Which Guide to WDW to people recommend?

[disneylizzy]

A vote for the Unofficial Guide and Passporter's, especially the Passporter's Guide to Cruises.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

read'em all, like UG

 

[dpuck1998]

I've had them all and if I could only have one it would be Passporters. But since I can really have more...I do

 

[JRJohn]

I've had them all and if I could only have one it would be Passporters. But since I can really have more...I do

Yeppers! PassPorter is the best; but I've got'em all 'cause I can.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Hi

Sounds like it's a matter of personal preference--guess I need more than one!!

Thanks everyone!

 

[salmoneous]

I think one of the issues is "what you are looking for in a guidebook?" The fact is, if you are looking for the most up-to-date information, the guidebooks can never compete with something like allearsnet.com. I just read through the 2006 UG (2006!) and it has a whole section on how to get a reservation at CRT. But the rules have changed and the section is now out of date.

So do you want big colorful maps? Well written opinions and stories? Reference information is a easy-to-carry format (kinda hard to access allearsnet from the airplane)? Clip out touring plans for the commando within you*?

My guess is there are a lot of over-planners on this board. I know I'm one. So go down to your local bookstore (or library) and read all of them. Then buy the one that best meets your needs.

* I know there are a lot of UG fans out there. But I gotta say I have a problem with somebody who believes a child wanting to see Mickey Mouse is an "obstacle" that needs to be overcome in your ultimate goal of completing a touring plan.

 

[jenniferma]

I vote for the Unofficial Guide too! It is very straightforward and honest. It definitely isn't a Disney PR book though--
good luck planning!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I really like the unofficial guide, and also the passporter.

 

[goofy4tink]

I read the UG before I leave but then I take my PassPorter with me. Every night, I fill in the 'spaces' on the pockets in the back. I have all my ADR conf. numbers there, so I like to add the days' experiences also. It is almost like a trip diary. We do so much that by the time we get home, we've forgotten a lot of stuff. If you use those back pages, you can be reminded of each days' happenings when you get home.

 

[QuickGold]

Unofficial Guide

 

[boomhauer]

I get both.

The Official Guide is better I think for first timers or those not familiar with the parks. It's easy to read, laid out well, has some good pictures and isn't overly complicated.

The UG is a lot more in depth. As such, it would confuse the heck out of someone who's never been. It's too commando. Plus, the book backtracks alot and can be rather confusing at times.

That being said, I enjoy reading it, as most of what they say I think is pretty accurate, as far as touring plans go anyways.

 

[Queenie]

Can anyone tell me what the vouchers are in the back of Birnbaum's 2006? I know there were some pretty cool ones in the 2005 but we didn't get to use them

 

[LukenDC]

Can anyone tell me what the vouchers are in the back of Birnbaum's 2006? I know there were some pretty cool ones in the 2005 but we didn't get to use them

I looked at the vouchers yesterday when I was in a bookstore. There were modest discounts for any backstage tour at Animal Kingdom and for the Segway experience at Epcot. There was also a discount offered for the Disney resort at Hilton Head.

 

[WDW LOVR]

I've always found the Unofficial too cynical and too commando. If I had only one to get, I'd get Passporter.

I agree with the opinion of the Unofficial guide. When we used to buy guides we'd buy both the Unofficial guide and Birnbaums. It was like combining the cynical Unofficial guide with the Everything is perfect at Disney Birnbaums book. Kind of makes a good guide if you use the info from both.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I use the Unofficial Guide, Passporter, and most importantly TourGuideMike (a website). Passporter is great for organization, UG is just a great all-around guide, and Mike's website enables me to keep up with all the changes Disney makes in the months leading up to the trip- in addition to having lots of 'insider information'