Your Favourite Disney Bible..

Yes I did the same thing until 2010 when I found the Passporter and now that is the only book I buy. I love it because of all the information, maps and the pocket sleeves that allow you to track everything you do on a particular day and having a nice safe place to keep the park brochures (I always pick up a new one just for that).

I always went with Birnbaum Guide books. Than 2 years ago I discovered the passporter and fell in love. It is the best guide out there. I get a new one every year. I pass my old copies on to friends and family who are thinking of maybe going to Disney.

I'm going to have to check this passporter book out!

Why would I need a guide? I could WRITE a guide.

Okay, I've used them for Disneyland. Definitely like this one

I had the unofficial guide too, but between this one and being on another forum with a Disneyland section, it was enough for me.

I've been using Passporter sine 2001!
I love the guide and the author, she's sweet and awesome!

I have used the Unofficial Guide, but sounds like I need to pick up the passporter!

I've also always been an "Unofficial Guide" gal, but I may have to take a gander at Passporter given the rave reviews!

As much as I love The Unofficial Guide...Passporter's reminds me of a Filofax...It has chapters to write in your ADRS..your spending..your journey from day one...stickers to customize your book..your trip report..meal worksheet..I could go on and on..Buy it..You will love it...( No I'am not on commission ) LOL..

Unofficial Guide has much more information if you're looking to study up.

Passporter is like a great organizer and planning tool. It's unique design is done in a way that it will hold all of your information, paper tickets, tabs, tip envelopes, receipts, and stuff in one place. It's really pretty awesome.

I always used Birnbaum's in the past but after seeing what you use, I checked it out online. It looks pretty good, so I bought one last night!! Cheers, King Fergus!

I'am sure you'll love it Boomer..We also ordered ours via Amazon last night..It has all the new wrist band stuff and the new fantasyland expansion..

The first couple of years we bought the up to date guide books but to be honest now there is much more reliable information online and people who are going/have gone that arre always willing to look into things or ask questions that i don't feel a guide book a worthwhile investment anymore.

I haven't bought a guidebook in years, but my favs used to be Birnbaum Guides and Passporter's.

The big problem with publishing a hard copy guide book is that with Disney it can become obsolete in an instant and without notice. In the past decade (actually more like the past 5 years) Disney has created a rotational schedule for announcements and openings that makes it impossible to keep up with in print. Not to mention, that the space has become rather saturated recently. Passporter continues to succeed because they have substantial digital components, upgrades, and updates that can be printed out at home and added to the guide. They also offer the only real Disney specific planning organizer. Unofficial Guide has done the same with it's online community because they have a unique take with amazing statistical analysis and the digital components may actually be better (IMHO) than the actual book. Birnbaum is always going to be around because it is the "Official" take on everything, though often has the least information.

I believe that the guide books will always be published, and I will always buy them because I'm a geek like that, I love books. They are especially useful for first time and less frequent visitors. They're also great for people who aren't as internet savvy - they do exist and they do still travel. For those of us who do have a handle on Disney online however, yes, guideooks can sometimes seem obsolete.