Best WDW books for planning?

[tlovesdis]

Hi!

I'm not sure if this is the right place or not, but I was wondering what you think are the best books for reference in planning a WDW vacation?

Thanks!

[wildernesslodgelover]

I absolutely LOVE the "Unofficial Guide to WDW!" It has a red and white cover and is paperback. Not only is it informative, but it is a really fun read!

Also, don't forget the WDW Trivia Book by Lou Mongello. I have it (in my bathroom...sorry if that is TMI) and it is very interesting, although not necessarily a planning book.

[wdwaholic]

As the official WDW planner in our family I swear by the Passporter guide to WDW. This is the 3rd year in a row that I've bought it.I love the pockets in the back of the book that hold important papers and you can write your info on them. I've also passed ours to family and friends to view and they wound up buying their own!! I also love the fact that they have a website with updates that can be printed out
HTH
Trish

[Nolcrest]

For planning I like the Passporter. But I must always buy Birnbaums Guide to WDW too, I guess I like the color pictures.

[TXTink]

For pure planning info I like the Unofficial Guide. It can be a bit harsh in places though (like the restaurant reviews, for one), so take it with a grain of salt.

I also get the official Guide, Birnbaums, for the pictures!! :crazy:

[NCombs]

There are several good resources.

I like the Unofficial Guide and the Passporter. The UG has a lot more detail than the Passporter. The Passporter has great pages for actually tracking the planning you have already done. It has great maps and places to record all your information and daily pockets for your trip. I think they work great together.

I also have an online planning guide called Tour Guide Mike. I won't go into a lot of detail as there are tons of posts about this resource. If you want to know more, just do a search for related posts.

Good luck.

[Skip to my Lou]

Passporter was awesome, I found myself reading it every orning before the trip out the door, It was the best of the guides that I read, including the one "for kids"

[cmrules]

I am a passporter fan.

[Atotty]

Our first trip I read literally 15+ guidebooks thanks to interlibrary loan. My favs are in order:

Tourguidemike which is not a guide but an online service

Passporter for reference in the room and great organization tool

UG because it tells it like it is...some people love Disney so much, they will never say anything negative. UG takes the rose-colored glasses off.

[joyjoy]

Passporter for me. I've bought one in 2000, 2002, 2003 and now 2005. Not only excellent, up to date, firsthand information, but great for organizing ADRs and day to day planning. It also has sections (passpockets) for keeping info from everyday during your trip, so it's like a scrapbook when you get back. :wizard:

I do like to read The Unofficial Guide, although I haven't bought one in years.

[kizmac]

Another vote for the Passporter! My deluxe just arrived today and it is awesome!

I also use Tour Guide Mike. I have browsed through the UG at the book store but have never bought it. Lots of people love it so maybe I'll have to have a closer look next time I am at the book store. It just didn't seem like a must buy to me.

[jtovey56]

I like Passporter for all the pokets for information & the section for writing stuff down. we couldn't afford a trip this year so I pulled out the Passporter and re-lived all the fun from last year. I'm upgradeing to the Deluxe edition for next year.
Jim

[imwithgoofy]

Hi!

I'm not sure if this is the right place or not, but I was wondering what you think are the best books for reference in planning a WDW vacation?

Thanks!

Hey, I agree with a lot of folks who recommend the Passporter and I also like the Everything Family Guide to the WDW resort.

Have fun planning. ::MickeyMo

[jrjac]

How about WDW and Orlando For Dummies? Ok, ok-I am a newbie to WDW (first trip in 34 days! :teeth: ) But seriously, has anyone ever used this guidebook?

[poohfan]

I've read a few guides and like the Unofficial Guide a lot. It's really big and full of information. For our latest trip I wanted to buy a new book so what I did was take the kids to the bookstore one afternoon. I grabbed a bunch of guidebooks and then took the kids to the children's section of the store. While they browsed I scanned the books. The Passporter looked really good and had great tips but in the end I bought the Unofficial Guide.

:flower:

[Atotty]

How about WDW and Orlando For Dummies? Ok, ok-I am a newbie to WDW (first trip in 34 days! :teeth: ) But seriously, has anyone ever used this guidebook?

I read it for our first trip. Didn't impress me at all. Other guidebooks are much more helpful.

Plus, if you do ge the Dummies book don't get the Idiot's guide :rotfl: I read it too and it's the same word for word in several places. DH didn't beleive me til I read from one book while he looked at the other.

