1st family DL trip - planned Sept. 2010

[swamp_mule]

Hi all, love the forum!

I'm planning a DL/SoCal trip with DW and DS (2 yrs in May 2010) along with Grandma/Grandpa for the week of Sept. 1 to Sept. 8 (tentative). This will be the 1st trip to DL for this family unit (DW and I have both been to DL when we were kids, and me by myself a couple years ago).

We are planning to stay at a VRBO condo (1st time) at Dana Point/San Juan Capistrano/Laguna/Oceanside (undecided yet) because we will only do a couple days at DL (I know, not long enuf) then do other days in San Diego area. The tentative DL visit days will be Sept. 2 (Thursday) and Sept. 3 (Friday).

Questions:

1. Does anyone have any experience/tips with staying at VRBO condos in the Dana Point area? What areas are better than others, what to look for when searching different condos?

2. What is the traffic like to DL from Dana Point (I've read Hydro Guy's GREAT thread on commuting to DL, just looking for other opinions)? Best route to take? Carpool lane?

3. I would assume, since kids are in school the days we plan to visit DL, that crowds will be relatively low on those days, agree/disagree? Common ride refurbs for that time of year?

Any help/info is GREATLY appreciated as we want to have a memorable experience for our son and want Grandma/Grandpa (Grandma celebrating 60th birthday) to have fun too!!

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

3. I would assume, since kids are in school the days we plan to visit DL, that crowds will be relatively low on those days, agree/disagree? Common ride refurbs for that time of year?

Many or most SoCal schools do not start until after Labor Day (Sept 6). So no help with schools out. Ride refurbs are usually held until after Labor Day. Bottom line? Thursday crowds will likely be light to moderate, Friday will be busier - especially Friday night - and all rides and shows will be probably be running.

HM will probably go down on Sept 7 for its annual holiday overlay. Other things will likely go down that day as well.

 

[swamp_mule]

Many or most SoCal schools do not start until after Labor Day (Sept 6). So no help with schools out. Ride refurbs are usually held until after Labor Day.

Hmm, thanks for the heads-up, sir. This kinda conflicts with the document I found on the web:

"Orange County Public Schools 2010-2011 School Calendar" (sorry I don't have enuf posts to post this link). Can I PM you the link Hydro GUY?

In short, this doc lists the 1st day of school being Monday, Aug. 23rd. Are they out to lunch?

Thanks!

EDIT: It looks like the Berkeley Unified K-12 starts Sept. 1. I realize I'm not thinking about the rest of the US, obviously that would influence things too ...

 

[HydroGuy]

Hmm, thanks for the heads-up, sir. This kinda conflicts with the document I found on the web:

"Orange County Public Schools 2010-2011 School Calendar" (sorry I don't have enuf posts to post this link). Can I PM you the link Hydro GUY?

In short, this doc lists the 1st day of school being Monday, Aug. 23rd. Are they out to lunch?

Thanks!

Here is your link:

https://www.ocps.net/SiteCollectionDocuments/2008-09/2010-11 School Calendar.pdf

Orange County is where DLR is located, but there are many large counties nearby.

Here is one of the LA districts that start on Sept 8:
http://notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/d...RACK 2010-2011 -- REVISED DRAFT 2-11-2010.PDF

Looks like Riverside starts Aug 23: http://www.rusd.k12.ca.us/QuickPicProcess.aspx?aid=382

I do not know the percentage of which districts start when. I thought the majority start after Labor Day. Maybe not. Some do and some don't.

 

[swamp_mule]

I do not know the percentage of which districts start when. I thought the majority start after Labor Day. Maybe not. Some do and some don't.

Thanks for looking into this! I realize I'm being a little narrow-minded in not thinking about other parts of CA and other states when thinking about crowds.

Any comments on Dana Point and traffic/commuting from there??

Thanks!

 

[Nala83]

I'm guessing you are looking at Orange County Public Schools in Florida. I was doing a similar search on dates and stumbled on that.

