There are so many guide books available for Disney. To prepare for our 2009 trip, I borrowed every single one from the library. (Yes I am a nut. I think it was 14 books.) Here is my opinions. Please share yours!
The Complete Walt Disney World 2010
– This was my favorite book because it had the most pictures. Since I had never been to Walt Disney World before, it helped me to be able to better visualize the various attractions and places they talked about. I also loved the fact that they gave the estimated FASTPASS return times for all the major rides. (I put them in my tour notes).
The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2010 (Unofficial Guides)
– The amount of information in this book is insane! They cover everything and anything that you could possibly want to know about Disney. And by purchasing the book, you also get free access to Touringplans.com. This book contains over 30 touring plans to make sure that you get the most out of your time in the parks. If you only read one book, this is the one you need to read!
PassPorter’s Walt Disney World 2010: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Organizer, Journal, and Keepsake!
– This book is neat. It provides you with a good amount of knowledge, but it also goes a step further and has places for you to write your plans and keep important documents. This book has THE BEST park maps I have ever seen. This is my 3rd favorite book!
Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2010
– This book is a good one to look through, but if you only buy one book… this is not the one for you. The information in it is good, but it is not as detailed as the Unofficial Guide book.
So those are my top 4 that I would consider buying. The rest I would just borrow from the library or leaf through at the book store.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks i just ordered 2 of the books:)
I first bought the Unofficial Guide when I was planning my honeymoon (2003 edition of the Guide). I loved it so much that I have bought a new edition about every other year. I am thiiiiiis close to another $5 gift e-certificate to Amazon via Swagbucks; when I get it, I’m going to buy the 2010 edition to get ready for our summer vacation. We are frequent Disney vacationers, so I don’t feel like I need to re-learn everything. I just want to catch up on the latest. I especially like the restaurant review and, of course, the touring plans. We never have a long wait anywhere when we follow the touring plan. I also love the crowd calendar. This year, in addition to the Guide, I plan to get the Passporter on behalf of my in-laws who are traveling for the first time to Disney. I like the journaly aspect of that book.
I have a definite touring plan and touring style that I have developed over the years from many Disney trips.
However…
I LOVE Passporter! I just purchased my new book for our trip in November. I love the colored maps, all of the numbers and addresses, and well, everything about the book.
How funny! I just went this morning to Barnes&Noble and bought The Unoffical Guide
and Passporters Walt Disney world. I already have Brinbaums and another one but can’t remember the name of it. I have been to Disney multiple times but still look and read thru books for help and the latest info. The Passporters Walt Disney World book is almost like a journal and recommend it for any person going for the first time. I also think you would need to buy it because it is something you write in and don’t think the library would carry it…but would hurt to look instead of buying. I look at my library and they only had three Walt Disney books that were old editions.
I was able to snag a few of these books at the library (my favorite free resource). Thanks to you, we should all have a nice organized and fun trip. Thank you so much for all of your information. The more information we have the better I feel about doing something for the first time.
I love the Unofficial Guide.
omigosh, reading those is almost as fun as being there! i may get one just for the entertainment value. fun!
I love the Unofficial Guide and the associated website. I used the book and the online touring plans for our trip in Dec 2008, and it worked great! I can’t recommend that book and associated website enough.
We’re planning a one-day trip to Disney Land this March using the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day. I was bummed to find out that the touringplans website doesn’t have plans for Disney Land. However, I’ll will get my hands on a 2010 Unoffiicial Disney Land Guide before we go.
We used and followed The Unofficial Guide for aour FIRST trip to Disney with our 4 children last April. We had the 2009 copy. My husband just won another trip through work and we just purchased the 2010 copy to look for any updates and new info! We also have the 2009 Passporter’s and the 2009 Birnbaums. My kids loved the Birbaums Guide for Kids!
I love them all. I love the Passporter with all it’s pockets and pages to write in memories. It makes a great keepsake to look back on when you get home from your trip. We’ve been to the World many, many times and are now planning our first trip to Disneyland, getting excited just thinking about it. :)
I’m a fanatic and use them all! The best resource of all though is Tourguidemike.com. Well worth the money!
Do they still make the Complete WDW series? I can’t seem to find one for 2011 but I can for the other series (even PassPorter’s and theirs doesn’t come out till December 1, 2010).
I saw your post about getting free access to touringplans.com if you purchase the unofficial guide to disney. I did purchase that, but do not see where it states free access. Can you help? Thanks, Tammy
Unfortunately they canceled that program. I need to update the post. I believe you can still get a discount subscription though.
Has anyone bought the unofficial guide to walt disney world 2011 for kids? Is it worth it or better than the other?
I like the passporters guide not only is it a keepsake but it is a help for our next trip. I can look back at what we liked, missed,and want to do again. I also like that it is interactive by using the club.
I always get the most recent Passpoerter book prior to going to our trips to WDW. I love the fact that they give the opinion of the different authors, Disney readers as well as the viewpoint from a child and a tween. I tear out the pages for the park that we are visiting that day and love the fact that I do not have to carry around a book through the parks.
I got an email about getting the 2010 edition of the passporter book for $1….I’ve also preordered the 2012 Unofficial Guide and once I get it will join touringplans.com I also found this Hidden Mickeys book i might buy…haven’t decided yet.