For those who have purchased or seen the Passporter

[mudman]

was it a worthwhile investment in planning/enjoying your trip.

I am contemplating a trip to the bookstore to see it firsthand, however, wanted to know from some of you folks who may have used it if it really is worth shelling out the $ for.

I have read lots of planning books including Disney with Kids, the Unofficial guide, the official guide etc... Will this book offer me something these planners don't.

Is it meant to carry with you throughout the parks? and if so, will it fit in an average sized fanny pack?

We are not flying so I do not need any flight planning info, but if it has journals for driving records that might come in handy. Anyone know if it comes with this?

Thanks again for all the help. You all are so helpful.

Michelle

 

[hucifer]

I have the Unofficial Guide as well, but was convinced to buy the PassPorter as a supplement. I'm glad I did! I find the author's perspective refreshing. Plus, it did have additional info that I didn't find in the Unofficial Guide.

It is smaller and has less info, but like I said, I find it to be an excellent supplement. Plus, being able to keep track of flight schedules, PS and confirmation numbers, and other info in one place is wonderful.

I bought mine from Amazon for about 17 dollars. The premium addition has a leather cover and is obviously more expensive.

I recommend it!

 

[TLinden16]

I have bought Passporters for each of my last four trips to Disney World. I really like the pass pockets to keep itineraries, confirmation numbers, and reservation letters in order. It's great to have something to put receipts and guide maps in. And, there is ample space to write memories, photo information, and spending each day. I enjoy looking at my old Passporters to see what we did, where we ate, and what we liked and didn't like.

I don't carry the Passporter with me in the parks. I never bring a guidebook with me--it's just something else to carry, and I try not to bring too much stuff into the parks with me. But, I do take the time to fill in the pass pockets each day while the days events are still fresh in memory.

Karen

 

[HolidayRose]

I love the Passporter as a way to store information and document the trip. However, it's a bit large to carry around all day and would only fit into a rather enormous fannypack.

 

[CRCrazy]

I'm a Passporter!!

I love the Passporter Guidebooks. Started out with the spiral bound edition - it's invaluable for planning - allows you to keep all your info in one spot - places to write down all those PS numbers and confirmation numbers - printouts for e-tickets, rental car agreements/ coupons, etc. It actually has more info in my opinion than the Unofficial guide - just doesn't harp on those touring plans. I don't like using someone else's touring plan anyway - I prefer to make up my own!

I think that the Passporter fold out park maps are better than those that Disney gives out - much easier to navigate!
I purchased the deluxe edition last year - I always carried my Passporter in my backpack to DW, but now I can take out the map for the park I'm visiting that day, along with the passpocket for the day - throw them into my fanny pack, and I'm golden! One convenient spot for receipts - notes - etc. We had an early PS at the Crystal Palace one morning at MK, before the parks opened. When we tried to get in - our name wasn't on the list - luckily, I had the number written down in my Passpocket - so the security guard let us through - when I got to the CP, the CM had to use my number to look up the reservation, the dining reservations CM had completely massacred our name (English was not their primary language!). It didn't even start with the same initial! Thanks to the Passporter - we still got to eat breakfast with Eeyore and the gang!

 

[Kaycee]

I love my Passporter!

I'm on my third one - I buy a new one for each trip.

For our first family trip, I got all the guidebooks I could find (Unofficial, Birmbaum's, etc). Now, I just get a new Passporter each time. It has all the info I need for planning a trip: sections for packing, budgeting, traveling, resorts, PS's, and parks. There are checklists so you can see what applies to you and check it, then the list is customized for your needs. Then, of course, there are the passpockets in the back for keeping track of everything (maps, tickets, itineraries, etc) while you are on your trip, and for looking back on your trip after you get home.

I don't carry mine in the parks; we're definitely minimalists when it comes to what we carry - if it doesn't fit in our small waistpacks, it doesn't go! I keep mine in the hotel room so that each morning I can make sure I have everything ready for that day, and each evening I can put everything away.

Go to your local bookstore to see if you like it. I always order mine online though; it comes really quickly, and I get emails throughout the year with any info that has come out since the latest edition. Plus, after that first purchase, I always get an email coupon for a nice discount on my next purchase.

 

[MrsPete]

I looked at the Passporter in the bookstore but didn't buy it.

It doesn't have as much information as other sources (I think the Unofficial Guide and the internet are the best places to find mega-information on Disney). The authors have presented it in a nice format, however, and they do have plenty of nice maps and hotel room layouts.

It will not fit into a fanny pack, and it'll weigh down a backpack. I wouldn't suggest bringing ANY books into the parks. Decide ahead of time what you want to do in each park, then make notes on an index card or something else and bring only one sheet of paper. Here's my suggestion for PS numbers: make an envelope for each meal. Each envelope should contain the anticipated payment for that meal, and on the outside it should have the meal's date, time, location, and PS number (i.e., Chef Mickey's Buffet/Contemporary 4th floor, Tuesday June 3rd at 8:00, PS # 12345678).

I personally didn't care to have it as a momento of the trip -- though someone else might see the pockets as a good place to keep memories.

 

[dgaston]

I too started with a regular edition of the Passporter and have moved up to the Deluxe. And maybe the thing I like the most is the Passporter Lanyard I bought from the Passporter online store. It holds room keys, credit cards, has zipper and velcro pockets for cash, and a nifty back pocket sized just right for Fastpasses. There are also pen holders, one wide enough for a fat pen. It helps get me into the parks without much else besides a water bottle.

 

[Alice28]

Another PassPorter believer here. I found many of the tips invaluable- plus I love to be organized and have everything in one spot, and the PassPorter has a place for everything! I even bought one for my mom (my parents went to WDW with us). I journaled every evening some of the highlights of our day and that was very important to me- the first time we went to WDW, I could barely remember the details a year or two later. Now I have all my receipts, my notes, the park maps all bundled into this handy little book. Although, other posters are correct, it will not fit into a fanny pack- it could fit into a backpack, but I doubt you would need it. Just write down your PS's or do a printout of your PS times and reservation #'s and carry that.

 

[DVC-Don]

We now get one for each trip as soon as we start planning. I used to carry one in the parks in a large belt pack, but now just leave it in the room to put notes in at the end of each day.

It is a great planning guide with the pockets for PS's and travel info. We also have just moved up to the Deluxe PassPorter. So far I think we have 8 of them all filled out with past trip info.