Which guide to buy?

[mom22bless]

I have the Passporter and the Unofficial Guide. The UG has more info in it. I have the deluxe PP and I used it to hold all my disney mail, ME luggage tags, etc. Plus there are pockets where you can plan each day. I really liked it.

 

[sarehm]

Does anyone have any feedback on the Complete Walt Disney World? Sounds like it has a ton of pictures.

 

[Golf4food]

None - check them out from the library for free, write down anything you need to remember, and ask questions here on the DIS...

 

[marvali]

We were just there for New Year's. I knew it was going to be crazy, and since this was our first trip this time of the year, I took advantage of the Tour Guide Mike discount at the top of the page and gave it a try. We didn't follow the plans exactly the first couple of days (fairly close though and still had very successful visits to DHS and AK), but followed them religiously on 1/2 and 1/3 at MK and Epcot and he was dead on with his advice. We breezed through the parks with extremely low waits, and even got to do some of our most popular choices multiple times. The time saved, and the fact we got to do everything we really wanted to do was well worth the money spent.

I have followed some of the "free" online sites recommendations before and was fairly successful. When we return for our July 4th trip, I will definitely be using Tour Guide Mike again, though. The best part to me is that everything is constantly updated as the conditions dictate, so you get the latest and best info right up until you leave, and if you have internet access when you arrive, you can still check for updates to see if you need to make any adjustments.

 

[1hero2princesses]

I really like the Complete Guide. I also have the UG and it was good too.

 

[tndisneyfan]

Another vote for the Unofficial Guide.

 

[ChristieK0310]

Def unofficial guide!! They also do one for WDW with children and its very good.

 

[srwarden1928]

I really like the Unofficial Guide by Len Testa. I have looked at all the others that were available at the local Barnes & Nobles and the local Borders and another large bookstore whose name escapes me right now. In my opinion, all of the other guidebooks were inferior to the UG. Some had beautiful pictures, but the information contained in the books always seemed to be something less than what Mr. Testa writes. One of my "hobbies" is reading at bookstores. I buy what I want to keep. I have spent hours looking at the available books on WDW. This is the only book I have chosen to actually spend money on.

 

[Angies1274]

I love my Passporter, UG, and Complete Guide to WDW!! Passporter's maps are great and I like the fact they have pockets to store information and also record special moments from your trip. The Complete Guide has wonderful pictures and they give a whole page of information on each ride instead of just a paragraph like most guide books do. But if you want to know the best ways to navigate each park with great touring plans,then I would definitely buy Unofficial Guide

 

[DWFan4Life]

Go for the Unofficial Guide. Lots of information to read and really helps you.

Have a nice day everyone.

 

[dqpowell]

I really like the Unofficial Guide by Len Testa. I have looked at all the others that were available at the local Barnes & Nobles and the local Borders and another large bookstore whose name escapes me right now. In my opinion, all of the other guidebooks were inferior to the UG. Some had beautiful pictures, but the information contained in the books always seemed to be something less than what Mr. Testa writes. One of my "hobbies" is reading at bookstores. I buy what I want to keep. I have spent hours looking at the available books on WDW. This is the only book I have chosen to actually spend money on.

Just to be clear, in case somebody goes looking for the book and wants to search on the author's name. Len Testa is not the primary author. Bob Sehlinger is. Older versions of the guide didn't list Len's name at all; newer versions say "Bob Sehlinger with Len Testa."

David

 

[duffy]

If I recall correctly, the Unofficial Guide makes no mention of the Disney Dining Plans. I could really use that info. Which guide discusses the pros and cons of the different plans?

Why on earth would they ignore the Dining Plan??

 

[dqpowell]

If I recall correctly, the Unofficial Guide makes no mention of the Disney Dining Plans. I could really use that info. Which guide discusses the pros and cons of the different plans?

Why on earth would they ignore the Dining Plan??

You recall incorrectly. Not only does the book describe it, they have a cost analysis on their website that they update each year to help you determine if it's a good deal or not.

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=94

David

 

[andymattmom]

Go to the library...get all the Disney books they have and decide which is best. If you need to buy then you are only spending $$ on one rather than trial and error and wasting money if you don't like one.

 

[BellesFavoriteBook]

My sister bought the Unofficial guide. When I last went to WDW in 1996, I had a Birnbaum book, but it wasn't very accurate (said Meeko was in MGM studios......never found him that trip).

My library doesn't even have the guide from 2008; only the 2007. That's the one I checked out before I bought the pocket version (Mini Mickey, unofficial guide). Its only a little out of date, it still calls hollywood studios MGM studios.

Has anyone looked at the Little Black Book of Disney World?

 

[twinsplusone]

I love the Passporter and UG. I have many books but those are my two favorites. I'm taking my Passporter with us.

 

[CampbellScot]

I buy a new passporter every year. I love it b/c not only is it a thorough guide book with a TON of information on every possible aspect of a trip to Disney, it is also a journal/organizer/keepsake.

I think it's well worth the money!

 

[duffy]

You recall incorrectly. Not only does the book describe it, they have a cost analysis on their website that they update each year to help you determine if it's a good deal or not.

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=94

David

I can't find it in my 2008 edition-could you point it out to me?

And geez, I don't want to have to take the computer with me to read in the bathtub. I like a book!!

 

[ZoZo]

I'm a big fan of the Unofficial Guide. It's the only one I actually buy - I do check out others from the library, but love my UG. Great, detailed info, plus reviews of things like restuarants (which I love to use!).

Have looked at Passporter, but it wouldn't work for me. I don't carry a guide with me in the parks - I just use it to do research before my trip. Passporter seems to be great for those who like to carry a guide with them, use the maps, use the book to organize receipts, etc. Since I don't carry a guide, it wouldn't work for me.

 

[duffy]

Never mind--I found the mention of the Disney Dining Plan in the Unofficial Guide. It's not in the dining chapter though.

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.