How often do you buy new Disney guides?

[tripletots]

I have the 2006 copy of The Unofficial Guide, The Official by Birnbaum, The Official for Kids, the Passporter and some other book by Aronda Parks.

We are traveling back in August of 2007, would you purchase new books or just book? Or are my 2006's sufficient?

 

[phantom728]

I only buy updated ones every few years because I do a lot of research on the internet.
I do buy updated Passporter pocket refills to keep track of the weeks events.

Enjoy!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I get the Passporter inserts each year, seems like the only one that ever really changes and has enhancements and improvements year by year.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I buy the UG every year. It's pretty much the same from year to year, but I just have to have it.

 

[Disney Crazy Family]

After visiting the parks etc for several trips of 10 to 20 days I dont
buy any more books

 

[Cool-Beans]

I get a Birnbaum (too cute!) and a UG every year.

The UG added a lot of stuff this year. Even a hotel comparison on Pillow Fluffiness.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I buy the UG every year that I make the trip - but, I think you will get more accurate and up to date information on line. My 2007 UG edition still listed 90 days as the earliest for ADR's - if I hadn't found these boards, we would have never known to book CRT 180 + 10 days out.

 

[SteveN73]

A ton of great information about WDW can be found at the WDW sites listed at:
http://www.thedisneyportal.com/tdp/show.asp?DisneySites=WDW

 

[bytheblood]

I never buy guides....I use my gut for planning and it works every time.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I never buy guides....I use my gut for planning and it works every time.

While I'm sure that works for you, I doubt you'd like to lend it out to the OP! Of course, it is Halloween season! That might be cool!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

We purchase the Birnbaum guides, cruise, dining and official guide every year.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Stopped buying them regularly a few years ago. It's just useless for me because any information I want is more current and readily available on the Internet. It's an unfortunate by-product of the digital revolution, but the fact is most guide books have always been out-of-date in some way by the time they are printed. We just never had a better soloution until now.

That said, every other year now I pick up either Birnbaum's or UG just to see what's up according to them. I haven't seen the 2007 UG in the store yet, but if I do and they finally divided up the MGM/Universal sections, I'll buy it. If not, I'm not going to buy a new one out of protest, LOL.

NED

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've been to WDW over 38 times and quit buying guides along time ago. To me it just seemed that not much has changed from year to year. I most always go to our public library and peruse the travel section for Birdaums book, was my first book in the 80's and still a very good book on things to see and do in WDW. As most posters have stated, with the internet there is so much more available now on the computer. Cyperspace has just about made books obsolete, plus you get personal opinions from the forums and tips and tricks that aren't printed. I read alot of forums, sort out the junk and rely on my past experiences in WDW to map out our future trips. Really have to say that from trip to trip, very little has changed in our itenerary. Eating places come and go and we have our must do's but with the ever changing WDW, we adjust and adapt. Never will pay for advise on how to do Disney, there is just too much free advice and information on the internet.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We always buy all the Birnbaums Official guides every year and throw in the Passporter every couple of years. We basically just enjoy having them around to read through and we collect them. Crazy isn't it.

 

[cindy_k]

I found the Guides very useful when I started going to Disney regularly 8 years ago. I used to buy Birmbaum, UG and Passporter inserts every year.

In the past 2 years though, I have found I don't need them anymore. So I stopped spending the money. ( I also moved to FL last year which means my attendance to the parks is way up)

So my opinion is, that when you first start going to Disney, (even if you live in FL) you need them for the shear mass of information in a single package, convieniently carried around for studying.

After 5 years of consistant going and reading the message boards, then they aren't as necessary, because you wind up memorizing what rides are in each park, what shows there are, etc.
You just needs the boards for the updates and special things.

Have fun!!
Cindy

 

[SnwflkCts]

While I'm sure that works for you (NOTE FROM OTHER POSTER ABOUT USING THEIR GUT FOR PLANNING), I doubt you'd like to lend it out to the OP! Of course, it is Halloween season! That might be cool!

Loved it!!!!

WDW is still new to me. I love reading about it and buy lots of guides. My UG is being held hostage by Amazon until my other items are ready to ship in January - what a rip!!! So I had to buy others. I don't think I would buy the 2007 if you have the 2006. IMO, I would buy a different guide to just pick up the slack of what was missing in the other. Just to get another view -- I actually used a BORROWED guide -- it might have been 2004!!! and still enjoyed it -- used along with all the good advice from the DIS boards ... it did it for me. (Until I became obsessed and then I had to buy the up to date ones!)

 

[susan1]

never, get all my information from here, the dibb and the disab, the latter two are u.k. websites but have several u.s. participants

 

[Micca]

We have 3 dozen+ trips so we don't need a book, but I usually buy the UG every year. It's enjoyable to follow the updates.

 

[Luv4Disney]

DF and I buy Birnbaum's every year. It's a tradition and it gets us excited about planning our next trip. Passporter and UG are too big for my taste. I did just buy the Passporter Treasure Hunt book, which looks to be fun. Plus, I usually give the old editions (to borrow) to friends who are trying to plan, without having to part from my brand new book. It's going to be a little scary by the time I'm 60.

 

[mommyesq]

I have the 2006 copy of The Unofficial Guide, The Official by Birnbaum, The Official for Kids, the Passporter and some other book by Aronda Parks.

We are traveling back in August of 2007, would you purchase new books or just book? Or are my 2006's sufficient?

I don't - - - I check them out of the local library which always has several copies of the most up to date versions...........