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!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Personally, I think the Unofficial Guide is one of the best. It's organized in a way to really help you get a sense of what things are like in the World. My sister's family went on their very first trip to Disney this year. I suggested that she buy the UG. She said it was very helpful, one of the most helpful references she'd read.

 

[llij]

The two books that I pick up each year are the Unofficial Guide and Passporter. They are both great and very informative!!!

 

[PKS44]

Not a book--- but bigger and more up to date is www.tourguidemike.com - it iessentially an online guidebook with the ability to be more up to date than a real book....I would spend my money on Mike rather than a book...

 

[thelionqueen]

Definitely the Unofficial Guide to WDW 2005. It is worth every penny! If you want to get it cheaper, check it out at the Library. We use ours so often, I'm glad we bought it from the get go.

 

[Hugpug]

I love the Deluxe Passporter. It has upto date color maps of each park and Pockets in the back for each day of your trip to write everything down and put your receits in. Very handdy and you can buy a refill for the next year you go.

 

[crazee4mickey]

Definately the Unofficial Guide--I love this book--I used it for all of our planning....I also bought the deluxe Passporter, Frommer's, Birnbaum....but Unofficial came out on top with Passporter a close second!

 

[SeattleMark]

A big thumbs up for TourGuideMike here too. Fantastic info and strategies you can't find anywhere else. It just works! We never waited more than 10-15 minutes, even during high season.

I combine that with the Passporter as I love the maps in the Passporter.

 

[skiingwife]

When I first started planning, I bought the Unofficial Guide, then Passporter, then recently subscribed to Tour Guide Mike. I would rate Tour Guide Mike as the best resource, followed by the information I've gained from this board, then Unofficial Guide, then Passporter. Passporter is nice because of the maps, but other than that, I don't use it much. Tour Guide Mike is great and he also has a forum like the Dis where I get a lot of good reviews and trip advice, also.

 

[freakylick]

First, I have never used Tourguide Mike, so I can't comment on that.

But I love the maps in Passporter and it's planner section makes a nice little memoir for kids or adults (if that's your thing).

As for the best resource out there, these boards ranks at the top IMO. Other Disney sites are great too (mousesavers, allearsnet, intercot, etc...) and all of the websites are updated daily or close to it.

Unofficial Guide is not a good resource if you ask me. LIke most Disney books, they are out of date by the time they roll off the presses (the only reason that I recommend Passporter is that it has two things that don't really get immediately outdated). I also find that the Unofficial Guide makes inappropriate suggestions.

The only disadvantage to websites is that they aren't in a handy compact size that you can bring into the parks with you. But I will be printing out a lot of the things that are important to me and putting them in a small binder to bring with me.

 

[tinkerbela]

i think the birnbaum book is a good source. it is filled with lots of information and is very helpful. we bought it for our first trip and it came in handy. it also came in handy for our second trip when it came to restaurants to go to. every year, there is a new one printed for that year.

 

[JohnNJ]

I'd go with TourGuideMike for the most up to the minute information and the best touring plans and tips to avoid long lines and beat the crowds. It's amazing how more we did in less time after using TGMike. I have purchased all of the guide books at one time or another but the only one I purchase every year is PassPorter.

 

[kirbsam]

A vote here for the unofficial guide.