2018 Unofficial Guide...help or hurt?

[disneyland_is_magic]

The Unofficial Guide for 2018 is already out, it came out a bit ago... Did anyone buy it and what are your thoughts?
I enjoy reading the new one every few years and I have a dear friend going I was thinking off gifting a copy to and frankly..I can't imagine it's not already outdated and 2018 hasn't started. In fact, I am actually concerned giving it to her would be a disservice
My concerns are
1. Maxpass, did any meaningful info make it before press time?
2. Using paper FP post max pass- (essentially making all touring advice inaccurate)
3. Two parades switching parks and no info on seating, packages, etc. Even start dates would have been unavailable at press time.
4. Construction in DTD that could affect parking, popular food options, closed shops etc.
5. Fantasmic returned only a few weeks before going to press... so basically minimum info there as well.
6. Pixar Fest and paradise pier likely going into refurb
7. RunDisney canceling affecting crowd predictions

Thoughts? Also how accurate are Ridemax and Touring Plans been post Max pass? Do you still use and can you really justify either now?
Would you give either software or the book as a gift at this juncture?

 

[bumbershoot]

All guidebooks are outdated the moment they go to the publisher. Anyone using a guidebook hopefully knows that.

I might get her a passporter ebook instead, since it’s online and they update it.

 

[biochemgirl]

As a once or twice a year visitor I only found the book helpful for our first two years. After that I really had the basics down and needed the up-to-date information of blogs, boards, and planners.

If your friend is very new to the parks, I think it is a good gift with the added advice to use the web for the most current info on shows and dining packages.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I agree, giving the book is a good way for a first time visitor to familiase themselves with the basic, the park layout, dos and donts, how to manage expectations, and gives a very thorough general information and introdcution. Having the book means the person can did in and out and build up their park knowlege at their own pace.

Then once they have the basics you can introduce the more complex info like Max Pass etc

Those of us who are familiar with the parks sometimes forget how much info we have learned over multiple park visits and that for a first time visitor it can be overwhelming

 

[Morningsun70]

I'm looking at the 2018 edition right now.
1) There is 2 short paragraphs describing what Maxpass is just after the fastpass section. No details about using it.
2) The regular fastpass section of the book doesn't address maxpass, but it probably good to read if you've never used fastpass before. It didn't seem 100% accurate to me.
3) there is mention of the parade changes, but no dates.
4) I am only seeing brief mentions of the construction and no details about potential impacts.
5) It seems like there is enough reasonably accurate detail about Fantasmic! to help a person decide if they want a dining package. It maybe didn't emphasize the potential for night time gridlock in the area enough.
6) The Paradise Pier/Pixar Pier section mentions the coming change and that there will be refurbs, but didn't talk about the impact really.
7) No mention of the runDisney cancellation. But there is only brief mention of the races and the month they usually are with directions to check the run Disney website. They aren't printed on their special events calendar.

I would say that if your friend has never been or it has been more than 3 years and she doesn't love to comb through forums it would be a helpful gift.

I would not have bought this book for me (it was a gift)because I have an older edition and spend enough time on this forum to have a good sense of the latest news and impacts. However, when I was planning my 2/2016 trip the 2015 edition was a very valuable resource. Reading through it really helped me understand the importance of having a plan . It also told me about some less well known attractions/entertainment/things to do that I would have overlooked or assumed cost extra.

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

I'm looking at the 2018 edition right now.
1) There is 2 short paragraphs describing what Maxpass is just after the fastpass section. No details about using it.
2) The regular fastpass section of the book doesn't address maxpass, but it probably good to read if you've never used fastpass before. It didn't seem 100% accurate to me.
3) there is mention of the parade changes, but no dates.
4) I am only seeing brief mentions of the construction and no details about potential impacts.
5) It seems like there is enough reasonably accurate detail about Fantasmic! to help a person decide if they want a dining package. It maybe didn't emphasize the potential for night time gridlock in the area enough.
6) The Paradise Pier/Pixar Pier section mentions the coming change and that there will be refurbs, but didn't talk about the impact really.
7) No mention of the runDisney cancellation. But there is only brief mention of the races and the month they usually are with directions to check the run Disney website. They aren't printed on their special events calendar.

I would say that if your friend has never been or it has been more than 3 years and she doesn't love to comb through forums it would be a helpful gift.

I would not have bought this book for me (it was a gift)because I have an older edition and spend enough time on this forum to have a good sense of the latest news and impacts. However, when I was planning my 2/2016 trip the 2015 edition was a very valuable resource. Reading through it really helped me understand the importance of having a plan . It also told me about some less well known attractions/entertainment/things to do that I would have overlooked or assumed cost extra.

A like doesn't do it justice, thanks for pulling out the book and answering my questions!

 

[Morningsun70]

You're welcome. I'm happy I could help!