like something) but otherwise I would skip them.
The Unofficial Guide has lots of information. TOO much, really. Every possible fact, opinion, scrap of trivia, and personal anecdote seems to be crammed into the book, making it not only awkwardly large, but very hard to find what you're looking for. If you want Disney World brain dump, it is the book for you. If you just need to know how long a bus trip takes or which park has a 3:00 parade you'll be looking for a while.

 

[bsiev1977]

There is absolutely no discussion here -- the Unofficial Guide is the ONLY resource out there that fully gives you all the information you need to make the most of the parks. The Birnbaum guide has nice photos, that are all pre-screened by Disney, and it makes everything look like its wonderful, must-do, beautiful, walk-right-on-and-enjoy it happy...rubbish....The Unofficial Guide is essential for first time visitors. Even after 40 years of visiting, I still buy a copy every other year or so to stay up on whats going on, what traffic patterns have changed, and what's coming up...

By the way, touringplans.com is the ONLY iPhone app that I feel is worth the money -- their time estimates for the rides are dead on...and not only do they post the estimates and the actual times that Disney posts, but their tens of thousands of users (thousand of whom are in the park each day) help post the REAL times...Disney's posted stacked time might say 70 minutes for Space Mountain, but the real time inside is 11 minutes from riders who just went through the line...there is no more valuable information than that

I love the touring plans app. I'm not going until December, but I still check it several times a day. It's fun to see what wait times are like, and how quickly FPs ran out for rides like Soarin or Toy Story.

 

[unkadug]

If I ONLY had to choose between the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's, I'd choose neither. There are much better books out there.
Passporter's layout and design is much better, and the photography of The Complete Walt Disney World is the best I've seen.

The Birnbaum's guides read like an expanded park map; they're stuffed with very official nonsense and aren't objective in the slightest. I think they're good for first-timers (because that lack of objectivity lets people make up their own mind if they like something) but otherwise I would skip them.
The Unofficial Guide has lots of information. TOO much, really. Every possible fact, opinion, scrap of trivia, and personal anecdote seems to be crammed into the book, making it not only awkwardly large, but very hard to find what you're looking for. If you want Disney World brain dump, it is the book for you. If you just need to know how long a bus trip takes or which park has a 3:00 parade you'll be looking for a while.

I disagree...once you've read the book you know how it's laid out and arranged. Finding the information is a snap because you know exactly where to find the information.

 

[bsiev1977]

The only little peeve I have about the UG is that they don't update the reader comments they out in. I'm certain some in the 2013 are the same as what they were three years ago.

Aside from that, having the UG is having an all in one Disney encyclopedia/dictionary/atlas.

If I ONLY had to choose between the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's, I'd choose neither. There are much better books out there.
Passporter's layout and design is much better, and the photography of The Complete Walt Disney World is the best I've seen.

The Birnbaum's guides read like an expanded park map; they're stuffed with very official nonsense and aren't objective in the slightest. I think they're good for first-timers (because that lack of objectivity lets people make up their own mind if they like something) but otherwise I would skip them.
The Unofficial Guide has lots of information. TOO much, really. Every possible fact, opinion, scrap of trivia, and personal anecdote seems to be crammed into the book, making it not only awkwardly large, but very hard to find what you're looking for. If you want Disney World brain dump, it is the book for you. If you just need to know how long a bus trip takes or which park has a 3:00 parade you'll be looking for a while.

I must respectfully disagree with you about the UG. The Contents section is detailed, as well as is the index. I've never had any problem finding what I want to in the UG.

 

[disneycouple07]

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids 2013 or The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids 2013? Traveling sometime this fall with our 2 year old daughter for the first time. I've only been to WDW with adults, so I know this trip will be totally different!

 

[Hulacat]

Got the 2013 Birmbaums book just before Christmas. Lots of good information and includes a number of coupons in the back of it. I buy one every other year.

Can you please name some of the coupons- what discounts and where do you save?

 

[bethram]

The Unofficial Guide has lots of information. TOO much, really. Every possible fact, opinion, scrap of trivia, and personal anecdote seems to be crammed into the book, making it not only awkwardly large, but very hard to find what you're looking for. If you want Disney World brain dump, it is the book for you. If you just need to know how long a bus trip takes or which park has a 3:00 parade you'll be looking for a while.

This is why I bought Birnbaum first, however I now have UG 2013 also. I'm actually reading Birnbaum, but I plan to use UG as more of a reference book. We've been twice in recent years so I don't need the first trip primer. I just like reading about Disney.

 

[DisneyFan381]

Any WDW guidebook you buy will be outdated by the time it hits the stores. You can find more up to date info on message boards and blogs. I haven't bought a Disney book in years.

That being said...

1. Birnbaum - lots of colorful yet dated pictures of Disney attractions and overused Disney clipart. Gets you in the mood for a trip and not totally useless. But like others have said...edited by Mickey. "Have a super sparkley day!"

2. Unofficial Guide - back when I was new to WDW, I found the UG to be awful. I was like, how can anyone say anything mean about Disney??!?!?!?! Now that I've been as much as I have, the UG is funny. I like the commentary. It's a heavy book, so not something you want to take on the trip with you. Use it as a reference guide at home while you're planning the trip. They do give some good touring info as well. I don't buy it every year, but I do take it out of the library when a new edition is available.

And since others have mentioned it: 3. Passporter - good for taking with you and storing your information and jotting down what you did that day, etc. I've seen people carry it in the parks. They're not as detailed as the UG, but they don't sugar coat everything like the Birnbaum. Good book to have to help you stay organized...their way.

If I had to pick, I'd say UG.

 

[Stellajack]

Definitely the Unofficial Guide. Birnbaum's is great after your trip is over...almost like a nostalgic reliving of your trip but not that great for planning. We have been to WDW 14 times and we STILL take a copy of the UG touring guides (even if just for a suggestion) to the park. We either tear out the guide from the book and laminate it, or print the guide from touringplans.com. We may not use it at all.

Another great bit of information is the detailed dining and menu information in the UG. Want to know where you can get PBJ sandwiches for the kids or how 'bout Pecos Bill's burger bar for lunch?
To each his/her own, but my personal favorite is the Unofficial Guide (which is left at home once my planning is done).

 

[RickP330]

Well, they were only like $10 each, so I bought Birnbaum's and the UG. I had the Passporter last year and it was fun, but for the price I think I'll skip it this year.
RP