GOING TO GUIDES
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Disneyland became a part of our life with our first trip there in 2014, our oldest was just a toddler. We’ve been back since then and that time with more family. This time we went with two girls, and my parents. Memories were made and my childhood dream of going to Disneyland with my parents came true! Recently I learned about some amazing Going to Guides and I couldn’t help myself and had to purchase them. I am so glad I did because the Going to Guides for Going to Disneyland and Going to California Adventure are incredible!
The creator of these amazing books is Shannon Laskey, she was searching for a guide book for her son when they were planning a trip to Disneyland. To her surprise, she couldn’t find any that were specifically for kids. Creating a guide book for Disneyland became her next task, you see, Shannon is an illustrator, graphic designer, and author.
After ordering the books I couldn’t wait for them to arrive. I knew the books were sure to be a hit as soon as my preschooler spotted them she was instantly drawn the artwork on the cover of the books. She immediately started listing off all the different characters she recognised. The illustrations are whimsical just like Disneyland itself!
GOING TO DISNEYLAND
A GUIDE FOR KIDS & KIDS AT 
Inside of this book, you will find everything you need for a trip to Disneyland. You can learn a bit about Walt Disney himself, to the Disney movies, and how Disneyland came to be. There’s of course, pointers for visiting Disneyland today, as well as a break down of each section of the park. If you think of it, you’re certain to find something about it withing the book.
I really appreciate how each section of Disneyland is showcased inside. From Main Street and all its wonderful shops and places to eat to Tomorrowland and all its wonderful adventures, you can be a part of. Each section has it’s own map of that land and contains a plethora of information.
My husband and I both like to research things like crazy before we go on trips, how I wish we had guides like this before our first trip. There are all sorts of details inside the pages of the books. There is even an index for all the special stuff in the book that you should keep an eye out for. Hot Tips that contain insider information not everyone knows about. Fun Fact highlights by a Mickey silhouette that are filled with fun trivia information you may not know. Even warnings for what May Be Scary to some younger guests in Disneyland.
A favourite for me, in the Going to Disneyland book, would be the each section shares about things in detail but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. Looking for a place to eat, look at the food & drinks section for each land. You won’t want to miss out on where to get your first Dole Whip or the best place to find a corn dog.
GOING TO DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Much like the first Going to Guide about Disneyland, the Going to Disney California Adventure book contains everything you need to know in a fun filled way. Both parks are very different but have the same magic Disney is known for. With each park just steps across from each other you’ll surely visit both if going to Disneyland!
California Adventure is the place to be if you have Pixar fans on your hands. Love Cars, you know Radiator Springs is over there. Is Disney Jr the go to channel in your home for kids shows? Don’t miss meeting Doc McStuffins and Jake! Plus rumour has is you just might bump into Captain America over there.
I swear Shannon had my family and me in mind when creating this book because right at the beginning is “My Trip Planner – Itinerary”. We love to have a good idea of what we want to do on our trip, this provides the perfect spot to write down our must-do, see, and eat items. Keep in mind, you’ll likely want to fill out these pages after reading the book. There’s even a spot for which characters you would like to meet.
Again you get the history and the inspiration from Walk Disney’s journey and early days in Hollywood that inspired California Adventure as well as the lands divided up into their seven different sections of the book. There is even a seasonal breakdown of what you can expect.
Knowing the details before you go can make all the difference in how your trip goes. For example, Radiator Springs Racers has a height requirement of 40″ we were able to prepare our daughter for this and let her know that she would not be tall enough to ride, but that we could go and watch cars go and race past.
Both books contain everything you need and more. At the back of the books is a section called “My Trip Journal” it’s the perfect little keepsake to use during your visit to save information about your trip. You can fill in spots that will keep details of your trip, such as your favourite lands and rides, to which characters you did meet. There is even a place to collect autographs and put photos and any other odds and ends like unused fastpasses and stickers.
The fun from Going to Guides does not end there, you’ll also want to check out the Going to Guides Etsy Page. There are all sorts of little goodies that are great for making a trip to Disneyland extra special. My girls love the different buttons that are available and have claimed the ones I have for their own. There are even bookmarks with the same whimsical artwork that is shown throughout the books.
