Opinions please

[leeann32]

1.Should I buy a Disney Guide book? Which one?
2.What kind of back pack do you recommend for inside the parks?

LeeAnn
Our 1st trip Sept. 2008

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

guidebook- yes, definately- when you think of how much you spend on a dis vacation a few $$ on a good guidebook is a wise investment because a bit of knowledge in advance will mean seeing stuff you might have missed otherwise. I have 2- I have the passporters walt disney world 2008 and I have the unofficial walt disney world guidebook 2008 (by Sehlinger i think) I prefer the latter but both are great books- both have maps, the passporter has little pockets for planning & keeping things during your stay, the unofficial guide is alot more substantial

as for backpacks- this is my first visit since childhood so i have nooooo idea

 

[DevilDuckie]

1.Should I buy a Disney Guide book? Which one?
2.What kind of back pack do you recommend for inside the parks?

LeeAnn
Our 1st trip Sept. 2008

Before you buy a gudiebook, check your library. You may only use it once (they do get updated) and free is better.

I don't recommend a backpack. We like to travel light. I do have a backpack style purse, but that's as far as I go.

 

[momof1+1+2]

1. I swear by the Birnbaum Guides book. Very helpful for our planning.

2. I loved having just a regular back-pack. We used it for our sunscreen, extra waters, snacks, camera.

Good luck.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

1. Birnbaum...very good guide book. Also Passporters...great for organizing.

2. I take the small messenger bag from the Disney Store online. I don't like regular backpacks because it's too easy to overstuff them and you have to keep taking them on & off whenever you sit down for a ride, plus they are hard to get in & out of without somewhere to set them down. I wear my messenger bag accross my chest so that it never falls off my shoulder...it allows for hands-free touring & is easy to get in & out of without even taking it off...it holds just the right amount of stuff...I can leave it on even when I sit down on a ride. GREAT!

 

[Aliceacc]

I love the Unofficial Guide to WDW. It's more than you'll ever need to know, but everything you need is in there somewhere.
(Note, there are 2 glaring changes since all the 2008 guidebooks were printed: the price of strollers and the mealplan)


2. We bought each of our kids and my husband a fanny pack. I got both a fanny pack and a baggalini; I'll let you know in late August which I used more.

 

[DisneyWalle]

I love the Passporter guides, however I also have the Birnbaum guide book. Little changes from year to year so just buy one and then look online for other information. Really, you can get a lot of information from just a couple of websites. I would recommend looking at AllEars.net

Good Luck!

 

[srwarden1928]

Guidebook--Unofficial Guide is great. So is their touring plans website.

Bag--I dont want to fool with alot of stuff in the parks. So if it doesnt fit in a pocket, it stays in the room.

 

[Tam1067]

I also agree with others who've said the Unoffical Guide is the best (authors are Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa). No question. It'll explain everything you need to know about WDW, and the touring plans work really, really well. I wouldn't go to WDW without it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I also like the "Complete Walt Disney World" (authors are Julie and Mike Neil) which has nice photos and background information.

 

[sohappy]

I read several guide books and liked each one for a different reason- all free from the library. I highly recommend that. I even borrowed Kingdom Keepers on CD.

I have a baggalini and it was OK. It was pretty heavy if I didn't wear across my shoulder. It was also pretty uncomfortable once I got a sunburn (I think any bag would have been).

 

[mejkjj97]

I love the Unofficial Guide. I have the Unofficial Guide the complete very large book and I have the Unoffical Guide to Disney with Kids. If you are going with little kids I highly recommend this journal and the touring plans in the back.
I also agree that the book stays in the hotel. I read it on the plane and when taking breaks in the afternoon we map out our evening and the next day.

 

[princesscate]

I would recommend the Passporter book . . . hard to find but SO HELPFUL while planning our upcoming trip. The Unofficial Guide is also good.
We're planning on using an ameribag . . . picked one up at our AAA store. My DH liked it and seems to fit our needs. Good luck!

 

[jellybeans0607]

i buy every book i can get my hands on, but i think birnbaum is my fave. i use it the most. i dont bring them to the parks though.

for a backpack, i dont like to bring too much so i use what i camm a campus bag, im sure it isnt the proper name, but its just a piece of fabric with usually rope as the straps, you usually see them with colleges on them. hopefully someone knows what im talking about, lol.

 

[Camno's Mama]

I checked out every book that I could find from the library. I kept them for the three weeks and then checked the ones I liked out again before I went to answer the questions that I had.

My favorite was the Unofficial Guide, though.

You could also hit a used or discount bookstore or ebay or craigslist. Someone might be getting rid of some if you're not sure what you want but don't want to invest a ton into them.

 

[Scarlet_M]

Another thumbs up for the Unofficial Guide. I have the one for traveling with kids too. It's a little more condensed and focused.

How do you plan on using the back pack? Will you carry it all day or leave it with the stroller?

My bags stay with the stroller. I have two medium sized ones with 3 sections. I keep clothing and diaper changes in one. The other carries our water and dry snacks. I also bring a smaller cooler pouch for the few cold items that I might bring like fruit or yogurt. I carry a small tote (it's really a purse) while in the park for the kids (someone always wants something once the stroller is left behind). And I keep my money and passes in a money belt under my clothing. it sounds like a lot. But it works out nicely for us.

I'd love to show you what I mean but I can't post links until I have 10 posts... If you go to Walmart online and search under the keyword: Eastsport - Dome Backpack, you'll see the type that I have. It's not exact. But close and very inexpensive.

HTH

 

[dizlizzy223]

The Passporter is great, seeing this is your first trip, it gives a really nice over view of everything, although the descriptions are really short. "The Complete Walt Disney World" by Julie and Mike Neal has great pictures however and a lot of cool, random facts. I don't personally recommend carrying a lot just because it does get really hot, but I would say a light backpack would be best.