best tour guide books

[kimob_rn]

Does anyone have any suggestions for tourguide books, online or otherwise? Has anyone ever use tourguidemike.com? I'm forever searching and reading, reading and searching to make our upcoming trip go as smoothly as possible. I think I'm obsessed!!!

Thanks.

 

[TommyTutone]

The Unofficial Guide is by far the best resource I have found. I have used TGM and was disappointed. The Unofficial Guide is hugely thick by no space is wasted. They tell it like it is and not only provide some sample tour plans, but they also give some common sense advice in coming up with your own.

 

[woosie]

We made our first trip to WDW 3 years ago for 14 days (more experience at DL), and I bought 3 guide books. I quickly realized, the only one I needed was the Passporter (www.passporter.com). It is awsome. It gives great advice, has several possible touring plans, is really easy to reference when you are in the parks, or looking specifically for anything, and it serves as an organizer with folder pockets, and worksheets. It's a bit like disboards though. You may start with the book (I recommend the binder so you can take out the pages you want for the day and leave the rest in the room), but you may quickly start downloading their interactive worksheets, and online books on tips, planning, etc. too! We're headed back this summer, and it's my Disney bible, I have everything in there for planning, and I sent a copy to all the families traveling with us too.

 

[MetFanInPeoria]

I definitely agree that The Unofficial Guide is the best for the inside information. However, you also can look at the "official" Birnbaum WDW guide for in-depth descriptions of rides and shows. I believe that this is the only "officially sanctioned" WDW guide - this is why there are actual pictures of WDW in this guide.

 

[Sherrkel]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide and Passporter - those, along with web research, are what I used. The Unofficial Guide seems a bit overwhelming with the touring plans and amount of detail; we didn't want to approach our vacation with a "commando" style touring plan, so we used highlights of what we wanted to see from the book. Luckily, the time of year we went wasn't nearly as crowded as predicted in the book, so it made visiting the attractions easier.

 

[Echie]

Unofficial Guide for sure! We used this book for our trip and it was the best! We also created our own touring plans from the info at the back of the book on which times to go to each of the rides and hardly had to wait at all (never more than 20 min), and we went during spring break, a very busy time!

 

[MinnieNurse]

Unofficial Guide is my favorite.

 

[polyfan60]

Definitely the Unofficial Guide first but PassPorter a close second. They both have great tips and touring plans which makes it much easier to get around the parks. But, I must say, I like the PassPorter's descriptions on Disney resorts better than the Unofficial Guide.

 

[marieNJkitty]

I have really enjoyed reading The Complete Walt Disney World 2008 by Julie and Mike Neal. It has a lot of interesting tid bits through out.

 

[Chedstro]

I know this is repetitive but my favorites are Passporter, Unofficial Guide and just got the new "Complete Walt Disney World - 2008" All are great!

As I live 20 minutes away from WDW, I actually believe I have gone beyond obsessed! Sigh

 

[KigerKat]

I've heard a lot of great things about The Unofficial Guide (as you can see!), but I'm a sucker for a lot of great color pictures in my travel books. I got Birmbaum's 2008 Guide and the Complete Walt Disney World 2008.

 

[Dawn68PA]

I love TGM and UG is a close 2nd. I don't like the Passporter because it's tailored for those who aren't already super-organized freaks -- like me Everything else I've checked out has not compared to the DIS, TGM & UG.