My favourite though just might be the Three Fairies pouches which are sewn by Kimberly of ShopKWCreations. It’s the perfect size to pop your Disneyland ticket, fastpasses, and pressed pennies into! Using it you won’t have to worry about misplacing such key items in your bag when travelling around the parks.
– GIVEAWAY –
Our books will definitely be making the trip with us the next time we go and Shannon has very kindly offered to do a giveaway for one reader to win a “Going to Disneyland” book, a Three Fairies pouch, button set, sticker, bookmark, and fan club card. The winner will be all set to start planning their trip to Disneyland! Be sure to enter through below!
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Disclosure: I purchased the books myself because I wanted to check them out. I fell in love with them and partnered with Going to Guides to bring you this giveaway. Shannon very kindly sent the Etsy items to me to also share with all of you!
I love a good guide book. You should see my Tokyo book!!!
What a great review. We’ve never been to Disneyland but are currently planning our first trip. Definitely checking in to these books and entering the contest. Thanks for sharing!
I have been to Disneyland as a child with my parents, and we are now heading here next week with our two young boys. Even though this likely won’t come in time for this trip, it will be great to have a better sense of what to do! We are flying by the seat of our pants on this trip!
We have been many times and my three year old went for the first time last year. He LOVES looking at maps and guides and he would love this!
I went as a college student. We are planning a big trip for my daughter’s birthday. Would love these!
We are going to disney in March – this is so neat!
We have been twice with our kids and even though you think you know it all there are so many secret places to check out! We went in October and will go again when Star Wars land opens so it will be nice to dream until then.
We are planning for next year and these books would be so great!
How adorable are those guides! I wish they had been around when My kids were little, they are both adults but we still do Disney, did it last summer! Thanks for sharing, now fun!
What a great guide. I’d like to share it with my friends
I love these books!!! My family goes to Disneyland (and sometimes WDW when we can afford to) every chance we get!! We’ve always been huge Disney fans and my sister got me these books for Christmas. I learned a lot of new things, the illustrations are phenomenal and I will be taking these with us this spring for my daughter’s first trip!!! I hope some WDW guides are in the works 💖💖💖
I’ve never been to Disneyland but would love to go one day. This is such a cute book to get your little ones excited to go!
I have been to Disneyland but always on the look out for new tips and ideas on how to make the best of it. This guide looks really cool!
We have been to Disneyland before and are planning a trip in October. Would love to win this prize.
I went to Disneyland Last time when I was 12 years old. As our oldest is turning 5 this year and dreams about disneyland I think a trip is in order!
Great review! Can not wait to plan our next Disney trip with the kids !!
We’re planning our second trip as a family to Disneyland this spring. This guidebook looks awesome!
These look great!! I love getting fun books to plan our vacations with the kids. We are hoping Disneyland in 2018 so I will keep these in mind.
I have been to Disneyland before we had kids, but the boys are getting older now and they have been asking to go, so we have it on our plans within the next 2 years
I go to Disneyland all the time as we live close, but I definitely want to check out this book for my young daughter to read. I would love to have her plan a Disney day for her dad and I. She can point to all the rides and shows she wants to check out using this super cute guide book. Thank you for the recommendation!
I love Disney. If I could afford to go more often I would.
I went to Disneyland when I was in gr.2 — haven’t been back since. Our family made a goal to try to visit this year with the kids after our youngest’s first birthday. Here’s hoping!
What a neat travel guide. I would have never thought to make one for kiddos. It’s so awesome to get them involved in the planning process!
we’re planning our trip for next year!!
Have been to Disneyland twice…but not for ages.
We are thinking of taking our girls in the next year or so so I would LOVE to win the Going to Disneyland Guide book!
I went with my family as a kid and its been so long a guide book would be fantastic!
These guidebooks look so helpful and are so cute!!
