Disneyland MUST READ???

[WannabeAriel]

OK... I know there are a ton of guide books for WDW. What are the best ones that are dedicated to Disneyland? What are some of your favorite titles? Is the Unofficial Guide a good bet? I liked it for WDW. I'd love to get a guidebook or two for our trip in July!

Also... is there a Hidden Mickey book specifically for Disneyland? Do you think it's worth it?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I like the Passporter myself.

Also, I just saw the Hidden Mickey's book for Disneyland in one of the stores, but I haven't got it yet. Personally, I'd get it.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I would recommend the Unofficial Guide. There is a Hidden Mickey book specifically for DL:

http://www.amazon.com/Disneylands-H...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236264811&sr=8-1

 

[charmama4]

http://www.amazon.com/Disneylands-H...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236264922&sr=8-1

this was recommended from some DIS'ers to me for the hidden mickey's.

as for a DL touring guide, I would suggest Fodor's Disneyland and So. Cal. with kids (I'm reading the 8th ed. but I know that the 9th just came out)

 

[PinkBudgie]

I like the Unofficial Guide too. Also the Hidden Mickey book.

And I like the DL Encyclopedia. No, that one is not a tour guide book but it has all the attractions past and present. Not only does it give you a sense of history, it makes you aware of details and attractions that you may have otherwised missed. I'm reading straight through but you can pick it up and open it to any page to start reading.

 

[Tasscrapper]

If you're interested in the Hidden Mickeys get the book. It is a lot of fun. I think when I was last checked in December it was $8.95 in the parks but it might have gone up.

 

[Hound 109]

OK... I know there are a ton of guide books for WDW. What are the best ones that are dedicated to Disneyland? What are some of your favorite titles? Is the Unofficial Guide a good bet? I liked it for WDW. I'd love to get a guidebook or two for our trip in July!

Also... is there a Hidden Mickey book specifically for Disneyland? Do you think it's worth it?

After you read a guide book for general info, review the links in this thread for the real dirt:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[pixiewings71]

We don't use guide books for the resort but we do have the Hidden Mickey book, it's so much fun! I definitely recommend that one!

 

[WA Kay]

Love the Unofficial Guide.

 

[WannabeAriel]

OK... so far in my Amazon cart I have:

Disneyland's Hidden Mickey's Book - We have the WDW one and love it!
The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009 (Again we have the WDW version and love it!)

The Disneyland Encyclopedia also sounds very interesting and I'll probably get it too!

What about Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2009? I know the Birnbaum's books are not as good as the Unofficial Guide for information - but don't they usually have a lot of pictures? Anyone have this one and care to give me a review??? I love looking at maps and pictures to get me excited for the trip!

If not that one... is there a Disneyland book with plenty of colorful pictures that you can recommend?

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I also like the Disneyland Encyclopedia. I hesitated to buy it because it had “encyclopedia” in the title, but it’s fun to read.


I recommend Birnbaum’s. It has plenty of color photos. It’s upbeat and enthusiastic. And its maps are much better than the Unofficial Guide's.


Full disclosure: I haven’t seen the Birnbaum’s 2009 version, but I have the ’07 and the ’08.

HTH

 

[ter-moo]

I usually check out Birnbaum's at the library, just to look at pictures or to show pictures to the kids to get them excited.

BUT, I BUY the Unofficial Guide. It's our Bible when it comes to having a touring plan--particularly if you're going during a crowded time, or with a lot of people (like the whole family). We just follow a touring plan (which we've tweaked to our own interests the night before) and then there's no arguing, no decision-making, and very few lines!!!

I do like the PassPorter for organizing stuff, but I find it much more useful for WDW than for DL.

 

[darph nader]

Another vote for the Unoffical Guide. Not as mooshy as some others.

 

[lntsmom]

I do like the Unofficial Guide...my only gripe is that they lift a lot of stuff from their WDW guide. Makes me question their dedication to really covering DLR.

I didn't realize this until recently. I know they don't update their guides every year, and if you are looking for touring plans and ride info, it's great. However, I have the 2008 WDW guide and the 2009 DLR guide...and the little anecdotes in them are identical.

It's obvious from some of them that they were said about WDW. I haven't been to Disney enough to be any sort of specialist in this area, but it seems to me that DLR and WDW are two different animals, which isn't reflected in the little stories.

That said, I'd never go without a current Unofficial Guide.

I just finished reading the Disneyland Encyclopedia. It was very interesting...gave the history of every documentable ride, show, shop, restaurant, and parade. If you have extra time, it makes for interesting reading!