Most Useful and Practical Disneyland Guide Book?

[mickeysgal]

I've tried the search function over and over, but its always timing out on me. I would like to buy a Disneyland guide book for our upcoming trip as a family. We're planning on doing Disney, San Diego Zoo, Universal, and general LA sites. Any recommendations?

 

[Mindibellcm]

Looking forward to answer to this. I am hoping for a great guide book that gives plans for getting through the crowds when it's busy.

 

[disneymomtofour]

We have both the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and the "Unofficial Guide to California with Kids". I have found them to be the most useful guides out there. Any questions not answered in these books, I can usually get answered on the DIS boards. I have also used tripadvisor.com to see reviews on resturants and hotels in San Diego.

 

[SunshineOR]

We always use the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland for information on Disneyland/DCA. We love that it doesn't just say that everything's great, but honestly rates attractions based on age groups and we usually think they're right in their evaluations.

 

[carinv]

We used it last year for our first ever trip and found it fabulous.
It made a big difference to how we used our time.

But by far the biggest help was knowing that fast passes do not expire during the day. We found no problem in using them at night when they had officially passed their return window!

 

[momsgoofy]

I have the Unofficial Guide to DL...it's pretty good. I am a huge fan of the Passporter Guides to WDW...they have more info on the restaurants and other things plus the cool pockets to keep things...they are in the middle of publishing a guide to DL...their website says preorders will be shipped around May 15, 2006...so the book might show up in bookstores early June. If you're going after that you might want to give the book a look...wish it'd be out in time for our early June trip, but it's too close...rats!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I'm using several books: I purchased the Unofficial Guide, and got from the local library 3 other (older) books: Birnbaum's, Southern California With Kids, and a third whose name is escaping me at the moment... They each seem to tell the same basic information, which is good. The Unofficial Guide doesn't seem to have much info on the shopping. I think Birnbaum's had more info on that, and neat ideas for souvenirs.

The best information on shopping (as well as just about everything else!) has come from these boards! The information is more current (duh!), more in-depth, and great input for every budget. Thank you all for posting!

 

[ter-moo]

Another vote for The Unofficial Guide. DON'T GO TO DISNEYLAND WITHOUT IT!!!!

The part about this book that's invaluable are the touring plans in the back. If you choose one that's pertinent to your group and the time of year you're going, all you have to do is simply FOLLOW it. No arguing. No standing around discussing what to do next. No fights over who gets to choose. Very little waiting in long lines. I always tell my family that the BOOK is the BOSS, and then we're all happy.

I would recommend spending a bit of time the night before looking closely at the touring plan and tweaking it to fit your group's needs, plans. Then you can write in your adjustments, and it's still a plan!

Another guide series that I like for other areas (that might be good for the rest of your trip) is the "Hidden" series. (i.e. "Hidden San Diego", etc.) There are always interesting things to do/find that are off the beaten track and sometimes WAY more fun and typical of the area you're visiting than the usual tourist spots.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[LucyKate]

And another one! - Unofficial Guides to both Disneyland amnd California are both very good.

Some dislike the Unofficial Guide to because it doesn't have glossy pics, and it can be a little cynical - it's therefore not the sort of book to salivate over as you plan your trip.

But it is full of practical, sensible and very useful information, and, not withstanding the odd criticism, it is mostly positive about the parks. We found it a very good aid for our trip.