[gcbdad]

I have read some posts about different travel guides for WDW and I have to admitt that I have never used one. At least not in book form. I think that I have gotten plenty of guidance and help from several websites, especially DisneyCentral. Do you think that these guide books are really helpful?

[wdwspider]

I buy them more for enjoyment. Plus I started buying guides back before the days of the net, so I guess I just got use to it. The Passporter is really a step up though. It is so much more than just a guide. It has budget planners, pockets to keep park maps, tickets, PS #'s, important phone numbers, and helps organize your schedule while still allowing flexibility. There are journal entry spaces and spots for things to do next time, things that made the day great, things to skip next time, etc... It makes a cool keepsake after the trip is over and it contains lots o valuable info not found anywhere else. But still, you can find out what you need to online... the guides just make it that much more exciting and tangible until your trip finally arrives.

[tinkerbell]

I think I buy ours for the same reason as WDWspider, just the enjoyment. I get birnbaum's, have one dated back to '88. I am going to have to get the Passporter though cause I keep hearing so much about how great it is.

[mickaholic4077]

I don't need any Disney guide any more,but I love to read them at book stores and libraries.

[DisneyAnne]

I certainly don't think they are necessary, but I think they are fun! I just enjoy reading them and every now and then, I'll pick up a tip or two to use. Now, for someone who has never been, it is all depending on how much planning wants to be done. I never had one until about my 4th trip and I did fine...but I'm not necessarily a planner.

I think Passporter will be my next purchase....

[wdwspider]

Since we are referring Passporter so much, I thought I would add something:

I suggest the Passporter for longer vacations, say 5 days to 2 weeks. Anything shorter than that, you really won't find the Passporter as useful, but there is still a lot of neat info.

[DMC-12]

Since I am such a geek... I love the guides... I get a new Birnbaums (sp?), and a new Unofficial Guide each year... Its great train commute reading material...lol :)

[Goofette]

I found the guidebooks to be really helpful. The unofficial guide helped me a lot. Actually, if it hadn't been for that, I would never have ended up here, so I'm grateful I had it. I learned most tips from here..DC. But to just figure out a plan, of the rides and things, I did read a lot in the guide so I didn't miss something that I really wanted to do.

I tried to buy the passporter for our vacation, but Barnes and Noble was sold out, and it didn't come in until after our vacation. I've heard some really good things about it, but haven't actually seen one myself.

I think they're are fun also. Especially for some of you veterans who know you're way around Disney so well, you probably don't need them, but you might enjoy the reading. We don't get to go that often, so It's hard for me to even remember what ride is at what park sometimes. :dazed

[teresadisney]

We buy a new birnbaums for each year we go--it is cool later to look at the rides and shows that were there "way back then".

[wdwspider]

Originally posted by teresadisney
We buy a new birnbaums for each year we go--it is cool later to look at the rides and shows that were there "way back then".

Even the attractions that where announced and never made it as well. :laugh

[geeman]

The books are a handy reference that you can turn to. We tend to buy one each time we plan a big trip. Even though my recent trip was short, I found myself wondering why I'd left my Birnbaum book behind. I needed to think about what was available based on what I remembered. The tips are handy, too.
The first time I went to WDW, I studied the guidebook on the plane, and was able to amaze my nephews and neices with how well I made it around the park without ever having been there first, just by using some of the shortcuts in the books. So, yes, they do come in handy.
:)

[Goofette]

Originally posted by teresadisney
We buy a new birnbaums for each year we go--it is cool later to look at the rides and shows that were there "way back then".

I love to do that! I have books and things from my very first wdw trip in the 1980's. It's strange to look at it, especially at epcot since quite a bit has changed there.