What is THE planning book I'm supposed to have?

[mrskay9]

I checked out a Disney for Kids book from the library. I probably need to check it out again before our trip (sept)

But I know there's several other planning books out there. which is the Best ONE?

I've been to Disney three times, once when they were builing Epcot, once maybe 1993, and again in 1999. I HATE to admit this to you guys, but I just don't "get" it. I mean, I just don't know what to plan. I'll be going with a 3 yo this time so things are different.

I used to be one of those lost individuals who just meandered through the parks. I've probably only eaten at counter service, because I didn't even know these other restaurants existed.

Now I know better, but don't know how I should plan it all out.

So what's the best book?

[john2u]

mrskay

You might want to look into buying the Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World 2005 by Bob Sehlinger. You can purchase this book along with other Disney books for around $20.00 at Barnes and Noble. This book contains all the information you will need in planning and also give you some helphful tips.

Good luck

John :wave:

[newholidayx2]

Birnbaum's

[Soupermom]

I second the Unofficial Guide--known as UG on the boards!

[aka-mad4themouse]

I like the Passporter. I have the deluxe edition, which is like a Day Planner. I can get updated pages printed from their website and when new edition is printed, I just order the refill for my binder. I love the "Pass Pockets" for daily planning and keeping receipts.

[deltachi8]

I second the Unofficial Guide--known as UG on the boards!

and a third from me.

its full of infomration, honesty and a great dash of humor.

[toystoryduo]

1. The Unofficial Guide~ Lots of great information! :earseek:

2.(tie) Birnbaum's~ Great pictures
Passporter~ An amazing way to keep all of your information organized!!!

[WDWLVR]

I think the Passporter is the best for both WDW and DCL.

Birnbaum's has gone down hill since the original author's death and now is more or less just feeding you the official Disney line. Passporter is for fan by fans.

[CajunDixie]

Another vote for the Passporter! :Pinkbounc

Here's a description of the 2005 Passporter
Description
Design first-class vacations with this award-winning travel guide and planning system in a deluxe ring binder. The Deluxe Edition features the same great content as PassPorter Walt Disney World spiral guide: expert advice, 14 organizer pockets, two full-color area maps, four fold-out theme park maps, planning calendars, timeline chart, detailed attraction information, eatery reviews, extensive coverage of Disney resorts, and comprehensive information for planning, traveling, and dining. Design your vacation with the help of six planning worksheets, write your itinerary on the front of each organizer pocket before you go, store guidemaps, brochures, tickets, and receipts inside the pockets while you're there, and record expenses and memories to review and share when you return.
Special features of the Deluxe Edition include ten interior slots in the binder which store guidemaps, ID cards, and a pen (we even include a pen). The Deluxe binder makes it easy to add, remove, and rearrange pages... you can even download, print, and add-in updates and supplemental pages from the authors.

The last sentence is one of THE best things about the passporter. Other books are pretty much dated whereas this one can be up dated quite easily.

[crisi]

Hate the Unofficial Guide.

Love the Passporter.

Birnbaum's is the only one with good (color) photos. The information isn't great, but it doesn't suffer from information overload either.

I'd recommend spending a few hours in the library or bookstore figuring out which works best for YOUR needs.

[Disneynutbsv]

I like the Passporter. I have the deluxe edition, which is like a Day Planner. I can get updated pages printed from their website and when new edition is printed, I just order the refill for my binder. I love the "Pass Pockets" for daily planning and keeping receipts.
I second that on the Passporter! Plus, its like a diary and you can go back to remember what you did that day. I'm so glad I got mine to hold onto brochures and such, it helped a lot when I did my disney scrapbook!

[ncbyrne]

I own them all! UG, Passporter and several older ones as well. They all have good and bad qualities. My favorite way (BY FAR) to plan a WDW trip is right here on the computer. The DIS is the best, but there are many Disney sites and lots of places to post questions and get quick, honest answers.

