Could someone help please- Seaworld/Zoo questions

[nzer]

Hi.
I'm a relative newbie here, but after reading all your fantastic ideas, I thought that this might be the best place to ask for some advice.

My husband and I are taking our 2 DD (10 &7) and my Mum to California this Christmas for 5 weeks. We are landing in San Francisco just before Christmas, then heading down the coast, across to the Grand Canyon, up to Las Vegas, down to Palm Springs and San Diego, before finishing up with 13 nights at Hojos and a 14 day Disney Pass!!!

My question is actually about San Diego. We are staying there for 3 nights. Initially we thought we would do Seaworld, San Diego zoo and Legoland. I'm wondering, how much different is San Diego Seaworld to Seaworld on the Gold Coast. We were only there last August, and apart from having the Orca's in San Diego, is there anything else that is amazing and a must see...would we be better to not go and use the money elsewhere?

I'm also not to sure about the Zoo..we have visited zoos here in New Zealand and Australia zoo. Again, is it that much different?

Thanks so much for any help.

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Hi.
I'm a relative newbie here, but after reading all your fantastic ideas, I thought that this might be the best place to ask for some advice.

My husband and I are taking our 2 DD (10 &7) and my Mum to California this Christmas for 5 weeks. We are landing in San Francisco just before Christmas, then heading down the coast, across to the Grand Canyon, up to Las Vegas, down to Palm Springs and San Diego, before finishing up with 13 nights at Hojos and a 14 day Disney Pass!!!

My question is actually about San Diego. We are staying there for 3 nights. Initially we thought we would do Seaworld, San Diego zoo and Legoland. I'm wondering, how much different is San Diego Seaworld to Seaworld on the Gold Coast. We were only there last August, and apart from having the Orca's in San Diego, is there anything else that is amazing and a must see...would we be better to not go and use the money elsewhere?

I'm also not to sure about the Zoo..we have visited zoos here in New Zealand and Australia zoo. Again, is it that much different?

Thanks so much for any help.

Hi and welcome

You itinerary sounds like a carbon copy of our trip we did in 2010!!!

So, we did Seaworld and the zoo. It poured rain ( and I mean pelted down!!! ) for the whole day! From the time we got on the bus, til it was time to come home! We tried to make the best of it though! The best thing about it for us was the panda bears. If you have never seen them before, then I would recommend it and your girls will gooh and gah!!! they are so cute!!! It does have lots of animals there that we don't have in our zoos here in Australia too! We would definitely go back!

As for Seaworld and the comparison, it is similar to the Gold Coast. The whale show was spectacular and they do also have a dolphin show that has trapeze artists involved as well. More dolphins in the show at the Gold Coast. We probably would go back again though as it does have a couple of rides that we would like to check out and one of them is brand new. We did see the seal show and again we thought the one on the Gold Coast is better, but it was still quite good. It was still a very enjoyable day out though and if your girls like animals etc, they will love it.

I do have pictures in my trip report of both places. Feel free to check it out for some ideas from an Aussie point of view!!! Link is below!

Cheers

Sue

 

[PrincessInOz]

The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park (near Escondido) are considered by many to be the best zoos in the world. They led the world in the animals in captivity breeding program and their natural habitat enclosures; and many zoos now emulate them.
There really aren't that many zoos in the world that have Giant Pandas and minniesueoz has already pointed out that they are there. If you like Pandas, it is a good opportunity to go check them out in an excellent zoo.

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park and you might want to check out the museums that are in that park. There are at least 16 - 20 musuems, from modern art to natural man to miniature train. There is also a Japanese Garden in the Park.
There are also shows at Balboa Park and you might check it out to see if there is anything on that appeals during your visit.

And speaking of shows...there is an 'old time' dinner/revue show called Forever Plaid. It's been on for what seems like forever in SD. It used to play in Old Town SD and was a good option to hit Old Town in the afternoon and then stay for the dinner/show. I think it's moved to Gaslamp Quarter. Depending on your time and inclination, Old Town is a couple of hours to half a day's worth of browsing in shops.

The other things worth considering in SD is going on the USS Midway and checking out the Hotel del Coronado. Its the hotel that the Grand Floridian was modeled after.

If you're driving from LV to Palm Springs, depending on your route Joshua Tree NP might be worth a stop.


Have fun on your trip. Sounds amazing!

 

[Andona]

Another vote for the Zoo - the pandas were gorgeous and the polar bears were fabulous. We loved our day there.

We didn't get to Seaworld so can't offer an opinion on that one.

Andona

 

[Melbourne5]

Hi

There are two big differences in the sea worlds. The first as you point out is the orca / killer whale show. For us worth the price of admission alone. The other is a couple of good coaster rides, Atlantis & manta. Much much better than Gc sworld if you like attractions.

Definetly worth a day. I see you have 13 nights in Anaheim . That's a whole lot f time to fill. They do sea world bus trips as a day trip, if you don't go in DS and change your mind.

 

[nzer]

Thanks so much for all your help. I knew people here would be helpful.

Looks like we'll be going to both places. When I read out the replies, my husband and both daughters were "Yes! Let's go" (no surprises there really)

We also have plans to visit the USS Midway...it's going to be a busy couple of days.

Princessinoz...we are planning on heading via Joshua Tree NP on the way to Palm Springs. It'll be a quick visit, but we're quite looking forward to it.

Hoping there's not going to be too much snow in the Grand Canyon....I've been before but noone else in the family has. (hoping for a warmish winter in the States since we'll be leaving summer behind)

Although we will have 14 days passes, we aren't planning on spending all our days at Disneyland. We have trips planned to SHOP!, Universal Studios, SHOP!, Santa Monica,SHOP!, Hollywood etc as well as a LA Lakers game.

Sue, it was through your Christmas trip report that I found Disboards....love your photos!! I know you have just bought a new Canon....I've just got a Canon 7D and can't wait to use it there. I've been practising lots in preparation.

Thanks again everyone...I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

 

[Caroline NZ]

We all loved San Diego Zoo. It is huge, and has a large variety of animals. A fantastic reptile and bug house. We also really enjoy going to SD Sea World. The Atlantis ride is great fun. Also agree the the USS Midway is worth a visit.
Your trip does sound amazing. We are doing something similar in Sep/Oct next year but going the other direction.

 

[JennyN]

We did both the zoo and seaworld again last september and really enjoyed them both. You said you were going to Las Vegas, if you are into outlet shopping this is the place to do it. We think the outlet shopping is better in Las Vegas than anywhere else we've been, east coast included.

 

[nzer]

Thanks for that. That was going to be one of my next questions...which outlet areas can we NOT miss???
My husband will happily visit some with me, but I won't be able to push it too much
Lots to choose from....Gilroy, Barstow, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Diego, LA.....?????

 

[Caroline NZ]

Las Americas Premium Outlets ( in San Diego right next to the Mexican border) is good. Skechers, GAP, Disney Store etc

 

[Lewdannie]

We though Sea World at San Diego was no better than the one on the Gold Coast, until we saw the whales. The killer and beluga whales were awesome. The other amazing thing was folk walking around drinking beer!!