Would a PassPorter book be useful at all?

[calihannah]

We are planning our 3rd trip to WDW for Feb 2013. DDs will be nearly 6 and 2. We live semi-close to DL and go 1-3 times a year, so we're not "new" to Disney but are not "pros" either! Would getting the 2012 PassPorter book be useful at all, or would I be better off sticking to online material (and DIS of course!)? Or is there another book that would be better?

TIA!

 

[beccasmom]

We were WDW newbies in 1981 and there was not much available back then except the Birnbaum guide, which is worth a look IMHO. The Passporter guides are okay, but I really like the Unofficial Guide. It is HUGE, but has lots of really good information. It is warts and all....but it is presented in an accessible manner and is often quite funny. It is available as an e-book if you have a Kindle or Nook. The Passporter and Birnbaum guides are easy to carry to the parks; the UG is way too big for that.

The Passporter website has lots of good articles and so does All Ears and Mousesavers and of course, there is wonderful information right here!. And you might want to check out some apps if you have a smartphone. They come in very handy at the parks. There are some good wait time apps that save lots of time and some "what is nearby" type dining apps.

 

[merfsko]

Personally, I absolutely LOVE the Passporter. I buy a new one every couple of years (when there have been major updates) and then use it for my next couple of trips. I use it as my "base" guide for information, one place that has all the information re: costs, resorts, restaurants, attractions,etc. I also love that it has places to fill in information about your trip, reservations numbers, etc.

I also don't take books into the park. It is kind of big, so I could see how it would be awkward to carry around if you wanted something portable.

If you can, I would suggest going into a book store, and browsing through it to get a feel for it! Everyone has different tastes, so it's hard to give a 'yes' or 'no' answer!

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[txwdwmom]

Nothing in them that you won't find here on the DIS for free Their books are always published very late and all the info is already out there for the public. I got sucked into buying one a couple years ago and have saved my money every since.

 

[calihannah]

We were WDW newbies in 1981 and there was not much available back then except the Birnbaum guide, which is worth a look IMHO. The Passporter guides are okay, but I really like the Unofficial Guide. It is HUGE, but has lots of really good information. It is warts and all....but it is presented in an accessible manner and is often quite funny. It is available as an e-book if you have a Kindle or Nook. The Passporter and Birnbaum guides are easy to carry to the parks; the UG is way too big for that.

The Passporter website has lots of good articles and so does All Ears and Mousesavers and of course, there is wonderful information right here!. And you might want to check out some apps if you have a smartphone. They come in very handy at the parks. There are some good wait time apps that save lots of time and some "what is nearby" type dining apps.

Thanks for the insights, everyone!

The UG -- will it be fun reading just for a Disney-interested person and not necessarily in relation to planning a trip at the moment? Wondering if it might be a fun read for an upcoming trip (DCL, not WDW, so more time to read!).

 

[plutopuppy]

We always buy the UG because it pumps us for Disney! We love the tips and ideas. This year we are planning to get the Passporter, last trip we decided it would be a great journal for our trip. For sure all the maps and ino are available for free online but the Passporter has it all together in one book
and it's kind of our trip souvenir!

 

[roxysmum123]

After spending an unreal amount of money on guides and books for WDW, I've learned that the best things in life are free....such as the Dis, other blogs, the DisneyParks website, and just plain old "grab a times guide when you get there" approach. I now only spend money on a guide book if I hear of a friend going for the first time, I'll get them one as a gift. Always the Birnbaum guide, as it has coupons for them to use if they wish as well.

 

[Mammaz]

I agree you can find the info for free here. I purchased the book a couple of years ago and was a waste of money for me. It is too large to take with you and I just plain didn't like it. Just my two cents.

 

[ammama]

I my Passporter!

 

[FloridaFun]

I too love my PassPorter. Great place to keep all my little paper items in the pockets and journal about my trip. Then when I post my photos online or do my scrapbook, I always have much better captions. It is more than just a guidebook.

 

[ZoZo]

Not a big Passporter fan myself - I much prefer the Unofficial Guide for info, touring strategies, restaurant reviews, etc. Tons of great tips and info.

But I know lots of folks like the Passporter as a tool for organizing their trip (a place to put receipts, write down info, maps, journaling, etc.). I don't need that, I just use the UG for information.

As someone else suggested, you might go to a bookstore and look through the options to see what best suits your needs. I also checked out several different WDW guides from the library, which is when I discovered that the UG was the guide that was the best one for me. After looking at the Passporter in the bookstore, I realized it wasn't what I needed.

 

[lumpy08]

I ended up getting the Passporter where we hadn't been in many years. I found it useful. Now we are going on our third trip. I don't think I would update it. Now that i have found the Dis. I do however like the envelopes in the book. You can order refills.

 

[luharvey77]

We love our Passporter, even though we are experienced Disney travelers! Just waiting for the 2013 to come out for our trip next year!

 

[rhbaum]

I use both, actually. I like the maps in Passporter but the information in UG is fantastic!! Of course, I use tons of stuff online like Disboards!!