Bear with me - still planning days - need ideas

[mrs_z]

You have all been so kind to help me on these boards! Thanks so much.

We did get some extra days but unfortunately it puts us in DL on a weekend. Here is what we have:

Wed 2/23- Drive
Thurs 2/24 - Drive, arrive at night in Anaheim

Fri 2/25 - Disney or Universal
Sat 2/26 - Disney or Universal
Sun 2/27 - Disney or Universal
Mon 2/28 - Disney or Universal

Tues 3/1 begin driving home
Wed 3/2 arrive home in evening

I'd like to do 2-3 days at Disneyland and 1 day at Universal. Given these dates is there an optimal way to split it up?

 

[skiingfast]

I would do Universal on the weekend probably Saturday. This way you avoid a lot of traffic going there and back, versus a weekday.

Also I think it is best to finish a trip at disneyland otherwise you may leave on a weak note.

 

[mrs_z]

I would do Universal on the weekend probably Saturday. This way you avoid a lot of traffic going there and back, versus a weekday.

Also I think it is best to finish a trip at disneyland otherwise you may leave on a weak note.

Thanks. You have some good points, especially the last one about finishing up at DL. The 2-day trip home is going to be sad enough!

 

[ironpig70]

Personally I would get 2 hotels.

Check into a hotel near Universal Studios and do that first on Friday. To me its not alot of work as you check in thursday spend the night and check out friday morning.

Friday Universal closes at 5pm and not living down there but reading alot here I would assume traffic will be a mess so plan on dinner and leave after dinner.

Its roughly 45 minutes to an hour(mapquest) so that puts you at Disney around 7-8.

Then spend the next 3 days at the parks

 

[mrs_z]

I think we're going to try to do it this way-

nix Universal, may not be enough for our 6yo to ride on

for the first day (Fri) go down to Sea World then drive back to Anaheim that night

for the next 3 days Sat-Sun-Mon spend at Disney

So glad to finally have a plan!

 

[skiingfast]

That's not a bad idea with a 6yo.

Have you looked at citypass for some savings?

Also like Ironpig suggested about staying a night at Universal? You might consider doing the same in SD. The drive there can be terrible.

 

[mrs_z]

That's not a bad idea with a 6yo.

Have you looked at citypass for some savings?

Also like Ironpig suggested about staying a night at Universal? You might consider doing the same in SD. The drive there can be terrible.

Yes - we would do that. We'll be driving from Oregon - so we'd go all the way down to San Diego first, do Sea World on Friday and head up to Disney that night. Maybe not so terrible a drive at night. No big deal driving a little further right at the start of the trip. There will be crowds at Disney but surely they will get a little better each day (Sat-Sun-Mon) and surely we'll be able to do most everything in three Disney days. Thanks for the citypass tip. I'll search the boards for info.

 

[skiingfast]

Yes - we would do that. We'll be driving from Oregon - so we'd go all the way down to San Diego first, do Sea World on Friday and head up to Disney that night. Maybe not so terrible a drive at night. No big deal driving a little further right at the start of the trip. There will be crowds at Disney but surely they will get a little better each day (Sat-Sun-Mon) and surely we'll be able to do most everything in three Disney days. Thanks for the citypass tip. I'll search the boards for info.

You can look at the citypass, but unless you do the zoo it won't help since Disney is running thier specials on PHs.

http://www.citypass.com/southern-california/compare

The best thing which your plan has going is finishing on Monday. It not always practical but if you can finish on a weekday instead of a weekend day. You have smaller crowds to deal with as you try to ride your favorites again.

 

[ironpig70]

mrs z where abouts in oregon are you? I am in Eugene.

 

[LavenderPeach]

There will be crowds at Disney but surely they will get a little better each day (Sat-Sun-Mon)

Actually, Sunday is often more crowded than Saturday - at least from what i've noticed and what I've heard other people say. Just wanted give you some warning about that so you can be prepared. Monday should be good though (i'm assuming it's not a holiday). Just get there at opening every day and you'll be able to get lots of rides in before everyone else gets there. Sounds like you have a fun trip planned!

 

[mrs_z]

mrs z where abouts in oregon are you? I am in Eugene.

Way over on the other side of the state - makes it a long drive.

 

[mrs_z]

Actually, Sunday is often more crowded than Saturday - at least from what i've noticed and what I've heard other people say. Just wanted give you some warning about that so you can be prepared. Monday should be good though (i'm assuming it's not a holiday). Just get there at opening every day and you'll be able to get lots of rides in before everyone else gets there. Sounds like you have a fun trip planned!

Good to know - at least Monday will be a light day. The trip home will be fun too because we'll maybe make some beach stops along the way which is a big novelty for us.

 

[tholczer]

Actually, Sunday is often more crowded than Saturday - at least from what i've noticed and what I've heard other people say. Just wanted give you some warning about that so you can be prepared. Monday should be good though (i'm assuming it's not a holiday). Just get there at opening every day and you'll be able to get lots of rides in before everyone else gets there. Sounds like you have a fun trip planned!

I've found the opposite to be true. Saturday has always been the busiest. Jan. and Feb. are pretty low crowd months either way.

This is the week after President's day, so you should be good with crowds. Have a great time!

Tracy

 

[ironpig70]

Way over on the other side of the state - makes it a long drive.

We are seeing family in Sacramento which is nice but still an 8 hour drive.

I know its hard to do with kids but when we travel we leave way early so the kids wil sleep in the car. And then we push the distance we drive while they are asleep. And while we have never done a trip longer than 8-10 hours which you will do. I would suggest breaking the trip time into thirds and doing 2/3 of it on day 1. That way on second day you can get to the hotel "early" and let the kid loose in the pool or take a walk.

 

[mrs_z]

We are seeing family in Sacramento which is nice but still an 8 hour drive.

I know its hard to do with kids but when we travel we leave way early so the kids wil sleep in the car. And then we push the distance we drive while they are asleep. And while we have never done a trip longer than 8-10 hours which you will do. I would suggest breaking the trip time into thirds and doing 2/3 of it on day 1. That way on second day you can get to the hotel "early" and let the kid loose in the pool or take a walk.

It's going to be about a 23 hour drive. My husband and I can share the driving - plus it'll be fun to see some new scenery. I'm especially excited about driving on the way home. I'm from the Los Angeles area and haven't been back on a driving trip in ages - not counting flying down to Disney. We're going to visit some of the beaches up the coast on the way home - places where I lived as a child. I know it won't be the same but still we're looking forward to every part of this trip, even the drive!