Which guide to buy?

[dqpowell]

There's a whole couple of pages devoted to the subject, and it's in the chapter about how to evaluate a Disney package. Not exactly the comprehensive guide I was looking for.

Publishing constraints prevent them from including a "comprehensive guide" to the DDP in the book. Publishers put any given year's guide (to anything, really, not just WDW) into stores in late summer or early fall of the preceding year. So (to use your edition as an example) the 2008 UG hit stores in August or September of 2007. Which means it was being printed in June or July, final editing was in May or June, and all writing/updates had to be submitted in April or May. Of 2007.

So let's say they had done the "comprehensive guide" to the dining plan that you're looking for. It would describe the participating restaurants, the entitlements, the cost per person, etc. All this would have been based on what was known in late Spring, 2007. And it would have been almost completely wrong information for the year on the cover of the book -- 2008. The cost changed for 2008. The entitlements changed for 2008 (no more appetizers, tip no longer included). Yak & Yeti, a new DDP restaurant for 2008, existed in AK. Tusker House became a Table Service location rather than a Counter Service location. I'm sure there are lots of other changes.

So instead they take the approach of giving a brief overview of the plan in the books, and going into all the detail you want and more on the website -- which doesn't have a long publishing lead time and can be updated dynamically as things change. Their cost analysis can reflect current pricing for the plan and all the available menu items, etc.

That's a better approach, IMO.

David

 

[Disneyfan71]

Birnbaum's guide to me is the best out there. However the WDW site also has useful information.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Ding! Another vote for the UG. I may go and buy mine tonight. I'm also thinking about getting the Passporter because of it's portability and maps.

 

[dolphindan1]

tourguidemike....best hands down...UG and companion website a close 2nd

 

[kristilew]

Ding! Another vote for the UG.

obviously a fellow podcast listener! I also vote for the UG

 

[sbell111]

My vote goes to the Deluxe Passporter.

Heck, even the UG recommends the passporter.

 

[disneydeed]

Thanks. I'm mostly interested in which parks to go to each day and which to avoid. I'll take a look at all of them! Thanks!

If this is your area of greatest interest, I highly recommend Tour Guide Mike. I used his website for our last trip and thought his best parks information was spot on.

 

[perkinsrose]

Ultimate Guide all the way. I've bought (and then gave away or resold) a few copies and bought the 2009 version a few months ago. The thing about travel guides--even by the time they hit press, some items/info/rates will be outdated/wrong. Always double-check and research online. That's a perk of ultimate Guide with updates on

www.touringplans.com


I just bought Guide to the Magic for Kids for Dkids for this trip. Looks great and the writing/stickers/activities will keep them busy on the plane & while waiting for Fantasmic, tableservice, etc. A bit pricey--but was a good Christmas gift.

http://www.guidetothemagic.com/shopping.htm

I've checked out Passporters at library but it summarizes too briefly for me--I like the expanse of Ulitimate Guide though I'm sure some people may think its too much. Personally --I can never get enough on WDW!

 

[MHSweb79]

I'm almost 400 pages into my new 2009 Unofficial Guide and we haven't even made it into the parks yet! I think we're getting real close...
So I'd say yes, it is quite thorough. If you like lots of detail and analysis, then this is the book for you. Of course, if reading 800 pages is more than you'd like to dedicate to any upcoming vacation, you can get Birnbaum's or just read the chapters in UG that appeal to you.

 

[sbell111]

I've checked out Passporters at library but it summarizes too briefly for me--I like the expanse of Ulitimate Guide though I'm sure some people may think its too much. Personally --I can never get enough on WDW!

The cool thing about the passporter is how their website ties into it. You can print out tons of other pages, ebooks, and worksheets to add to your passporter, making it whatever you want it to be.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Another vote for UG!! I read it cover to cover. Even the chapters on bringing your kids to Disney and we don't have kids!

I also have the Complete Guide. I really like it for the pictures and for the backstories on all the rides. Just something fun to get you in the Disney mood!

 

[noladave]

we buy both the passporters (mainly for its built in organizer) and the Unofficial guide. I think the 2 combined cost about $42. When you are spending anywhere from $2,000 - $5,000 (or more) to go to Disney, $42 isn't much more.

I tend to like the information in the Unofficial guide, but then the Passporter keeps my wife more organized, and it gives a different view of Disney. I'm always looking for opinions (good or bad) about events, attractions, rides, etc. The more, the better.

 

[eeyore#1fan]

I vote passporter as well.