Commute or Stay?

[TEK224]

I'll be going to CA in Dec. with niece and 2 kids (10 & 12). We'll be staying at a timeshare in Escondido. Plan on driving to San Diego to go to Sea World and the Zoo. Also want to go to Legoland and and Wild Animal Park (although we may have to cut one of them out).
We're planning on doing 2 days at DL, one day at each park. Should we stay overnight and do the 2 days consecutively, or drive up on 2 separate days? Not sure how long the drive time will be to get to DL. How late are the parks open at night?
I'm kinda thinking of staying at Paradise Pier, so we can do one park, visit Downtown Disney at night, then get up the next morning and do the other park and drive back to Escondido that night. I think that would make more sense. Any thoughts??
Terri

 

[tiggeroo42]

I would stay in Anaheim and do the 2 days at DL consecutively. It's only about 1.5 hours from DL to San Diego (adjust for Escondido)--more if you hit traffic; but I wouldn't want to drive back and forth between Escondido and Anaheim twice, especially after being in the parks all day!

If you're wanting to do both parks and DD in 2 days, you're going to have to be there from morning till night. If you're willing to leave Escondido extra-early and get to DCA by opening on day 1, you could do DCA and DD in one day, stay at Paradise Pier that night, and be up early for DL on day 2. If it were me, I would stay at Paradise Pier the second night also instead of driving back to Escondido. The last thing I would want to face after being at DL all day is a long drive "home."

I'm not sure when you're going in December, but the park hours will vary that month. Early December the parks open later and close early, but the couple of weeks around Christmas/New Years are the busiest all year, so they'll be open early and close very late.

BTW, you don't have to stay at Paradise Pier to be near DL. There are many decent offsite hotels within walking distance (maybe this way you can afford to stay that extra night ).

 

[5infam]

Also want to go to Legoland and and Wild Animal Park (although we may have to cut one of them out).

Just my opinion, but with a 10 and 12 year old, if you want to cut one park out, you may want to cut out Legoland. I was there a few years ago when my oldest was 10. He was completely bored the entire time!! The younger kids loved it though!! It is kinda slow paced and the rides are not what I would consider exciting.

Depending on the time in December, and if you go to DL during weekdays versus weekends, you could get to see almost everything in 2 days. The crowds are much less, which is helpful since the parks aren't open as late.

 

[TEK224]

Thanks!

Terri