[powellrj]

I own them all! UG, Passporter and several older ones as well. They all have good and bad qualities. My favorite way (BY FAR) to plan a WDW trip is right here on the computer. The DIS is the best, but there are many Disney sites and lots of places to post questions and get quick, honest answers.
I agree. I too own them all and they each have their good and bad points. I know our library has them so you might want to check them out and see which you like the best and I have also picked up past years at used book stores for a steal. With the older books and the information about current items like the new tickets you can get on the Dis you should be fine without spending a lot.

[Mady/Sophiemom]

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1: The passporter rocks. I get one every trip.

[allisonwonderland]

I have the Unnofficial Guide,Official guide,and the Passporter....I love them all!!! I gave my passporter away to my DH boss when he took his very large family to WDW for the first time.He and his wife were amazed at how very good the book was..sooooo much info.I plan to buy this years edtion as well.

[jacksmom]

I love my passporter! It has places to jot down all your planning info. So, you will have everything organized and in one place. It is also good to use when planning your next trip. I always refer back to notes I had made on the previous trip! It also has pockets to hold extra notes, maps, etc. :Pinkbounc

[rickdeni]

Your public library will have all of the books mentioned as well as Walt Disney with Kids. As a librarian, I suggest you check them all out and determine which is best for you. We also carry the Passporter which was unusual last year but I see more and more libraries now purchase it. If there are certain pages in a book for you to list your plans, just make a copy of those pages. Also, ask for suggestions from the reference desk at your local library.

[speedyf]

We traveled to WDW last year for the 1st time in 10 years. I purchased the Unofficial Guide and was pleased with most of the information. We are headed back and I've decided to purchase the Passporter 2005 this year to try that one out.

As for planning.....you can go from one extreme to the other. You could do as little planning as which park to visit on which day.....all the way down to which order you will ride each attraction and where you will eat each day.

The guides just basically give you tips like....

If Early Entry is occuring in one park and you are not arriving early at that park, go to another park on that day. The early entry park will usually be more crowded.

Things like that helped us. The Unofficial Guide actually gives you a breakdown of each ride with a 1 thru 5 star rating for each age group like toddlers, teens, adults, seniors, etc. It also lists when an attraction will usually have the shortest wait time, etc.

I was amazed at all the research these guys did. The UG even has touring plans....telling you to arrive for early entry and what attractions to visit first and in what order to visit them to maximize your ride time and minimize your wait time.

Now...with a 3 year old....you may not want to try to see everything the first time...but, these guides seem to offer alot of good tips on how to maximize your time at WDW....even if you don't plan every minute of every day.....lol

Hope this helps....
speed :teleport:

[lentesta]

Just a reminder that the Unofficial Guide has a free trip planner available online at www.TouringPlans.com/UG.

[Buttercup26]

I recommend getting both the UG and the Passporter. I found the cheapest price on the 2005 UG at Overstock.com. I like them both, the Passporter is great for taking with you, holding all your receipts etc... But I find the UG has additional info not in the passporter, so I get both.

[NMW]

Buying Disney travel guides is sort of a hobby for me, at least that's what my DH claims! I like UG, Walt Disney World with kids (if you have them), Passporter, birnbaums. I just got the 2005 birnbaum's Dining Guide too. It even has recipes like Tonga Toast in it!

[bassoongirl]

What about the Tour Guide Mike website? I just joined it a couple weeks ago for our upcoming trip in February. I love it!! TGM has a wealth of information that Mike tries to tailor specifically to your family and their interests. Sometimes I have a little trouble navigating around the website, but I am impressed with the amount of information available and the quality. There was a long thread on the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies board about TGM a couple weeks ago.

I own the Passporter (which I also like), but I have read it so many times that I feel like I know it by heart! I am always on the hunt for new information. That is why I like TGM!

Good luck and have a great trip!

Gayl

[Soupermom]

I didn't realize such a website existed for the UG...thanks so much Len. Can't wait to plan my trip!

[Soupermom]

I'm planning for March 2006. I have the 2004 UG from our trip last year, will I need a new one for next year? I think I'd like the Passporter, too. How soon can I get these?

[BethR]

Just a reminder that the Unofficial Guide has a free trip planner available online at www.TouringPlans.com/UG.


