Brit's Guide to DLP

[tarheelmjfan]

Do the books change a lot from one year to another? I found a couple on Amazon & Ebay. They're all the 2003 version. Should I order one, or try to have my friend in England pick one up for me & send it to me? Has the new book changed enough to be worth the hassle? Thanks

 

[beachbunny]

I purchased mine from Amazon and even though the version was listed as 2003, I received the 2004-05 version.

 

[woody73]

Personally, I would not rely on an old guide book. An old guide would be good for the basic information, but not for any recent changes. For example, when I was at DLP in 2003 and 2004, the Indiana Jones ride went backward and upside down. Once was enough for me! But I learned that as of this year, it no longer goes backward, so I will give it another try in November. If I relied on an old guide, I might be missing out on recent changes.

Woody

 

[dlpSteve]

There is an updated edition being released in February next year, I understand that may be too late for some people but it will include an extra 20 pages to the previous editions.

For those that don't know, the author Simon Veness, is an occasional poster and moderator of this very board!

The 2004-2005 is the latest version at the moment and although it isn't up to date for this very minute, it's still the best DLRP guide book on the market - combine that with this forum, and dlp.info and you can't go wrong!

 

[wifey]

Have you guys not heard SimonV is editing a new book ? Ask him!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info. We're not going until Christmas 2006. Should I just wait until next Feb. or March & have my friend send one?

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks for the info. We're not going until Christmas 2006. Should I just wait until next Feb. or March & have my friend send one?

I would - the extra sections could prove very helpful and Simon always does his best to include the most up to date information at the time of press - things like the meal reservations phone number have changed since the last edition.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks! I'll take your advice. I just can't wait to get started planning. We've taken time off from WDW to take a couple cruises & I'm in serious need of a Disney fix.

 

[Kernow_Clan]

I bought the DLP guide last night, ploughed through 2 chapters and enjoyed every second. This is going to be an invaluable part of the whole holiday process, and I have to congratulate Simon on what is obviuosly an excellent work combining experience, solid research and proper British humour.

I would recommend this book to EVERYONE who is even considering going to DLP.

Thanks Simon, you are one hell of a guy!!

Ade

 

[wifey]

I bought the DLP guide last night, ploughed through 2 chapters and enjoyed every second. This is going to be an invaluable part of the whole holiday process, and I have to congratulate Simon on what is obviuosly an excellent work combining experience, solid research and proper British humour.

I would recommend this book to EVERYONE who is even considering going to DLP.

Thanks Simon, you are one hell of a guy!!

Ade

He certainly is I just don't know how he fits all the trips and book writing and updates in each year Keep up the great work Simon!

 

[cleo]

Simon and I have just finished updating the DLP book this past week so look for a revised edition soon. There will be many excellent updates in the next edition, so even if you do pick up a copy of the last edition you may want to add the 2006 to your collection as well.

Perhaps if Simon can find a spare moment (as if we ever have a spare moment!) he'll post a quick reply here with info on when to expect the new release. Orlando and Paris for 2006 are both in the works and should prove to be a fantastic addition to the Brit's Guide series.

And you're right...he's a hellofa guy!

 

[dlpSteve]

Amazon.co.uk have February as the release date of the updated Brit's Guide - that's the same month as the last edition, isn't it?

Be interesting to see if any of our suggestions made it to print!

Can't wait to read it, over and over and over and over......

 

[whichway2]

Hi There,
I would love to get in some early research for our first venture to Europe and to DLP. I was able to buy some great travel books for Paris at an incredible discount when our local Rand McNally closed.
Seems from the comments on the board that I should try The Brit's Guide to DLP for the Disney portion of our trip. Are there any other ways to order the latest copy other than the Amazon UK site (and pay international shipping fees)? The version listed on the Amazon US site reads as the 2003 version.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Kernow_Clan]

I was lucky enough to get the last copy from Waterstones on Oxford St. However, all of the bookshops that I checked prior to that offered to order it in, in fact any bookshop worth it's salt can do this...

--Ade--

 

[whichway2]

Hi Kernow Clan,
I should have probably mentioned that I live in California and work in San Francisco. Are you referring to a Waterstone's there?
But you are absolutely right, I should be able to order one from a bookstore should they not have it in stock.
Thanks!

