Which guide book to purchase?

[OBother]

I have both the 2003 Passporter and 2003 Unofficial Guide for my trip in 9 days. Both provide a wealth of information, but the Unofficial Guide is not as up to date as the Passporter. For example, the Unofficial Guide still assumes that Early Entry for resort guests has been discontinued while it was reinstated last fall.

The Passporter also includes the ability to keep track of your itinerary, your PS confirmation numbers, and a method to keep receipts, postcards, tickets, etc. all together in the book.

If I had to choose between the two, I would definitely opt for the Passporter.

 

[DemoBri1]

I like both the Unofficial Guide and Passporter as well. The one with the most up-to-date info is going to be Passporter, since it just pubbed a little more than a month ago.

If you have kids the Passporter will be a good book to have as the author's child gives her ratings on alot of the rides and attractions from 8-9 yo point of view.

Unofficial Guide has a great deal of quotes from people who have sent back the survey in the back of the book. And yes they actually do publish your thoughts. I have two or three in there from my survey response.

I don't think you'll lose with either one. If you really want the Disney corporate view go with Birnbaum. I'm not saying it is a bad guide, but sometimes it gives me the impression of being a Marketing piece for WDW and not a true guide.

Brian

 

[kcarp]

DemoBri1 that was well said. doombuggy, your right, you was stating the error in the book and I took it as a dated book. I stand corrected. I still say there really is not a bad book, just everyone have different taste. I think it's funny when you read reviews on this site, and see so many different taste and culture. That's what makes this site so great.

 

[lentesta]

OBother,

Updates to the Unofficial Guide's touring plans for Early Entry can be found here: www.touringplans.com/tp_update.html . We plan to post updates to the Unofficial Guide on the website in the very near future. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[jpmom97]

When do the 2004 books come out? We are gong in Feb of next year will the new books be out in the fall or should I just buy a 2003 book?

 

[lentesta]

Hi JPMom97,

The 2004 edition should be out sometime in late September / early October. Lots of new detailed information on off-site hotels, revised touring plans, and more.

Sincerely,

Len

 

[jpmom97]

Thank you! I will look for it then. Thanks again!

 

[disney4me4ever]

For your Passporter fans, what is the difference between the spiral editions and the "Deluxe". Is it worth the extra money for the Deluxe? Is the deluxe bulky to carry around?

Thanks,
Nancy

 

[OBother]

disney4me4ever,

The deluxe edition has a leather 6-ring case so that pages can be removed and added, while the standard is spiral bound. If you are familiar with the Franklin-Covey products, it is very similar to their day timer planners. It is no larger than the standard edition, so it should not be any more difficult to carry, but I am planning on only taking the pages I need for the day and replacing them when I am finished.

Updates can be added whenever they are published on the website, so you can keep your edition up to date. The leather case can be used over and over so you won't have to purchase it again when new editions are published, just the refill pages. I also used Excel to make up my own itinerary, printed it, used a hole punch, and have added it to my passporter.

The leather case also has places for all of your "cards" (credit card, drivers license, etc), on the inside cover as well as an area for postcards, poloroids, maps, or anything else you want to keep safe while you tour.

For me, the added flexibility was worth the extra money.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Thanks for clarifying! I'm really struggling with the idea of the "planner" format, as I have given up my Franklin and now use a Palm Pilot. So I'm into streamlining, which would suggest the spiral bound PP. OTOH, I assume that if I buy the deluxe, as you said, I would only have to buy the updates, which is more economical. I guess that is what I'll do, and like you suggested, only take the pages I need. Such decisions!

Thanks for your help.
Nancy

 

[jpmom97]

This thread ispired me soooo much I got the urge to buy and went to Amazon.com and bought the Passporter Deluxe and Disney World With Kids. I just couldn't wait for the 2004, I like how I can download the extra pages. I am addicted to shopping and Disney info! Was 27.00 a good price for the Passporter Deluxe?

 

[4greatboys]

Yes I think its a pretty good price. Did you get free shipping? I paid $25.17 at Buy.com--also free shipping, so those prices are really close. You would have paid more at the passporter site.
You will really enjoy it.

 

[jpmom97]

I am never lucky enough for free shipping. I hope I do enjoy it thanks!

 

[doombuggy]

Last Sunday, I broke down and called PassPorter to order their 2003 sprial guide, as I knew my local Barnes & Noble did not have it. I was given a discount of 15% off (I think) and a free adjustable bottle strap! It came on thursday and I am about 1/3 of the way through it and really like the book!

 

[disney4me4ever]

I ordered the deluxe passporter at overstock.com and got it for
$ 22.39. Shipping was $ 2.80, but that was for 2 books. I checked to see if they had the new Hidden Mickey book by Steven Barrett, but they don't have it yet.

Nancy

 

[jpmom97]

I got mine today, plan on reading it tonight. Looks good though.

 

[TwingleMum]

I recently purchased the Passporter. For my 2000 trip I bought Rita Aeros book. I thought it was great it had a website so it was always up to date welll, I checked into it for this tripDon't buy this book!!! They claim again that the website keeps everything up to date (the only addition out is 2002). I tried to access the website but was denied. I did some digging and found out they only allow a certin select group to access it, Very cliche (sp?). Yet the book advertizes the website. I brought it back and will never purchase it again. I think the publisher should remove the book from the stores. If they are not going to deliver (i.e. the website) They shouldn't advertise it. Sorry for the rant.

 

[cindala]

My vote goes with the UnOfficial Guide. You can't beat it for the best information on how to get around the parks more efficiently!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by LisaDougKaylee
I'm thinking of buying a guide book. I've narrowed it down to two choices. Anyone have opinions on which is better?

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2003

or

Passporter Walt Disney World Resort 2003: The unique travel guide, planner, organizer, journal and keepsake.

Thanks for your opinions in advance

If I could only buy one it would be the PassPorter. I have both of these plus a couple of others but if I had to reconmend one it would be the PassPorter.

 

[Melrosgirl]

My vote is for Passorter. The Unofficial guide is actually somewhat depressing. When I first read it, I was literally stressed over planning a WDW vacation, lol. Good tips in there, but it seems every page talks negatively about something (long lines, prices, etc.). Passporter, OTOH, is fun to read and I love the pockets in back!

hth