Do I Need a PassPorter Guide?

[KimberlyE]

We'll be going to WDW in September (first time for 4 year old son and me - DH went several times as a kid) and I have already planned the trip using a spreadsheet program I created (everything from packing lists, ride lists, ADR's, contact info, special tips etc.). Do I need the PassPorter Guide? I like the idea of the maps and the ride rating system looked neat, from the previews I saw online, but are those two things worth the cost?

Also, has anyone read PassPorter’s Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Trips? Is that worth the cost? From the preview most of the tips are things that I've read posted here.

I'm really interested in your opinions about the PassPorter and/or any other guide book that could be useful.

Thanks!

 

[Targsmom]

We'll be going to WDW in September (first time for 4 year old son and me - DH went several times as a kid) and I have already planned the trip using a spreadsheet program I created (everything from packing lists, ride lists, ADR's, contact info, special tips etc.). Do I need the PassPorter Guide? I like the idea of the maps and the ride rating system looked neat, from the previews I saw online, but are those two things worth the cost?

Also, has anyone read PassPorter’s Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Trips? Is that worth the cost? From the preview most of the tips are things that I've read posted here.

I'm really interested in your opinions about the PassPorter and/or any other guide book that could be useful.

Thanks!

I don't have anything to add other than I would be interested as well. My partner is more of a "lets go and see what happens" which is kind of my thing too, but I don't want to miss any new stuff... and I'm wondering how much info it has on the little things that not everyone notices.

 

[Hallowishes]

lets just say .... i my passporter!!! i wouldnt say that it has too much info you couldnt find here on the disboards ... but it is so well organized that i havent done a trip to wdw without it!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We'll be going to WDW in September (first time for 4 year old son and me - DH went several times as a kid) and I have already planned the trip using a spreadsheet program I created (everything from packing lists, ride lists, ADR's, contact info, special tips etc.). Do I need the PassPorter Guide? I like the idea of the maps and the ride rating system looked neat, from the previews I saw online, but are those two things worth the cost?

Also, has anyone read PassPorter’s Disney 500: Fast Tips for Walt Disney World Trips? Is that worth the cost? From the preview most of the tips are things that I've read posted here.

I'm really interested in your opinions about the PassPorter and/or any other guide book that could be useful.

Thanks!

I love that you are so organized...I highly recommend PassPorters. It is a great size and like you said has maps of all parks. These are more convenient than the fold out ones from the park. It also has descriptions of all restaurants (counter service explanation and location is wonderful if you need to change plans...)

You said you have rides listed too. Are they a "touring plan"? I used 3x5 lined post-it notes and had the order that we would ride the rides stuck by the maps. Then, at our meals, I would be able to make any revisions based on waits, etc. We didn't tour commando style but having a plan is huge.
Where are you staying? Did you get your most wanted ADR's

I don't have anything to add other than I would be interested as well. My partner is more of a "lets go and see what happens" which is kind of my thing too, but I don't want to miss any new stuff... and I'm wondering how much info it has on the little things that not everyone notices.

I would caution you against the "go and see what happens" at Disney. You want to have a plan including ADR's at restaurants and a general idea of ride order (at least so you aren't wandering around...) I think even those who have been to Disney over and over still go with a plan. I love PassPorters as a quick overview of everything and Unofficial Guide for the details.

 

[Targsmom]

I would caution you against the "go and see what happens" at Disney. You want to have a plan including ADR's at restaurants and a general idea of ride order (at least so you aren't wandering around...) I think even those who have been to Disney over and over still go with a plan. I love PassPorters as a quick overview of everything and Unofficial Guide for the details.

We've actually done that everytime we've been.. but I think because it's just the two of us and we are pretty casual about stuff it's not a big deal.

We tend to eat at "odd times" and pick a park for the day. Go to the park. Get fast passes for what we want and go from there. Wandering is 1/2 the fun!

To be honest, we really love to wander. Duck into things as we see lines are short.

Keep in mind, too, that we've always gone at times that are generally low traffic times as well.

I tend to keep an idea in my head of what I want to do. We have yet to not make that happen.

Although this year, we are going to do ADR's for Rose and Crown and Teppan Edo. Everything else? Well, maybe we'll eat popcorn and Mickey Ice Cream head! Yes!


ETA: I think I just answered my own question. LOL!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I have twins, so any wandering options are when I am alone. I think it is great that you are able to enjoy the parks that way. (Who am I kidding, even before the twins, my personality dictated a plan for everything.). I misread your post to think you were visiting for a first time... I feel bad for families who go especially in summer and haven't researched. (I probably knew more the first time we went than many seasoned travellers--again personality flaw but the great thing about Disney is there is always so much more to learn and see. )

I still recommend having a drink and checking out PassPorter at your local bookstore. With your style though, I don't think I would recommend it unless you found something in it that you couldn't remember without it.

 

[MichaelaMouse]

I bought a PassPorter a few months ago for our first trip, coming up in 3 weeks! And I just love it. It has everything you need right there. I suppose a lot of the information could be found on DIS, but I like the fact that it's already printed in a book and I don't have to copy it all down and try to read my writing later when it counts It has the ride rating system, as well as restaurant ratings, which I found came in handy. I like the pull-out maps of each park, as well as their suggestions for touring parks depending on the people in your party, just adults or with kids. I love the pocket pages at the back to write each day's details, confirmation numbers, and the pocket for each day to put keepsakes in. I really do think it's the perfect book

 

[jrc-elpaso]

I got the binder type Passporter online at Barnes & Noble - they had a deal for free shipping at the time. I love it. I've even set up a page layout in Word so I can make my own pages. I also plan to get some more sets of the envelopes from Passporter to use for future trips - it doesn't have to be limited to just Disney if you make your own pages.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

You don't need the Passporter. Just more to carry. Check out some books from the library before you go to read. Everything in the Passporter is somewhere on the internet. Park maps are at all parks or on the Disney site.

 

[Targsmom]

ok.. so I saw it was a "Memory/keepsake" book too..

so, darnit, I preordered the 2010 version.

 

[KimberlyE]

Thanks everyone for your input! I checked it out at Barnes & Nobles and I don't think I'll need it for trip planning and all the excess pages for planning and reviews seemed too much to carry everyday. I'm not sure if I'd use it for a scrapbook item because there are some more attractive options and I tend to do a lot of computer based Memory programs.

But I like the 3-ring binder version that I could personalize with just the items for the park - especially when you can buy the pocket folders too and reuse it for future vacations. I think I'll order that one!