I need to know EVERYTHING about the Passporter!

[TigerCheer2009]

How big is it? What does it have in it? Convenient? Useful? I need everything-the good, bad, ugly and writable!

Can you compare this to a guidebook!

 

[Disney_1derland]

It is a guidebook! It's my favorite of the 5 different types I have owned and one of two I buy each year (the Unofficial being the other one!)

Passporter is roughly 8.5 length x 5.5 width (don't have mine hand to measure exactly!) It's got a pseudo hard cover (like a really lightweight cardboard), it's full color and beautiful. The maps are outstanding, the reviews are good and accurate, the info is pretty complete though not overly detailed.

I love the pockets for each day in the back. I pack my daily budget into envelopes and put an envelope in each day's pocket. I fill out the info on the pockets and we keep the Passporter in our room safe. Each day I take out my daily budget and any other info I need out of that day's pocket. At the end of the day I put that day's receipts into the pocket. At the end of the trip it's all nicely organized and easy to find. Then next time I want to plan a trip I can pull out the stuff from the prior trip by day to see what we actually spent and how I need to adjust my budgeting.

 

[mom2cinderella]

I didn't vote because I have to have both. UG for the information prior to going, and PP to keep me organized on the trip. PP also makes a nice keepsake if you utilize the pockets!

Michele

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks Disney 1derland!! I heard it has cool stuff in it. What does it have exactly (like hidden mickey guides, tips, hotel stuff, budget stuff)?

Thanks SO much!

mom2cinderella-"I didn't vote because I have to have both. UG for the information prior to going, and PP to keep me organized on the trip. PP also makes a nice keepsake if you utilize the pockets." Did you utilize the pockets? Thanks for responding!

 

[Disney_1derland]

Info about the resorts, the dining, the parks are all included. the full color fold out maps are great. I mentioned the pockets in the back already.

I didn't vote in the poll because I use both of these books. The UG is much more complete and detailed but the Passporter is better for actually taking on your trip, at least for me, that is what I do. I use the UG and Passporter for planning but take the Passporter on the trip with me. I buy new copies of each every year if we have a trip planned for that year. I would never just buy one or the other, they compliment each other well.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Info about the resorts, the dining, the parks are all included. the full color fold out maps are great. I mentioned the pockets in the back already.

I didn't vote in the poll because I use both of these books. The UG is much more complete and detailed but the Passporter is better for actually taking on your trip, at least for me, that is what I do. I use the UG and Passporter for planning but take the Passporter on the trip with me. I buy new copies of each every year if we have a trip planned for that year. I would never just buy one or the other, they compliment each other well.

Okay...that's fine. Good to know. Thanks, Lori. Do they make a pocket-size PassPorter? tia all~!

 

[hucifer]

Info about the resorts, the dining, the parks are all included. the full color fold out maps are great. I mentioned the pockets in the back already.

I didn't vote in the poll because I use both of these books. The UG is much more complete and detailed but the Passporter is better for actually taking on your trip, at least for me, that is what I do. I use the UG and Passporter for planning but take the Passporter on the trip with me. I buy new copies of each every year if we have a trip planned for that year. I would never just buy one or the other, they compliment each other well.

I completely agree...I didn't vote because I use both...and both have their own usefulness, so it's difficult to put one over the other.

The UG is packed with tons and tons of info, and is a great reference guide before going.

When it comes to actually bringing one along, the Passporter wins because you can personalize it (as well as stuff the pockets). Every day I filled in the blanks about the funniest/worst/best thing that happened that day, which made it easier to write up a trip report.

I find both books to be invaluable. Hope this helps!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

I completely agree...I didn't vote because I use both...and both have their own usefulness, so it's difficult to put one over the other.

The UG is packed with tons and tons of info, and is a great reference guide before going.

When it comes to actually bringing one along, the Passporter wins because you can personalize it (as well as stuff the pockets). Every day I filled in the blanks about the funniest/worst/best thing that happened that day, which made it easier to write up a trip report.

I find both books to be invaluable. Hope this helps!

Thanks, hucifer!!! Good to know because I'm thinking about "asking" for them for my birthday.

 

[Marseeya]

I have both the UG and the Passporter, plus the Birnbaum's. Of the three, I like the UG the best.

However, I also subscribed to Tour Guide Mike and I've been printing his info and making my own personalized guide book in a three ring binder! I'm getting far more use out of that than I am the other three books.