Socal schools do seem to start after Labor Day...or even a couple of days after that. If you want to dodge the crowds, you might want to push things back. The downside of that, as Hydroguy points out, is that hours will get shorter, more rides will be in refurb, and there will be limited evening entertainment.

My new thing is to straddle the weekend so that I get the best of both worlds- a few days with everything up and running, followed by a few days with limited crowds.

 

[Nala83]

Just double-checked... the ocps.net link is indeed Florida.

https://www.ocps.net/SiteCollectionD...20Calendar.pdf

How is it that both parks ended up in Orange County?!?

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm guessing you are looking at Orange County Public Schools in Florida. I was doing a similar search on dates and stumbled on that.

She was! I pasted in her link and found the PDF and did not even think to check the state.

Here is OC link in SoCal: http://www.orangeusd.org/downloads/calendar/Calendar1011.pdf

which starts on Aug 19 BTW.

 

[swamp_mule]

Just double-checked... the ocps.net link is indeed Florida.

Bahh! Dang it, didn't notice that, thanks for checking! I did another search and found Berkeley, San Jose, Torrance, and Oceanside schools all start Sept. 1 or earlier, so obviously there's variation. Even checked Arizona and Texas, which seems to start earlier too in some cases.

Anyways, back on track here:

Any inputs regarding Dana Point or VRBO rentals for holidaying?

 

[californiamomof4grls]

If you can change your dates you may want to concider going the last week of Sept. That is when Halloween time starts at Disneyland. I spoke to a CM on the phone when I was pricing our trip and she told me that there are rumors that they will start a week earlier this year. She also said that the first ToTP will be the first Friday of October. So those are just some thoughts I had, by then all of the kids should be in school.
My SIL works down south as a Teacher she says that even though they are open in August the classes are not full until after Labor Day. She usually starts the year with 8 or 9 then after labor day goes up to 20 so that is something to consider too if crowds are a deciding factor for you.
I am sorry I don't know anything about traveling back and forth to the park we usually find a hotel across the street. We seem to have a one track mind when it comes to DL.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I have no opinon on VRBO ~ but perhaps you could start or end your trip with DLR and stay a night or 2 nearby *within walking distance* it is so worth it!

 

[swamp_mule]

I have no opinion on VRBO ~ but perhaps you could start or end your trip with DLR and stay a night or 2 nearby *within walking distance* it is so worth it!

Very valid suggestion. The problem is, our little "angel" has a real beef with sleeping in the same room as us (him in his Playard). I'm sure he's thinking, "Hey, what the heck are YOU doing here?" ... I just don't think hotel room "suites" cut it compared to a 2+ bedroom condo. He needs his own space to sleep. Not to mention these places have nice pools and near ocean which would provide some relief from the giddy-up-and-go days of DL, San Diego Zoo, etc.

Does that make sense?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Very valid suggestion. The problem is, our little "angel" has a real beef with sleeping in the same room as us (him in his Playard). I'm sure he's thinking, "Hey, what the heck are YOU doing here?" ... I just don't think hotel room "suites" cut it compared to a 2+ bedroom condo. He needs his own space to sleep. Not to mention these places have nice pools and near ocean which would provide some relief from the giddy-up-and-go days of DL, San Diego Zoo, etc.

Does that make sense?

Sort of ~ but I'd still prefer to be within walking distance to DLR for those days of a S CA visit. Stick the playyard in the bathroom.

 

[nana50]

The drive from Oceanside is barely an hour. No problem. Almost all schools in socal now start in August as most schools are now on a year round/semi traditional schedule. I think staying by Disney for 2 days is great but probably more trouble than it's worth. The drive is pretty easy and quick.

 

[blackjackdelta]

You trip out west may be not so magical when you have to deal with the LA traffic, the parking, the crowds, based on the dates you have stated. Condo's are great, but distance from the parks does cause some hate and discontent. LA basin gets very warm during September and for some reason this makes "some" of the unblocked locals feel like they need to join you and your family.

