Love all things Disney? You're not alone! Yet going to the Disney Parks can be a challenge, if you don't know how to plan your time there wisely.

We've interviewed Bob Sehlinger, author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney World and the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. The interview was fascinating - all the hard work that goes into creating these unofficial guides is incredible.  I am so very impressed, and would NOT head to any of the Disney parks without this excellent resource. Please do read our interview with Bob - you'll come away amazed!

What's in the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009? Lots of great features!

A critical introduction, noting how the research is done, and how to best prepare yourself for the Disney Experience.

Pre-trip planning (more important than you'd thought)

Essentials

Disneyland with Kids (covering the Brutal Truth about Family Vacations, Ages, basic considerations, single parents, grandparents, physical and logistical preparation, and more)

Dining and Shopping in and around Disneyland

Disneyland Park (including layout, special events, unheralded treasures, traffic patterns, and the VALUALBE Touring Plans)

Disney's California Adventure

Universal Studios Hollywood

and the best part (as always), located in the back  - Q&A, accommodations index, restaurant index, subject index, and CLIP OUT TOURING PLANS. Yes. Brilliant.

As a disabled traveler, I am especially appreciative of the extensive comments regarding disability access. Each attraction, restaurant, store, and general area includes information on accessibility. Thank you, Bob!

As a parent, I LOVE that this book talks - in every section - about kids. For instance, whether restaurants are good for kids (and/or adults, i.e., Goofy's Kitchen: "Adults take one for the kids here: the energy is high, the food is just OK, and the bill is, well, too much. But children will love the bright neon lights, the slide-around booths, and the opportunity to choose everything that goes on their plates."

As to attractions, each one is listed with the appeal by age, type of ride, scope and scale, when to go, special comments, duration of the ride, average wait in line with 100 people before you, and loading speed. It also comments (with reader input) on each attraction. I never thought that Honey I Shrunk the Kids would be so distressing to younger children, as it is so very popular!

The most valuable part of the book are the touring plans. Each one has been calibrated with extensive research to get the maximum amount out of your visit, with the minimum wait and stress. I would pay just about anything for that! There are many touring plans available, but the funniest one is the Dumbo-or-Die-in-a-Day Touring Plan for Adults with Small Children. This one is for "parents with children under age 7 who feel compelled to devote every waking moment to the pleasure and entertainment of their small children... This itinerary is not a joke...this touring plan will provide a small child with about as perfect a day as is possible at Disneyland Park." YES. Worth the cost of the book, in spades.

Each time I delve into this book, I am both amazed at the quantity of excellent information - and the effort it took to produce it. Given that this book is republished YEARLY, that Disney does not comp anything for the researchers, and that the Unofficial Guide team explores EVERY attraction, restaurant, store, bathroom, and more - this is one treasure that is required reading.

Interested in purchasing the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2009? 

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