Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's

bethram

bethram

Well-Known Member
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!
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
RickP330

RickP330

Well-Known Member
Just an update. I bought the UG, Birnbaums and the passporter. By far the UG coupled with the website is the best resource (IMO). I also bought several other books. I have read the UG and am about halfway through. It's been a great resource to help planning and the daily park guides are awesome.
RP
 
Upvote 0
PJean710

PJean710

Active Member
Not sure if anybody mentioned it, but I'm a fan of the complete walt disney world book. It's a nice combination of facts with out overkill and has the best pictures of any of them.
 
Upvote 0
Zipadeelady

Zipadeelady

Well-Known Member
Ok...I was able to get a sample of the UG on my nook to see if it is worth it before I bought it. From what I read it sounded like a huge advertisment to purchase a plan on touring the parks from their website...am I missing something? I went to easywdw.com to see if they are lacking something that touringplans.com has but couldn't find anything I need that i dont get from here or easywdw.com.

I think I'll stick with Birnbaums, easywdw and you guys. :)
 
Upvote 0
captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
PJean710 said:
Not sure if anybody mentioned it, but I'm a fan of the complete walt disney world book. It's a nice combination of facts with out overkill and has the best pictures of any of them.
Click to expand...

I agree about the pictures and info, but the book is short on resort information (as are most of the guide books.) Plus, the author of the book has some very strange opinions on attractions.

I should also add, I don't buy the guidebooks for help. I know more than they do (not to sound like a showoff, but it's true). I just enjoy reading anything to do with WDW.
 
Upvote 0
plaz10

plaz10

Well-Known Member
The Unofficial gives you a more detailed description of places and a little more truthful about stuff (since Birnbaum is Disney official) but I really enjoy both. Birnbaum is a nice read for a first timer because its not overwhelming or anything. I enjoy both but for myself I like the UnOfficial Guide because I can read about more details and really immerse myself in the Disney knowledge.
 
Upvote 0
Twhitty

Twhitty

Active Member
Passporter. It is a great planning book and has areas for you to note take and make your itinerary. It makes a great keepsake after your trip. The 2013 edition just came off print so it will not be in stores probably for another couple of weeks.
 
Upvote 0
WDW 3

WDW 3

Well-Known Member
I like both but the UG is almost intimidating with the size and information. I'm a short/sweet just the facts kind of reader. And I don't think there is a book out there that is very accurate about Shades of Green. UG gives them a D+ for the food court. They don't have a food court. Should be a n/a. Shuttle service an F. That's insane. They have a shuttle service and as a Disney guest you can use any other transportation there is. They run on a schedule. Work with it. We think it's better than sitting at a bus stop know knowing which bus is going to show up.
 
Upvote 0
RickP330

RickP330

Well-Known Member
Ok, wow. Alot of opinions here - that's ok!! Just thought I'd chime my $.02 in. I will admit I have never heard of the easyWDW website, from what I see it correlates with what I got out of the UG, but the UG has alot more detail and goes even farther by reccomending how to navage the park during the day. Honestly, it was only $7 more so considering what I'm spending on the trip I don't think that's unreasonable and I feel like I have already made that up in planning assistance FWIW...
RP
 
Upvote 0
cgulls

cgulls

Active Member
BigRedDad said:
I say neither. You can get all of the same information and more from forums such as this.
Click to expand...

You might be able to get much of the same information but it's a heck of a lot easier to have it in one place (with an index) than to have to sort the boards. And if the reader is actually interested in the touring plans portion of the UG, their methods are a bit more . . . scientific? . . . than the anectodal discussions posted on these boards or the web at-large.

I have the UG (and Birnbaums and a few others) and like to read these boards, too.
 
Upvote 0
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
Is Birnbaum's the one that has the companion book for kids w/ a place to write in it and autographs? That one is nice. I've gotten both from Barnes and Noble. I really enjoyed reading them! But, since I have found so many websites, such as allears.net and this one, I don't spend the $$$.:D
 
Upvote 0
wdwstateofmind

wdwstateofmind

Well-Known Member
the Unofficial guide....even though the part about using a wheelchair to cut in line disgusts me...but this is also pending if we are talking about the same unofficial guide (I have one very touristy one and one very "dirty" one)...
 
Upvote 0
Figgy1

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
wdwstateofmind said:
the Unofficial guide....even though the part about using a wheelchair to cut in line disgusts me...but this is also pending if we are talking about the same unofficial guide (I have one very touristy one and one very "dirty" one)...
Click to expand...
That is very sad especially for those of us who use the GAC for legitimate reasons.
 
Upvote 0
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
wdwstateofmind said:
the Unofficial guide....even though the part about using a wheelchair to cut in line disgusts me...but this is also pending if we are talking about the same unofficial guide (I have one very touristy one and one very "dirty" one)...
Click to expand...
A "dirty" version of the Unofficial Guide to WDW ???

Never heard of such a thing.

Really?
 
Upvote 0
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
unkadug said:
A "dirty" version of the Unofficial Guide to WDW ???

Never heard of such a thing.

Really?
Click to expand...
It's not the UG. I think they are referring to the book with the skanky girl on the cover.

I don't know why anyone would pretend it is anything like the UG. Was that person trying to sell the trashy book?
 
Upvote 0

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom