Anyone gone on a day trip/tour from Anaheim- to Sea World, LA tour, Legoland, etc?

[triplefigs]

I noticed that Disney offers day tours (as an add-on to either DL resort or GNH reservations made thru the Disney Travel Co) that include admission and transportation to nearby attractions such as Sea World, Legoland, LA/Hollywood tour, etc. Has anyone done any of these day tours? We are most interested in Sea World, Legoland, Wild Animal Park, and a tour of LA.

If you haven't done a tour thru Disney, have you taken one thru a private tour operator? Or would we be better off driving to San Diego and staying there to visit these parks?


Thanks!

 

[kc10family]

bump, great question

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have driven to SD to see the Zoo, WAP and Sea World numerous times. We pick one destination and spend the day. Long day but fun.

Jack

 

[FallDisney]

We've done the tours. However, buying them through Disney is a little more expensive than just paying for them yourself. They're all done through Grayline Tours.

A bus picks you up in the morning and takes you to the central transportation center. From here, you get your tickets and board the appropriate bus. When we went last time we did the LA Tour, Sea World and Universal Studios. I thought it was nice! When we drove down to San Diego, the driver told us about places along the way and on the way back showed us "Free Willy 2". Okay, not the most exciting movie, but the ride was much better than driving that! I couldn't believe the traffic.

LA Tour was good. We stopped at the LA Farmer's Market for lunch, and saw the sights. The only thing we didn't do was drive up to the Hollywood sign, but you could see it from various stops on the tour. We even got the chance to spend some time at Venice Beach, which is very interesting when you come from the middle of the country.

When the tour is over, the bus you took drives you back to your hotel. It can take a little bit of time depending on where everyone else on the bus is staying but we enjoyed seeing the area around Disney and understanding a little better what the hotels and area were like outside of the resort.

This trip we're doing the LA Tour and Catalina Island. I'm booking right through Grayline this time too - this is not only due to a lower cost per person but we don't have a package from Disney this time. Staying off site, buying the special tickets, etc.

Overall, I'd recommend the tours. They're more expensive than renting a car, but the stress level in riding the bus is so much lower!

 

[nunzia]

That sounds really nice..wish they'd had those when our kids were little. We definately would have done them....now they need to get a Vegas getaway one. I'd rather doze on a bus instead of fight that road to Vegas.

 

[carolinamama]

We're talking about heading south for a day during our upcoming trip and probably hitting the San Diego Zoo or Legoland. It's not supposed to be that long from Anaheim, only like 90 minutes per all the tour info. Doesn't sound like too bad of a drive!

Interested in the Grayline LA tour now!

 

[trish.]

We just did the SeaWorld trip through Grayline. It was great. First time to SeaWorld - loved it - easy to sleep on bus and watch the movie - very low stress. Only thing I would change - I would rather get up a little earlier, get a move on and be at SeaWorld when it opens. Otherwise - it was super fun and easy. DD5 was asleep by the time we got back to the hotel, so we stayed "home" while DH and DS8 hit up DL for a few more rides before hitting the sack.