Birnbaum's 2019 Disneyland Resort: The Official Guide

by Stephen Birnbaum (Founding Editor)

As the Disneyland Resort continues to grow and evolve, trust Birnbaum as your guide! The 2019 edition delves into detailed descriptions of all attractions, resorts, and eateries offers money-saving coupons and strategies to maximize your vacation budget and includes a peek into what's

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Adult

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1982

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - it seemed okay as a basic introduction to Disneyland for someone who has never been, but other than the full color photos, this official (i.e. facts, tips, & opinions provided by Disney) guide is not ideal to use in preparing for a trip. Some of the "Hot Tips" are laughably simple or obvious (i.e. Hot Tip: restaurants are most crowded from 11:30-1:30, so try to eat lunch before or after those times). The map of the Disneyland resort inside the front cover is also inaccurate - it still shows "Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout" as "Tower of Terror" and doesn't include Star Wars Galaxy's Edge on the map at all. Granted, these are included within the book, but it's not good that but the official (i.e. directly from Disney) travel guide can't even include an up to date map inside the front cover.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used Birnbaum's back in 1996 for my honeymoon to Walt Disney World and it proved to be a godsend at a time when I didn't have access to the Internet. I'm happy to see that they are still putting out new editions on all the Disney parks! When planning a trip to Disneyland, Birnbaum's is an absolute MUST! Not only does it contain valuable information, and an easy to read format, but it's one of the few guides I've seen that includes pictures. By the time you finish this book, you'll know more about Disneyland than the Mouse himself!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best travel guides ever! Full of helpful advice and fascinating details. I have been buying, reading, and using their Disneyland and Disney World books for at least 26 years (I know because I have 1998 Disneyland still).

[Heidi Thorsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is comprehensive. My family is not “Disney-crazy” so I gave the kids the book to read to get them excited for the trip, just the part that described all the rides and attractions. We didn’t follow the guidebook’s “one day in...” activity list since my kids identified different things they were interested in, but it was useful to have descriptions of everything in advance since none of us had been to the CA Disneyland before. It also helped me determine where to stay, where to eat, how to schedule our time while we were near the parks. I recommend this book for first-time visitors, although they did have tips for SoCal residents and others who use an annual pass, pointing out what is new this year.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting ready for a 2014 trip to Disneyland. This book is surprisingly thin for the $15.99 price tag. It is chocked full of good information for a Disneyland newbie. I wish it had a specific chapter showcasing some of the differences between Disney World and Disneyland. This will probably be our only trip to Disneyland while we plan to make a few to Disney World. I want to make sure I hit everything that is unique to Disneyland.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read the 2009 version. Very good for planning ahead of time. Includes a line-minimizing plan that worked very well last time we tried it (several years ago, from an older edition). (Or was it the plan from Hidden Disneyland?) Fairly comprehensive & nice illustrations, but does not do a good job of warning which rides are not for chickens.

[Kellie Brabec · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this one. I"m not sure if it's because I'm used to the robust guides for WDW, or if I just thought Disney would put out something a little less...well, kiddy for those planning vacations. The information was somewhat useful, and we'll be taking the guide with us on vacation, but overall, I would not be buying this one again.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this Disneyland guide for years just waiting to plan my own California Adventure!! Lucky for me (but unlucky for the trip) I ended up getting married in 2009, when we had been planning to visit. I held onto the guide, and I must say except for a few updates and changes... this book is a great resource, even for a girl whose first trip to Disneyland is in 2011. :)

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Birnbaum's guides (Is he still alive?) are always charming to read but I have always felt they were skewed. There are no bad reviews of any rides at Disneyland, but the descriptions and information presented are fun. I always recommend these guides to people who want an overview of what each park has to offer, as put out by Disney, but not a review of each of the many rides.

[Meghan (Wilker) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. But, just fine. Gives a good overview of the parks and rides, but as the "official" guide it of course paints a very rosy picture of everything and is short on actual strategies for navigating the park. If you have to read just one Disneyland book, I'd suggest The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland but if you have time for two this makes a good companion to that book.

[Elizabeth Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids don't know yet but we are heading to the happiest place on Earth! December is far away but this mom is excited.
This book helped give me lots of information. I will be using some of the websites and tips to further plan our trip. We have been to Disneyland before but this book helped put a few things on my radar that we might have missed otherwise.

[Savannah Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bumped down exponentially in accordance with the comparison of information with this book and another popular guide to the park. This in retrospect is so empty and lacks a lot of what made that one good, things, as a new park goer I had zero idea.

I’d see if you can rent both and see but if you can only buy one try not to make it this one.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book if you are heading to Disneyland/California Adventures. This one isn't as good as the Unofficial Guide, but it has lots of pictures and the maps are more detailed. Plus there's a few coupons in the back (though we'll only be using one of them).

[Andrew Fry]

This has always been a must read guide for the family prior to out biannual Disneyland trips. Though I have read these pages many times before, it updates enough that I enjoy going through it again. At this juncture, it is less a guide for me and more a way to get pumped up for the trip.

[katinameow · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve been to Disneyland, and my first time with a 3 year old, so this has been fun to read together and to look for things she wants to and is talk enough to do. Great pointers!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all things Disney, the Birnbaum books have been my "go-to" guide books for about a decade. They are current, informative, and have lots of good extra tips to help plan out a trip that can be overwhelming at times.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so useful when I went on vacation; I have several different editions. This isn't the book's cover, it's actuall a picture of Mickey in front of Main Street Railroad Station.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this one for tips for my trip to Anaheim this summer. Can't wait!

[Megengelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually had the 2010 version from the library... not the 2008.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much the same as last year's edition and way less info about the new Cars Land than I was hoping for. Still, it's a good quick and dirty guide to Disneyland.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a good book for some one who has not been to the parks before. If you have been, don't bother. Pick up an unofficial guide and move along

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it is outdated by a few years, I still learned tips and tricks! And I am an avid CA Disney Resort traveler!

[Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I wish I was going to DL soon, I am not. Filled with info, nothing new to me, and a easy read.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not wait! this has been such a helpful tool to learn more about what we are getting ourselves into. soon we will find out.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't hold a candle to "The Unofficial Guide."

[Laura Schrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

35 days and counting!!! This is a great resource for trip planning.

[Sheri P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information. Easy to read.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 honestly, there are much better and more comprehensive guides available.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re going to Disneyland, this is a book you should read. Lots of interesting facts and some good tips about how to plan your days!

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay starting point if you've never been to Disneyland or haven't been there in a very long time. Nearly almost any other published guide is better.