Best Planning Book

[PugLover]

Hey Ya'll,

I am heading out to Barnes & Nobles in about an hour or so to pick up a few Disney planning/info books. I dont want to spend a ton because I know a lot of this info is avail. online for free.

What are the best ones to get? I know they seem to have a "dummies" book for just about everything but wasnt sure if that was the way to go.

Any suggestions? I was hoping to be able to pick up a book or two for under 30.00 or so.

I will check back to this thread in an hour or so before I leave.

Thanks oh wise Disney Gurus

 

[Castillo Mom]

Haven't bought mine yet but finally decided on Passporter. They have pockets you can put tickets, maps, etc. in. They include lots of useful info as well as sample itineraries. What I like about it is that you can take it with you. Check it out at passporter.com. Lots of threads regarding this book, seems highly rated/recommended.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Another vote for passporter. I love mine, and just got the new one for our October trip.


Have fun planning.

 

[PugLover]

I tried to get the Passporter book, they were out of stock and it would take 10 days for a special order. Instead I picked up the 2003 Frommer's Guide, I really wished I wouldnt have wasted my 16.00. Not only was the info I found online more informative, all the resorts (with the exception of the BoardWalk Inn) were only given one star. All the restaurants people rave about were listed as overrated. Very dissapointing. Frommer's are THE books to travel by and usually their reviews are dead on. I hope in this case their reviews are way off. Only two attractions were given a better rating than a B+.

 

[KristinU]

Another vote for Passporter here. I have always purchased mine online directly from them: www.passporter.com

I also like to pick up a Birnbaum's every couple of years to have the "official" word.

 

[disneyluver91]

passporter and birnbaum TOGETHER

 

[dcg0317]

I have the unofficial Guide to WDW and it's good. I also have passporter and I love it. If you reg. your passporter on line you can also get free updates to the giude and print them out.
BTW don't buy the Unofficial Guide to WDW with kids. I was reading it at the local book store the other day and it is basicaly the same book only a lot smaller and I didn't notice anything new or different.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

I picked up the Birnbaum "Official Guide" from Border's the other day, but I haven't had a chance to read any of it yet. I heard a lot of good things about the "Unofficial Guide", but when I picked it up it was so thick and devoid of any colorful pictures (yes, I'm a kid and I like my colorful pictures!) that I was afraid it would be too "text book" for me. ;-)

But I agree, the best place to find out anything you could possibly be wondering about is RIGHT HERE at the DIS boards! DIS members rock!

 

[dcg0317]

ScarletIndigo if you want a guide book with pictures try "Birnbaum's Walt disney World Expert advice from the Inside Source". Lots of pictures.
Have fun and only four months to go.
BTW where are you and your DF friend staying so we DS and I can be on the look out for some lime green.
Don

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by dcg0317
ScarletIndigo if you want a guide book with pictures try "Birnbaum's Walt disney World Expert advice from the Inside Source". Lots of pictures.
Have fun and only four months to go.
BTW where are you and your DF friend staying so we DS and I can be on the look out for some lime green.
Don

Hi Don,

I think that's the book that I bought. ;-) Great minds think alike!

DF (Dear Fiance) and I are staying at ASMu between Sept 28 - Oct 5. I doubt I'll be able to talk him into wearing ribbons anywhere remotely near his body (one of those wannabe "macho" guys, wouldn't ya know?) but I'm definitely planning on picking up some of those lime green paint chips from Home Depot that everyone's talking about! Sounds like fun!

Where will you and DS be staying? Hope to see you there!

 

[dcg0317]

DS and I will be staying at Coronado Springs Resort, Sept 27-Oct 4. I will have something lime green on, my DS has no idea about it so will stick it to him. BTW my mother was born and rasied in Elgin IL. I spent many a summer out in IL. and loved it, almost moved there when out got out of the service. Spent many days in and around Chicago. I haven't been there in over 15 years though. well hope seeing you and your DF there.
Don

 

[Limmer]

I really liked the Unofficial Guide because I want detail (and boy does it have detail). A lot of it did not apply to us but I bought so far in advance that I read it all anyway whenever I needed a "Disney fix"! LOL.

dcgo317, in the "full version" it says that the other versions and trimmed down specifically for that group. So the guide with kids will leave out the specifics and touring plans for adults only etc.

 

[aricau]

Purchased the Passporter recently and love it. I bought both the Disney Cruise Line Passporter and the WDW Passporter. They are both filled with tons of information. Well worth the purchase price.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Plus they offer a ring-binder style so you can replace the pages with updates! I'm on my second one now, and got the refillable ring-binder version, and it is well worth the few extra $$$. Plus after you buy Passporter online, if you buy additional books, they automatically credit you with a nice discount. I've given them as gifts to friends going to WDW, twice now, and they were a huge hit in both cases!

Can't say enough good things about Passporter!

 

[Princess49]

I personally love the Birnbaums, I have them from every year since 2000 & they have a without kids guide too! That's my choice, but what is "Birnbaum's Walt disney World Expert advice from the Inside Source" ???? I have never heard of this-- where can I get it & how much is it? Thanks a lot!!

 

[SusanD]

Walt Disney World - the Essential Guide to Amazing Vacations. I have purchased the other books listed above and have found this one to be the best. She has great information, it is well organized and her maps are very clear. She also has one for adults traveling without kids. I would recommend either.

 

[FanofG00fy]

Howdy,

I have purchased 5 travel books for WDW. They are:

1) The Unofficial Guid to Walt Disney World. (I found to long, sometimes way to negative (but they are proud of the negative stuff and some of its true) and totally did not get their tour plans)I give it a

2) Walt Disney World For Couples. (Its what it says. It's for couples. I liked how they pointed out stuff for couples {with our without kids} can do. And they rated the stuff they suggested. Again, I liked that. But still not my fav.) I give it a

3) Birnbaum's Walt Disney World. (My second fav travel guide. It's the offical one. Yes it's a little candy coated, but I'm a Disney Fan!I have bought one every year even when not going to WDW) I give it a

4) Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Without Kids. (Can you tell what type of vacation I'm going on? LOL. Again, tied for second. It's a great book!) I give it a

5) The Passporter! (My favorite of all. This goes with me on vacation. I'm already using it for my Dec trip. This will be the only book I take with me! I bought mine from Passporter.com. The only thing to say about Dave and Jennifers books is, if you don't get it, your missing out on one of the best ways for info and souvnier keeping!) I give this one

But then again, this is my opinion. Hope it helps!

Chris

 

[kcarp]

I think the Unoffical Guide is the best book out there, they give you the good with the bad, if this book is negative about Disney and it upsets you, maybe this book is not for you.If this is your first trip to Disney, maybe you should go with the offical guide, so you can here it Disney's way. If you need a book with good information and need pockets & spirals go with the Passporter.
Every book is good in it's own way.

Just an Opinion,

Good Day

 

[julieannbabe]

for me simon veness's book - the man is a star!

 

[gcooker]

We just got a passporter for our trip WDW. Check out there site. www.passporter.com

Got it online at www.walmart.com - good price.