Unofficial Guide or Regular Guide

[Cyberacer]

If you read guide books before you take your WDW trip which do you prefer? An Official Guide or an Unofficial Guide? Official Guides are good they have praise for everything. Unofficial Gudies tell it like it is.

 

[Nala59]

I buy every kind of guide book that the bookstore carries, but I always prefer Birnbaum's... I get one every year whether we are going or not... but we usually end up going back every year anyhow.

 

[Cyberacer]

we go every year too. twice in a year as a matter of fact.

 

[Nala59]

I think we've been every year too, since my 13 year old was 1 year old... It's the best place on earth!
Some years we've actually gotten there 2x too, ... the only year I remember not getting there was the year my father-in-law died...
it was such a hard year emotionally that we didn't have the "aurexy" to go...
only 11 more weeks!!! we're not going to stay on property this time... and it's going to be the first time in a really long time that we haven't stayed on property, and I'm having lots of mixed emotions about that! ...but I'll be ok... I'm still getting a hopper pass!

 

[GalacticGobbler]

rita aeros walt disney world is a good one and birnbaums

 

[craziebabie1]

I have always used Birnbaum's. It has a little of everything. As well as some area attractions.

 

[Luau Cove]

Birbaums is almost perfect. If you are focused in full coverage then this is absolutely the guide you're looking for. However, as it is the official guide to Disney, they won't depict the "cons" as much as an unofficial guide would do...Keep that in mind.

-->LUAU

 

[figmentmom]

I voted for the Unofficial Guide 'cause it's got a sense of humor (and excellent advice, too!)

 

[bvolguards]

i say both

 

[disneyman15]

When my family goes to Disney we usually buy one Disney Guide book and one unofficial. It helps out with planning of the day and gets two different perspectives on different rides. The unofficials are good too because they just don't talk about Disney but the Orlando area as well.

 

[Herbie53]

You have to be careful with the unofficial guides. The fact that they give you the "cons" is good, but that's just the author's opinion. Some are more opinionated than others, so it may be a good idea to check out a few of the unofficial guides to make sure they all agree on the major points. It would be a shame to miss an attraction because of someone else's bias.

 

[tigger1968]

I prefer the Unofficail Guide to WDW by Bob Sehlinger. I know there are a ton on unofficial guides around these days, but I have yet to find one as comprehensive as this one. I also like the fact that they use guest surveys and interviews for a lot of their research.

 

[MKingdom25]

I would say buy both or as many as you can get. I think the unofficial guide is more in-depth and usually offers a more non-bias view. But like previous posters have said, since it is the author's opinion it may not fit exactly to you views.
Of course, any book is that way I guess. LOL

The official guide is good too. Anything from Disney is always useful.

I would just read a variety of sources and get all the info you can !

 

[tenchu]

I said both, but i lean towards the unnofficial guide. Birnbaum seem to be more for, 'non-disney buffs' and in some cases doesn't go into quite as much detail. Nice pictures though.:wave:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I recommend two guides.

Definately get the official Birnbaum guide. That will give you a lot of good information right from the source.

I also recommend the Passporter guide (www.passporter.com). It is a great guide, and also has trip planning things for you to write on. It is a great organizer.

 

[WDWspider]

We buy Birnbaum's for the pictures and great ride descriptions, and we but Passporter for hard truths, maps of resorts and more, and the cool extras like Food prices, passpockets, and reader input.

 

[mburk]

Birnbaum's has the nice color photos, but I think the text is just fluff. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's fun to read, but I don't glean any hard information from it. Have always used Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide and think it rocks. However, I have read some glowing reports on various message boards about the Passporter, so I am going to buy that for our next trip.

 

[DisneyWorldGuru]

Birnbaum's!!! I refer to Birnbaums guide all the time. I even use it to help when I update my web site. They have the offical park maps, tons of photos, and great information. I mean I even buy it if I am not going to just get new information on WDW. Also, they have the offical and most up to date prices.

 

[jojoyner55]

I have always gotten both Birnbaum's and Sehlinger's Unofficial guides before going, including this years. But in the future I am not going to waste my time on the Unofficial guide. I find it is too unrelentingly negative. Its assertinon that there are no good places to eat at WDW is especially absurd.

 

[Jimmy]

I buy a Birnbaum every year, however I also have bought "unofficial" guides as well. Birnbaum describes the attractions the best. They have the most details. The Unofficial Guide gives good advise on other aspects of your trip, especially what to pack, etc. The most unique unofficial guide is the "Passporter". The pockets in the book are very helpful for keeping everything together from you reservations, plane tickets, park plans etc. I suggest spending the extra money and buying the deluxe edition, so in the following years you can just buy replacement pockets.