Unoffical Book.

[mommyofchloe]

We decided to go to Disney. I now realize that we have major plans to make. We are going in Dec. for only three or four days. Should I get that book, I think it is called the unoffical book to Disney?

Mariah

 

[BevS97]

You could buy the Unofficial Guide, but to be honest, you will find out more info on these boards and on http://www.allearsnet.com/ - between the 2 sites I don't think you need the book (and to be honest I really don't like it, I think it has a very negative tone to it)

 

[Franne]

I love this book! I think it's a must have. In fact I buy a new one every time we go. I just got the 2005 one from Amazon, they have it for 13 dollars and change. The total with shipping was $16, definately worth it.

I love these boards too but sometimes I don't feel like sitting in front of the computer reading much rather take the book outside. Also, it's easier to look up a specific question you may have.
Franne

 

[all4fun]

My dh and I studied the Unofficial Guide for our first trip several years ago like it was the bible! Like Bev said it can have a bit of a negative tone, I think the author just likes to be a little too realistic sometimes. It was very useful however in helping us decide what was important to us to spend our time at the world doing. I really think it helped us to cut out the things we wouldn't have enjoyed as much so we got more out of our vacation by using the information we gleaned from it. Another great book for planning is The Passporter by Watson and Marx. An accurate descripton from their site: "A PassPorter is a travel guide, a planner, an organizer, a journal, and a keepsake book, all in one neat, take-it-anywhere package."

Like Bev said, you can get a lot of info from the Allearsnet site as well as the Dis. It all depends on what form you want the info to come in and if you want to have something portable or don't mind printing things out and taking some notes if you're just using your pc. Also, the books also have itineraries that you may find useful. I really like the Passporter itineraries. They are extremely useful during the busier seasons so if you're going when the crowds are heavier you may find that useful as well.

HTH!
Cheryl

 

[mommyofchloe]

Is Dec. 18-21 a busy season. I know that the 18 and 19 are value season. We were hoping for short lines and nice weather. Mariah

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

You do get wonderful information on both these boards and also the Unofficial guide. I would recommend buying the book because you can go back and refer to the information any time you have a question or want to check on something. Sometimes you have a question you need answered immediately but you can't find it on the boards...the book comes in handy. Also they have great touring plans to help you make the most of your time.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by mommyofchloe
Is Dec. 18-21 a busy season. I know that the 18 and 19 are value season. We were hoping for short lines and nice weather. Mariah

We went a few years ago (now 3 year old DD was 9 months at the time) Dec 13 to 20. It was great. Good weather, low crowds, beatiful decorations. One of the best times of year to go. I heard it doesn't normally get crowded until the 22 or so, but everday day getting closer will probually get a little more busy. We stayed at Poly and it was great.

I agree that the unoffical guide is good info, but missing the magic. A bit to negitive for my taste. As your 1st book and trip to wdw it can take some of the magic and thrill out of it. Be sure to get a vacation planing dvd or video from the Walt Disney World website.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Another vote for the UOG!!!

We followed their itineraries to the letter, and never waited more than 10 minutes to ride anything.

I can't imagine going without it---

 

[mommyofchloe]

Well since I got mixed votes for the book, I think I will go to Barnes and Noble and flip through it there. Then maybe I will see if it is worth the purchase. We are so exicted that I don't want anything to put me in a mad mood.

Thanks. I'll be back with more questions.

Mariah

 

[Rapunsel]

I picked up the book from our local library and realized that I really liked it and then I went and purchased the current year..

Just an Idea..

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

I love the Unofficial Guide.

If you don't like the Unofficial Guide, get a different guidebook. I think planning is essential. WDW is huge. If you know what to expect, you will enjoy your trip a whole lot more.

Have fun!