 

[hucifer]

Thanks, hucifer!!! Good to know because I'm thinking about "asking" for them for my birthday.

I read both books, cover to cover, before my September 2003 trip. It not only made the anticipation that much greater before the trip, it also heightened the experience inside WDW because I learned a whole lotta stuff from these books.

So YES! Ask for both for your birthday. I see you have some time to read them!

One more thing...Nothing was more useful before my WDW trip than the Disboards. The people here know EVERYTHING.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Marseeya-I didn't know about TourGuideMike. Can you get updates easily?
Thanks for responding to all!

hucifer-My birthday's in August. I won't get those soon enough. The main gift buyers said I could get my guidebookS of choice closer to the time. What I want to know is...how much closer could ya get? It's only a week and a year AWAY...too soon! !Thanks!

 

[SeattleMark]

The only think I like about the passporter is the maps and the handy pockets, both of which you can get for free elsewhere.

My recommendation, by far, is www.tourguidemike.com It's not only comprehensive, with fantastic advice not found elsewhere, it's also updated every single day by someone who's in the parks ever single day. You just can't get that with a book. I just print out any info I want to take with me.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Thanks. Does TGMike come with a binder. I'll consider it.

3 passporter v. 2 TGMike.

6 UG v. 13 PP v. 2 neither

 

[Tiger Fan]

I'm another that thinks the Passporter is a MUST HAVE! I have the deluxe and to me it was a great deal since I love that you update (I usually buy a new refill every other year to save some $) and add pages. This year's trip is actually 3 weeks so I liked being able to get extra pockets and add to the book. The other best thing to me is the great color park maps. I make copies and keep in our day bag (it's easier than having a huge map to pull out) and a great quick reference! Have fun - to me the planning is almost as much fun as the trip itself
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[eeyore45]

I have to have the unofficial guide, and a handy dandy highlighter pen! I also rip out the touring guides/maps that come in the back, and I love reading the companion site - www.touringplans.com.

I read everybody's rave review of Passporter, I signed up for their discussion/ website, but I havent gotten to use it too much, so far I only say "I know its here, then grab the UG!" I know lots of people absolutely swear by this tourguide Mike, but just as many shrug it off too... so it boils down to you - what kind of planner, and how much time are you going to spend gathering information...

Honestly, spend an hour at the bookstore, or your library and look through them both!

 

[TigerCheer2009]

eeyore45: Thanks for replying. It'd help if I didn't have to special-order them but I think it's WELL worth it. I plan everything like RIGHT NOW! Can't BEAR to plan last minute.

Tiger Fan (lisa) I agree with you. Planning gets me in such a Disney mood!!!!

 

[Marseeya]

Thanks. Does TGMike come with a binder. I'll consider it.

Tour Guide Mike is a website, but you can easily print his articles and make up your own binder to use (which is what I've been doing). Also, several members have made up some great planning tools that you can download and print, but you can only get that information from his site because when you join, you can't share outside the site. TGM also has forums to join, where everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. Even though you're not going on your trip for another year, you could join now and you'll be able to stay a member until 60 days AFTER your trip

 

[goofy4tink]

another vote for both!! Just got my 'up-dated' UG last week. I get a PassPorter for just about every trip also. I use PP for a journal almost. It's so nice to get back from the parks each day and write a little something about your day. It's especially wonderful to be able to look back over the years...it's like a WDW Diary!! But, I love UG also. I like that it's really irreverant when it comes to all things Disney. It can be overwhelming to a first timer though.

I don't pay much mind to the different touring guides per se. I know what we like to do and the best way for us to do it. But, we have been many times at this point.

So, right now, I have 5 different UG, from various years and 4 different PassPorter diaries.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

Tour Guide Mike is a website, but you can easily print his articles and make up your own binder to use (which is what I've been doing). Also, several members have made up some great planning tools that you can download and print, but you can only get that information from his site because when you join, you can't share outside the site. TGM also has forums to join, where everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. Even though you're not going on your trip for another year, you could join now and you'll be able to stay a member until 60 days AFTER your trip

Cool. Still considering. TGM is 21.95/PP is $18.95. I'm still getting the UG!

 

[DVC-Don]

I recommend the PassPorter guide. I don't use their boards much after they banned several topics though, but there is more info here on the DIS.