Fodor’s Disneyland and Southern California with Kids, 9th Edition  
  • Fodor’s Disneyland and Southern California with Kids, 9th Edition

copyright Courtesy of Fodor's Travel Guides

Fodor’s Disneyland and Southern California with Kids, 9th Edition.

by Michael and Trisa Knight. Fodor’s, 2008; $16.95.

This book is divided into three sections: planning, the park and Southern California. It’s super easy to read and to navigate. The authors have six kids and have been there, done that, again and again. The guide is filled with money-saving strategies, insider tips, the “scare” factor on rides, as well as where the best seats are, plus attractions in Los Angeles, San Diego and other area parks.

Pros

“Quick Guides” throughout the book offer at-a-glance vital information on everything from hotels to attractions to dining. This is a huge timesaver, especially if you’re at the park, book in hand, looking for data. If you’re waiting in long lines, fun activities such as where to find hidden Mickeys and pun-named restaurants and shops pass the time. Hidden Mickeys are intentionally designed Mickey Mouse heads hidden in plain sight, like a Mickey-pruned cactus. Locate city-named puns in California Adventure—adjacent to Disneyland—at shops like Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream (Burbank) and Maliboomer (Malibu), among other groaners.

Great Tips

Insider tip boxes throughout the guide offer unique and fun advice you probably wouldn’t just figure out on your own. For example, if you book a package deal through the Disney Web site, you can schedule a phone call from Mickey, Minnie or Goofy to announce the trip to your kids. Getting a call from Mickey Mouse has to be a thrill.

Cons

In the category that I call the “TMI” (too much information) trap, which too many guidebooks can fall into, advice like how to store your luggage if your room isn’t ready is a waste of paper.

Worth Buying

Yes; there’s a wealth of knowledge here that a first-timer, or even several-time visitor, would never discover right away.