UG VS. Passporter

[jennyh2829]

I have the UG and I used the Passporter for our cruise. Tell me the difference between the UG and the Passporter for WDW. Should I make the investment? I want to just b/c I want another book to read but I need to justify the expense.

 

[nbodyhome]

I prefer the Passporter, BUT

if you go to Amazon and buy both, you qualify for Super Saver Shipping (it ends up being like $26). So that isn't a bad deal, at full retail they are each up at close to $20.

 

[salmoneous]

Go to your local Barnes and Noble, read through both of them, and then buy the one you like best.

 

[BillyRayJimBob]

I find the Unofficial Guide to have tons more information and useful strategy points. To me, passporter is kind of the Cliff Notes version. It has some pockets in it to hold things (like tickets and maps, I suppose) but I've never felt the need to use such a thing. It also has room to write your itenerary and your reactions to the things you did, but again, I've never felt the need.

In terms of the information presented, I'd guess that the Passporter has maybe 25% of the volume of the Unofficial Guide. Having said that, there's a fair amount of information on Universial Studios and, I think, Sea World, but we've never used that part of the book. If you don't want both, its definitely worth dropping into a book store to take a look. I should think that any decent sized book store should have both.

If you're the kind of person that wants the highlights, Passporter may be what you need. If you want to sit down and immerse yourself in all things Disney, the Unofficial Guide is the way to go.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have both, and usually get a new UnOfficial Guide every other year or so. I like to get a PassPorter for each trip. Yes, it's excessive but I love the 'diary' aspect of those back pages.
I'm cruising for the first time in August. But we are staying at BWV for 6 days before the cruise, then spending a few days in Cocoa Beach before the cruise. Then the cruise and then off to Tampa for a few days...making two weeks total. I've added some unused pages, and renumbered them, to my cruise PassPorter. This way, I can document each and every day of our vacation. Then, we like to go back and reread what we had to say in future years. But, that's just my preferance.

 

[write2caro]

For our last trip I bought both, because I just couldn't get enough reading in - too excited! I found I used UG for EVERYTHING except maps that I used from Passporter. I pulled out the maps and had them with me, but just don't get the need for all those pockets. Although, I know some people swear by those pockets!

I'd second the idea of going to a local bookstore and flipping through it before you buy it.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have both, but really prefer my Passporter. I think it partly depends on how your tour and how experienced you are at doing WDW.

UG is a little too much for me, kinda overwhelming and a little too rigid, commando style for the way we like to tour. It does have alot of helpful info, but if you don't necessarily want to be at the parks the second they open, it sort of throws off UG plans.

I actually get the most help planning from here at the DIS and past experience and I use the Passporter to supplement that, plus I love their maps and easy to read foremat.

The suggestion to go to Barnes and Noble and glance thru them both is probably your best bet.

 

[NancyIL]

I think the Passporter's Disney Cruise book is great - because it's all info. I like the Unofficial Guide to WDW for the same reason. I DON'T need books with built-in pockets to keep things, and I don't care for the fill-in-the-blank pages. I still have my 2000 Passporter for WDW, but gave more recent editions to people who like a more "interactive" guidebook.