A few more questions from a totally clueless DISser

[momsgoofy]

Okay, they say great minds think alike...guess Dsis and I must have some great minds. Dsis called me last night to chat...we got to talking about upcoming vacations and I told her we were heading to DL June 3-7 and she started laughing so I asked her what's up. She told me they are looking to go to DL for the same week... Her family, like us, has been to WDW several times in the last few years, so why not head west.

My questions this time around are...

What can ya'll tell me about the other parks besides DL? Dsis is wanting to do the CityPass...the one that gives you admission to San Diego zoo, Knott's, and some other place...and Legoland. (Is it really for the little kids or would a Lego junkie - 14yrs. old - still find it cool?) So, how far are these from DL? I understand San Diego is about 2 hours, but other than that I haven't a clue.

What about rental cars? I haven't rented one in about 6 years so how can we find a deal for the SoCal area?

And the last question for this time...what about the beach? Dsis says she hates to take her DD all the way to CA and not see the Pacific. (Of course, upon hearing this I didn't remind her how her DD and my DS reacted last year when we took them to Virginia and saw the Atlantic... I've read the sticky here which suggests Newport and Hunnington as the closest...anymore ya can share would be great...just in case.

Well, thanks so much! I know I can count on the DIS to clue me in when I need it.

 

[iceskatejen]

The City Pass has a 3 day hopper for DL/DCA, a 1-day ticket for Knott's (though I hear that they're changing this to Universal Studios soon, probably before you are coming), 1 day at Sea World, and 1 day at either the SD Zoo or Wild Animal Park. I've never been to Legoland myself. Not sure what a 14yo would think of it. I hear the rides are more for younger kids--it's geared to the 2-12 set.

 

[exDS vet]

I don't recommend San Diego, but that's just my preference. I would highly recommend Knott's Berry Farm, Universal and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Knott's is the closest to Disneyland. It's only about ten minutes away from the park. Universal is about 45 minutes away, and Magic Mountain is about an hour north.

I also highly recommend renting a car to get to all of these as well.

 

[missmulan]

Legoland have one ride a teen might like called Knights of The Tournament. It's a gigantic robotic arm that you sit in and the arm is moving up/down, sideways and upside down...you choose the level of intensity.

 

[tink2dw]

Magic Mountain is about an hour north

According to my Calif friends that hour puts you into an unsafe area of LA?
They don't really explain,just give me that LOOK
I'm old, broken and can't run at all, they say don't go futher than Universal?
So, I have heeded there Advice. Pixie dust to you~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[iceskatejen]

Magic Mountain isn't in an unsafe area, but because it's the easiest park to get cheap tickets to and has all the big roller coasters, it attracts an unsafe element. It's had gang/violence issues for years. In fact, it's the only park that had metal detectors/bag checks before 9/11. Also, the food there is terrible.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The City Pass already changed from Knotts to Universal Studios, so you get 3-day hopper to Disneyland & California Adventure, 1-day Universal Studios, 1-day Sea World, and 1-day San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park.

I think the 14 year old would probably be bored with Legoland, but would enjoy Knotts for its coasters, etc. Knotts is only 10-15 minutes from Disneyland via freeway.

Magic Mountain - well we've been there several times. At night, it's a bit wilder - unsupervised teens who sometimes get a bit out of control, but I've never felt unsafe there or even driving there. It's not one of my favorites anymore, but my kids love it. My relatives also like to visit when they come out from Texas. I agree with iceskatejen about the food, though they have a Panda Express there, and the roasted corn on the cob is pretty good - but food is pretty expensive. If you leave the park to eat there are a couple of places nearby - Marie Callendars and another family restaurant.

 

[Pokemom]

The City Pass is a great idea. It saves you quite a bit of money. As for Legoland, if the 14 yr. old is really a Lego nut, he would probably like it. Many of the rides are aimed at younger kids, but there are 3 or 4 that a teen would like. They also have classes for teaching the kids how to use the Robotic series of Lego and they build their own robotic vehicle. Sign up for that one early in the day. He may also enjoy seeing how the Lego cities and figures are put together. There is not a lot of excitement at this Park, however, so he would have to be really interested in Lego to enjoy it.
As for rental cars, you should be able to get a fullsize for about $150/week. Keep checking sites like expedia.com or travelocity.com for good rates.

 

[disney-super-mom]

If you only need to rent a car for a day or two, and you're staying in a hotel close to Disneyland (or one of the Disneyland Resort hotels), you can rent one at the Best Western Park Place Inn. There's a car rental business right there in the lobby of the Best Western Park Place Inn, and it's right across the street (Harbor Blvd) from the main entrance to Disneyland.

