1st Family trip to DL/DCA..what else?

[kamgen]

We are currently planning our first family trip to DL/DCA for next October and are DVC members. Since we are flying all the way to the west coast, we are considering taking a longer holiday and doing/seeing more on the west coast.
Any ideas/suggestions? We have two boys who will be 11 and 9 at the time. We are also contemplating doing Aulani on this trip (DL/DCA and Aulani only).
In all honesty, we really want to do Aulani, however the cost of flights alone is a huge deal. We could use that money and do/see more in California. But I feel like since we are in CA, we are already half way to Hawaii! LOL!!!
So....what does everyone think??
Thanks in advance!

 

[Bud Ice]

Aulani not bad, but theres also 3day excursions from nearby Long Beach.

Other ideas...

- Hollywood including El capitan and Disney Studios
- Legoland and Seaworld in san Diego
- San Francisco Pier with Sonoma Wine Tour, Ghiradelli square, Alcatraz Island.

Vegas flights are super cheap from LAX
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[texasgingerbread]

I personally would do Aulani when you are wanting to island hop in Hawaii if you don't think you'll make it back there. But if you know you'll be back in Hawaii Aulani would be a perfect detox after being in the parks.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

Are you sports fans? In October with a miracle the Angels and / or the Dodgers could be in the playoffs. Angels Stadium is right there, Dodgers Stadium is around 45 minutes away.
Hockey is just getting started. The Ducks and the Kings are right there too.
We have the Pacific Coast, it's beautiful, then there's Yosimite and Lake Tahoe.
You can spend a week around the San Francisco Bay area. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz.
Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay are great too.
So much to do.

 

[taniahappy]

Dont forget NBA starts next week... nothing like watching my Clippers at Staples Center.

 

[Disney Kidd]

October is typically kids-free month in San Diego. This year, kids could get free admission to Legoland, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo/Safari Park, and many museums as well as free meals at many restaurants. Seeing the age of your kids, I think they would have a blast at many of the San Diego attractions. Not to mention, Sea World will have Spooktacular and Legoland will have Brick-or-Treat during that time.