"Unofficial Guide" Vs "Passporter" VS "Birnbaums"???

[moopdog]

The 2005 version of each of these is on Amazon for under $16.00 each. Which is the best? I would be willing to get two if they are not too repeating of info. Thanks!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Most find Birmbaum's to be too pro-Disney, sugar coating a lot of things.
Many like the Unofficial Guide, but some find it too negative.

I personally think that the Passporter is a good balance between the two, giving realistic reviews and a lot of well-organized information at your fingertips.

-Joe

 

[ALDISNEYFAN]

I personally like the "Unofficial Guide". Due to the fact that it is not supported by the Disney company, you will get inside tips from the author about the parks you might not get otherwise. Let me also suggest Deb Wills site www.ALLEARSNET.com as an information sorce. Her pictures and details are unmatched and it is free.

 

[PrinceJohn]

ever tried wdwinfo.com? I hear it's also pretty cool...

 

[Tamickey]

I have always liked the "Unofficial Guide" for its bluntness. It fairly describes things for better or worse. I didn't always agree with it's ratings after I experienced whatever it was for myself, but it gave me a good starting place.
Birnbaums is fun when you just want the Disney take on stuff. I like the pictures and its fun as a pre trip read to put you in the mood for trip planning.
I bought my first Passporter last year for our WDW trip. I enjoyed it and will probably buy it again. Our trip was kind of a wash out due to non Disney circumstances (bad traveling companions & very hottttt weather....), otherwise I think I would have used the guide more. I like how you can record things as you go, like a workbook. Oh and the fold out maps are great!
If I had to pick, I'd probably go with Unofficial guide for objective reviews. For an overall trip planner aide, I'd probably get the Passporter.

 

[Stitch Inside]

We'll have all three when we receive our new Passporter.
This is the first year that we've gotten the UG so I haven't had time to form an opinion. I did look over at the restaurant reviews, and the guy does seem a little harshly critical.
Passporter is our favorite, we've gotten others before (can't remember their titles, that should tell you about them).
Birnbaums is a tradition. It's good for it's pictures and basic info. It's very easy to read. I would definitely recommend it for first-timers.

 

[ribbot]

If you go to Overstock.com and type in Passporter-----can someone tell me the difference between the one that is like $13 and cents and the one that is $14 and cents???

I've never bought a passporter before and not sure what to buy. What is the cost of just the passporter vs the passporter in one of those binders??

Is the passporter an actual book or just leaflets that go in that binder??

Thanks for your help.

 

[NCombs]

I get both. The Passporter has great maps and places to record your information. I also like the attraction reviews. The UG has a lot more detail-crowd estimates by day, recommended websites, all sorts of tips. I think it's worth $30 to get both.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

I've gotten them all. The one I use the most is Passporter... I like the format and it's just easy for me to find the info I need. Plus I agree with NCombs... the maps are great!

 

[ducklite]

I don't like the Unofficial Guide, I find that I seldom agree with the dining reports, and some of the information seems hopelessly outdated. And the touring plans, get real! We tried them a couple times and always abandoned them after about an hour or two--either we had fallen totally behind, or they had us running like loons from one end of the park to the other.

The Birnbaums Book is too sugary as others put it, although the Birnbaums KIDS book is great for elementary kids making their first trip.

The Passporter book is IMHO the best of the lot, with the downloads you can access from teh site it's constantly up-to-date, the information seems to be the most practical and useful, and least biased. Plus thsoe passpockets are the best!

My biggest complaint about that book is that it seems generally geared towards the budget conscious, and doesn't do more than barely mention suites at the resorts, the spas, the Grand One, golf, V&A's Chef's Table, and some of the other "splurge" offerings.

Anne

 

[fljelad]

I have all three.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I've been visiting WDW since 1971, until a few years ago I had never purchased a Guide book, I now look forward to each new issue of PassPorter. I purchased the deluxe set several years ago and now just purchase the refill kit each year from www.passporter.com

I went to my local library and checked all the guide books out...the only one that had information I didn't know was PassPorter.

