Good GUIDEBOOK for Disney World???

[Joey04]

Greetings!

I was curious; does anyone have a good recommendation for a guidebook for Disneyworld? There are tons of them at the bookstore, I am just curious if anyone recommends any of them. I am most interested in smart planning tips, smart ways of spending money, and the best attractions to take kids to.

By the way, we have a 9 year old book, Fodor's "Orlando like a Pro" (by Rick Namey) which was absolutely fantastic for its time, and still has great tips. Unfortunately, that was the last edition. I did a google search, and discovered the book still sells used, and in mint condition, it actually sells for almost double its original price. I can understand anyone who has had this book would want to replace it if it was lost. I wonder what happened to the author, if anyone here would have any idea.

Fodor does have a 2007 Disney World Guide, but it seems to read like a text book in comparison, and I didn't buy it ($17.95)

We did already get "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids". ($10.99). I read it cover to cover, and it was alright.

Oh, and its been about a month since I requested the free DVD. It will be nice to get it before our December vacation...

Would sure like opinions on what’s a good guide. Thanks in advance!

Joey

[DizneyNutz]

If you already have read the UG, you might want to try Tour Guide Mike! It is more interactive I believe. Never tried it, but have read tons of good posts on him. :thumbsup2

[Smileybug]

The Passporter is really good. So is the EZ Fun Guide. I have also gotten an absolute wealth of info just reading the Dis. I keep a notebook and pen by my side and take all kinds of notes.

[ransom]

The ones I like are:

Unofficial Guide: (Not the "with kids" one - I haven't tried that one.) UG is huge, and it has tons of good tips, including ratings for every ride for each of several age groups. At least as a first-timer, this one seems to be a "must."

Passporter for WDW: Again, ratings for various age groups for each attraction, plus color maps of each park (including how long it takes, on average, to travel from point to point in each park). There are many tips throughout the guidebook. Also includes nifty pockets for taking notes and saving receipts for each day. I bought the Deluxe version, which comes in a nice binder.

EZ Fun Guide: Wonderful for planning, plus the maps, though not to scale, are probably the best visual guide I've found to what is where in each part of each park. Not as many tips in here, but there are some.

If you have the funds and the time, I'd check out all three. If you don't have the funds but do have a lot of time, check out Tour Guide Mike (I tried it, didn't find much in it that I didn't get from the guide books, but got a prompt refund based on their satisfaction guarantee, so I consider it worth checking out).

No matter what you do, use the DIS! If you ask a question, you'll get answers from many experienced people. Plus, everyone here is just wonderful. It's quite a community to be a part of (and welcome to it)!

[jenseib]

I have always used the Birmbaums one. (is that the same as what you have?) I had the one for kids and the regular one. I thought they were both great. I just got a nother guide the other day, but it has no pictures and is kind of hard reading a bit, I think. I am having a hard time following things, as it seems to jump a bit. I can't remember that one's name either.

[whogirl'smom]

I second the vote for the UG-regular edition. I can't think of anything that I wondered about, that it didn't have an answer for (and it's where I found the referral to the DIS boards!). I still go back and re-read parts even though we've been back from our trip for a month.

[Vivsmom]

I buy Passporter for every trip I take. I like the pockets to keep papers in and write information down on.

The Unofficial Guide always goes too.

[jenseib]

Ok, looking on ebay, I think Frommers is the new one I have, and don't care for much.

I totally recommend the Birnbaums ones. They have several different ones out there. I got mine at the local bookstore, but I'm sure ebay and amazon carry them as well. Just depending how fast you want to get them.

[LoriNSC]

I vote for passporter! I just got the new 2007 last week. I'm in my planning mode!!!! :cool1:

[Davidsmommy]

I have several guides, but on the suggestion of the Disers, I bought the passporter. I love it. LOVE it. It totally fits into my obsessive planning mode. I am using it as my main "holder" for all things Disney (I got the deluxe), and am using The Unofficial Guide (2007) along with it. I also have Walt Disney World with Kids (2007) that I am using to look up each ride. I have Birnbaum's 2007 guide, I don't like that as much (it is the official guide and reminds me more of an advertisement). I also have an older version of the Cheapskate's Guide to Disney. I am not using that as much.

We went to the bookstore today, and saw a couple more, but I felt I already had ample reading material. Lol!

