Unofficial Guide? Tour Guide Mike? Passporter?

[Tissa]

Love the Unofficial Guide! I liked the maps in the Passporter but wouldn't purchase it again.

I recently joined Tour Guide Mike due to so many positive recommendations on the DIS. I feel like I need to take a blood pressure pill every time I enter that site. Its like searching for a needle in a haystack to find the great tips (my opinion). I spent a lot of time setting up my e-mail reminders for my PS and when I went back the next day they were all gone. And as for it being constantly updated, I still read things on there about Alien Encounter, the silver plan, etc. I'll continue to use it till my trip but its doubtful I'd do it again.

I also signed up for TourGuide Mike after reading about it here and I have to say that I think the site is great. I have never had a problem finding the info I needed and to say it's not updated I never read about Alien Encounter or the silver plan and he also puts out the new changes with EMH as soon as they come out. Can you say that about a book that was printed last year? I don't work for TGM and I pay just like everyone else and I'm not trying to tell anyone what's best for them. People should make their own decisions based on truthful facts.

 

[caribbound]

Thank you for your honest opinion - I appreciate it!

I'm definitely getting the Unofficial Guide - now trying to decide whether I need a Passporter in addition to that (I have current park maps), or should I get the Birnbaum for Kids Disney book? Or all 3? LOL

Our last trip 4 yrs ago I read just about every guide book there was (except Frommers, he bores me) cover to cover! I got them all from the library, but ended up purchasing the Unofficial Guide AND Passporter (which wasn't in the library). I didn't think the Passporter gave that much great new info, but I did use their message boards quite a bit. I'll warn you they aren't as organized/segmented as DIS, but friendly ppl and useful nonetheless.

My main reason for posting is, I had my sister give my oldest, then 8, the Birnbaun's guide for Kids. He really loved it and while I had to remind him to fill in the blanks of favorite rides or happenings or food, he really did appreciate it and the pictures are awesome for them. It was his first trip though.

I've been debating TGM vs Unofficial Guide for this upcoming trip in Jan. Unfortunately I've lost the libraries edition of UG so don't feel I should spend more $ to get TGM since eventually, after I pay for it, it'll show up, lol! I mostly just want someone to tell me which park to go to on which day or if there's any tips for when to go to character or regular meals. The rest I can get from UG.

Cheeers to planning time!!

 

[Tasmen]

I have to admit that I have all three. They each seem to have their own merits. I'm using the passporter as an organizer to keep all my information in. I like the Unofficial guide for those times I am away from the computer and need to quickly find some information. I found TGM great because it gives me an online resource to plot out my plans. Of course, take all this with a grain of salt as I am a super planner with a tendency to have no willpower when it comes to purchasing things

 

[Fafolguy]

I love the UG. I read it at night before going to sleep
I checked out passporter and the Birbaum guide and didn't really feel like they covered any new ground that UG didn't address. As far as keeping up with stuff, I'll have a folder with all the paperwork that will be left at the hotel. My daily touring plans will fit perfectly in my pockets. Cargo shorts are the best invention for going to theme parks EVER!

 

[SteveN73]

I have used them all and they are all good in their own way. However, I personally feel that the DIS is every bit as good, if not better, for planning a WDW trip. The books are nice to have, but with us answering your questions as fast as you can ask - you really don't need any of them.

I agree completely just as this ranking of WDW sites shows:
http://www.thedisneyportal.com/tdp/show.asp?DisneySites=WDW

Disboards is #1!

-Steve

 

[writersblock42]

search online you should easily found used copies of UG even the 2007 one.

 

[resol37]

I don't have any experience with TGM, but I prefer the UG over PassPorter. UG discusses broader subjects and with more details than PassPorter from what I can tell (I've used a couple editions of UG in the past and have only used 2006's edition of PassPorter).

However, the PassPorter pockets are great. The PassPorter has pages for each day of your trip that you can write info into. These pages also include pockets for you to put receipts, unused FASTPASSES, etc. in to keep as souveneirs.

I'd reccomend UG as a great guidebook and planner, but if you want to get PassPorter, too, it's worth it.

 

[Mo-Yo]

I am an Unofficial guide fan. I also subscribed to TGM, and it is okay. I got some good info there, too.

One big difference is that the UG is fun to read...and funny. The authors have unique perspective and a less-reverential relationship with Disney. I like it. They are not afraid to poke fun and to make jokes....and it is FULL of information.

TGM takes more of an even-toned 'tour guide' approach, and honestly, the fact that (through the miracle of technology) he constantly calls me by name...well, it kinda creeps me out. Regardless though, the info. is good.

I guess I agree with the other poster who said to get both. It can't hurt.

 

[Bangerang]

I use the UG and Passporter. We've found the restaurant reviews in the UG very helpful in the past. I use the Passporter to organize our trip info before, during and after our trip. I bought the binder version vs. the bound book because I like to remove & carry only the pages for park we visit each day. You can use book rings to hold it together if you don't want to buy the binder. Also, if you are only using the Passporter for organization and don't need the latest updated version, buy a previous edition. Once a new edition is released, previous years are sold for next to nothing. If your group is planning on splitting up, you can buy extra organizer pockets so each party can keep track of ADRs, and other group activities.

 

[tpeters80]

We have bought both. We kept looking and looking at the Passport one and would not buy it. We then bought it about a month ago and really like because I'm not orginzered at all. Which this give's you place to write down everything prority seating number or anyother conferation number you might have.
We bought the Birnbuim(?) kids book for my son and two of my friend kids. They make great birthday gift, we put 10 Disney Dollars in them with a camera we got at walmart for $5.00.

 

[kaelarad]

I use the UG for planning and the passporter for the organization. I have the binder passporter. I also use the UG free trip planner at touringplans dot com. it is very detailed and I keep all the info in it, print the medium sized print out because it fits in my passporter and the smaller pocket version for taking to the parks. TGM was confusing and outdated the one time I used it.