3 days in Los Angeles~ What should we do???

[Trixiezzz]

We've been to WDW twice in past 2 years. Now we'll be in LA for 4 nights/3 days.

What I'm wondering is: is there enough different at Disney Land to interest my kids? (Our last WDW trip was in Sept).

Here's what I'm thinking for our 3 days:
1) Disneyland
2) Universal Studios
3) Grand Bus tour of LA

I have DD10 and DD6 (who's scared of big rides) and we've never been to CA before.

Can you tell me the best attractions in that short of time?

THANKS!!!!! I am clueless!

 

[Albertan mom]

With the ages your kids are, the the fact that they don't like big rides, I would recommend skipping Universal Studios. We went when my kids were 5 and 9, and it wasn't worth it. The 5 year old only got to go on 1 or 2 rides. The shows are neat, but him and I spent alot of time sitting outside of rides waiting for the others. DD9 enjoyed parts of it. It is also an hour shuttle ride from Anaheim.
I can't comment on the tour, because I don't know about it.

Personally, I would spend all three at Disneyland and California Adventure.
It is (from what I know) very different from WDW. The shows (3-D, Aladdin, Fireworks, etc..) are amazing and worth seeing.
There are many different rides that aren't at WDW.
There are also 3 different parades to see.
Plus eating! And shopping in DTDisney is great!

You can easily spend 3 days there and not get bored.
That is what I would do!

 

[damo]

I'd skip the LA tour. We really like Universal Studios but we have teenagers. I don't think you would get bored with 3 days at Disneyland and CA. A trip to the beach might be fun too.

 

[Janomi]

For 3 days, there's plenty to do in the Orange Co. area without visiting LA. Disneyland and DCA itself can take 3 days if crowds get too hectic. Other than Disney, I would recommend Knott's Berry Farm. There's a nice mix of big kid rides and younger ones. Besides, the Peanuts gang is always nice to see too. The beach, wax museum, and medieval times/pirate show are good alternatives also.

 

[Albertan mom]

The Wax Museum is closed down isn't it?

 

[DisneyDotty]

We just returned from five (techinically six, but we left at 1:30 the 6th day) days at Disneyland/CA, and we could have spent at least three more days there easily without getting bored/tired! And we were just at WDW in June for 10 days! If you really want to enjoy yourself without rushing around like a crazy person, I would stay in DL/DCA for the 3 days. You will find plenty to do.

 

[LucyKate]

Our kids were 6 and 9 when we went to Disneyland - we had 4 days there and they loved every minute of it.

There are dozens and dozens of rides which are suitable for them, and very few you'd have to skip. Three days in DL and DCA would be superb.

We skipped Universal studios because all the guidebooks suggest it is not really suitable for kids under 12.

We spent a day looking at LA and to be honest, wished we'd spent that at Disneyland as well! But prehaps a day trip to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica etc would be worth it - if you do this, don't drive yourself, but take a tour.

We drive ourselves but now think a tour showing us all the sights would have shown us a lot more.

 

[Runey]

It's a shame about not being able to go on the big rides... Universal Studios is cool, but Six Flags is roller coaster heaven Somebody else mentioned Knotts which was good but not outstanding, that was many years ago though. I guess there's always legoland, never been. But please take my advise and skip the LA tour, that includes Hollywood and Beverly Hills. A day in my life that I will never get back. An utter waste of time and money. Your kids will be bored stupid and would definately prefer a another day at Disneyland, even if they've seen it all before.

Enjoy your time at Disneyland... I'll be there next August (and WDW too )

 

[Trixiezzz]

What beach would you recommend going to see?

How far a drive?

Thanks!

 

[Ella1]

I would say Disneyland, California Adventure and Knotts Berry Farm. A tour of LA is nice, but I think the children might get a little bored on this.
Love Ella

 

[Snow Brite]

I dont think 3 days is too many for Disneyland and DCA at all! Another vote to forget Universal and the tour. Legoland is awesome for someone who cannot go on big rides. It is really geared for small people and really is very creative. It would be my pick if you dont want to spend all three at Disneyland. You can leave early and be there when it opens and home again pretty quick. Just watch what days it is closed in the off season.

But I really think there is more than enough to keep you busy at Disneyland. There are lots of things different than WDW and even the ones that are the same its fun to pick out the subtle differences. And there are shows at Disneyland that are not at WDW, like Aladin that your daughter will be able to do. That plus seeing the parades and Fantasmic and fireworks should keep you busy. With two girls...they will probably want to do a little bit of shopping as well. Not sure that three days will be enough now that I think about it.

 

[Rivergallery]

As for a beach I had planned to go to Newport beach and have lunch at Ruby's but our plane was canceled so had to take a late flight.
I suggest it,,.. it is very close and easy to get to.. and there are boardwalk games on Balboa Pier (I think).
There is more info on it at the top of this forum in What else to do there is a link within the post.

 

[Trixiezzz]

Thanks for the help. This is giving me a perspective of what's fun (& what's not) that I don't have.

I think we're going to go to DL 2 days, Knotts 1 day and then go do the 1 1/2 hr. Starline tour of the downtown/Hollywood area. My family just wants to see those sites, so cutting it down to the super-short tour will give them the photos of LA without using up a precious day (and boring the kids!).

Also, could we do a character meal on a non-park day ~ for dinner? Are there any that aren't on-site?

 

[Rivergallery]

I know the PPH Lilo And Stich Breakfast is not on site.. not sure about the Goofy Kitchen the Princess one at Ariels Grotto is in the parks...

 

[AFMom]

All 3 Disney hotels have a character meal that you do not have to have park admission for - Goofy's Kitchen is great! I believe the other is at Storytellers Cafe at the GC, and then the Lilo one at PPH. Have fun!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Also, could we do a character meal on a non-park day ~ for dinner? Are there any that aren't on-site?

Highly recommend Goofy's Kitchen, which is at the Disneyland Hotel. We had a blast--great character interaction, good food, fun times. You might want to make a PS for it.

 

[Albertan mom]

We had a great time at Goofys Kitchen also!
It is lots of fun there!
Definately make a PS, you can always cancel it if you change your mind.
(we went 20 minutes early and got in right away too)

We had 9 characters there, and great food.

 

[almostGoofy]

The Wax Museum is closed down isn't it?

Yes, the wax museum is closed.