Does anyone use a guidebook anymore?

[Alison Wunderland]

I was just wondering if any of you experienced planners still read or purchase any of the Disney guidebooks out there? If you do which ones do you use and why? I have been four times now and have read up enough to know whats what and how. I'm just wondering if it would be a waste of time and money to get a guidebook. The reason why I might get one is because I am bringing my autistic son for his second trip. Thanks in advance.

 

[aml3679]

I still use guidebooks. I love the Ultimate Guide to Disney. Lots of information and photos.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The Ultimate Guide is still really good IMO. I did not like the Kids/Families version one though.

 

[joyfulDisneytears]

You can always check some out from your local library. That's what I did; I have a few right now.

The trouble with the books is they only update yearly and The World is much more changeable than that! Plus some don't bother updating photos...there are pictures in the current Birnbaum's that were the same in the 1995 edition I have saved from my childhood trip, for example.

 

[ghtx]

I like the Unofficial Guide.

 

[momof2n2]

I always review a newer Unofficial Guide.

I'm a bit bummed that there will likely be little official "help" for next May as NFL and FP+ will still be tragically new when 2014 goes to print.

 

[dwheaton]

I also enjoy the Unofficial Guide, though it's mostly just to get me excited for the trip more than providing the latest tips. They rarely update their ride descriptions, and even some of the other strategies remain the same. Even so, it's a good read and has some helpful information all in one place.

 

[TwinkleKS]

I usually get one of the guides with colored pictures for my kids to thumb threw. I don't plan off of them or anything, but the kids love to flip through and look at the pictures or have me read to them out of it before bed right before the trip.

 

[Hootch]

quite a bit from the Complete Walt Disney World. The family has some problems right now and the 2013 is not out. They show a different series of books coming out in July.

I have not read the Ultimate Guide. I will have to check it out.

A note on updates; both Passporters and The Unofficial Guide have updates on their sites.

 

[JenluvsDisney]

I always get the latest edition of "Unofficial Guide" before each trip too. Mostly, the reading just helps me and my kids get excited for the trip and helps us decide on which resort and restaurants we want to try out!

 

[wiigirl]

I always get the latest edition of "Unofficial Guide" before each trip too. Mostly, the reading just helps me and my kids get excited for the trip and helps us decide on which resort and restaurants we want to try out!

Me too!

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I also enjoy the Unofficial Guide, though it's mostly just to get me excited for the trip more than providing the latest tips. They rarely update their ride descriptions, and even some of the other strategies remain the same. Even so, it's a good read and has some helpful information all in one place.

This.

 

[Yellosno]

Ive read an unoffical guide front to back two years ago. I also got a simi guide book for christmas that was like a planner type thing that had a lot of cool facts in it when I also read that front to back.

 

[agavegirl1]

I also get the latest update of the Unofficial Guide. Even with a good plan in advance, seeing words and maps on a page jogs my memory a bit. I bring it with me to WDW to refer to the night before a park. A lot of times my touring plan gets completed in record time and I'll remember from my evening reading, some ideas for what else to see.

 

[twocee]

I purchased the leather notebook version of the Passporter and I just refill on the inserts every few years...they also update online...some is for info but most is to get excited and have fun planning

 

[Cyrano]

I like the Unofficial Guide.

I like the fact that you can get this on your IOS device from the iBook Store

 

[KrisM]

I still use guidebooks. I love the Ultimate Guide to Disney. Lots of information and photos.

The Ultimate Guide is still really good IMO. I did not like the Kids/Families version one though.

Can one of you (or someone else) link to this? I'm looking at getting a guidebook, but am not seeing this one on Amazon. I think I'm probably not searching the full name of it correctly.

Thanks.

 

[jjl181]

I always get the new Unofficial Guide. It helps me decide what new restaurants, areas, etc. to check out. Also, I greatly enjoy the Disney Dish behind the scenes info every year in the attractions section. Even though it does not always have complete info for upcoming events, etc., it puts together enough info to give a basic idea of what to expect.
Having said that, I have never actually used a touring plan!

 

[jenji124]

I use Passporters. I have a couple different editions and some of the supplements.

 

[KimK2006]

I also enjoy the Unofficial Guide, though it's mostly just to get me excited for the trip more than providing the latest tips. They rarely update their ride descriptions, and even some of the other strategies remain the same. Even so, it's a good read and has some helpful information all in one place.