I have been to Disneyland many times and it never gets old!! My hubby and I have been saving for over a year to take our four boys this coming summer. It will be like the first time for them, at least the younger three. We’re so excited!! We have a long drive to get there and I’m hoping the books will be a great time-passer and get them all that much more excited!! 😊
This is SO cool!! We’ve yet to take our kiddos to Disney, but have a plan in the works for the next couple of years!
Thank you for sharing!
I love Disney! I would love to have these books for planning purposes. Thanks for reviewing!
Great review, in my 38 years I still have not gone to Disneyland I really need ant to make it a priority this year
I may need these guide books if we decide to revisit the idea of going to DL. When it comes to planning trips to here it’s all overwhelming!
Ummm how cute is this guide book. Forget the kids I want one for me! No really though it looks great. We are planning on going this October with our two kiddies so rhia would be super helpful.
Would love to win! So then I could use them to plan my trip!!!
We are headed there in November and these are really helpful tips. Thanks!
What a great review! That makes the planning of a Disney trip all that much easer!
We have been once and would love to go again. This guide book looks like a lot of fun to take with us!
Yes I have been to Disneyland! I would love this for when we take my son for the first time so he can get a glimpse of what’s to come, then plan out how he wants to spend his first time there.
We are annual pass holders for Disneyland. We have to get these! Thanks for sharing.
Chelsea – http://www.binkiesandbaubles.com
We haven’t been but are hoping to go this year!
Love these guides! I have always wanted to go to Disneyland in California. I am from Florida so we’ve always gone to Disney World but I hope to check out Disneyland!
I’d love these! We’re going to Disneyland in May for our very first trip to California. My boys are 5 and 3 and these books look incredible.
I can’t wait to take my kids to Disneyland! I’m going to make it a secret!
I’ve been to Disneyland once before, many years ago! Would love to win this to plan my next vacay!
Would love to go and this book would definitely help us get ready for all the action!
We have been to Disney World many times, but never Disneyland! We’re planning for next year!!
I know a few people who would love these — what a great resource! (And I love a good pocket too.)
These books are great! I’ve never been to Disneyland but have always wanted to go. It would be great to have these beforehand to be able to see what’s available.
What a cute book! I haven’t used a physical guide book in ages but this makes me rethink that!
We would love to win this book for our first family trip to Disneyland this summer!
I love Disneyland! I am usually even more excited when I am there than all the kids around me haha. Can’t wait to bring my own kids to Disneyland once I am a Mommy 🙂
I love going to Disneyland, and I love finding new things to discover about Disneyland. Winning this book would be amazing!
I love the books!!! Disney fanatic! we have been to Disneyland but I’d love to win to learn more and to gift it to my sister in law who is coming to visit with the kids in March. We are taking the family to Disneyland for the first time 🙂
I love Disneyland and we are getting annual passes this year so this book would be a perfect way to start off the yeast!
I went to Disneyland when I was a teenager. I’d love to win this for a friend who is headed to Disney for her first time, with 3 kids too. She’s a bit nervous about it.
Those guides are so adorable!! I grew up in Orange County about 20 minutes from the parks and I practically grew up at Disneyland! I have such a love for all things Disney and really appreciate all the cute details it looks like she put into these books!
I’m taking the hubs for his birthday. It’s his first time at Disneyland. Thanks for posting this!
OMG, how adorable, and such a cool way to get kids excited for a family vacation!!! Disneyland/world is something I never got to do as a kid, so I will definitely be taking my kiddos! Thanks for sharing <3
I love love love DL and DCA!!! These guidebooks look like an awesome read full of facts, tips and whimsical graphics!! I’m so wishing for these books!!!
I’m so excited to take my girls (4 and 6) to Disneyland for the first time this March! This book looks absolutely adorable!
Recently got a pass to disney this book would be perfect!
I love Disneyland! I think a book like this would be so fun to help dream up another trip with my daughter!
I want to explain to my little man to let his dream come true to visit Disney land and we went there when he was a baby
These books look fab! I’d love to win.
Thanks for reviewing these! It helped me choose what guide to get!
Disneyland would be fun for my daughter when she’s old enough to go on the rides.