Best DL guidebook & websites?

[lenshanem]

I was surprised to see Passporter doesn't make a DL guidebook. Boo-Hoo! Anyone have a fav DL guidebook?

Fav DL websites for planning?

Thanks!

 

[mwehttam]

From what I can gather, Passporter will have a guide book out in the fall. Not in time for my trip but maybe for yours.

I have never been to DL and have used this board to obtain tons of info.

Another site I liked was http://www.dlresortinfo.com/index.html
It has nice detailed menus as well as pics.

Hope this helps.

-Matthew

 

[barbaraann]

Check out MiceChat.com. I make it a habit every day, to check wdwinfo and MiceChat. Since I am planning one trip to Disneyland and one to Walt Disney World, these websites, are the best that I have found. MiceChat, takes a little getting used to. Those Micechatters are really serious about their Disneyland. I have gotten really great information.

 

[KristaBelle]

I just received the following email from Passporter after inquiring about the release date for the Disneyland Passporter. I was very confused because Overstock.com is already pre-selling them. Last week the Overstock's website said an expected ship date of 5/6/05, today it says 5/10/05.


"Thank you for your interest in PassPorter Disneyland. At this time we anticipate a 12/05 release date for this."

 

[Redcon1]

As for ACTUAL trip planning, I think this is the best site.
The other one that was mentioned "MiceChat", doesn't really go into detail for those who need trip suggestions. It's more about the everyday activities at the DL resort, very opinionated. Many of its' members seem to be AP holders, so they discuss the day-to-day happenings.
Mouseplanet.com also has a message board similar to MiceChat. Both are excellent and fun to read, but you'll find the best information for planning your visit to DL right here.

 

[Redcon1]

I just wanted to append my information listed above.
Mouseplanet.com does have a good travel planning section, however, I was mainly refering to the message boards where you can receive that "personal" touch that Mary Jo and others can provide.
I think between these two, you can find just about all you need to know.

 

[SeansMom]

This one, of course!
If you're looking for ways to save money, mousesavers.com had some great advice. We would never had stayed at GCH if we hadn't gotten the great rate we got, and we wouldn't have gotten that if I hadn't read mousesavers!

I also used the trip reports here and at mousepad. Helpful to read as other people often share their tips and hints in their trip reports, plus, makes you feel as if you've had a little mini vacation yourself.

I also used a subscription to ridemax. It DID help us with planning on our mornings. I certainly would have done things different if I hadn't had the plan, but the plan did seem to work.

 

[crazymomof 4]

Everything everyone else said of course! Also I would get Birnbaum's 2005 Disneyland Resort Special 50th Anniversary Edition. In the back of the book there are also coupons for Disneyland and the DD District. There is a lot of resourceful info. on both parks in this book.

 

[barbaraann]

If you happen to check out MiceChat, do a search about tips or hidden gems.
Since I have been visiting MiceChat, they have had several good threads. I have also asked direct questions about everything from hotels to parades to transportation and have always had speedy replies. I especially like the fact, that a lot of MiceChatters are Annual passholders, you get the inside scoop. MiceChat definitely has a different spin on things.

 

[Dobie]

You need to be careful about the Disneyland Trip Planning info on Mouseplanet--some of it is outdated.

The Disneyland update on Mondays on Mouseplanet is often interesting, especiallly vis a vis hours and refurbishments.

I think the boards on both Mousepad and Micechat can be really negative,and they seem to be more clique-y and less friendly than this one.

Another good, friendly board is forums.wdwmagic.com. Scroll down the page and you'll see the Disneyland one.

 

[LucyKate]

We planned our trip from Australia to Disneyland last year entirely via the internet and one guidebook.

The guidebook was "the unofficial guide to Disneyland" which gives you brilliantly detailed information on every ride, when best to go, how suitable rides are for various age groups, where to eat, how to hire strollers etc - everything you need.

Great websites are:
- this one (of course) for that first hand personal touch you can only get from those who live there or have been to Disneyland

- Mouseplanet.com, which, amongst others, has good info on ride closures and some good savings on room rates.

- http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm has great graphs on crowd patterns during the year, and at various times of the week and day, as well as weather.

- www.tripadvisor.com for invaluable first hand reviews of hotels

- The Disneyland website has good information and is a good place to buy tickets.

- Weather.com has forecasts up to 10 days out, and climate average for the year to help you plan clothing.