 

[Kae]

If you go to Overstock.com and type in Passporter-----can someone tell me the difference between the one that is like $13 and cents and the one that is $14 and cents???

I've never bought a passporter before and not sure what to buy. What is the cost of just the passporter vs the passporter in one of those binders??

Is the passporter an actual book or just leaflets that go in that binder??

Thanks for your help.

Just make sure you get the new one that just came out, and not last years. Passporter is great for planning. I also enjoy WDW for couples. It is very detailed about the resorts. Have you checked your local Libary? You maybe able to check them out before you buy.

Kae

Kae

 

[diathoney]

BirnBaum's has really nice color pictures. I liked it for my kids when they were little so they could see where we were going. Now that they are older I have the Passporter and the UG. I like and use both. I buy the Passporters when they sell the previous year for shipping only (I have a 2002 and a 2003 spiral bound editions). I bought my UG a few years ago. I like the blunt reviews. The UG is a lot of reading! I like the touring plans. I use a modified version almost every time we go. I am amazed at the number of attractions we are able to do even during peak crowds.

The things I like about the Passporter are:
1) Pockets in the back. I use one pocket per trip since we go the WDW frequently. I keep my itenerary printouts with PS#, etc in it. When I get back I write the highlights on the pocket.
2) I can tear out all the pages I don't use. There is a lot of information that I jsut don't need (small kids, getting to WDW, outside the world). I tear out those pages so I have only the pages I use - hotels, meals, parks.
3) I like the rubber band that holds it all closed!

 

[HillPete]

1. I have taken Birnbaum's out of the library for my kids to look at the pix. I wouldn't spend my $$ on that one, though. Too much 'company line' rhetoric for me.

2. I have the UG on my nightstand. I like to read the sarcastic reviews before I go to sleep. It has a TON of info in it, but even the newest edition is already out of date.

3. The Passporter is the best field guide anyone could ask for. The maps are better than the official ones - much easier to read. I keep it on my desk so when I read about a great room location or a tip for watching parades, I can just jot it down in the Passporter and have the info at my fingertips while I'm in the parks. I felt a little guilty making notes in my UG, but once I got my Passporter, I realized that it is designed to be written in. It wants my notes on its' pages!

Good luck deciding. Let us know is you cave in and buy all three!
--H

 

[LBAK]

Passprter gets my vote. I everything about it.

 

[Sammie]

Most find Birmbaum's to be too pro-Disney, sugar coating a lot of things.
Many like the Unofficial Guide, but some find it too negative.

I personally think that the Passporter is a good balance between the two, giving realistic reviews and a lot of well-organized information at your fingertips.

-Joe

Have to agree with Joe. One's too sweet, one's too bitter, and one's just right.

However if you have never been to WDW, the Birnbaum is the best. No one comes close to thier photos and detailed descriptions.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

PASSPORTER! I'd never go to WDW without the latest version.

 

[MinnieMe67]

We also have all three. If I had to choose, I would get the Passporter for sure! Love the pics and layout of Birnbaum's, love the amount of information and reader quotes in the Unofficial Guide, love everything about the Passporter! Good luck deciding!

 

[goofy4tink]

If I could only get one, it would be PassPorter. I love the whole format. I always get the deluxe binder one since it can hold all my stuff without stretching out the binding!!! If I want I can rearrange the pages to suit my plans...all the relevant stuff up front, less important in the back. I use the day by day pages in the back just like a travel diary. It's wonderful to go back years later and read about that particular trip.

I do get the UG also though. Yes, it's negative but it does give you a good overview of what's what. I have never used the touring plans.

As far as Birnbaums goes...I bought just one...first trip. It's just too pro-Disney. Now, no one loves Disney more than I do, but let's face it...all is not perfect in the World!! So, what I do is get the Birnbaum's for Kids each trip for my dd. She loves having her own guide.

So, each trip I get PassPorter, UG and the Birnbaums for Kids. Now, do I think I really need it after going so often? Nope, but they sure do give me a nice Disney fix when I need it!!