Which Unofficial Guide to get?

[Hot Lava]

I saw several recommendations for the Unofficial Disney Guide. So I am thinking about getting it for Kindle. Since I have a child, should I get the one aimed at Kids? It is significantly better? IS there anything that they omit from the regular guide to make room for info more geared for kids?

 

[real mad hatter]

I have a few but " Passporters " is my favourite.

 

[RedDad]

I would go with the standard Unofficial Guide from the folks who do touringplans.com. My wife has just about every guide book you can get from the last several years and this is her favorite for actual planning. The one for kids has more information geared toward kids, and it's nice to have in addition to the main book, but get the big one first.

 

[Hot Lava]

I would go with the standard Unofficial Guide from the folks who do touringplans.com. My wife has just about every guide book you can get from the last several years and this is her favorite for actual planning. The one for kids has more information geared toward kids, and it's nice to have in addition to the main book, but get the big one first.

So you are saying that I should get both of the Unofficial Guides?
To be clear, I am talking about the book(s) put out by the people who do the Touring Plans website.

 

[RedDad]

The only one you really need to plan a trip (even with kids) is the main Unofficial Guide for 2013. You could add the one for kids to that if you want additional info (but you don't necessarily need it). I wouldn't get the one for kids by itself.

 

[zurgandfriend]

I would recommend the complete guide 1400 pages? and not one of the condensed versions just MHO.

 

[JTT]

I have read them all.

I recommend Passporters because it is laid out so well. Easy to follow & understand.

The unofficial guide is great also, very good for beginners.

 

[olinecoach61]

I would get the regular official guide.

 

[JillC LI]

I would get the regular Unofficial Guide to WDW. There's tons of info about Kids in there. You can decide if you want to also get the other one afterwards.

 

[luv]

The standard Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 20xx (xx=13 right now; 14 will come out in August or September if they stick to the same release dates they have for many years) is the best one. It isnt just the best of all books - its the best one of the whole UG series.

It is the nature of discussion boards to take a question like "UG1 or UG2?" and come back with an answer that is neither of those options, lol. But I got your question and think the big one is better, if you're going to get one book.

You could also get the UG "with kids", if you want to. Can't hurt. I got the "with kids" one once, but found that I didn't need it at all. The regular one is the best. They cut and paste info from the big one into all the others and then toss in a little additional info.

Bet you didn't count on any Algebra in your responses.

 

[tracyandalex]

WDWMagic

 

[DisneyDelirious]

We get the standard Unofficial Guide (have for the last 3 years.) I also picked up the color photo companion last year, it has some really good pictures in it. I got a great deal on it and when we loan our guide out to perspective WDW travelers who haven't been before it helps them get a visual to go with the words. We also have the UG for Disneyland but haven't gotten out there yet. We only loan out last years UG, I keep the newest one for us in case it doesn't come back

 

[cgulls]

The content in the "with kids" and "color companion to" versions is really pulled out of the big Unofficial Guide with some added photos. I really like the Unofficial Guide. I have the latest UG but also got the Color Companion. I gave it to my kids so they can pick out the attractions they want to see. Passporters is cool but different. The UG will undoubtedly have more than you need but probably will have most of what you need.

 

[RickP330]

I would reccomend the UG affiliated with the Touring plans site. It is just an amazing welth of information about the parks. However, it is alot to digest. If you don't have the time to read or are to close to your departure time I would check out Passporters. It is helpful and cute - but no where near as serious as the UG.

 

[bethymouse]

allears.net
I think I got Birnbaum's that has a companion book for kids.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

The regular full version of the Unofficial Guide is the one to get. Don't let people here derail you with Passporter (good for keeping your souvenir's together when you get home, not good for planning) nor the horrible-for-planning Birnbaum which is Disney owned and just gives descriptions and photos with NO helpful advise for planning your day/what to do, what to avoid, etc.
The regular UG is the only one you need.

 

[luv]

I have to agree that the Passporter is an anemic replacement for the UG. You'll get more info from the UG, for sure.

I do like the "Birnbaum's Official Guide", but not for planning purposes. There is little planning info in it and most of what is there is wrong. But it's Disney's book, so loads of cute pics, character clip art and happy (even if inadequate) descriptions. It's a lot of fun.

The Complete Guide is good enough for fans, but not really a planning guide. I wonder if Disney isn't involved in that one, too, but never looked into it.

 

[Figgy1]

Another vote for the standard UG

 

[Hot Lava]

Thanks! I think I will get the UG on my Kindle so I can start reading without getting the stink eye from the hubby for getting a guide this far out (yes, I know here it isn't far away, but he will think so!). Then closer in, if I feel it would help to get the actual book, I will do that.

Thanks again for your info and help!

 

[Hot Lava]

UPDATE: I did download it for my Kindle. Haven't looked at it yet; but I did find some interesting info in the reviews. A lot of the reviews said the book was not the greatest for them only because they felt that they got it too close to their trip and couldn't get all they should out of the book. Many reviews recommended getting the book 6-12 months out from the trip to be able to really get the full benefit.

So those reviews really sealed the deal for me to go ahead and get it now. I thought this might be a helpful bit of info for anyone else thinking about the book.