Couple questions

[coinkc]

Hello! I am in the process of planning our first trip to DL for May 27-June 3 for my 8 year old daughter and myself. I have a few questions I was hoping someone could help me with.

1) We are not zoo lovers but I have heard amazing things about the San Diego Zoo. Can anybody give any first hand accounts of this place? Is it "more than a zoo" and worth a day to go and see? We will probably stay at our Anaheim hotel and drive to SD and back in the same day.

2) I'm thinking we might want to visit Universal Studios. Is there any place to get discounted tickets or coupons? I called Discount Tickets and Tours and they were actually $10 more than the Universal website. Also, the front of the line pass would cost me $57 more (total). Worth it? not worth it? What kinds of limitations are there? can you ride something more than once and are there time restrictions, etc.? What about the shows...do you get reserved seats there? I know we will be there at a busy time but for both of us to get one day FOTL passes it would be $160!

3) Any other recommendations? I have read about Knott's Berry Farm but it seems like an amusement park that specializes in roller coasters. My daughter will ride coasters but oly because she knows I want to ride them..they are not her favorite thing! Is there anything else at Knott's that would make us plan a day there?

4) Seaworld. We went to Orlando's park last summer. We enjoyed it but don't have the desire to rush back. Are the two parks similiar?

5) Finally, DisneyLand itself. I'm thinking either 3 or 4 day park hoppers. We are staying at the HoJo and I know they sell the tickets. Any other places that would have discounts?

Thanks so much for any and all info you can provide!!!!

 

[iceskatejen]

1. SD Zoo is considered one of the best (if not the best) in the US, but if you're not zoo people, then it might be a waste of a day for you. It's an incredible zoo, but very hilly and you might need a rest day after unless you go for one of the tickets that includes the bus tour.

2. AAA often has discounts for Universal. I think with FOTL you only get to use it once per ride, but I'm not sure. It also includes shows, I believe. To me it doesn't seem worth the extra money. I've never had trouble doing everything I wanted there w/o it and I've gone on some crowded days.

3. Knott's does have the west coast's best wooden coaster, Ghostrider. It's a work of art IMO. I haven't ridden the new inverted coaster that opened last month, but I watched a video of it on the Knott's website and it looks good. Knott's has a lot of history (it's actually CA's oldest theme park, not DL), and the chicken dinner restaurant is great--for either breakfast or dinner.

4. Haven't been to Sea World in Orlando, but I've heard the SD park is better and has more to do. At least, unlike Orlando, it's actually on the ocean.

5. You want at least 3 days. 4 would be better, esp considering that is a holiday weekend. AAA might have discount tickets.

 

[AFMom]

The zoo is amazing - but for non zoo people, well - it is still a zoo. However - the San Diego Wild Animal Park is MUCH more than a zoo. Check out their web site - maybe it'd be something you'd want to take time out for.

 

[Hermosa11]

Visit this site for some great download videos of some places you want to visit! Fun videos.............
24th video down is of Knott's...........16th one down is of Universal.
for fun check it out. Easy to download.........and view.

 

[diberry]

Which site would that be Hermosa11????????????????????????????

 

[LOVE2VACATION]

I haven't been to either the Zoo or Wild Animal Park yet, but have researched both for our upcoming August vacation. The really cool thing we plan to do at the Wild Animal Park is take one of the photo caravan tours. It looks incredible! Check it out on their website ~ www.wildanimalpark.org.
Michelle

 

[Mickey's old friend]

I 've gone to DL at the end of May. In the past Universal has been a ghost town while DL has been very busy. I recommend visiting DL/DCA for as long as possible if you want to see shows and parades. It will be busy and you will need to stake out your spot or get in line early. (Well worth the wait time!) I haven't bought my tickets yet, but I am going to call Disney Travel Co to make sure they still have unlimited fastpass and some early entry options. Those options are well worth it. You will have a great vacation no matter what you decide.

 

[coinkc]

How can you get unlimited fastpasses? That's certainly something to look into!

 

[Mickey's old friend]

How can you get unlimited fastpasses? That's certainly something to look into!

The last time we went to DL my daughter bought tickets (tickets only) from Disney Travel Co. They came with unlimited fastpass use. We could hold only one fastpass per ride, but as many rides as we wanted. Quite a few rides had FP then, so it was great. Now it seems like some of the rides are no longer offering FP, so this may not be as beneficial as it was then. I read somewhere that these tickets were still available, but I haven called yet to find out.

 

[Hermosa11]

Geesh, you needed the site??? ha ha ha sorry............ I'm bad.....
Themepark Review

 

[Mom2Joce]

Is there a website for the "Disney Travel Co"?

 

[LucyKate]

Definitely see San Diego Zoo - we take our kids to zoos about once or twice a year in Australia but have never seen anything to match this place.

It not only has an amazing collection of animals you won't see anywhere else (like giant pandas) but displays them in a super setting with no bars. Many of the cages are glass, which allows you to see animals like mountain gorillas and orangutangs just inches away in full view - others are pits (such as the pandas) so you get an unobstructed view down on to them, again from quite close.