 

[Disney Fool]

I am fast approaching my 40th (gasp!) trip to Disney. I am in total agreement with Bev. The Unofficial guidebook has a decidedly cynical tone to it, and it is negative in my opinion. For a great trip to Disney, who needs negativity? I prefer other sources for my information. And, I have found that the information in that particular guidebook is sometimes downright wrong. Many people on this forum love the book; I don't.

 

[HillPete]

I would get it out of the library first and then decide if you want to buy it. The UG is absolutley loaded with info. There isn't a question that you could pose that the UG can't answer. That said, it can be a little daunting. Some folks find the tone to be negative, others think it's merely realistic. Be sure to check out the sections on the baby swap and the chuck bubba relay. Very important info if you have a little one with you.

Now, the Passporter is also an excellent book. It is not available in any library I have seen, but most bookstores carry it. The newer ones (2004-2005) have, by far, the best maps of the parks. They might even be better than the ones you get from Disney! They aren't so cluttered with advertisments, etc. and they include approximate walking times within the parks. Very handy!

I use the UG at home for info and a Disney fix and I take the Passporter into The World for quick and easy reference. I also write any cool tidbits of info I find on these boards in the margins of my Passporter. I keep it at my desk right next to my computer.

Have a great trip! --H

 

[MECH8T7]

We're planning a trip for next March and I've used all the sources mentioned: UOG, Passporter, Allearsnet, DISboard.

I think they are each very useful for different reasons.

If you're starting from square one, as we are, the UOG and Passporter are excellent sources to give you any idea of what types of things you will want to consider and need to plan. They are both efficient ways to get a lot of general info during a short period of time. The UOG has more of an editorial / review flavour to it and the Passporter reads more like an official Disney guide. I know that many people find the UOG too negative and the UOG authors address this in the first few pages of the book. If you are there for a limited period of time, I think that the touring plans in the UOG are an indispensible resource to use, at the very least, as a guide for preparing your own touring plan.

I went and ordered these two books from Amazon (based on the reader reviews) without having flipped through them and I am glad I did. (The cost is small in comparison to the cost of the trip and I didn't want to kill an hour or so at the bookstore reading through them, assuming they even had them in stock)

Allearsnet gives more detailed info on a number of topics and has many testimonials, particularly on accomodations and events. Of course, you will find those in abundance on these boards, but I found that this type of information is easier to find and more conveniently organized on the Allearsnet website.

I found that, once I had a good idea of what our visit might look like, I spent a lot of time "fine-tuning" or "testing" our decision- making by reading relevant discussion threads on DISboards.

 

[long4disney]

We think the Passporter is the best guide to Disney World and also the Disney Cruise. I don't know what we would do without it. I love the fact that they sell a small travel binder with the metal rings so you can customize your book and put only the pages in you want. When we got our first Passporter I sat for hours reading through it and it just puts you in the best mood!!! The info is very valuable and the GREATEST thing about it are those yellow pocket inserts that you can customize for your trip and each day of your trip has its own pocket. The first couple of yellow pockets are dedicated to your airline information and resort information, car rental etc... It is so convienent to write down your reservation numbers on the pockets with the times and I put my plane tickets in the airline pocket, and my Disney confirmation letter in the Resort pocket, and my park hopper tickets for each day in each envelope for the trip. My Dh said it is the most organized we have ever been, and the best thing is you are not searching around in your purse or carry on bag for all the important information. There is also slots on the inside to hold your driver's license, credit cards etc. I would go onto the passporter.com website and check out the binder. You will always have it, and as they make updates to the book you can download the update pages from their web site to add to your book, or just simply order refillable pages for the year you want. I have also ordered a bunch of those yellow pockets for us to use for all our other vacations too. Once you use them you won't want to be without them!


Any other questions about the passporter let us know!

 

[princessmurdough]

Hey Long4Disney-
I'd pm you, but you have it diabled, but we're from StC too, and also planning a trip this December. I just got my Passporter and UOG - we should chat more!

Has anyone tried the itineraries during Christmas week? If so, how have your experiences been...how well do they work when crowds are above the "crazy" level?

