What WDW travel book do you use?

[Kiger]

I want to buy a new WDW tour book - anyone have any suggestions?

 

[piglet33]

I use the PassPorter. You can get it at any bookstore, Amazon.com or http://www.passporter.com/wdw. This is a great book. They also just came out with one for the Disney Cruise Line.

 

[renessa]

Read the passporter, and then if you are still yearning for more info pick up the unofficial guide. It has more information than the "average tourist" could ever want or need. Many libraries in my area carry this book for check-out. Ren

 

[DrKnow77]

My first guidebook was Birbaum's, which is really good. However, now I really like to enjoy reading PassPorter. PassPorter seems to have a little more information than Birbaum.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I haven't looked at the Passporter, but I can't imagine anything being more informative than the Unofficial Guide. I read it from cover to cover, and brought it with me in September. If you're going during a crowded time of year, the touring plans will be amazingly helpful. (I would actually look for a 2002 book though, since they would have touring plans that allow for use of Early Entrance, whereas the 2003 does not)

 

[ColetteN]

I have used the Unoffical Guide many times. I like the 'tell it how it is attitude'. As long as you don't let the authors opinion disuade you from something you really want to try.

I used the passporter last summer also & really liked the organizational edge it gives you.

However, since finding www.mousesavers.com & www.wdwig.com, along with these boards - I don't think I'll count on a guidebook as much any more. They are good to have once at the World, but I gathered much more useful information from the websites and people at this board.

 

[Tulip]

We always buy the Birbaum's. Esp. the one on WDW w/o kids.

 

[Colexi's Mom]

I bought the Passporter for our trip and absolutely love it. Plus being on these boards also helps with tips and things not always mentioned in the guidebooks.

 

[Matty_Disfan]

The Unofficial Guide.... hands down!

It is simply the best guide book because not only does it tell you how it actually is at the parks, but also gives you insight into how the parks work, what should be missed and where you're going to get the best value for your dollar.

The Unofficial Guide is absolutely indespensable.

 

[Kiger]

What is Passporter actually called - I checked on Amazon and the closest thing I could find was "Disney World & Orlando Theme Parks: Your Passport to Great Travel!" Is this it? I am going to look at the Unofficial Guide too and make a decision.

I totally agree that the best place to learn is from this board but I wanted to have something to let our traveling friends read to help them get as excited about Disney as we are. Does it ever feel like you're way more into all things Disney?!

 

[grinningghost]

I get them at the library and I read all of them. Whatever they have available. In the past I've bought Birnbaum, The Unofficial Guide, Rita Aero's books and WDW for Dummies. All are good, but I have never followed any of the touring plans. I make up my own plans. I mostly read them just to read about WDW, not for specific planning - that I do on the boards.

 

[Nikki W]

I think the Birnbaum's are the best becuse they are licensed to put more characters etc inside. Aren't these "official" guides?

 

[wdwphanatic]

Kiger -- Here's a link to more information about the Passporter:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...314/sr=2-3/mousesavers-20/104-8276341-1113567

Hope this helps!

I've never used this guide, but it does look pretty comprehensive and I've heard people swear by it on these boards. I've used Birnbaums' guide and Walt Disney World With Kids. I used to really like the latter book, but have found that lots of the information is not updated properly and that some of it is just plain incorrect. Generally speaking, once you visit these boards enough, you wind up knowing more than some of the guidebook authors, I think!!!

Good luck with your trip planning,
Sarah

 

[wdwphanatic]

... to the Passporter web site (I noticed the one that Piglet33 provided didn't work):

http://www.passporter.com/wdw/

Enjoy,
Sarah

 

[Bill3]

I buy the Birnbaum book at every update(year) and the same with the Unofficial Guide. Ihave on a copuple of occasions bought the Aero book. I have never used Passporter but I think I will because I haven't.If I was a first timer I would use Birnbaum, it easy to read, fairly consise, as any pertinent information and makes some suggestions. It certainly "Disney" but still the best source for an in experienced travler.

 

[goofy4tink]

I own 4 different 'Unofficial WDW's', 3 PassPorters (diff. yrs.), 2 Birnbaum's, and several others. I love PassPorter and Unofficial Guide. They pretty much cover all the bases for me. And they both go with me when I get to WDW!!

 

[piglet33]

Thank you wdwphanatic for noticing that my link didn't work. It would've worked if I didn't put a "." at the end of the link, lol. That's what happens when I reply to a post BEFORE I've had my morning coffee! Sorry for the confusion.

 

[AmyA]

Well, I own at least one copy of about all the books:

Unofficial Guide; Passporter; WDW for Couples; WDW and Orlando for Dummies; a Rita Aero book; and Birnbaums.

The only books I get a new copy of every year are Passporter and the Unofficial Guide.

The Passporter is great to have on your trip--it makes organizing very easy and is light enough to throw in your backpack to carry around the parks. Plus their maps are great and have the parade routes for each park outlined.

I LOVE the Unofficial Guide. Bob Sehlinger's writing style is very conversational, and he has just enough of the sarcastic and cynical edge that I enjoy. Besides, I can always find something new that makes me howl with laughter in each addition. I always take this book, too. I read it cover to cover each year, review my favorite parts on the plane ride down, and then leave it in my room.

 

[ColetteN]

Does it ever feel like you're way more into all things Disney?!

Kiger - Yes it does!!!

I have to restrain myself sometimes from going into too much detail about planning a trip when someone tells me they are going to Disney World.

I have had people tell me they don't have a good time at DW too. I just think "Are you nuts?" I think they just don't plan at all!!!

Colette

 

[wdwphanatic]

... I've done stuff like that before, too -- and especially before my morning coffee!!! It is a cool site, so I just wanted to make sure that everyone could find it!!!

As I said before, I've never owned a Passporter, but I'm actually considering buying one after reading all the positive posts in this thread. Do I need to buy the Unofficial Guide as well? Amazon is offering free shipping at the moment, so I'm tempted to splurge and buy both if you think they would complement each other.

Happy trip planning,
Sarah