 

[Dee8197]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0572028458/qid=1124137774/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4299007-1979901?v=glance&s=books

Whichway2

This link is to the book that I have, it is the 2004 - 2005 version (at least the cover is the same)
This one doesn't have 2004 - 2005 in the right hand corner though

 

[Kernow_Clan]

Hi all

Finished reading up last night, PHEW, a lot to take in, not even got there yet

I have now started to try to put a plan together so that we are ready for the almost inevitable mad dash as we walk through the gates ( Look out Snow White )

Ade

 

[SimonV]

Hi there gang

As Susan indicated, we have just returned from an extensive trip around DLP (and the environs) and I wanted to post a few quick thoughts here before getting down to the real work of the re-write (which will certainly incorporate some of the ideas put forward on the Brit's Guide 2006 thread).

The Eurostar journey over from Ashford was again extremely quick and efficient, by far the best method of travel if you live within striking distance of London or Ashford. The convenience is simply unbeatable.

We did a quick tour of the Val de France hotels one afternoon, and stayed at the Holiday Inn, and, to our eyes, these are looking better value all the time. They are quieter (with the exception of the Explorers between 5 and 8, when it is at its busiest), well served by the bus system (with a few exceptions - see below) and their food and vfm seem distinctly above the Disney hotels right now (which is not to say the Disney hotels are bad, but they do charge slightly over the odds, we think, and the huge queues for breakfast even at hotels like Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay, are distinctly off-putting).

The big discovery of this trip was the Movenpick Dream castle, which is a really lovely hotel and has some great extras. It is one of the most family-friendly (especially the rooms), and the food we tried one evening (their set-price Italian buffet) was outstanding. Drinks prices were also roughly half of those in Disney Village.

The only drawback to this hotel seems to be its last place on the bus system, where the Explorers gets picked up first, then the Kyriad, then the Dream Castle. One morning at 8.45, we had to wait for a second bus at the Holiday Inn as the first one was absolutely full, which means the Dream Castle would have been worse off still.

In the parks, apart from the fact the loos STILL need better and more regular cleaning, we were impressed by the general state of things in the Disneyland Park. It was Susan's first visit and, as an American park aficionado, she had no hesitation in making this her favourite Disney park of them all. No small distinction. In fact, we needed 3 separate visits (1 evening, 1 9am-5pm visit and a second evening) to feel we had really covered it properly. Indiana Jones is now running forwards again (as most people know), and this seems to be a more comfortable ride, if lacking the suspense of the backwards loop, which I really enjoyed. The Lion Kind show is very well staged, if lacking a little of the depth of the Festival at Animal Kingdom. We also thought the ticket system was extremely badly planned and publicised; make sure you know about this in advance, as there were queues just to pick up the (free) tickets for shows much later in the day. Disney surely should be able to do better than this.

The park's version of Wishes is truly enchanting (as well as being quite different to Orlando’s). It is more small scale, less 'explosive' (you can hear the Magic Kingdom several miles away, as we well know, while this one can hardly be heard in Disney Village) but thoroughly choreographed and very captivating. Don't miss it. We had to watch Fantillusion twice to see all the different parade elements at work - it seems they don't stop as often as they used to, so it's possible to miss out on one of the sections showing off its special effects.

In the WDS, there is still much to be done here, even allowing for all the planned new development. We were in at 10am and had done everything (with the exception of the flying carpets) by 3.30. The Good Morning parade is a little bemusing and the Cruella DeVil show is simply dire. Whoever gave this the green light should be shot! A terrible idea, confusingly presented and badly acted (a rare thing for Disney), with very few people staying for the whole show (we managed it through gritted teeth!). The Lilo & Stitch show is great for kids, though, and well worthwhile. The brilliant Cinemagique remains one of my top Disney attractions of all time, and Rock n Roller was a near walk-on for much of the day (quite indicative of the low crowds - it only really seemed to get very busy from mid-day to about 2pm). The park's essential 'energy' seems way down on when it first opened, though, and the new attractions can't come soon enough. The complete lack of anything to do or see in the queuing areas for Cinemagique, Animagique and Armageddon remains a major minus point, while, even in early August, only 2 of the four main food outlets were open (we went out to eat in Disney Village).

The new Panaramagique ride in the Village is a 'must-do' if the weather is good. On a clear day you can see the Eiffel Tower, and the views over the immediate areas are stunning and quite intriguing (so much space still to use!). The IMAX cinema is superb, and they will have English audio available soon for all presentations.

We also did the Cityrama tour of Paris, which remains great for first-timers to the city, visited the SeaLife Center (again, excellent with younger children for a couple of hours) and the shopping areas (essential research!) and found Bert's Cafe in La Vallee a great place for breakfast or lunch.

I think that just about covers things for now, but, if anything else occurs to me, I will post again (perhaps, if time permits!!).

All the best,

Simon