Critiques of Published Guide Books
(Click on Any of the Pictures to
Purchase the Books From Amazon.com)
 Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort (2001)
I really like the Birnbaum books on Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Birnbaum gives
tidbits of Disney "trivia" and anecdotes that add to the fun. A particular
restaurant or attraction, a parade or detail is all the more interesting and fun when you
feel like "you're in the know". Also, Birnbaum's book concentrates on describing
attractions and restaurants, while other guides focus on giving opinions and reviews. I'd
rather make up my own mind, since I don't always agree with the opinions of others....I'd
just as soon not go into an attraction or restaurant with a pre-conceived notion as to
it's worth or quality. If you're buying just one book, this should be it.
Review Summary:
Trip Planning Helps: excellent, especially the reservations information
Resorts Descriptions: the best
Off Site Hotel Descriptions: much more complete than the WDW version of the book
Attractions Descriptions: excellent descriptions, but never a critical comment
(you decide if that's good or bad)
Restaurant Reviews: again, excellent descriptions, but certainly not critical
reviews
Non-Disney Information: several other Southern California attractions are
described, but not in detail
Overall: if you're going to Disneyland, buy this book
Founding Editor, Stephen Birnbaum
Editor, Jill Safro
Hyperion and Hearst Business Publishing, Inc.
ISBN 078685314
Copyright, 1999
$12.95 US
 The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland
2001
The Unofficial Guide features a series of "touring plans" that promise you'll
see more attractions if you "follow the plan". Anyway, during the busier times
of the year the touring plans can really be worthwhile. The feature of the Unofficial
Guide that I particularly enjoy is that the text is sprinkled with comments from previous
year's readers. Unfortunately, the book lacks the good restaurant reviews and detail that
the WDW version has nailed.
Review Summary:
Trip Planning Helps: excellent, for on-site guests or off-site visitors alike
Resorts Descriptions: very short, but to the point
Off Site Hotel Descriptions: includes a very complete list of decent area hotels
Attractions Descriptions: brief descriptions, rated by age group
Restaurant Reviews: very short descriptions, nothing even as detailed as
Sehlinger's WDW Unofficial Guide
Non-Disney Information: Sea World is briefly mentioned, Universal Studios is
covered in detail
Overall: second only to Birnbaum, in my opinion
By: Bob Sehlinger
Macmillon Travel, A Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company
ISBN 0028637267
Copyright, 1999
$13.99 US
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