 

[long4disney]

princessmurdough,

What a small world, we live in St. Charles and I see you live in Geneva, IL!!! We are going to WDW in December from the 12th-19th. We are taking our ds out of school for that week. We didn't want to fight the crowds during the two weeks of Christmas break. We also have a 2 year old so it will be a lot easier to be there when the crowds are much, much smaller!!! It looks like you will be there during Christmas Break? I definately would plan as much as you can. Make sure you call Disney Dining this week or next to reserve your priority seatings for meals and shows. I have to call this week to do that! How do you like the passporter? That is my favorite guide book. Did you get the one like I have that the pages are 3 hole punched and removable? Once you use those yellow pockets for planning and holding all your documents and tickets, you will love it as much as we do!!!

Also did you get your tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, or will you be arriving at WDW after it ends? I think the last night for it in December 17th.

Let me know if you have any other questions. We have been to Disney every year for the last 15 years!!! Usually we go in October for MNSSHP or December for MVMCP. Can't wait to go in 3 months to see all those beautiful Holiday decorations!!!

 

[princessmurdough]

Our PS date is the 28th, so I'll be burning up the phone lines then for CRT(I can dream) Princess Bkfst and Fantasmic dinner. Any ideas for evening of arrival? We would have loved to do Cirque, but it's dark Sun/Mon so that's out. Not sure if we should burn up a day on our passes to see Fantasmic or Illum. that night, or if there's something else we shouldn't miss. We'll have 4 kids with us, so it's a little skitchy on how they'll hold up after a day of traveling. Have you ever been C-mas week? We're a little scared about it. Not sure how those lines will be for EE, and sadly, we won't be there during a MK EE day So we'll have to hope for pixie dust there for Dumbo and Pooh and Philharmagic. It'll be the first trip for our then 13mos. ds and the 2 and 3 yr old nieces. I'll take any holiday tips you have! Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Mainebound]

I love the UG. It has a huge chapter JUST on children, with listings of character meals (including ration of guests to number of characters for each), scariness of rides, etc etc etc. Has listings of sitting services and also of child care clubs. We are planning our 3rd trip with our young sons for March and I just bought my 3rd UG! It also has touring plans focused on children for each park.

Yes, much of the info is here on the DIS or allearsnet (althouhg not all of it), but it's a pain to find it each time you want a quick question answered. And we don't bring our laptop to WDW.

 

[long4disney]

princessmurdough,

Good Luck with the phone lines trying to get P.S. for CRT. We were lucky to be able to go on our last two trips to WDW. I always try calling about 5-10 minutes before the phone lines open, and while you are listening to the automated information, sometimes you can time it just right and are one of the first ones to get answered. If for some reason you can't get in, like we did one year, why not book a dinner at the castle just to experience the inside of the castle. I know that there isn't any characters there, but sometimes the Fairy Godmother or Cinderella are down stairs! The Prime Rib is excellent for dinner!!!

Also, I know that we wouldn't waste a ticket to just go to a park for the evening when we get in. What we usually do is go to Downtown Disney and go through all the shops and eat dinner there. My kids like the Rainforest Cafe. Also it will be decorated like crazy down there, and my kids have always seen the most amazing Santa Claus in Dowtown Disney!!! He acts and LOOKS like the real Santa. We always purchase a photo package, and I put the kids in Disney Christmas Sweatshirts or Mickey Santa Hats. It makes a great photo!!!

I'm not sure if they still have the portable outdoor ice rink in Downtown Disney, by Disney Quest anymore. We were there a few years ago in December and they had skate rental too. My son thought it was so cool to ice skate in warmer weather!!!

We have never been to WDW the week of Christmas, so I can't give you any info on how crowded it will be. I know that I have some friends who have gone, and yes, it is one of the busiest weeks in Disney so just be prepared to wait in long lines. Take advantage of the Fast Pass. That always helps a lot!!!