4 & 6 year olds-your recommendations?

[TinkerKell-ey]

We are going to DL for the first time in early November. DH, 2 kids and myself. YEAH!!! Plans so far are four days total (not necessarily consecutive) at DL resort and a day at Legoland.

We are looking for one other day trip - SD Zoo, WAP or Seaworld?? Or somewhere else? This will be our first Disney trip sans stroller (WDW vets and young kids/lots of walking worries me-looking for a place with easy breaks) We would also like to take a quick/half day visit to see the Pacific and are looking for a nearby, family-friendly beach. We are staying at the GC at DL and probably renting a car from LAX (could use some suggestions in this area too). Thanks for any suggestions!

Kelley

 

[abookworm]

You might need a day of just hanging out at the pool and a character breakfast if you're doing DL and Legoland in 4 days.
But if you really want 1 more thing I'd do the zoo. I think Seaworld might be just too much with the other 2 things you're doing.

We are doing DL/DCA for 2 days, Legoland 1 day, and beach for 1 day when we go in early Dec. We're leaving the 2 half days of travel open for whatever strikes our fancy.
Have fun!

 

[DizneyMommy]

You do NOT want to do the zoo with no stroller and 2 kids that young, they will have a very hard time. The whole zoo is steep hills, even as an in shape adult I get worn out after half a day there. I would avoid the zoo. Plus, if you hit a second San Diego attraction, you'll either be driving there 2 days in a row (which can be up to a 3 hour trip with bad traffic) or you'll want to stay the night down there. If you have a car anyways, you might want to try Long Beach one day. Long Beach is 20 minutes or so from DL. You could do the Aquarium of the Pacific which my 3 year old LOVES, has easy breaks, and lots of hands on exhibits, and then hit the Pike next door for a carousel ride and lunch, plus you can also walk to Shoreline Village from there, or take a short whale watching cruise. You can park once and do all of that in about a half day. The whole area sits on the water so you'll see lots of ocean and harbor while you are there.

That would be a good day to hit up the beach, too, since you'll be just off PCH and can head on down to Huntington or Newport which are both very family friendly beaches. Early Nov will be a little cold with cold water, so you may not want to go in the water, but Huntington is a very nice place to stop, with a great pier with Ruby's at the end for lunch or dinner, and a neat Main St to stroll down. Newport has Balboa fun zone which is also neat, they have a carousel and a ferry that takes you over to the island which is nice to walk around by the water's edge. I live in Huntington and frequent both so feel free to ask any other questions!

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

Thanks for the suggestions and input! I think we will follow your advice DizneyMommy, so I just might have some ?'s for you.

We arrive on a Wednesday and leave the following Wednesday, so we'll have 6 full days. Is it feasible to split a day between DL and the beach (especially since it will be too cold to swim?) I'm thinking, morning to beach and see the sights through lunch, head back, maybe rest a bit and head to DL for dinner/fireworks? Or half day out and about, the rest at the hotel pool.

I'm so used to WDW and bus rides eating up time, so it's one day, one park, period. It would be great to move around a bit-outside of DL.

Thanks again!

 

[DLR29]

I'm so used to WDW and bus rides eating up time, so it's one day, one park, period. It would be great to move around a bit-outside of DL.

If I were in your situation, I'd not do anything on that one day. Rest and relaxation may be better than another long day of walking. Wake up late, swim for a bit, take your time, just casually walk around DTD. Sounds like a pretty good day to me. With 6 days, 5 devoted to parks, another might just be overkill. However a half day at the beach and half day swimming/relaxing sounds good too.

Regarding the quote above, you will find DLR MUCH easier to navigate than WDW. You can walk from park to park in a grand total of a minute. No need for lengthy bus rides. It's very easy to park hop or to just duck out to DTD for a meal and some shopping. Also all DLR hotels are within walking distance as well.