Is a Passporter worth it?

[mello]

and I've been working on organizing it. I do like it - especially the pockets. However, I just discovered the Unofficial Guide site with the free organizer pages, and I think I definitely would have used those instead, if I had know about them first. They look every bit as comprehensive as the passporter - just no pockets and the maps are in b & w. And of course they don't come in a binder or anything. I guess to save the $28 I spent I could have lived without pockets and color maps. On the other hand, my dad saw my passporter and was all impressed 'cuz it looks like a franklin planner or something lol. I don't know, it's up to the individual, so, I'd recommend at least checking out the UG site first.

 

[Maridw]

I like my passporter. I have the deluxe version and just order the updates each year. I keep all our receipts, tickets, maps etc in the pockets to be able to use, when I eventually get around to putting together a scrapbook for our trips.

When I am done with a year, I take out the inside, tie it off with string through the binder holes and put a rubber band around it, so it doesn't matter how full it gets.

Since I do have the deluxe version, I keep our annual passes in it, plus our photo pass and other things that we take each trip. This way I know where they are at any given time.

I don't take any type of book into the parks with me at all. If we need to find out anything, we usually do the information research prior to the trip.

 

[rocky41102]

I'm planning our first trip to Disney in September. I bought the Passporter and Birnbaum's book. I checked out a copy of the Unofficial Disney Guide book from the library. I really like the Passporter and it's been great for planning our first trip. However, I won't buy it again for future trips. I liked the restaurant and ride reviews and the info on resorts. All the information was extremely helpful for planning our first trip, but I don't think I'd use it as much on future trips since it won't be our first trip. It's great as an organizer also. I used the passporter mainly to get overviews on rides, restaurants, and resort choices. I'm not a super planner type person though. If you like to plan lots of details and keep it all in one spot I'd definitely get a passporter.

 

[brentalex]

I like it for keeping all the stuff we accumulate while at Disney and then keep it as a keepsake of our vacation. It is good to write down what we did each day, where we ate, parks we went to, what the weather was like... I don't think it is much help as a planner, but do like it for what it can do. I like the UG better as a planning tool.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

We loved ours on our 2004 trip.

 

[3xthecharm]

Look for it in your local library. I used it when starting to plan my first trip, but I did not use it after that.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

Personally, i LOVE IT! My DH bought me one for my birthday and i honestly have to say that it has been the best thing to help me along with the planning and organizing and the WAITING!!! All my ADR's go in it, all my PAPERS from AAA and Disney, not to mention Flight info. Jeeze, I love to organize...sometimes to a fault, and this has REALLY quenched my "thirst" I think that everytime we have been to disney it has been a new experience for us. Honeymooners, with the Inlaws, with the baby and now with our 3yo....things always change and you will always find new stuff to do and see. Flip through one and see if it would be something that you would use....and it's like $25..wont break your bank either!

Have Fun! ~~Gina

 

[StephMK]

I bought that & the UG w/Kids (I think that's the name?) for our first trip last year. I really like the Passporter but didn't really take full advantage of the pockets or such. I did take it w/us into the parks & will again this year, despite it being the 2003 version. I just like being able to flip & see at a glance an idea of a ride, restaurant or the maps are handy. Plus it gives general directions on how to get around on Disney transportation. Very handy since we'll be onsite for the first time this year.

I'm sure there are other ways to get the info but I like having one book I can get a quick reference from when away from the boards. It's usually my bedtime book when I get excited about planning.

 

[imwithgoofy]

I preordered the passporter in novermber (i think) and anxiously awaited its arrival in february.
When the package came, i was so excited!!! here was this marvelous organizing, informational planning book so many simply couldn't live without.
I torn into the plastic packaging and began thumbing through the pages!! and BAM!! it was drab and very dry. Oh, and not to mention woefully outdated.
The only thing useful was the pockets (a place to keep track of your itinerary for each day). The maps were just ok.
IMHO, the $30 i spent on it was an absolute waste of money.

Wow...what a disappointment for you, had you ever looked at this book in the bookstore?

I saw a different Disneyworld book on line, that sounded great, checked it out in the store and said ...no way, I don't like this...

I could have been in the same boat with you.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I love my Passporter. I tried all other guide books, but kept coming back and using my Passporter the most. Passporter and the DIS are my two favorite trip planning tools. I works great for me as a reference and planning guide.

True, sometimes the info can get outdated, can't really help that with a book the ways things are constantly changing at Disney...but it's far more current than Birnbaum's and you can get updates on-line. I also enjoy their email newsletter.

 

[maliboomer]

Its written sort as of it was a TV Show made by Disney to promote the parks. "Here is the fabulous blah with great views all over blah lake" sort of thing... the blue/black and white colour scheme isn't very inspiring, and the maps are subpar to Disney's own.

 

[LindaBabe]

I couldn't disagree more. I know I'm in the minority, but I am not a passporter fan. Granted, I am by nature a very organized person and can't imagine using the little envelopes in the passporter for organization. Maybe it's because I had been to WDW 15+ times before I ever saw the passporter, but I think its description of attractions are far too brief. It does do a good job walking you through how to plan a vacation, so if you've never done that before, it might be useful.

It does have the most detailed park maps of any "unofficial" guidebook I've seen, though.

I agree with you, believe it or not, for OUR trips (since I was at about 15 before I read it, too.) However for the NEW visitor or the less organized, my original comment stands.

Being a new cruiser, I depended heavily on the cruise edition.

 

[tynesntx]

We used the passporter on our first trip recently and loved it. My dh loved the color maps in it to browse before we left. we also used unofficial guide. the pockets were great for keeping up with our dining receipts since we were on the dining plan. Also we wrote all of our reservation no.s down on each day. Disney actually messed up on some of our dining credits so it was nice to have it all organized when we had to have them fix it.
hope this helps!

 

[Densgirl]

I love mine. I bought the deluxe edition a few years ago and think it helps me personally. I am sometimes organized with periods of complete disorganization. I find this helps with planning the trip more than when you are actually there though. I bring it to the hotel to browse at night when getting ready for the next day and I'm a HUGE fan of the passpockets in the back. Those I usually bring with us to the parks each day.