10 nights in California!!!

[hmontgomry]

Hi, I've been kind of lurking around the boards and wondered if I could get some locals (or regulars) to give me a couple of tips. We are going to be spending 10 nights in California May 29-June 8th and want to experience as much as possible. We are HUGE Amusement Park fans-coming from Ohio with AP's to Cedar Point and Six Flags so we want to visit as many rides as possible. I've been doing some research and can't find much out about the hotels we have chosen. We are flying into Burbank and staying at Holiday Inn Van Nuys-anyone's input on this would be great since it will be 5 nights. I figure it's a good location between Hollywood, Universal and Magic Mountain. We then are heading to Knott's Berry Farm Radisson for a couple of nights to check out the park. Our last stop will be at a Disneyland resort (only reason staying is to get the Unlimited Fastpass option booked through AAA) Is it worth an extra 50.00/night for Disneyland Hotel rather than Paradise Pier? My son will be 4 during our stay there and I want it to be great for him! We will spend our last night back near the airport with a shuttle so I don't miss the plane!! I wanted to get Legoland in there somewhere, but don't know if we could do it. How far is it from Disneyland?? Thank you for any input!!

 

[CalGal]

With a 4 year old, I would definitely consider the Disneyland Hotel over the Paradise Pier. It's a little closer to Disneyland, especiallly if you stay in either the Marina or Sierra Tower. It's has more Disney theming, and has the very fun Goofy's Kitchen. It's not uncommon to see Goofy hanging around the lobby from time to time. And the pool is much more fun for the younguns.

Legoland is also very fun for the younger kids, especially those under around 12. It's about an hours drive south of Anaheim.

Your timing is great. The weather will be wonderful, and most kids won't be out of school yet, so the crowds shouldn't be too bad. DL may open a little later or close a little earlier on some days for the grad night parties, but this shouldn't really affect you. Multiple fast-pass should make it so you can do a lot of rides with very short lines. Great planning!

 

[mobetsy]

With a just 4 year-old, definitely fit in Legoland! We have annual passes there and it is fabulous for kids under about 10...easy to get around property, not too hilly, lots and lots for young children, and still very interesting for adults. Roughly an hour from DL to LL, though do plan to avoid travel before about 9 AM and between 4-7 PM. In making your plans, take note of the fact LL is closed Mon & Tues (I think that's right!).

The Holiday Inn Van Nuys will be fine; I think that's where my dh and I stayed on our wedding night, before leaving on our honeymoon. I will admit I don't remember much about it It is not a particularly scenic area of L.A., but since you don't sound like you are planning on spending lots of time hanging out at the hotel that doesn't really matter. Please be aware that freeways in L.A. range mostly from slow to slower, especially the 405, 134, 5, and 101 (the ones you are most likely to use!). As with going to Legoland, try to avoid travel between 6-9 AM and 3-7 PM; if you do that, you will do a lot better. Also, take advantage of carpool lanes when you can (2+ people). I mention this so you won't think "30 miles on the freeway...that should be half an hour." It might be, but it also might be more like 45-60 minutes even at non-rush hour.

You'll be very happy with Burbank Airport; it is my #1 choice of L.A. airports. Small and easy to negotiate. For your return flight, take snacks in with you, as there's not much to eat and it is very expensive; with a young child, these things matter!

Look carefully at the height restrictions on Magic Mountain rides for your son; it really is a theme park best suited to older kids and teens, with lots of big roller coasters that have minimum height requirements. My older son first went at age 7 and I considered that a little young to really enjoy it.

Despite its reputation, Hollywood--especially with a young child--is not all that big a deal. There are a few things to see and that's about it. You might consider going to a Metro Red Line station and taking that to Hollywood; then the trip itself is part of the adventure and you won't have to worry about parking. Here's the link to the Metro website: http://www.mta.net/riding_metro/default.htm

From where you are staying, if you want a quieter afternoon, you might consider the Getty Museum, which is fairly close by. http://www.getty.edu/visit/ It has a fabulous view, a neat tram ride from the parking to the site (museum is free, parking is about $5), lots of space for running around outside and uncrowded galleries, and a good family center that helps make the whole trip fun for kids. Too many days of theme parks in a row can be exhausting for everyone! The beach would also be another good place for a low key day. Also close by and free is Travel Town in Griffith Park...lots of old trains to climb on, and a favorite with both my sons.

 

[hmontgomry]

Thank you for all of your valuable information! I've never been to California and can't wait to see the beautiful scenery along with the amusement parks! We will probably end up moving there someday-It's my dh's favorite place to go-so much warmer than our Ohio weather! I know I can't compare Disneyland to Disney World, but I love "Magic" you feel at those places and my son will LOVE it! He will be 4 on June 6th, so I'll have to check out one of the B-Day packages for him-I can't think of a better place for a birthday party!! We will try to rearrange our schedule a little to fit in Legoland-maybe less time in Van Nuys and more time down near Knott's.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[mobetsy]

If you are staying near Knott's, or are there around dinner time one evening, leave the park to have a meal at the McDonald's on Beach Blvd. right near the north end of the park. Inside is an absolutely incredible LGB train layout--actually, a couple of them--and I guarantee your ds will be enthralled (you will too!). When we lived nearer there, we would sometimes go for a cheap dinner as a treat, and both my very active sons would sit and watch for a long time, giving us a much needed break.