Best book to buy?

[MrsMud]

I am planning on buying a guide book before our trip to So Cal in Oct. Which one do people like best, the Official (Birnbaum) book or the Unofficial (Sehlinger) book? I also see there is a Disney and Southern California With Kids (or something like that), which has info on Knott's, Seaworlds and the Zoo I think. The last one is from Dec. '03, though. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Buckimion]

I'm partial to Birnbaum's if only for the pictures. It'll remain interesting long after your vacation.

For planning out other sites to visit, check out the ACCESS series. (example: ACCESS LOS ANGELES) Usually only enough description to give a good idea of what to look for, but the maps are worth their weight in gold and the restraunt / hotel listings and descriptions are the best I've found.

 

[Redcon1]

I've always enjoyed using the Unofficial Guides. Even if we're not traveling that particular year, they're still fun to read and help keep you in the loop on new tips and info for future trips. I also think they're even-handed when it comes to handing out both criticism and praise on the parks.
Before you purchase, you might want to check out your local library. Ours receive the new edition evey year and if yours does too, it might enable you to compare the different guides. It also may save you from having to buy the book, so you can use those dollars on some goodies at the parks.

 

[SeansMom]

I'm a book junkie, so I have all three:
The Birnbaum "official" guide gives great little descriptions of the "lands" and rides, short little overviews of restaurants and shops, and coupons for Compass books and Cafe, Naples, House of Blues, Wetzel's Pretzels, ESPN Zone, and Dineyland Resort merchandise. It also gives a pretyy good overview of a handful of hotels/motels in the area. HOWEVER, even in the 2005 edition some of the information is outdated: It lists both Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribean as having fastpass (I understand from other posters they do not), and it does not have the new DCA "A Bug's Land" attractions listed at all. It is an enjoyable book, with lots of little facts.

Unofficial Guide: This book is a little tongue in cheek. Since it is "unofficial", they don't have as many pictures oand no coupons, but they do tackle the issue of when to go, where to stay, and park strategies in a BIG way. They have several "touring plans" and use a pretty candid scale to help one judge how much you might like a certain ride, or how much a ride might scare a child. If you have children who are easily frightened, that might help. HOWEVER, and again, even in the 2005 edition some of the information is outdated: It lists both Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carribean as having fastpass and it does not have the new DCA "A Bug's Land" attractions listed at all.

I'm not sure this is the book you were speaking of, BUT...The Everything Travel Guide to Disneyland Resort, California Adventure, aUniversal Studios, and the Anaheim Area gives a great overview of all these, and if you plan on seeing more than just Disneyland it might be a good choice. It has chapters on preparing for vacation, inclduing strategies, packing, choosing hotels, ticket prices, and how to approach theme parks.

If you've never been I'd probably get a RideMax subscribtion and the Official guide. If you're going to other places, the Everything guide is good too.

You can IM me if you have other questions or want a copy of the Everything Guide. I somehow ordered two from Amazon, and didn't ever get around to returning the second copy.

Enjoy!!

 

[Stinasmom]

If you are a real planner...and I bet you are if you are a DISser the Unofficial Guide books are the best. Disney has to "ok" the info in the official book...I like getting the real story!
And the unofficial books are entertaining enough to read for fun! Once you understand the vibe of them, you'll want one for most everywhere you travel (and there likely is one for most everywhere people like to travel!)

 

[TravelGal]

Birnbaum's is nice if you are going with several people, especially kids. Give each person a different colored highlighter & have them mark the things that they most want to do. After everyone has marked the book, plan to hit the rides, restaurants, shops, etc that have the most marks first.

 

[Blackunicorn]

I loved the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and Southern California with Kids. I also have the Birmbaum's Guide, and even though it's more colorful, I don't find it as helpful. There are definitely benefits to both. Because the guides don't change much from year to year, I try to get a different one every year so that I can have variety.

 

[TiggerCate]

I usually purchase both the Birnbaums and the Unofficial guide. I bought them for our upcoming October trip and the kids loved looking at the Birnbaums. (I lent them to a friend who is going in April.) The Unofficial guide has great tips and info but the Birnbaums is a "prettier" book and is organized a little bit better for a basic guidebook IMHO.

Now, I am going to have to get the Everything Travel Guide. I am a book junkie, too!