Disneyland and San Diego, need help

[DawnCt]

My son and I were lucky enough to get bumped on the return from Miami and we now have $1000 in Delta travel vouchers. The dilemma was figuring out "where to go". The best month for us to plan is next April 12 through the 20th. I am thinking about flying into LAX, doing DL for a couple of days, Universal California and then driving down to San Diego for the remainder of the trip. I would like to visit the Wild Animal Park, SeaWorld, of course the San Diego Zoo and the beach. We would probably fly home from SAN. We would probably have 8 days. Any suggestions regarding how to divide this time up. We have been to WDW 25 times and I have been to DL once 16 years ago. The Disneyland Grand Californian sounds great but I think I might be happy at the Sheraton Anaheim, Club level given the rates that were mentioned on this board and from themepark.com. We will also be traveling quite a bit so I am not sure I would get the full benefit of the DL hotel with $$$ considered.

 

[Kelsie]

Hi Dawn,

Well, I have done this exact same trip so I can tell you what worked best for us. I would suggest a minimum of 2 days for Disneyland so you can have a chance to spend time in each park. Universal (and the drive associated) will take the better part of an entire day. On our drive to San Diego, we left early and spent some time in the morning at the beach and the afternoon at the Wild Animal Park. You should allow a day for the Zoo and a day for SeaWorld.

There is just so much to see that I know it is difficult. You may also want to look at Knotts Berry Farm.

 

[DawnCt]

I am considering two nights at the Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel although I must say that the Sheraton Anaheim, Club service doesn't sound like chopped liver...especially at the good rates I saw quoted. Coming in from the East Coast doesn't leave us a full day so I thought starting our vacation in DL for two nights, moving to a hotel outside of Universal for the third, spending the day at Universal and heading down to San Diego might be logical and efficient. Any thoughts? In San Diego, we would like a nice hotel/resort on the ocean or the bay. A friend mentioned the Paradise Pointe Resort. Any other suggestions? thanks,

 

[Luv2Roam]

I always advise anyone (esp a family) going to the SD Zoo and Wildlife Park to buy a zoo membership first!
You will save money, get coupons and perks. (Don't have to wait in long entrance fee line, ride the Skyfari free, free entrance, etc) Plus your membership fee is tax deductable.

 

[Tink33]

Another alternative starting North and continuing South:
Drive from the airport to Universal:

Day 1 - Universal City Walk/Hollywood/El Capitan Theater/Disney Store Hollywood...

Day 2 - Universal Studios

Day 3 - Disneyland/DCA

Day 4 - DCA/Disneyland

Day 5 -Disneyland/DCA - finish up your favorites
Drive to San Diego

Day 6 - Sea World/Mission Bay

Day 7 - Wild Animal Park

Day 8 - San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park

Here is the link to Paradise Point in Mission Bay:
www.paradisepoint.com

 

[LuvTigger]

DawnCt,

I wholeheartedly agree with Tink33's proposed itinerary!

Also, the drive between Universal and Anaheim is not that bad, I'd say 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.

I've heard good things about Sheraton Anaheim. In San Diego, I like Dana Inn, near the water, very close to Sea World (I think it's walking distance, though we chose to drive), and just a few minutes from the zoo too. The Wild Animal Park is a little farther away.

You'll have a great time!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We are staying at the Super 8 on Washington in Escondido this month for our Wildlife Park day. ($54 a night and rated pretty good!)
I have also stayed at the Comfort Inn Old Town, San Diego and the BW on Coronado Island. Both were nice. The BW was quieter, but the CI was more convenient. (We like the SD Old Town area.)

 

[DawnCt]

Hi Tink33, I agree with your itinerary and I had actually considered doing it that way but didn't realize how much there was to do in the Universal area until you pointed it out. The only reason I thought of doing Disney first was because we could hang out at the hotel, enjoy the pool, etc on that first day, especially if I decided to spring for the Grand Calif. Yours howeer is much more efficient. If the drive isn't too bad, maybe backtracking wouldn't be the worst thing. What do you think?