?Guidebooks?

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I haven't been to DLR since DCA opened and am wondering if there are any guide book recommendations or do I not need one w/ the huge amount of info here? (Kudos to HydroGuy! )

(When I'm planning for WDW I use Passporter, UG and Birnbaum's.)

 

[kmab00]

Well, you've listed all of the ones that I would recommend!!

I LOVED my Passporter for my last WDW trip that I decided to buy the "refill" pages (for the delux Passporter) for our upcoming Disneyland trip! I can't wait to use it!

I've also read and LOVED Birnbaum's and Unofficial Guide for WDW, soooo, I went out and bought them for Disneyland as well!! So far, all three have been very helpful!!!

Good choices!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Same ones. Though I like to use the library's newest editions, rather than buying my own, especially since you get so much info from the boards.

 

[Danauk]

For my trip I am using my Passporter (I love the pockets to keep things organised so I got the refill pack and used the deluxe binder from my WDW trip!), have got the Unofficial guide but the best thing I got was a subscription to Ridemax to help me plan the best order to do the rides in. I ordered it as it came highly recommended from many knowledgable people on these boards. www.ridemax.com

 

[tigergrad]

Passporter has a brand new book for DLR to be released on Feb 28. I have preordered a copy from Amazon for our 1st trip to DLR in June.

 

[tnd]

I got the Unofficial Guide and it's pretty helpful. Since I'm cheap, I bought the 2007 edition on half.com for under $1 brand new. Even with the shipping, it was under $5 total.

If you need/want the newest version, you might want to check Amazon. It had the cheapest price when I checked a few weeks ago.

 

[Danauk]

Passporter has a brand new book for DLR to be released on Feb 28. I have preordered a copy from Amazon for our 1st trip to DLR in June.

I was hoping they would release their new edition soon so I checked the passporter website just now. They don't have their new edition on their for pre order yet so I checked amazon and the date for release is now August 15th 2008.

 

[Merryweather]

Passporter has a brand new book for DLR to be released on Feb 28. I have preordered a copy from Amazon for our 1st trip to DLR in June.

You may want to keep tabs on that pre-order. I heard they kept promising to come out with one the last two or so years and it never happened. Last I heard it was expected for their personal tour next year?

 

[bumbershoot]

You may want to keep tabs on that pre-order.

Yep. Passporter tried to blame amazon for the mysterious info, but amazon's pre-order stuff is all automatic and comes from the publisher. So at some point they were given a date, and now it seems the date has moved. But I swear I just read on passporter that they are still accepting submissions for the disneyland book...

ah yes, from them:

Our 2009 edition will be released in August 2008 -- pre-orders will open this spring.

and down that page

We're looking for good tips and stories to include in our next edition, which will debut in summer 2009. If we use your tip or story, we will credit you by name and send you a complimentary copy of the guidebook.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I haven't been to DLR since DCA opened and am wondering if there are any guide book recommendations or do I not need one w/ the huge amount of info here?

For Dining info: UG 2008 (IMO, the dining info in UG 2007 wasn't good.)

For Hotel info: UG 2008 (It lists 27 "walking-distance hotels," with walking times. )

For general I'm-Goin'-To-Disneyland! info: Birnbaum's

For Making-Touring-Plans-with-the-least-amount-of-effort: Ridemax.com

For learning about rides/attractions: The DIS

JMHO, I would try to get the UG 2008 and Birnbaum's from the library. The books can be helpful, but the DIS boards can really answer most of your questions!

I think RideMax costs $15 for 3 months, and $25 for 1 year. Ridemax also includes some brief descriptions of rides, good touring advice, and suggestions for viewing the parades and fireworks.

HTH

 

[vflipo]

I bought the Unofficial Guide (despite the amount of trips I've made to DLR) and I absolutely love it. Mostly for the dining reviews, but it's always fun to read about DLR

 

[kmab00]

You may want to keep tabs on that pre-order. I heard they kept promising to come out with one the last two or so years and it never happened. Last I heard it was expected for their personal tour next year?

I just went on ahead and orderd their existing version of the Disneyland guide. I'm sure that some things have changed since this version was published in 2006 (I think!) ... may have been 2005. I can't remember. It did give pretty helpful information, though! And all of the updates can be located on their website.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Thank you everyone!! Great ideas!
xoxoxoxoxo