 

[momsgoofy]

Thanks everyone!! I really appreciate it! I wasn't sure about the Legoland...thought it might be for the younger crowd or a total Lego geek, which DS is right now since his internet access has been suspended for not doing his chores, but usually he's not an ubergeek...just enjoys building things once in a while. So, we will probably skip it unless DS is begging to go. I know he'd love to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain, but the parental units aren't too impressed...we've got a Six Flags nearby and just don't care for it...I would agree with iceskatejen that our local Six Flags tends to attract an unsafe crowd. I'm thinking Knott's is a decent choice and I've seen the price of tickets, which isn't horrible.

As for the City Pass...ya'll are right...it's changing if not already...no more Knott's, instead it's Universal and the San Diego stuff...so for us, not good because we aren't planning to go to San Diego, but Dsis and her family might want to so I'll share the info with her.

And thanks for the rental car info...it's looking to be a better deal for transportation over supershuttle...especially if we end up heading to Knott's. It'll just really depend on if I want to drive in Southern California.. I know it can't be that bad...I lived in Puerto Rico for a year and I survived...it can't be much worse. I know DH will refuse to do any driving...he hates it even at home.

Well, thanks again...if I need anymore info for myself or Dsis, I know where to ask...

 

[blackjackdelta]

SoCal makes PR look like Mayberry RFD. I love San Diego other than So San Diego. Mission Bay is beautiful and about~1.5 hrs south if you get going early. Knotts and Universal are a blast. Love Knotts coasters are fun and Universal is just plain fun. Magic Mtn is OK if you like the seedy side of the world and long lines. Go to Newport Beach and play volloyball or just relax. Do not let the traffic influence what you decide.

Hope you have a great time.

Jack

 

[momsgoofy]

SoCal makes PR look like Mayberry RFD. I love San Diego other than So San Diego. Mission Bay is beautiful and about~1.5 hrs south if you get going early. Knotts and Universal are a blast. Love Knotts coasters are fun and Universal is just plain fun. Magic Mtn is OK if you like the seedy side of the world and long lines. Go to Newport Beach and play volloyball or just relax. Do not let the traffic influence what you decide.

Hope you have a great time.

Jack

Really? Mayberry RFD? Wow! And I thought it was pretty bad in PR when the military told us to not even stop for PR police cars and to ignore traffic signals at night. I actually loved driving there...

Okay...so I'm convinced for Knotts...it's close enough to not stress DH.

How does Universal compare to Florida? It's been about 5 years since we were at Universal Florida, but Dsis and her family were just there last summer. Any differences? Which does everyone think is better?

And yeah...the beach? Newport Beach? How far is that? What else can ya tell me about it?

Thanks!

 

[GreenGirl8]

Universal Orlando and Florida are VERY different. Universal Studios out here is more of a working studio. The "main" attraction is a studio tour....which takes you around the backlot for about an hour seeing tons of things from TV. There are also other attractions (be sure to do the lower lot first!).

I enjoy both parks, but feel there is more to do at the Orlando park. Universal out here is worth going to once or twice just for the backlot tour. I don't think you would be disappointed.

Personally, I would suggest going to San Diego for at least a day. The zoo is amazing as is the Wild Animal Park and the air/beaches just seem so much cleaner down here.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

How does Universal compare to Florida? It's been about 5 years since we were at Universal Florida, but Dsis and her family were just there last summer. Any differences? Which does everyone think is better?

We loved Universal in CA, so we were excited to go to the one in FL Oct04. We were really disappointed. They do have the Mummy ride, and we didn't do IofA, but we felt it was a "cheesy" imitation of the CA one. Maybe being a working studio makes the difference. We love Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park, the backlot tour is great, and the characters area alot of fun!

 

[momsgoofy]

Thanks! I will be seeing Dsis today...our great niece's birthday party...so I'm taking all my info I've gathered so far...she's just starting...and we'll compare and plan...who know we might end up just doing the vacation together...her DD and my DS are 2 years apart and get along great...they just don't get to see each other often since there's a couple hours between us. I do remember my oldest sister talking about Universal in CA...they went about 20 years ago (I'm sure it's changed since then), but when I saw your posts that say the backlot tour is great it jogged my memory...I remember she said it was really good back then...so, who knows? Dsis and I will talk...see what we can come up with and go from there.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it!