Disney Planning Books

[HollyJoy]

Just curious as to what planning books all of you use! I have Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2004 for me, and the Kids one for my oldest (almost 7) DD. I've seen that many people like the Unofficial Guide, so today I picked up the Pocket sized Unofficial Guide called "Mini Mickey". It was $7 less than the full sized one, and since I already have the other one....

I saw another guide that looked really cool, but passed after seeing the price.. it was called The Passporter. Anyone have this one?

 

[jeleebeene]

I have the Unofficial Guide as well as the Official Guide for WDW - they both come in handy.

I also have the Pass Porter and love it. I purchase one every year - I actually have the Deluxe Edition and I just buy the refills for it.

It has everything in it you need, plus more. It includes little pockets at the end that you can put in receipts, ticket stubs ect. plus you can fill out what was special about that day - so it is really a neat keepsake. I used mine to mark where we wanted to eat, check out the different hotels and what was going on in the parks.

Each section has a rating - and even though I don't usually rely on the ratings (I like to try things for myself) it can come in helpful if you have children and wonder if they may like a ride or not, as Allie gives her tips (I think she is 11 and the daughter of one of the authors) on the rides she liked, and ones she didn't (and why).

You can check out information on the book on their web site at www.passporter.com - there is also a forum if you have any questions regarding the book.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. The people on these boards are super nice and helpful!!

 

[NCombs]

I have the Unofficial Guide and the PassPorter. They work really great in combination. The PassPorter is great to help track your planning. I especially liked using it to note which attractions in each park we want to see. It has the best maps of the parks I have seen(fold-out). The Unofficial Guide is great for being really straight-forward about Disney. I highly recommend using these 2 together.

I have heard people don't like Birnbaum as much as they used to because it is now an "official" guide and is maybe a little too glowing. I can't say that for myself because the one I have seen is a few years old.

 

[HollyJoy]

THANKS!
Do you find that it gets heavy carrying it around? I'm just trying to figure out the best way to have all my information with me when we're touring the parks. This is the reason I went ahead and bought thie Mini Mickey.. so much smaller. I can leave Birnbaum's in the hotel.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have waaaaay too many books for WDW!! That being said, my favorites are the UnOfficial Guide (I get a new one every year), Birnbuam's regular and I buy the kid's one for my dd for each trip, and my PassPorter. The UG is really the best for the 'real' story. Birnbaums is great but it is pretty sugar coated but I like the pictures. And the PassPorter is the one I actually take with me when I travel. (I do take the touring plans from UG, Len!). I like the pages in the back that I can fill in at the end of the day. It is actually like a diary. We love reading them when we get home.

Holly, I don't actually carry one with me on a daily basis. I check it out before we leave for the parks. I have a notecard in my fanny pack that has my list of 'must do's' for each park. That way I don't sit in my room at the end of the day saying..."Oh man, we missed ......!" Now, we're at the point that we don't really have to have something in hand. We pretty much know what we need to see/do. Oh yeah...I also list any ps confirmation numbers on that note card, with the seating times.

 

[NCombs]

I plan on taking my PassPorter with me to the parks. It shouldn't be bad to stick in a backpack. I have the regular version but if you get the Deluxe, it's in a 3 ring binder so you can just take the sections you need with you.

One idea-If you take a book with you to the parks, put it in a gallon-size ziploc bag so it doesn't get wet on water rides. I'm doing this with my camera also(a PassPorter tip by the way).

 

[jeleebeene]

I agree with NCombs - if you take a book with you, definitely put it in a ziplock bag.

I carry my Pass Porter only - but I also take a small back pack with me through the parks, so it works nicely. I can just pull it out while in line, or while resting a bit. (I tend to write my Priority Seating in my Pass Porter, so it comes in handy in case I get confused on where we are set to me for dinner on a certain night).

I used to write my PS's on a piece of paper and stick in one of my pockets - learned the hard way that it doesn't work that well. After sitting on Splash Mountain, or any other ride you may get wet, it was a sloppy mess. I now put everything into a plastic bag before placing it in the backpack - while the backpack will dry, some of its contents will get ruined!

 

[HollyJoy]

Thanks for the tip! It's a great one!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I use the 2004 UG, and I'm going to ask for the Passporter for Christmas, and *maybe* the 2005 UG. Does anyone know if the difference is enough to need both the 2004 and 2005? What am I saying? Of course i NEED them both!!!

Steph

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I only have the Unofficial Guide so far. Well, I do have a Birnbaums (I think) from 1982! It's actually kind of neat, because on the back cover of the book is a picture of Spaceship Earth and mentions E.P.C.O.T. as a "coming attraction." lol. Anyway, I'm hoping to pick up Passporter soon. I've heard great things about it.

 

[dydrmr81]

I also have the Unofficial Guide and the PassPorter. I really like them both, but haven't gotten entirely through either of them yet. I plan on taking them both on the trip and actually taking the PassPorter into the parks with us (along with our Hidden Mickey book!)

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I have been buying the Birnbaums every year for the past three years (adult and kid versions) and this year inaddition I purchased the "Unofficial Guide" and the DCL Passporter.

I have been enjoying reading the "Unoffical Guide".

I do not take the books in the park.

As a compulsive planner, I have a detailed breakdown for everyday typed out. I just take that days with me.