Unofficial Guide or Passporters?

[kelma]

I'm about to purchase one of these books and would love any insight anyone has. Our trip will be for about a week and will be my dh, dd7, ds5 and me.

Thanks so much for any help

Kelma

 

[mking624]

I have no opinion on UG since I've never looked through it, but we recently received a Passporter and while there have been a few minor contradictions/goofs in it, we REALLY like it.

 

[Mousema]

I really like Unofficial Guide. It's how I found the Dis! The new 2007 version is being released August 21.

 

[bsmcneil]

the UOG is amazing with details (500+ pages). the PassPorter is amazing in its planning style. so, i say buy Passporter and check the bookstore/look at the UOG if there are remaining questions (but that's because i've been a lot and like to plan). if you haven't been before and just want info - go with UOG.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

UOG is the book that started me on the road to being "Disney savvy". I recommend it, especially if you are a newbie. Passporter is also a fine resource, but I find myself perusing it at the bookstore w/o wanting to buy it

 

[Haveamagicalday!]

I'm about to purchase one of these books and would love any insight anyone has. Our trip will be for about a week and will be my dh, dd7, ds5 and me.

Thanks so much for any help

Kelma

Unofficial Guide is AMAZING! I highly reccomend it! It gives the best honest tips and doesn't beat around the bush. It is entertaining too! I swear I've read it 25 times! lol

 

[ShelbyR]

I think the Unofficial Guide has more information, but the Passporter has great maps (handier, to me, than Disney's because they label each attraction by name instead of Disney's look-up-the-number system. They also have estimated walking times.). I bought several old Passporters when the new ones came out--read them, enjoyed them, and then cannibalised them for the maps!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Unofficial Guide. Hands Down. After that, I'd get Disney's book (Birnbaum's). With those two things and the DIS, you don't need more!

 

[Hugpug]

Passporter by all means. It is very informative. Well layout. Great maps. Pockets for each day to record info. I have the delux one so I can take the pages out and put them back at end of day, that way you don't have to carry the book all over with you. Good source of information to other web sits as well. If you want to renew you get a discount on line for the next issue.

 

[gems_smiling]

We really like the UOG. Cant wait to get the 2007 version.

 

[Pixiedust34]

If possible, buy both! Use the UG as a reference, and use the Passporter to organize your trip. Each book has great information!

If I had to pick 1 to buy, I'd pick the Passporter because I like the way you can organize your information in the book. And, I'd get the UG from the library to read. There is some valuable information in there that you can't find in the Passporter.

 

[lovethattink]

Ug is the best, and updates are available online!

 

[BrerMama]

To me, the books do two different things. UOG gives you a touring plan and helps you plan your days.

Passporter helps you organize the details of your trip, make lodging decisions (they have the most detailed information about each resort, IMO), and when you're on a trip, provides a method of remembering all the details. I have all my old Passporters and love looking at them.

If you want to use UOG, then buy it, but consider a Passporter as well. I'm a huge Passporter fan, though.

 

[dmslush]

I love both of them.. I use them both and subscribe to Touring Plans

If I couldn't get both books, with the help of these boards being available, I'd probably get the passporter and subscribe to touring guides ($6.95 per year).

 

[DeterminedOne]

Another vote to buy both if you can swing it. They are two totally different guides, IMO. The UG is an informational guide. For example, rides and restaurants are rated. Passporter is an organizational guide, more for keeping track of itineraries, ADR's, receipts, stuff like that. I have both and that is how I use them.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I have all the books!!!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Just have to add, you may want to try TourGuideMike. It is all online and has some great specifics becquse you put your trip dates in. A little hard to navigate but full of info. I subscribed for out upcoming trip and feel like I really got a lot out of it. He also has a money-back guarantee so if you are not satisfied, you can ask for a refund.
BTW, I also got the UG and Passporter! Good luck!

 

[kelma]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I'm going to check out Tour Guide Mike and I may just get both books - as much as this trip is costing- what's a few more dollars to make sure it turns out great

Thanks again!
kelma

 

[mickeyluv'r]

While it does help to have two sources of info, since there are so many flawed sources of WDW info out there. The DIS could easily be one of them. I odn't think you really need two books plus Tour Guide Mike to plan well. If you want them for the fun of anticipating your trip, then yeah, all three are great, but the DIS plus one will probably be plenty, IMHO.

Of the two books, I'm very impressed with my Passporter (Special needs version) It is very well organized, I like the way they decribe things, and I think the info is very useful. It has lots of tables and stuff to make it easy to find info. and answer specific questions!

 

[winterman]

I would absolutely recommend the Unofficial Guide, especially if this is your first trip. It gives you Info on everything you can think of - hotels, restaurants descriptions of rides and shows (will help you figure out what is appropriate for the members of your party). I buy a new one every 3-5 years and read them cover to cover.