[kpartha]

How about the software from mousepal.It has tips/attractions,etc. I used it last time and found it to be very useful and will be using it again this year (Nov-Dec). You can download the demo version and see if it's something you are looking for.

[byoung]

They will all work pick one and use it. Good luck and have a great vacation.

[jenseib]

Where do you find passporter at? Is it just called Passporter?

[Davidsmommy]

Hi - www dot passporter dot com

The 2007 version just started shipping. I ordered mine last weekend and it came Thursday. I think you can get it from Amazon too. I searched out a code via the boards and got a little more off the deluxe directly....

[T-i-double-g-err]

Check out tourguidemike.com. Mike has great info that none of the books have. He even gives a day by day analysis of which parks to go to (for any dates you need}. It was so worth the money! I plan to use TGM for all of my future vacations!

[thatduffgirl]

I have the Unofficial Guide, which is great, but the one I used the most was the Passporter. I get a new one for each trip. Packed with information and maps, it also has journaling space to write down your experiences. I keep them on my bookshelf, they are like a preserved time capsule for each of our vacations.

[Joey04]

Thanks, I am very glad I started this thread.

I normally go to the bookstore (Barnes and Noble) and grab EVERY book on the subject I want, go through them all at the bookstore, and decide what I want to purchase. It looks like I did well to take the Unofficial Guide for Disney with Kids, but I probably should have splurged for the complete edition. I may still get it.

I also disagree that all books are all the same. In fact, Friday I went back to Barnes and Noble to go through some more of them. I recall several books rate CBR (the hotel we will be staying at) as the worst of the moderate resort, while others rated it as the best!!! Although most guides cover a lot of the same "basic material", I think the real value of each guide comes in the author's "proprietary" tips in each individual book (by the way, Namey’s 1997 book had a SMORGASBORD of tips, which is why I was hoping for an updated book!)

It looks like "MousePal" is $14.95, while "TourGuideMike" is $21.95, which are moderate and high prices for tip guides. I like to be able to thumb through guides for free before I buy though, so I may pass on these. I can't remember "Passporter" at my B&N, but I will look for it again. I'll also look for EZ fun guide and Birnbaums. I’ll probably avoid “official” guides.

Is Passporter maps, reviews, and ratings, or is does it also have travel tips?

[Missish]

A personal favourite of mine are the guides by Corey Sandler (I forget if they have a specific series title). They're really detailed and full of interesting facts and tips :thumbsup2

Also, Disney on a Dime is a great book for loads of ways to save money!

[ransom]

It looks like "MousePal" is $14.95, while "TourGuideMike" is $21.95, which are moderate and high prices for tip guides. I like to be able to thumb through guides for free before I buy though, so I may pass on these. I can't remember "Passporter" at my B&N, but I will look for it again. I'll also look for EZ fun guide and Birnbaums. I’ll probably avoid “official” guides.


Just a couple of notes: TourGuideMike is 100% guaranteed. I tried it, didn't find it to be worth the cost, and asked for a refund - which came promptly. Lots of people like the site, so you may find it worth while to check out. Think of it like browsing in a book store, only you've paid a refundable fee for the privilege. :)

Also, note that Birnbaums is an "official" guide, so if you plan to avoid those, don't bother looking through it. It has nice pictures, but I didn't find anything worthwhile in it.



Is Passporter maps, reviews, and ratings, or is does it also have travel tips?

Passporter covers it all. The first chapter is on planning your adventure (budgeting, etc.). The second chapter is on travel to WDW, times to go and their advantages/disadvantages, packing, etc. The third chapter is on the various places to stay, and goes into some detail on each option. Note that the focus of the Passporter is on staying within WDW (although there is some information about staying offsite), while the Unofficial Guide goes into quite a bit more detail on your options for staying outside of the World.

Subsequent chapters in the Passporter cover each of the theme parks and every attraction in each, all the other stuff in the World (water parks, Downtown Disney, etc.), dining, special tours and events, and more. Lots of worksheets are provided, at least one for every stage of your trip planning process.

[ransom]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the EZ Fun Guide probably isn't available at your local Barnes and Noble. At least, it's not at mine. But don't let that deter you! The author of the EZ Fun Guide has a nicely informative website up at www.ez-wdw.com, where you can get a good feel for the book.

[Erie Islands]

Where do you find passporter at? Is it just called Passporter? I get my Passporter at Border's bookstores. I think the 2007 version can still only be purchased through the internet and won't be in the stores for another week or two. And yes it's called PassPorter.

