What guide book would you suggest?

[shorty2313]

I am wondering if anyone purchased any of the guide books or anything to help out with planning of their trip? Any suggestions are apprecaited. Thank you in advance :)

[Forever a Princess]

The Passporter. The Deluxe version has evelopes for each day of the trip and a couple of planning envelopes. I have seen a lot of people carry this one around the park. I've read it cover to cover several times.

[I believe]

I have the Unofficial Guide (Bob Sehlinger spelling?) and Passporter from various years. The UG packs the most information but is worth it if you are willing to really read that much about Disney. (For me this is a pleasure I have read at least 5 different years worth of additions of this one) The passporter has really neat maps and pockets to tuck things into. The Passporter skims all that you need to know and the UG really digs into everything. If I could only get one I would get the UG for the information.

[Forever a Princess]

Best place to puchase the Deluxe Passporter is from their website.

They ship really quick. I just ordered the Disney Cruise Line Deluxe addition and got it within four days.

[deekaypee]

Another vote for the UG. I soak up all the information I can get, so I love UG (and especially its occasionally snarky tone), the DIS, and subscription site Tour Guide Mike (a sponsor of the DIS boards). Be warned, though, the UG runs over 800 pages, no pictures (although it has illustrations), and isn't afraid to be critical of Disney. I just bought the 2008 edition, and I really like the following: the variety of touring plans w/ supplemental information on their site; the illustrations providing the layouts of Disney's resort rooms; and the details to the reviews.

I think the Passporter is useful, too, especially if you like the binder/folder design. It doesn't really work for me, as I prefer my to create my own organizational system, but lots of folks like it.

[Elmo888]

The Unofficial Guide to WDW is great!

[ZoZo]

Hands down, the Unofficial Guide. Great reviews of everything (restaurants, hotels, rides) and lots of detailed info. Plus, they provide reader feedback/quotes regarding all the different topics -- often, they give reader quotes that present differing views on the same subject.

I've never been a Passporter person. I looked at it at a bookstore, but since I don't carry a guidebook with me at the parks, it's not as useful as UG. I use my guidebook for research before my trip, but don't carry it around (I have too many things to carry without lugging a guidebook around!). I think Passporter would be great for someone who wants to carry a guidebook, since it has so many great organizing features.

[jennynoel]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide. I have the Passporter, too but if I had to pick just one it would be the UG.

As far as TourGuideMike, I'm using it right now for the first time and while I have found some good tips, I'm glad I've already planned a WDW trip and know a lot from these boards or I would be completely overwhelmed!

[Jackie Psarianos]

Guide Books:

The best one by far, and I've bought all of them, is The PassPorter Deluxe. It's very detailed with trip organizers, maps, theme park, resort and restaurant descriptions.
I don't read any other guide book anymore because I find they tend to be too opinionated in a negative way, whereas the PassPorter gives ratings based on surveys, which I find is more informative.

I can't wait to meet Dave and Jennifer Marx on the Disney Wonder for Mousefest in a couple of weeks. I plan on getting their autographs in my PassPorters.

:santa:

[rt2dz]

The Unofficial Guide, The Unofficial Guide, The Unofficial Guide. Especially if you are a novice. I've gone yearly almost my entire life and I still buy a new one every couple of years.

I love the information it has. I love that they are objective (they love Disney, but not blindly in love), even if I don't fully agree with everything.

The Passporter is OK. It can help you organize, but I'm not organizationly challenged. I'm also not the commando type. I, also, am not going to be carrying it around with me every step. So, it doesn't really give me what I need. I just need information to get an over view of what I want to accomplish on the trip.

I *think* with the purchase of the UG, you get access to the website for free too. Tourplans.com

[elemusing]

Yes that's correct - you get free access to their website with all the current updates when you buy the Unofficial Guide. I LOVE IT and recommend it above every guide book I have ever bought. Do not get Birnbaum's guide unless you just want pretty pictures. This is the one put out by Disney and the info in there is run of the mill.

The Unofficial Guide is amazing. If you will follow their touring plans in the back - you will literally save hours. Their readers have rated all of the restaurants. Every single restaurant at WDW is listed in there along with every single on site and many many offsite resorts as well. They have price rages, etc. They tell you the best ways to get there and get around.

I have the passporter as well. It is more of an organizational tool. The UG is my Disney Bible. I won't go to WDW without it.:thumbsup2

[thaisa47]

We bought the Unofficial Guide and the Idiot's Guide. Loved the UG, but I carried the IG with us more often in the park. I just liked the reviews of the restaurants better, and we didn't use the touring guides in the UG.

[JenH1969]

Does the regular passporter have the maps and folders too or just the deluxe- thanks, Jen

[jimmiej]

I cut my (Disney) teeth on the Unofficial Guide. ;) I've read most WDW guidebooks, & it's still my fave. I like the detailed restaurant reviews, hotel reviews, attraction reviews, & the customer comments. Plus, they inject humor. All around, a great (and honest, IMO) guidebook.

[llmurphy17]

I believe the 2008 version of the passporter comes out on Nov. 30 or around the date. :confused3

[Minniemouse07]

I have UG and the Passporter (as well as a few others) and I would go w/ the Passporter hands down.

It is MUCH more user friendly than the UG and the maps are worth it all by themselves (and yes they come w/ the regular version as well as the Deluxe).

UG is really good but I would only buy that if you are purchasing a second guidebook.... it gives great info about the waits for rides. We don't use the touring plans so that isn't important to us.

[bamabala]

:thumbsup2 The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. :thumbsup2

[loopner67]

I've bought a lot of them for years now. I can't help myself. :laughing:

The Unofficial Guide has the most info. Lots and lots of info, so it could be too much if you don't have the time/patience to go thru the whole book. OR it could be your best friend.

Birmbaums - great book with color pictures if you haven't been to WDW in awhile, but if you've been recently, then skip this one.

Passporter - This is the book I've used the most. I find it the easiest one to reference when I need to look something up. I like the info in this book, but I love the envelopes in the back and the areas to write down info. I bring the Passporter with me on our trips and I really do write in it every single day. I also love the maps. :wizard:

[ToriShadows]

I love my Passporter. It's a great guide book. They have a great site too.

Hope this helps. :thumbsup2

[pooh2001]

For us Parents - we love the The Unofficial Guide.

For our Teens - Birmbaums Official WDW guide

We buy both - one to awe at the pictures and the other to plan, plan plan :goodvibes

[DizzyFORDisney]

Hi,

I also think the Passporter is great. With the Unofficial Guide a close second. Everyone always thinks Birnbaums' is the best, but I don't think there is enough "meat" to it.

Here is a link to further analyze the two guide books, and also look at some others. A lot of people really like the Guide to the Magic series (there are books for adults, kids, kids autograph and sticker book, and kid's journal book.)

http://www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/disney-gifts.html

Good Luck

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My current favorite is the Passporter because it's a quick and easy read.

I still like the Unofficial Guide but it takes much longer to go through. I do feel that it's much more detailed than the Passporter.

Have fun choosing your favorite. :)

[jazellesmom]

The Unofficial Guide 2008!!!!

[tl_swift]

I really like the Unofficial Guide as well as Walt Disney World with Kids. I think together they make a great combo!:thumbsup2

[debsters41]

having read the first few posts on this thread, I ordered the UG, knowing that I have more than a year before my visit to the mouse. All I can say is since having it I have been :banana: ! It is perfect for me to have with me on the train to and from work :goodvibes when before all i could do was close my eyes and pine for the dis!:rotfl: It is a treasure if you like detail. Of course, I know I will buy the pass porter too:thumbsup2