Thoughts on which guidebook is best??

[Atotty]

My vote is for one not on your list. I love Tour guide Mike. He made our last trip great. We didn't have to wait in **any** line more than 15 mins in late May; the 15 mins was for Dumbos. And I printed out the info I needed for each park so I only took about 7 sheets of paper to the parks each day.

Printed guidebooks are great; but because WDW changes so often some info in them is obsolete by the time they are printed. Just since May, the PS time has changed from 60 to 90 days for many things and FP times for the first return time have changed. If I was using a 2003 guidebook for a trip now and didn't check out these boards for info, I would miss my CRT window by 30 days (this happened to someone on another board just recently).

If you want more info about how great Tourguide Mike was for our vacation, check out disneydollarless.com and click on the Tourguidemike icon at the bottom of the page.

JMHO

 

[stacy2197]

I like the unofficial guide and the passporter myself. I would check with www.overstock.com before you buy from a book store. I got my unofficial guide there last year for half off. Shipping was only like $2.

 

[DVC-Don]

We used to buy a new Unofficial and an Official every year. Now all we buy is a PassPorter for every trip.

 

[Atotty]

Originally posted by DVC-Don
We used to buy a new Unofficial and an Official every year. Now all we buy is a PassPorter for every trip.

I'm trying to decide if I should buy the 2004 Passporter. I have the 2003 from our last trip. Why do you buy one each trip? What to you find that you need?

Thanks!

 

[ceejay13]

The Passporter is a must every year for the convenience of the planner. I got the deluxe originally and I buy the refills every year. I usually get Birnbaum's, as well. My favorite the last couple of year, however, is Walt Disney World for Couples. This book has the most detailed review of the resorts. From the basic rooms to concierge level rooms and suites, she has done an outstanding job.

 

[Jaklackus]

I used to buy any WDW travel guide that I could get my hands on...and then discovered these boards and wdwig.com...I still buy a book every couple of years...but after being spoiled by the up to the minute info on these boards I get frustrated with the book and the obsolete info they often provide. I did win a Passporter from Magic Kingdom Travel..so I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival..always gave the Passporters as gifts...but never bought one for myself so I am excited to have one for myself!

 

[Kaycee]

I get a new Passporter for every trip. I use it to plan; I think they've got the best layout and info for detailed planning. Then, I use it at WDW to keep track of all the stuff I spent all that time planning! After the trip, I use it as a scrapbook, since I'm not really into scrapbooking but I like something to keep to look back over later.

I tried reading other guidebooks, but nothing was as useful as Passporter. I found Unofficial Guide to be too negative (sorry Unofficial Guide fans!). I could only read so much before I found myself saying, "If you don't like the place so much, why do you keep going back?!" And I love Birnbaum's for the pictures, but it is, after all, the official guide, so you get a pretty biased presentation. To me, Passporter is the perfect balance of great info without too much negativity.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Wow!!! I have always bought Birbaum--already have 2004. However, after reading this post, I will make it a priority this week to by the Unofficial Guide.

Thanks for the great feedback on this topic. Now, I cannot wait to read the Unofficial Guide. My husband will not be too happy since he thinks I am too obssessed as it is. He cannot understand why I need to buy a new Birbaum book every year.

Gloria

 

[AKQJ10]

Having been to WDW more than 40 times, and owner of pretty much all of the guidebooks out there, I think you can say that the guidebook that is best for you may depend on how much you want to use it and what you want it to do for you. Let me explain:

Some of the books, such as the Passporter and the Unoffical Guide, are excellent, but are quite lengthy and can sometimees become unweildy. If you are looking to read something like this cover to cover, it is quite valuable before and while planning your trip. If you are looking to browse through something for some quick information while walking through the parks, the UG may not be the way to go. The Passporter book is also excellent, as it allows for quick reference, etc. This too, though, is quite long.

One book that I have not seen mentioned is Steve Barrett's Hassle-Free WDW Vacation. It is a much smaller, papaerback book that is still quite complete. It has maps, phone numbers, etc. and a great feature which is are one and two-day touring plans which are helpful to newbies and veterans alike. Plus, the size allows it to be easily carried throughout the day.

Hope that (way too long) answer helps a little!