[Binkrin]

Another vote for the PassPorter!

I just got my 2007 passporter in the mail. I love it! I pre-ordered it a couple months ago.

It is the best book that I have found. It has maps, travel tips, packing lists, descriptions of every ride and every place to eat and the best part is the pockets in the back where I like to put my reservation and flight confirmations that I print out. You can also keep notes of your trip.

This time we even got the Disney cruise one because we are thinking about going on a cruise soon. :thumbsup2

I really can't say enough about it.

[twinkletoesmom]

look on amazonbooks I got the passporter and the UG for a good deal as a pack. I don't remember how much, but I remember I got free s/h so the price for the two books was only about 2 or 3 $ more than JUST the UG at the store. I really have used both. One has better maps the other better reviews. Hope this helps!!

[lpbm4]

Check out your library. Ours has many/most of the books people are mentioning. I check them out at different times to compare. Just an idea to save some $$, choose the one you like best, and then buy. Have fun!

[Livin'4Disney]

Yes, I second the library. However our library did not have the Passporter. They have recently gotten in most of the 2007 guides too. I just get on the wait list and usually have them in a couple of days.
I have purchased a few as well that are my favorites.
1- Disney on a Dime
2- Birnbaum's 2007 for Kids (this is a great one w/ pictures for the children)
All other's I have from the Library.

I also am a Tour Guide Mike fan. I purchased (you can get $3 off if you click on it through the disboards). I have compared his "plans" with all of my other tour books and he definitely has some unique tips. Plus he has a great Forum Board (similar to Disboards) that only TGM Members can utilize and I have gotten a lot of info. from it as well.

Probably more info. than you need, but I am a first timer as well and think it is very easy to get wrapped up in all the "planning guides" etc. and can be expensive too.

Good Luck!

[Joey04]

Hi again. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have been going to the bookstore during my lunches and reading Birbaums, but I won't buy it because it really seems to be general information for the masses, no good solid consumer tips. It did help me get caught up some after 25 years of not having been to the Magic Kingdom.

Because I got the UG for Disney with kids, I probably won't get the unabridged version. Looking back, I probably should have, as some of the extra stuff in the guide for kids really isn't Disney related, but family psychology related. It was interesting reading though, but a lot of it I won't be using for reference.

It looks like I can get EZ Guide online for just $7.50, pretty cheap compared to the others. Is it worth the splurge?

For the passporter, how many of you think it is worth the extra $$$ to get the ring bound, rather than the more affordable spiral bound? Looks like I'll be getting that one.

I am not sure if I'll purchase TourGuideMike with intent to ask for a refund if the tips aren't good. Obviously if I find it worth $21.95 I would keep it, but spending so much elsewhere on Disney Guides makes it seem unlikely I would keep it. Are they pretty nice about it returning money to those of us OCD about planning Disney trips? :surfweb:

Thanks again. Its been very helpful.

Joey

[sweetspicy]

I like the Passporter and the Birnbaum's Official Guide. The second one just for the WDW pictures alone. :sunny:

[Smileybug]

Hi again. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have been going to the bookstore during my lunches and reading Birbaums, but I won't buy it because it really seems to be general information for the masses, no good solid consumer tips. It did help me get caught up some after 25 years of not having been to the Magic Kingdom.

Because I got the UG for Disney with kids, I probably won't get the unabridged version. Looking back, I probably should have, as some of the extra stuff in the guide for kids really isn't Disney related, but family psychology related. It was interesting reading though, but a lot of it I won't be using for reference.

It looks like I can get EZ Guide online for just $7.50, pretty cheap compared to the others. Is it worth the splurge?

For the passporter, how many of you think it is worth the extra $$$ to get the ring bound, rather than the more affordable spiral bound? Looks like I'll be getting that one.

I am not sure if I'll purchase TourGuideMike with intent to ask for a refund if the tips aren't good. Obviously if I find it worth $21.95 I would keep it, but spending so much elsewhere on Disney Guides makes it seem unlikely I would keep it. Are they pretty nice about it returning money to those of us OCD about planning Disney trips? :surfweb:

Thanks again. Its been very helpful.

Joey

Hi Joey:wave2: ,
I have the EZ guide in a spiral bound book. I really like this book. Very informative yet simple. I have the Passporter in the deluxe version. I'm glad I splurged on this. goodluck on your hunt for the perfect guide book!!