Birnbaum’s 2020 Disneyland Resort: The Official Guide

Authors:  Birnbaum Guides

Paperback, 144 pages, Disney Editions, List Price: $15.99

[A copy of this book was provided by Disney for review purposes without restriction on thoughts or opinions.]

As we reach the end of 2019, it is time for many things, surely–a time to reflect on all the events of the past year and a time to celebrate the holidays of the present, but mostly a time to start planning your 2020 Disneyland trips.  Towards that end, one of the tools available to you is the recently updated evergreen “Birnbaum’s Disneyland Resort: The Official Vacation Guide.”

The organization of the book is familiar to anyone used to perusing travel guidebooks with an introductory chapter on the logistics of getting there and advance planning, and then separate chapters on each park as well as accommodations and dining.  There are also a few pages in the back that cover some slightly random outdoor activities found in Southern California.  While it’s a nice thought to give some mention of non-Disney options, the selections are pretty insufficient for anyone planning to spend any time outside of the parks making no mention of any of the traditionally touristy destinations local to the area like Hollywood or the Queen Mary.  (Grunion hunting though?  They’ve got you covered.)

As is the case with any guidebook, the biggest limitation is the speed with which everything changes in the parks.  Some things can’t be helped, for example including a comprehensive chart on SuperShuttle fares when they just announced days ago they were going out of business at the end of the year, but others seem more outstanding.  Even though the guide was updated for the coming year, the map on the inside front cover seems exceptionally old, depicting not only a pre-Guardians of the Galaxy Tower of Terror, but the DCA 1.0 entryway complete with Golden Gate Bridge and Sunshine Plaza.  Additionally, they curiously state that Disneyland typically closes at 8pm on weekdays while DCA stays open until 9-10pm when, in my experience, it’s a rare occurrence that Disneyland closes before DCA.  Pages marking the “Soundsational” parade and “Remember…Dreams Come True” firework show as “Birnbaum’s Best” are sadly poignant as neither of those play anymore, as well as the description of “Fantasmic!” with Peter Pan on the Columbia, now replaced by Jack Sparrow.

Each park chapter has an overview of the individual lands and the specific attractions they hold which gives guests a nice idea of what to expect if they have never been before.  It would be easier for them to update, perhaps, if they fleshed this part out more and emphasized the unchanging history and background/trivia of the attractions.  The photos are attractive and should help people remember details of their trip once home and after the excitement wears off.  One thing I think would be useful would be a section comparing Disneyland attractions and general differences to Walt Disney World, since it seems as though anyone reading this book would have had a reasonable chance of having gone there already (locals would likely consult other locals.)

“Birnbaum’s 2020 Disneyland Resort: The Official Guide” is a fun, brief read.  Probably the best use of it would be as an addition to your trip planning given that so many specific details are, of necessity, either left vague or out of date.  People starting out on the process would do well to read this first and take from it an idea of what attractions particularly interest them.  Once they have an idea of what areas they wish to concentrate on, they can then go and find out the latest information either on the Disneyland webpage,  the Disneyland mobile app, or right here on AllEars.Net.

Questions?  Comments?  Suggestions?  Drop us a line below.

Be sure to follow @allearsnet on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Check out our YouTube Channel for reviews, news, information and more!

Click below to subscribe to the AllEars® newsletter so you don’t miss any of the latest Disney news!