what books do you recommend for planning?

[DISNEYDREAMS]

We are going in August and I wanted to pick up a couple of books to take with us for planning purposes. Which books do you all think are a must have and which ones should I avoid? Thanks for your help!!!!

 

[becka]

I like the Passporter guide, Birnbaums Official Guide, the Unofficial Guide and WDW for Couples. They all have something unique about them but if you don't want to invest a small fortune in WDW books like I have then I would go with the Passporter and/or the Unofficial Guide.

 

[mrslur]

I also have the Passporter, the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's guide for couples. There is something different in each. I also subscribed to TGM for the first time last week and got some great help there.

 

[weluvpluto]

The Unofficial Guide is a must!
Here is their website : http://www.touringplans.com

 

[WaltD4Me]

I bought all the planning books and found I liked my Passporter the best. I love the spiral binding, how it is layed out and the fold out maps and pockets in the back. Out of all the planning books I bought, I used and referred to my Passporter the most.

I think once you've been on these boards a little while you are probably past the Birnbaums, it has nice pictures, but the info is limited and more general.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Passporter- Has the best maps. I love them. I also love the info and keep all of my info for the trip in the pockets.
Unofficial Guide - very helpful and has some good information. Although his touring plans are not how we like to tour the park. But like I said Great information.
Birnbaums- I think this book is a must for all who have never gone to WDW or have not been in years. To me it is kind of a beginners guide. I always suggest this to people who have never gone before. It breaks everything down very simply so you don't get overwhelmed.
Tourguidemike.com- Love this site- signed up for it last year and have found lots of good advice. Has been very helpful- I use all of his touring advice and like the fact that I don't have to wait in those long lines anymore.
The Disboards- Wonderful info on here and so many helpful people. I have learned about great ways to save money on my trip as well as hundreds of other great pieces of advice.


I know I'm an overplanner but ...... I really do use all of these to have a successful and happy vacation at WDW.

 

[tbelfonti]

Definitely the passporter

 

[jasper]

A vote for www.tourguidemike.com. Better than a book and more up to date. My DD8 loves her WDW for Kids by Birnbaums but the adult version is pretty basic.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

We are going in August and I wanted to pick up a couple of books to take with us for planning purposes. Which books do you all think are a must have and which ones should I avoid? Thanks for your help!!!!

If I were to choose a book it would be the "unofficial guide" It is pretty thorough and straight forward

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Definitely the passporter

which is the passporter? I don't believe I have seen that one

 

[*Sooner Girl*]

We are going in August as well and my mom and I each bought a "Unofficial Guide" at Sam's for only $12 or $13 bucks. I also bought the "hidden Mickey's" book off amazon for some light reading this summer. So far I like the UG...they are very honest about things. They tell you how it is, beware, its over 700 pages! LOL

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I love the Unofficial Guide!

 

[eeyore45]

I LOVE the Unofficial Guide, I use a highlighter when I go through that!! Its the best resource for me!

I bought a Passporter and I think that is great for storing, and using...

 

[beth_cam]

I just got unofficial guide and the passporter from amazon. Unofficial was about 12 it totalled over 25 so shipping was free. Plus they are having a deal if you sign up for their credit card you get $30 off your first order. it is also a reg visa 1% back, 3% back on amazon purchasses. I actually used this deal when I bought Birnbaums last month. I didnt like that book as much. It was a bit informative but I already knew most of what was in it. Had already picked out my hotel and it wasnt updated for myw, dining plan etc. didnt help much but I still have enjoyed reading it. The passporter looks great because it is a kind of binder where it isnt just the reading info but places for you to write down you own info, pockets, multiple fold out maps.

 

[Rootskate]

I love the Unofficial Guide to WDW!

 

[weregoingtodw]

This year I got the 2005 Passporter Deluxe, 2005 Unofficial Guide & the Birnbaum's WDW for Kids, By Kids for my 9yo DD.

Since all three have very different purposes/functions, I can't say which I like better per se. However, I will say that the Unofficial Guide has really become my sidepiece - it's the one that gets carried up & down stairs every day to read at night, reference during the day, etc. The Passporter is more a catch-all for my notes, coupons, vouchers, etc. Funny enough, I'm using the Unofficial Guide's Free Trip Planner to write out my daily plans, and then I'll print them & put them into the Passporter. The Passporter has room to write stuff in, I just find it easier & neater to keep it all on the computer.

My DD really has enjoyed the Birnbaum book as well. I glanced through it; really seemed like more of a promotional item to me than something that would actually be useful for an adult for trip-planning purposes, but it has given her an opportunity to list out which rides she's interested in, so it's worth it for that alone.

 

[webprinter]

My Favorite is the Unofficial Guide to WDW. I also purchased the Passporter this year which I think is a good one, but haven't had a chance to really use it yet. It looks like it would be great to go along with the Unofficial Guide. I purchased Birnbaums, but don't like it as well as the other two. Debby

 

[danny1649]

Would be my first choice but we always take PassPorter with us ,both are great in my opinion.