Thanks Len! :)

[KristiKelly]

I like the PassPorter. It has pockets & a planner inside. I keep all of my reservation info in it, priority seating confirmation #'s & times, my schedule that I make, I had my Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets, everything. That way, everything is in one place & as long as I don't forget the book, we're good to go.

[Taja]

I purchased both the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's when I was planning our 2003 trip, mainly because my friend (lives in another state) doesn't use a computer and I wanted her to participate!

Quite honestly, I found this and several other unofficial sites, as well as the Disney official site, much more useful.

While you want to plan, don't overplan, particularly with a toddler. You'll end up zagging when you planned to zig, which can be frustrating!

Depending on the length of you visit, plan one or two character meals if your little one likes that sort of thing. Plan attractions/rides that really interest the adults in your party and things you think your little one will enjoy. Use the baby swap with other adults in your party for adult rides. Be prepared to exit an attraction or hold and comfort your little one if reality doesn't quite match anticipation on a ride that you can't exit until the end.

Plan breaks. Inside the parks, find a place where your toddler can, well--toddle! I really feel sorry for all of the little ones who are whisked from place to place in a stroller all day for the convenience of the adults! If you're staying on site, take a nap break in your room. The adults may be ready for it, too! :) Otherwise, find a quiet nook and settle in for an hour or so.

Use common sense, pay attention to the needs of your little one, and you'll all have a magical visit! :)

[Kapp]

the "Unofficial" and you will probably want to buy it as it will be a lifesaver before and during your trip!

I have used the Passporter in the past but never have found it to be as useful.

Have a great time!

:cool1: Kapp :cool1:

[Aspen]

I like the Passporter! It's awesome!

[blanq]

I have used the UG, Birnbaum's and Passporter. Although I really like the layout and resources in the Passporter, I find it to be too darn bulky. Really any of these guidebooks are useful. The UG has the most information of any of the three. Whatever you choose, I would strongly suggest not to get them at Barnes & Noble or Borders. Amazon.com currently has all three of these guidebooks for the following prices, which are significantly off retail:

2004 or 2005 UG: $4.81 for 2004 or $12.91 for 2005
2005 Birnbaums: $11.53 for either the 2004 or 2005 edition
2004 or 2005 Passporter Spiral Edition: $14.93 for 2004 and $15.37 for 2005 (note that both of these are 15% off retail, or $18.66, on the Passporter web site)

Many books qualify for free shipping at Amazon, if your order totals $25.00 or more. Just this past week, I ordered the Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World, along with the 2005 UG, and the shipping was free. Plus, no sales tax.

[mrskay9]

Hi guys. I'm the OP, just an update.

I went on Amazon to see how much the books were. They really weren't that bad.

I had checked out the kids' Disney book from the libraray, but my library doesn't have the others. Also, I figure I need to actually keep the books since the info doesn't seem to be staying in my head.

So I ended up buying all 3. Sorry, probably not something I should be admitting on the budget board, but it cost me less than $40 and I'll have peace of mind knowing about stuff and hopefully w/ this board and the books I'll save that much anyhow!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I can't wait to get them and start reading!

[Mandy_in_NC]

I also bought all 3 books. LOL. I am thinking about getting the Passporter too just so I am prepared for anything. Also it looks really good to keep everything together while at WDW.

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

I find that frommers is a pretty good resource and they have guidebooks geared JUST toward Disney as well as ones that detail Disney, US, Seaworld, Busch Gardens, dinner shows, etc, etc, etc.

[wanna-b-Tink]

I buy several each year, even though I really don't need to. My husband sees this as a waste of money, but I enjoy looking for any changes from one year's edition to the next.

My current (2005) list:
Birnbaums
Unofficial Guide
The Luxury Guide
Birnbaums Restaurant Guide
Hidden Mickeys
WDW Trivia
a couple more but I can't think of the names here at work...

And I am planning to get the Passporter this year. I've not bought it before, but it sounds good.

[calena]

I bought the UG 2004 last year and loved it. Currently lent it to my SIL, so need to get it back. What about a guide for UO and IOA and Seaworld?