Passporter & Unofficial Guide ?s

[heidia]

Which book do you prefer and why?

When will the 2008 editions become available?

TIA!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Both are great, however, my personal favorite is the Passporter. I love the back pages where you can write in your confirmation numbers, phone numbers, resort, airlines, ADR's, etc.... Plus places to hold receipts and to write memo's about each day.

 

[jdtopgun71]

I personally like the unofficial guide because it seems to be more comprehesive. I have never owned the Passporter but can see how the additional space to write in it and the places to keep papers would come in handy.

The unofficial guide comes out in late August each year.

 

[Mousema]

I like the Unofficial Guide better. 2008 will be out in August or September. Not sure about the Passporter.

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

I recently go the Unofficial and I loved it! It's very thorough - I'm guessing that's why it's so long! I did look at the passporter but didn't really need somewhere to write my info - I do that my own way!

 

[beth_cam]

I bought both and one other before my first trip. I was upset with the other one for being old info. The unofficial and passporter both had some old info but it wasn't as bad. The other book for 2005 predated the changes that occured jan 1 2006, so no MYW info or ddp info, the prices were dramatically off on tickets. And at first I didnt realize it since I wasn't as well versed as I am now - then I went to book and nothing was the same. I really wante a new book. I wanted the new passporter since I really like the one I got that is like a dayplanner. So I wanted to get the same thing but the cheaper version and put it into my old one (if that even works) but the book store didnt have it or the more expensive one. So I looked through all the books and the unofficial guide was the only one that said copywrite 2007. So I bought that one. Now I know not too much has changed but I have already found several mistakes and inconsistancies in it and I haven't looked at it much. So I'm taking it back. (It still lists old room prices, states that asmu family suites only holds 4 people, an on its resort comparisons says that a resort scores an a in one category then rewords it and says they score a d among other things). They say the new ones come out in august of the year before but that must predate some of the new pricing and stuff. Of course all of those issues aren't all that important to me. I bought it hoping for some restaurant info and to have fun reading the rest of the book while I was at it. But since that predates the latest changes reguarding the ddp and the kids menus, I couldn't justify the $20. Especially since if I really cared to I could weed through the info on here and get what I want. I will probably hold off and get a new one towards the end of summer and hope for a new more helpful version, and probably just order the passporter online. I admit that all the books are probably the same since they cant review 2007 till 2007 is over. For you the new publishing for 2008 should come this august/september, however it will be based on 2007 info....but the big difference should be whatever takes the place of "year of a million dreams" and the prices.....I dont know if they will completely change over the whole MYW and DDP thing again so soon...

Sorry so long.....my fingers tend to get away from me.

 

[JMLBrats]

I love the passporter because I'm not the most organized person and I DO write everything down, but I'll do it on various pieces of paper and stuff like that and if I use the passporter it give me the oportunity to write everything in one convienent place and I found it to be very helpful mostly for that reason. I also like the style of the writing in the passporter and found the style of writing in the unofficial guide quite boring-don't get me wrong they have tons of great info in the UG but it's just not my fav. My advice is go to a bookstore near you since most of the bigger ones will carry both and check them out in person. I'm a book person so I have to look it over that way to really decide. Have fun!

 

[beth_cam]

Oh and I meant to add that even the unofficial guide lists the passporter as a good companion to unofficial guide and implied it is a more practical carry along book than unofficial guide.

 

[Disneytwinz]

I'm not picky but I choose both! I do like the Passporter a bit more though...I just like the format better.

Edited to add: I should add, that the Passporter I used was the library addition. Not sure if there is a big difference, but love the book!

 

[irisbud]

I have them both, and like both of them for different reasons:

Unofficial Guide:
More detailed information on many topics such as restauraunts and attractions,
Includes detailed touring plans for several different types of groups or situations.
Lots of reader comments, which can be really helpful
Well excecuted index that is easy to work with

Passporter:
Lots of color and pictures
Lots of worksheets that can help you to plan things out, or give you great ideas for creating your own planning templates
Pockets to hold documents
Lightweight and closes with an elastic strap, so it is easy to carry with you.

Overall, I don't like either one better than the other. I would say that the UG is great to get all of the basic info that you need, but a little unwiledly to carry around with you, so maybe better for preplanning at home (the touring plans do have clip out versions). The passporter is a little more "fun" for lack of a better description and will make a better companion while actually traveling.