-A

 

[goofy4tink]

I have guide books from about 9 different authors. I do like Steve Barrett's book. The ones I have yearly copies of?? UnOfficial Guide and PassPorter. I didn't buy a new PassPorter for my last minute trip in December. Man, I wish I had. I usually sit on the bed at night, in my resort room, and make notes as to what the day held for us. It was really nice to look at later on, when we got home. This time I had nothing to jog my memory. And at my age, I need all the jogging I can get!! I will be getting a new PassPorter before my trip in August. And the UG gives you a great sense of what the parks are really about and how to handle them. Great preparation for touring.

 

[DisneyJade]

I can't believe this hasn't been suggested yet, but I MAKE MY OWN BOOK!

For my last trip to WDW, I started in a coffee shop with about 7 different guidebooks stacked up in front of me. I found something unique in every single one, so I ended up buying them all.

Then, I bought a small three-ring binder.. tore out the pages i liked best from each guidebook... punched holes in them and created my very own guidebook. The best part was, I arranged the guidebook according to our itinerary for each day, so I could just take out the section i needed for that day and carry it with me.

At the end of the trip, my little black binder was the best memento of all. and it helped me remember what we did so i could write a rockin' trip report.

 

[2minny]

I may have to go buy the unofficial guide, I've always bought birnbaum's and WDW with Kid's by Kim Wiley. Happy with both. You're right who wrote Birnbaum is candy-coated, but it's easy to read and I enjoy the pics.

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

I recently purchased Fodor's WDW with Kids 2004 by Kim Wiley. I learned quite a few great tips that I didn't know before. If they have one for adults, that might be work picking up as well.

For a different point of view, you can try the Irreverant Guide to Disney. Hard-core Disney fans beware....it's definitely not sugar coated! I tend to disagree with a lot of the authors opinions, but I still enjoyed some of the tips.

 

[Cinderella37]

I own a library of guidebooks (not even to plan - to get my WDW fix when I'm not there). I agree that WDW for Couples is a great book because of its extended coverage of resorts, including concierge. Many guidebooks gloss over the rooms and resorts with little more than a description and the activities available. The Unofficial Guide is the most comprehensive (and the most entertaining) book. Birnbaum has the best photographs and kind of sums WDW up at a glance.

 

[ceejay13]

I don't think a lot of people give the Walt Disney World for Couples a second glance. I know I didn't for quite some time. But it was the extensive resort coverage that got me hooked. They have stayed at the concierge rooms at every resort. Also, many of the suites. They also give the most detailed overview with what they liked and found special about each of the resorts. Yes, it says for couples, and they do point out some romantic things to do but it is also directed at families. As a frequent guest at WDW, I don't need the day to day park planning any more, but do like to hear about resorts I haven't tried. The Unofficial Guide used to be my favorite but I have found it getting more and more negative over the years. While I appreciate honesty, I think they have gotten a little too down on Disney at times.

 

[HaleyB]

If I could only have one it would have to be the Unofficial Guide. Hands down. It lives on my bedside table until we get to go to WDW. But I like to go to my local B&N, get a cup of coffee, and read through every guide book they carry.

I will say that this board is my very favorite source of information. I have learned things here that are not in ANY guide book.

 

[Dana49]

I personally like "Walt Disney World for Couples" written by Gayle and Rick Perlmutter. The guide is rarely mentioned on these boards, but if you look at its Amazon reviews, you'll see that it's one of the best.
My runner-up guide is the PassPorter. It's the only guide that lists restaurant times.

 

[patsal]

I didn't read the whole thread, but here are my opinions! If you are new at the planning thing and you just need basic information to keep your trip planning and running smoothly than the Birnbaums guide is for you.
If you are a die hard who has been before, and still like another source to help you plan your day, the Unofficial Guide will be a big help.
If you are a die hard, very organized, have your own plan, but need suggestions for facilitating it as well as organizing it all The Passporter is for you. The deluxe edition is the best since you can move things around and keep yourself very organized.

 

[Micca]

Gotta go with the UG. We haven't needed a guide book for years, but I always purchase the updated UG just to see what's new

 

[karin037]

Can you believe that I have over 2 dozen Disney World/Universal/Orlando guides in my collection!!!