[disneyccc]

Birnbaum's Official Guide is awesome....It has everyhting you need to know and very very useful especially if you are planning your first trip or have not been in a while. There are even coupons in the back, some of them are for Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, etc. They seem to know WDW inside and out and it is very organized making it easy to look up and refer back to certain sections. Very helpful for making restaurant and resort decisions. They also have colored maps for all the parks, so you can get a head start on your plan for the parks.

[jazzmanmgt]

Hi I too am a big passporter fan.
passporter.com
Mike

[The Sorrentino's]

I've got the Passporter, the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's. I like them all. They are all different in their own way, but if I had to get one it would be the Passporter because the info is there and I can store everything that pertains to my vacation in there (ie. receipts, printouts, sticky notes, confirmation letters, etc.) without anything falling out.

Cadence

[sherry66]

I use Passporter and Unofficial Guide . :cool1:

[Quaktastic]

I've been buying Birnbaum's every year I go. Does no one else like it??? :confused3

[crisi]

My own take:

Go to the library or bookstore. Plan on spending some time. Pick a Barnes and Noble with some comfy chairs. Read a few pages from each book and see what fits your style.

The big three around here:

Birnbaums - I like Birnbaums - especially for first time visitors. It has color photos, an upbeat attitude and it isn't overwhelming. However, its the simpliest of the books and being "official" everything is good. Which lets you make your decision on what sounds interesting to you, but you might want some more advice.

Passporter - Dave and Jen (the authors) are obviously Disney freaks. This book is great for planners and has pockets in it to keep your stuff and take notes about your trip. Its the most "workbook" like and as a veteran of the parks, its the book I buy for each trip - if only because it lets me put my tickets, etc. in pockets.

Unofficial Guide - Bob and Len and company have the best and most complete touring plans. IMHO, their attitude is a little commando, and the information overwhelming. I also don't find the data to be very accurate (making PSs online, or still having Le Cellier as a cafeteria years after its switch to a steak house). They also do an unfortuate job of stating opinions as fact - for instance their attitude of "every small child will need to go back to the resort for a nap" tells me they've never met my kids. This one is, however, far and away the most data packed book. However, the book is very well liked by a lot of DISers (if not by me, I still buy it occationally because I'm a queuing theory geek).

There are plenty of other books as well, and one of them may be even better for your needs than the three mentioned here.

Web sites:

Tour Guide Mike - a fee based "electronic book." Having used it, I think the paper books have more info, easier to access and I can carry them around. A lot of people print the TGM articles.

www.wdwinfo.com - home site to the DIS boards, contains a wealth of information for free. Still has the same problem of not being able to take it with you.

www.allearsnet.com - my favorite of the Disney information sites, Deb does a great job of letting people know what's new.

[SugarMomma]

I've been buying Birnbaum's every year I go. Does no one else like it??? :confused3


I always recommend Birnbaums's to first time planners, because it tells about everything in great detail. I also recommend going to your local library and checking out whatever they have to get a well rounded view. But............I LOVE MY PASSPORTER.......

[Drizzo67]

Love, love, love my Passporter. I have the Deluxe version and order the new refill every year. Just ordered two Deluxes to give as gifts to my DMIL and DSIL as they will be joining us on our trip this year. Hope this helps with your decision. You can get the regular Passporter in book stores but you can order the Deluxe on-line.

[rt2dz]

Passporter is good, but I highly recommend the Unofficial Guide. especially if you have never been before. It really doesn't get any better than the Unofficial Guide as far as gleaming info. I also highly recommend mousesavers (http://www.mousesavers.com) and all ears (http://allearsnet.com)

[kathie859]

I enjoy the Unofficial Guide's sometimes irreverent attitude and the occasional joke in the text. It makes for interesting reading. I agree with a previous Disboarder who mention they were a bit "commando" in their approach.

I've been reading Birnbaum for over 20 years and I think that the recent annual issues are a mere shadow of what the book originally was. It now seems to be just a Disney lovefest--all sunshine and lollipops--with no discussion or hint of the pitfalls of travel. I guess I like a more rounded vision of what a WDW trip entails.

[Jimdamedic]

I like the Unofficial Guide, but for up to date information no paper guide compares to the information on these boards.

[lentesta]

Must resist urge to name UG research team "Sunshine and Lollipops." ;)

Len

[lilbitlate]

I am a passporter fan. I have used many resources for more detailed information to include DIS :cool1: (especially this board) and a couple of other sites. but the Passporter has been the main tool in our planning. I like to just look through it on days when I just have to have something disney :banana: to look at.