Good luck with you plans and decision.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

The drive from Oceanside is barely an hour. No problem. Almost all schools in socal now start in August as most schools are now on a year round/semi traditional schedule. I think staying by Disney for 2 days is great but probably more trouble than it's worth. The drive is pretty easy and quick.

An hour when the you are blessed by the traffic gods. When you are cursed it can be three hours.

 

[swamp_mule]

You trip out west may be not so magical when you have to deal with the LA traffic, the parking, the crowds, based on the dates you have stated. Condo's are great, but distance from the parks does cause some hate and discontent. LA basin gets very warm during September and for some reason this makes "some" of the unblocked locals feel like they need to join you and your family.

An hour when the you are blessed by the traffic gods. When you are cursed it can be three hours.

Great input folks!

I think if we go into this prepared about the possibility of traffic, we should be able to keep level heads. We certainly won't "freak out" if we arrive at DL at 10:30am as opposed to a planned 8:30am, for example.

Now, with regards to traffic, I've been keeping an eye on the "ABC7 Traffic Center" website "Los Angeles Traffic" (sorry, can't post links yet) and have found pretty smooth sailing on the I-5 N from San Juan Capistrano between 7:00am and 9:00am. It updates quite frequently with "current speeds" and shows decent speeds during these times of 50 MPH + or -. Should this be taken with a grain of salt, or this site pretty reliable?

I really appreciate the responses folks!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Great input folks!

I think if we go into this prepared about the possibility of traffic, we should be able to keep level heads. We certainly won't "freak out" if we arrive at DL at 10:30am as opposed to a planned 8:30am, for example.

Now, with regards to traffic, I've been keeping an eye on the "ABC7 Traffic Center" website "Los Angeles Traffic" (sorry, can't post links yet) and have found pretty smooth sailing on the I-5 N from San Juan Capistrano between 7:00am and 9:00am. It updates quite frequently with "current speeds" and shows decent speeds during these times of 50 MPH + or -. Should this be taken with a grain of salt, or this site pretty reliable?

I really appreciate the responses folks!

It is variable as the weather in SoCal during December. All it takes is "1" fender bender, and that changes quickly. Part of enjoying DLR is getting to the parks early enough to allow getting some rides accomplished. One of the reasons many of us stay close, just do not need the grief. California is so broke they do not employ many cops so the freeways are considered "go as fast as you can and weave" lanes, so unless you are usrd to this kind of driving....

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Great input folks!

I think if we go into this prepared about the possibility of traffic, we should be able to keep level heads. We certainly won't "freak out" if we arrive at DL at 10:30am as opposed to a planned 8:30am, for example.

Now, with regards to traffic, I've been keeping an eye on the "ABC7 Traffic Center" website "Los Angeles Traffic" (sorry, can't post links yet) and have found pretty smooth sailing on the I-5 N from San Juan Capistrano between 7:00am and 9:00am. It updates quite frequently with "current speeds" and shows decent speeds during these times of 50 MPH + or -. Should this be taken with a grain of salt, or this site pretty reliable?

I really appreciate the responses folks!

I understand what you are saying and so my response here is not an argument. For me personally, I hate getting somewhere (like DLR, the beach, skiing, etc.) to enjoy myself but have to sit in traffic on the way there. And have that traffic represent lost time from my destination. It just sours the whole experience. I arrive feeling frustrated. I will pay just about anything to avoid it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I understand what you are saying and so my response here is not an argument. For me personally, I hate getting somewhere (like DLR, the beach, skiing, etc.) to enjoy myself but have to sit in traffic on the way there. And have that traffic represent lost time from my destination. It just sours the whole experience. I arrive feeling frustrated. I will pay just about anything to avoid it.

I agree with Trey, just not worth the trouble. If I were Fred Rodgers it would be a different experience.

Jack