Guidebook questions

[becca-becca]

I have read on here alot about the Passporter books. I have an Unofficial Guide to WDW and a WDW with kids book (both for 2007). Is there anything important that I am missing by not having a Passporter? We make up our own iteneraries, etc., but I don't want to miss out on something goood LOL! What is your opinion?

 

[f7prez]

I think the Unofficial guide is the one book you should read and the only book you need. Although I haven't read either book in a number of years, I remember the passporter provided a good number of websites that were useful, which is how I found this site.

 

[beccasmom]

The Passporter book is good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it. I like both the Unofficial and the Birnbaum guides.

There is an excellent Passporter guide for individuals with special needs, which I highly recommend - it is very comprehensive.

 

[KangaFan]

I liked the little fold out maps because it gave approximate walking times from place to place. Since I had two other books, however, I did not find it a must have. In fact, if you are considering getting something else, I would substitute a subscription to Tour Guide Mike. Once I read his suggestions (I ran them by my aunt who goes all the time), I revamped my whole itinerary. He really seems to know when to visit each park and how to avoid lines. HTH! Have a great time planning!

 

[Indy's Girl]

Maybe you could try to get passporter from your library to see if it is worth it for you to buy it? They have a special "Library Edition" that has all the same info, but none of the planning sheets, pockets etc. This is how I first learned about Passporter.
For our upcoming trip in July I am getting both the Passporter and UG. I like the format of the Passporter and the rating system that the Marx's use, so it is worth it to me to get both. Be aware that as far as I have heard, the 2007 Passporter is "not published" as of yet according to most bookstores, but I think it is available on the passporter website. I have mine on advanced order at a bookstore and am waiting for it to come in.
I also like just reading the Disney guidebooks for fun (it is a sickness! ) so I like getting multiple guides and reading them cover to cover. Even if the info is the same, the writing style is always different. The passporter also gives a more complete rating of DisneyQuest IMHO, and my DF was really interested in this. They rate and describe every ride/activity in DQ, which the UG does not do.
Check out your library!

 

[DisneylandPlanner]

Well I have both I just finished the Unoffical Guide and thou I thought it had good information it was not really what I was looking for. I have started the Passporter and it is set up in such a usable fashion that I LOVE IT!! The combination of both book really is great they have a lot of the same stuff but also some new stuff.

The one reason way I would recommend 2007 The Passporter is it is so up to date!

The Unoffical Guide 2007 was sent to the printer around April 2006 there have been a ton of changes and the book really does not go into the Dining Plan.

So I vote for the Passporter!

 

[Amyg]

Our best investment was subscribing to TourGuideMike.com! You will need time to look through all the information the site has because there's a LOT there! The really great thing is that Mike updates his information all the time so you'll always have the very latest info. We usually walked right on to attractions while there in early July for our first WDW trip and loved it! When we did stand in line it was usually only for 5-10 minutes. Plus, TGM has a money back guarantee if you find you don't like it for any reason.

I bought a Passporter and love the maps but I wouldn't buy it again since for me, it didn't really add to what I wanted/needed to know and I don't like taking bulky things on trips.

Also like to read the OG from the library but the information in guide books are always going to be old (unlike TourGuideMike) since it take a lot of time for writers to do their research, write, publish, etc., by then at least 6 months has gone by and things change all the time.

In any case, good luck and have a great time!

 

[loopner67]

I love *all* of the Guidebooks, but here's my two cents on this one...

The Passporter is easier to navigate and read vs. the Unofficial Guide. The Unofficial guide is really a great, comprehensive book, but it can be TOO large at times. When I want to just reference something quickly, I grab my old passporter before I grab the Unofficial Guide.

I also *love* the pocket pages in the back of the Passporter. I brought mine with me and wrote in it every night. Sure you can write in any old notebook if you want, but there's something magical about writing about your time in Disney IN the Disney Guide book that was made to do such a thing.

I can't seem to get enough info, so I vote to buy a Passporter, but I'm not sure you'd be missing out on anything, information wise, if you didn't buy it. I also really like the ratings and things that are given in the Passporter on all of the rides, etc...

 

[NeoVic73]

The Passporter has great maps. We just bought the 07 deluxe with the foldy flaps. Plus,its lighter than the Unofficial Guide, if you chose to schlep it around the parks!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I hear alot of good things about the unofficial guide book. I want to buy it too, does anyone know how much it costs?

 

[UTgirl]

Where can I purchase a passporter and are there different ones?

I recently purchase the Unofficial guide and the Unofficial with kids. But I like all the info I an get!

 

[ZoZo]

I'm a big Unofficial Guide fan. My advice is to go to a bookstore and look at a Passporter to see if you want to buy it. I did that, and decided not to buy it.

I have my own method of organizing my information (including making wallet-size laminated cards with my ADRs, confirmation numbers, park schedules, etc.). I wouldn't want to have to lug around a guide with me (I try to carry as little as possible with me at the parks). I do all of my research ahead of time to decide what to do, but don't carry any guides around with me while at at the parks (I keep the UG in my hotel room in case I want to look something up, but don't carry it with me).

 

[tacomaranch]

I went to the library today and had them look up the entire state for the OG, passport, anything. All the information is from 2005! I can't afford the new books but expected more from the library.

 

[Tasmen]

I live therefore I plan. As a result, I've gotten the unofficial guy, passporter and subscribe to Tour Guide Mike. All of that may be a bit of overkill, but I like having all the resources possible at hand when making plans for a vacation. I've found my passporter to be handy for keeping all my trip papers (ADRS, etc). I treat it like my little vacation organizer.