Disneyland and California Adventure in 158 pages, Birnbaum's is Great Again!
Written: Jul 14 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It has exclusive coverage of Disneyland's California Adventure Theme Park.
Cons: 50 of the 158 pages are not Disneyland related.
The Bottom Line: This is a great comprehensive guide book, if you have never been to Disneyland, or haven't been in a few years. It sure had changed!
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| hephep1's Full Review: Birnbaum's Disneyland 2001: Expert Advice from the... |
"Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort, Expert Advice from the Inside Source," is touted as the Official Guide book of Disneyland.
It is the only travel guide series that the Disney company has given it's "Stamp of Approval" to.
The Birnbaum Disney Guides are the only guides that are allowed to publish photos and official maps and drawings of Disney rides, attractions, resorts and characters.
The Disney Company has literally opened it doors to the staff of Birnbaum's. They have been given full access to everything on Disney property.
With those kinds of Advantages, it is no wonder that this book stands out amongst the dozens of other travel guides.
So, HEPHEP1, What about the book?
Let's start with the cover. A stunning color photo of Sleeping Beauty's castle in the moonlight is right in the center. A unique, eye catching logo of Disney's new theme park, California Adventure takes up the bottom corner. In large letters are the words, "
EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF DISNEY'S NEWEST THEME PARK, DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE."
Yes, that is correct, Disney gave the staff of Birnbaum's full access to it's park, months before it was opened to the public. This book hit shelves in October of 2000. The park wasn't even opened until February of 2001.
I find it really hard to believe that any travel guide book could give an unbiased opinion, with all of the perks that they have been given.
In fact, This book rarely has anything negative to say about Disney.
From the start of this review, you may think that I don't like this book, however, it is just the opposite, I love it!
It is a very informative, comprehensive guide book. It covers every square inch of Disneyland.
The Guide Book is divided into seven different sections, or chapters.
1. Getting ready to go.
2. Accommodations
3. Magic kingdom.
4. Disney's California Adventure.
5. Good Meals and Great Times.
6. Sports.
7. Orange County and Beyond.
GETTING READY TO GO: This section provides vacation planning tips. It gives the park hours for every month of the year. It has a list of phone numbers for Disney Guest relations, and other important numbers.
Ticket prices are included, as well as sample itinerary's and driving directions from local airports.
ACCOMMODATIONS: This section does a good job of describing the 3 Disney owned hotels, but they also give locations ands prices of other local, economy hotels.
MAGIC KINGDOM: A Large full page map gets you started! This section is divided into smaller sections of: Main Street, Adventureland, Critter Country, Mickey's Toontown, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland.
Information on Disneyland's ride reservation system, called FAST PASS is also outlined.
A brief description, and sometimes a photo of each ride, show, store and parade is right there for you to read.
It will wet your appetite for a Disney trip!
DISNEYLAND'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE:
Now, if you haven't been to Disneyland in a few years, you will be surprised!
The information in this chapter is exclusive to this book. Because of the Behind the scene perks given to Birbaum's staff, you will get a full preview of DCA. A full page map will start you off.
These section is divided into smaller sub sections, covering Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Golden State, and Paradise Pier.
You get a great idea of what it will be like to ride, Soarin' Over California, Jumping Jellyfish, The Sun Wheel, and every other ride at this new park!
Every ride, restaurant, show and parade is covered.
I should mention, that there are only drawings in this section of the book, When this book went to print, the park was still in construction! I did find it funny that the book mentions to ride Soarin' over California in the morning, stating that is crowded in the afternoon. They are right! They correctly predicted the park crown patters, even before the park opened!
GREAT MEALS, GREAT TIMES:
This chapter gives a brief overview of every restaurant, lounge, snack bar and hot dog stand within Disneyland, DCA, and Downtown Disney.
It will also help you plan your dining budget. It lets you know the price structure of each eatery. It even covers a few Orange County restaurants, most on Katella, just outside
of the park.
ENTERTAINMENT:
This is a small section, it only has 3 pages. It mentions the hotel arcades, the AMC Theater, and the nightclubs within the Disney resorts and Downtown Disney. I never knew that Disney had their own House of Blues!
SPORTS:
This section really isn't even about Disneyland. It has a lot of information about Local and not so local tennis courts and golf courses. It has driving direction to beaches. There is also mention of fishing spots and parks.
ORANGE COUNTY AND BEYOND:
The final 30 pages of this 158 page book aren't even about Disneyland. If you plan a side trip to Los Angeles, or San Diego, this chapter is for you. It provides some area attraction information and driving directions.
At $12.95, this 158 book is a good value. It has all of the information that you need in one, handy to carry place.
On the down side, the information in this book will be outdated in a very short time. But don't despair, "Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort Expert Advise from the Inside Source 2002" will be in stores by October 2001!
Recommended:
Yes
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