[Mickey&Co]

I always recommend Birnbaums's to first time planners, because it tells about everything in great detail. I also recommend going to your local library and checking out whatever they have to get a well rounded view. But............I LOVE MY PASSPORTER.......

I'm with you SugarMomma...Birmhaums' and Passporter get my vote!!! :banana:

My brother and his family recently returned from WDW and they raved about TourGuideMike. I might check it out for our next WDW vacation.

M&Co

[AKQJ10]

Also, don't forget the WDW Trivia Book by Lou Mongello. I have it (in my bathroom...sorry if that is TMI) and it is very interesting, although not necessarily a planning book.

LOL - Thanks for the kudos on the book... and don't worry... It's not Shakespeare, the Bible or War & Peace... I know my book's place in the "Circle of Life" :)

[Drizzo67]

Hey Lou - Just to let you know, your book comes to the parks with us and as we wait on line we have trivia contests (for WDW prizes). We often find that other people around us jump into the game as well. Great Book.....

[wildernesslodgelover]

LOL, Lou! Thanks for such a great book!

[AKQJ10]

Drizzo... Wow!! That's GREAT!! That's exactly what I hoped people would do with the book, and I'm thrilled to hear that it not only came in handy, but that others on line enjoyed it as well!!! :)

WLLover... thank you as well for taking the time to post a nice comment about it. It's hard to describe here what a wonderful feeling it gives me to hear those types of reactions (whether it's in the bathroom or the parks!) LOL

[SeaShelley]

For planning I like the Passporter. But I must always buy Birnbaums Guide to WDW too, I guess I like the color pictures.

This is just what I was going to write! I will never again plan a Disney vacation without a Passporter!

[bub]

I have become a bit of a Disney guidebook snob, having been reading them carefully and visiting annually for about the last 10 years. Although I now find most of my new information online (from this site as well as allears - never from Disney's own site), I do think some of the books can be helpful, especially for first timers.

The Unofficial Guide used to be my favorite, and I have run around with the best of them, crossing MK multiple times to avoid long waits for rides. The touring plans do work if you're willing to follow along. [When MGM first opened, my DH and I once did every attraction - although there were not as many then - by 10:30 a.m.] Love the humor and honesty here. I do wish they would update the book a bit more - some of the jokes in the new editions are exactly as written about ten or more years ago, making it a bit dull if you buy this more than once. I've found it harder to follow the plans now that I have kids - there are too many opinions and energy levels to satisfy within the group, to make following a prewritten plan possible. We do still follow the basic philosophy of this guide, which is to go early and have a plan. I think of this like a classic college text - everyone should read it at least once before visiting WDW.

Birnbaum's Guide is as described by other posters - too focused on the magical and not enough on the reality of a Disney vacation. As it is the reality of hot weather, long lines, mediocre overpriced food and lots of walking that you experience on your actual vacation (and that can ruin the most carefully-planned trip), I think it's best to be prepared for an actual Disney vacation, not a trip to Fantasyland.

I'm new to the Passporter (bought one as a gift and have not gotten to use one for my own trip yet) but I think they look terrific. I was surprised by the high quality of the information and I like that the authors give their opinions throughout. The design of the book is outstanding. My sister, who is not usually too organized and rarely reads any type of guide, loved the one I gave her, and can't wait to use one again for their next trip.

Glad to be reminded of Lou Mongella's trivia book - I will get this for our next trip, to pass the time on the drive down with my DD11 and DS13 who think they know everything Disney.

When my kids were little I always wished someone had written a guidebook for toddlers - one that parents could read to them to prepare them for a trip, with lots of pictures, and some stories to go along with the rides. The guidebooks written for kids work best when they can read themselves.

[willis37862]

Another vot for the Unoffical guide. Really found this book helpful. And it was fun to read.

[AKQJ10]

Look for another new book which just came out this week, called Disney On A Dime, available at www.disneyonadime.com. It's the ultimate resource to saving money on all aspects of your Disney World vacation. and believe it or not, each book comes with a $200 money-back guarantee!

[Drizzo67]

Thanks for the heads up on the new book, Lou. This book will be added to my library real soon.

[Princess Steph]

I've borrowed all the books for my local library, but every trip I buy the Passporter. It always has the most accurate info.