Buy Guidebooks now or wait for July 07 trip?

[marciemi]

Our last 3 visits to WDW have been in December or January, and I thought then the books usually came out around October, so this was never an issue before. But now I see the the Unofficial Guide is already out and the official one will be soon. We're experienced Disney addicts, but only go every 3 years on average and it'll be more than 2 1/2 years since our last visit and I know a lot has changed so I want to get these books.

My question is that it seems like a LONG time away from now to next July! I'm sure there will be new attractions, parades, changes in general. If I wait until May or so, are the guides updated or do they have different printings? Or do they pretty much stay exactly the same and I'd be better getting them now so I have longer to memorize them?

Thanks!

 

[ssleblanc]

I believe that they are only printed once a year, unless my book store just had a really old copy. I purchased the 2006 book less than 2 months ago for my September trip (just before the 2007 book came out) and there were several things in it from a year ago that I know (only through the DIS) that are no longer valid/applicable. The mid-year changes were not updated through the year. The UG has a website with updates in between publications.

 

[scubamouse]

Honestly, now that I've found tourguide mike, I will never ever buy another book. You can sign up now and have access to his info between now and your trip. And he provides updates all the time. We haven't even gone yet and already he's save me hundreds on this upcoming trip!

 

[marciemi]

Thanks for the info and advice! Scubamouse, I did join Tour Guide Mike just last week, but haven't deciphered all of it yet. I am enjoying reading all the information, but think it will become the most helpful when you get in about the 60 days window. Right now I'm too early to join groups or get actual information for my dates. However, I still need all the other books so I have something to read in the bathroom, and in the car, and when I'm waiting for the kids somewhere...you get the idea!

 

[44disney]

Go for it!!! If you are excited about your trip and want to get started reading about it, buy the Unofficial Guide and you can get all the updates at www.touringplans.com. The book itself should not get updated until the 2008 edition comes out.

My husband gave me a surprise 40th birthday trip to WDW -- my bday was in May but we decided to go in Nov so we could have the fun of anticipating! I've been reading my guide book regularly, even though I mostly have it memorized from our last trip (in Oct).

Have fun!!!

 

[LizAgna]

I had heard that the UG usually does a 2nd printing sometime after the 1st of the year so I emailed their webmaster and asked when the 07 2nd printing would be AND Len Testa (one of the authors) emailed me back!! He said that the 2nd printing will be around February. He said to check the website for when it will acutally be available. I am like you, we are planning a trip next summer and I want to get the most current book for my trip that I can get.

I also joined TGM a couple of weeks ago but like you I like to have the book to take with me when I can't access the internet.

Hope this helps!!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

If you buy the Passporter, you can access a page of updates on their website, which lets you stay current with any changes!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Passporter!

 

[marciemi]

Thanks for the information. Guess I'll hold off on the Unofficial Guide until at least Feb. I have enough to read with TGM and I ordered a bunch of trivia/behind the scenes books from Amazon the other day to keep me in the mood for Disney! I hadn't heard of Passporter before - I looked it up on the website and it says 2007 edition will begin shipping the end of November so I'll look it up then. Thanks again!

 

[scubamouse]

Thanks for the info and advice! Scubamouse, I did join Tour Guide Mike just last week, but haven't deciphered all of it yet. I am enjoying reading all the information, but think it will become the most helpful when you get in about the 60 days window. Right now I'm too early to join groups or get actual information for my dates. However, I still need all the other books so I have something to read in the bathroom, and in the car, and when I'm waiting for the kids somewhere...you get the idea!

There's a ton out there! I print out articles and read them on the train between home and work. I find I soak up more info than scanning them online.