HTH

 

[mecarroll]

I bought the 2006 edition of the "Unoffical Guide" for DW's and my 2006 honeymoon trip and just got the 2007 edition for our 1st ann. It was VERY helpful during our first trip. The only big difference is that the restaurant and hotel profiles have been updated based on responses. I was rather suprised how drastically some of the ratings had changed.

As for the Passporter...I looked at it but determined that I could do basically everything that it could do with a three ring binder. I bought a pack of tabbed dividers, labeled them, and arranged them how I wanted. Everything from rest. profiles, rental car receipt, Disney phone numbers, and everything else I could think of. I bought a pencil pouch and inserted it for the receipts. Sure, the Passporter probably has things mine didn't and was smaller, but I am so uptight about how I organize everything. I like everything to be printed rather than handwritten. The drawback...I couldn't carry a 1 1/2 inch binder in the parks with me...or I didn't want to. But, I did have my Guide.

I am planning on buying a smaller 3 ring binder and doing the same this year, in case I want to carry it in the park for some reason.

 

[SGMCO]

I found a New Guide that I just love
Called "Guide to the Magic" and on the
website there are several unique books all about
WDW. Guidetothemagic.com.
I also got a Book from there "WDW The Lost Journals"
which I have been pouring over and love it.
The book states: "Discover the Secrets of WDW in This
Fun Filled Adventure Guide"
Little Known Facts, Hidden Mickeys, Scavenger Hunts,
Mystery Photos and Much More!
A Fun Book on WDW!!!

 

[kathie859]

I enjoy reading the UG....The little excerpts written by real people giving their "take" on each subject can be thought provoking. Plus some of them are just down right hilarious! The criticism about "outdated" material in ANY guidebook doesn't strike me as valid. Certainly no one believes that nothing ever changes once a book goes to press. That's why the Disboard is so important to suppliment the written information.
I found Passporter to be interesting; however, maybe just a little too "commando" for me. Organization and having a plan of action is important when taking a trip to WDW but I don't want to overplan.

 

[Tinkalink]

My favorite is The Unofficial Guide.
The wealth of information about WDW is incredible, especially when you are in the planning stages. The first five parts and the dining section were invaluable to our family. My DH loves the 25 pages of "Recommended Visitation Times and Touring Plans".
The Passporter gives a good outline of info, detailed maps and some nice amenities to write down your info and pockets for confirmation,tickets etc. We thought that the Unofficial Guide is the book to use in the planning stages and a WDW vacation reference book. The Passporter is the book you would bring with you to WDW.

 

[Rustysmom]

I like both of them so I guess I'm no help! The UG more for research and the Passporter more for writing and organizing and for taking with me.

 

[ArielNPolo]

I recommend the Passporter if u are more of a planner (e.g. taking notes, making lists, etc.) and the UG guide if you just want to read up and get as much knowledge as possible

 

[heidia]

Thanks for the info everyone! I'm a researcher by nature so I'll probably end up buying both (and possibly others as well lol). I don't want to be a Disney Dictator when we go on vacation but I like having at least some sort of a plan of attack! Especially since I'm planning a trip for 10+ people!

 

[larkles]

I love both!

I am a research nut so ...I get the Passprter to start off with because I love the way they divide info on resorts and parks in full descriptions. I can check price ranges, restaurants and new park info. I also like the step by step planning which I follow very loosely

The UG is my next step. More detailed info once we are finalizing plans and trying to organize where and when to go to each park or restaurant. We followed the routes they recommended a few years ago and had literally no longer than 20 min wait at each ride. (It was October!)

Then back to the Passporter to write in all my plans! I leave all the extra info at home and take the restaurant and resort info with the daily planning pockets and we are good to go


Have fun!

 

[constanze]

I have both too...they're actually great companion pieces! However, my DH wonders how I could possibly learn anything new since I'm on these boards so much

 

[Nanb]

I use them both also. I am planning our first trip in December and find myself going back and forth. More detail in the Unofficial Guide and enjoy the easier forrmat of the Passporter. Plus it led me to the touring plan site where I've been watching the crowd calender which is great.
great resources.