Which is THE BEST Guide Book?

[jcemom]

I am only planning to buy ONE Guide Book...so...which should it be? Why?

 

[Raysplus1]

We have always used the passporter. My DW swears by it and carries it with at the parks.

 

[Chip126]

I have to agree with the passporter. This book has so much information and is easy to follow. I absolutely love it and refer to it almost on a daily basis.

 

[BabyMo]

Last year, we purchased the Birnbaum, Unofficial Guide and Passporter when planning for our honeymoon. I had never been to WDW and I wanted all sorts of opinions, etc.

I like the Unofficial Guide a lot, but it doesn't top the Passporter. We took it with us into the parks, used it to store our PS, used the fold out maps and so much more.

We are planning a trip this September and we will definitely be purchasing a new Passporter.

 

[DEH3rd]

unofficial pulls no punches....if it is bad, they tell you!

 

[micles]

I have used passporter the last 4 years to plan my trips to WDW. Buy a new one for every trip. They update them yearly. Also handy to have to keep tickets in and reservation # etc. We each take turns writing in it every day. Wouldn't go without it. Already bought the 2003 issue to take with us in October.

 

[SpaceAce]

I really like the Unofficial because it tells you how it is. I think the Passporter is great if you don't mind carrying it around with you. If you just want to PLAN the trip, go with unofficial.

It has so much more information than the official by Birnbaum, because it will tell you the pros and cons.

 

[pmurphy713]

I LOVE the Unofficial Guide for all of its wonderful information. It was the first one I ever bought. We have four of them and think they are wonderful. However, I also use the Passporter a lot. Both of these guides travel with us each and every trip to DW. I have three Passporters and love using the pockets in the back for all of our vacation information. The Unofficial Guide holds nothing back and you get a wide variety of opinions on everything Disney. It is a little more informative than the Passporter on details, but the Passporter includes lots of charts, advice, etc., too. I guess if I had to choose just one and was primarily using it for just information, it would have to be the Unofficial Guide.

 

[Chess]

Actually my favorite is Birbaum's Disney for Kids by Kids. I found the description of the rides to be excellent and they did a fair overview of everything else. I'm not really into finding out what all the smallest or neatest details are -- that's what the DIS boards are for. No I'm not a kid just a big kid at heart. It isn't as overwhelming as some of the other books with all the details.

 

[LadyLt]

I may not be much of a DIS vetern, but I am a big Disney vetern. I
have the 2003 Passporter and have had each one for the last four years. I love it.

But for the very first timer, I swear by the original..... Birnbaums' Official Guide. It helped me so much in planning my trips in 1994 and 1995. I had not been since 1986 and needless to say WDW had changed a lot. It has color photos and the information and descriptions are so well organized in the sections. I believe that there is so much in that book to help a first timer.

I usually have both the current Birnbaums and the current Passporter at my home. I live in Davenport and work at WDW now. But I refer to both books to answer questions for friends when I am not positive on an answer.

 

[SpaceAce]

I'll draw a conclusion here, since I have both...

The Offical is great for those who don't need a detailed analysis of parks, rides, hotels, etc..., and just want the big picture of how to have a good time during their vacation. It would be great for a first-time Disney vacationer.

The Unofficial is for those vacationers that want the most value for their dollar or are so Type-A that they want to know in detail how good or bad the hotels, rides, etc... are. This one might be "too much to swallow" if you don't have an overview of the parks and hotels from a previous visit.

These 2 books are VERY different in their approach, and if you are choosing between the two, decide what approach you are hoping to take.

 

[SpaceAce]

May I throw out a new question? Which of the "disney without kids" books do you all like?

 

[msteddom]

I have used both the Unoffical Guide and Passporter. I really liked having them both for the different perspectives they offer. I haven't read any of the "Without Kids" books, but I have heard that the Birnbaum's one does not offer much help. I think you might just be better off going with one of the comprehensive guides you have in your poll.

 

[cinmell]

Passporter. I like the passporter the best because it's pretty thourough. There are maps of the themeparks and resorts, folders, descriptions of rides and restaurants, worksheets and a list of helpful websites. I prefer the deluxe version because I'm able to order refills each year rather than a whole new book.

 

[kdibattista]

I have pretty much used them all and I must agree that the Unofficial Guide can be very overwhelming if you are new to the WDW resort. It's great for a second, third or tenth visit but I would go with Birnbaums or Passporter for a first visit. One of my old favorites is the Rita Aero's guide.... don't know whatever happened to those. The 2002 guide has been out for 3 years now!!!!

 

[lentesta]

Hi jcemom,

For what it's worth, I don't think the Unofficial Guide and the Passporters are mutually exclusive. The Unofficial Guide has the most detail of any Disney guidebook, and its touring plans are the most efficient way to see the parks while minimizing your wait in line. The Passporter book is a great way to keep everything organized while planning and in the parks. I'm certain that Bob Sehlinger and everyone else at the Unofficial Guide views the Passporter as complementary to the Guide, not competition.

As others have mentioned, the cost of both these books together is about $40, which is a small percentage of the cost of a Disney vacation. Both are well worth the investment.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

P.S. Go Steelers!

 

[jimmiej]

I've read all the ones you listed. I learned more from the UG than any other. To get a really good picture of WDW, read UG & then Birnbaum's.

 

[jcemom]

Guess I may have to "break down" and buy more than one, huh? LOL
It wasn't the cost so much as "information overload" or "planning overload" to DH! I've read so much online, I guess I thought I'd just buy an "old fashioned" book to read over the summer when I can't be online...LOL. Of course, I'm sure I can "squeeze in" time to read more than one!

I hadn't even thought of the "for kids" book, but I'll bet my boys would love to have that!

I'm beginning to fear that DH will be Disney'd Out before we ever get there!

Maybe...the Unofficial Guide for the summer...and the Passporter closer to trip time for organizational purposes?

Of course, I'm not going until 2004, so if I bought now, I'd not have the updated versions.....

 

[dgaston]

I'm pretty much using the Passporter now, but do visit several internet sites way too often. AND when I was planning for some Disney trips in the 90's used the Unofficial Touring Plans to our advantage. While I haven't looked at the Unofficial Guide lately, maybe the Orlando fairy will visit me with it!

 

[mwerner2]

I have used the Passporter for 2 years now and love it for it's information and for the pages where you can write down all the plans for the trip, as well as your memories during the trip. The passporter is something you will want to take with you to WDW and it will become a souvenir of your journey.

Why not (gasp) check the Unofficial Guide and Birnbaum's out of your local library? They might not have the very latest edition, but 90% of the contents of these guides stays very much the same from year to year. Use these guides along with the Passporter for planning, get the very latest info from these boards, and take your Passporter along to WDW.

PS. I also love the Passporter pouch that you carry around your neck. It holds your money, park times sheet, pen, tickets and has a place for all those fastpasses you are going to get. Always easy to find when it is around your neck, and floats very well in the Tower of Terror!