DisneyLand First Timers!!!!!

[NewOrleansBelle]

I had to SHOUT it out, we just booked for 7 days at Disney Land!!! It is our first trip there and I am possibly more excited than the kids. We will be doing some other sightseeing (San Diego Zoo Tour) and would love feedback on anything else off-site that we might want to do.

 

[pinktink83]

How many days total are you going to be in CA, and how many days specifically at DL?

 

[NewOrleansBelle]

A total of 7 days, all spent on Disney property. We got a 6 day park hopper ticket and then booked a zoo excursion. I figure that we are better off having the option to pop in/out of the parks in case we finish another activity early.

Also, I know in Florida that you can get sitters to come to the room to watch the children for an additional fee, does DL offer any sort of similar service? Or is there a recommended agency that one can hire so that we might enjoy a meal to ourselves! I searched in the Disneyland thread but didn't see anything.

 

[pinktink83]

How old are your little girls?

A word of caution, the San Diego Zoo isn't very kid friendly. Its very spread out, there is lots and lots of up & down hill walking, and the exhibits are so big sometimes you can't see the animals at all. So it may not be worth driving out there if your girls are still under the age of 12 (imo), unless its something very important to you.

You could spend an evening at Downtown Disney...they have some fun shopping and eating. There's a Build-A-Bear, Lego store, Rainforest Cafe, etc.

Here's some links w/ lots of ideas for nearby things:

http://www.hianaheim.com/anaheim-local-attractions.asp

http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/calamenu/ss/things-to-do-in-los-angeles.htm

I HIGHLY recommend The Grove & The Farmer's Market. Great food, fun, unique shops, and The American Girl Store is not to be missed if your girls like dolls. My DD8 and I did it earlier this year and it was so fun! (see our trip report in my signature)

For things to do in the park, look into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! For ages 3+. And the Princess Fantasy Faire.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

If your girls are elementary age or younger, I highly recommend Legoland. It's a lot of fun for the smaller set, and a nice break from Disneyland.

I believe they refer to an outside source for babysitters. All of them are bonded and licensed.

 

[pinktink83]

Heres a link about the babysitting service:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2732647

 

[cyclenut]

There is so much to do in and around Southern California that isn't directly related to Disney that it is almost impossible to offer meaningful advice unless you provide just a little more information.

Are you interested in self-guided adventures? Do you have a car avaialble? What is the general age range? Is there a budget for the additional activities or are you looking for something that is cheap and easy?

There are excellent beaches, entertainment (everything from Medieval Times to live theater and more), Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Shopping (South Coast Plaza, Fasion Island and many more), The Grove (already mentioned) and several other things that are worth the time. You don't really need to make the trip down to San Diego, unless you really want to see that particular zoo.

I've never been to legoland so I can't really comment on that but there is also Sea World, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios and Magic Mountain. All theme parks and all within driving distance from DLR, with KBF being the closest (just minutes away).

It all depends on what you want from your vacation.

 

[NewOrleansBelle]

One is a toddler, one is a 3 1/2 year old.

We will not be renting a car, so we are sort of at the mercy of cabs & attractions that provide transportation.Though we haven't ruled out the idea of a 1 day car rental. I would probably want to cap the activities 200.00 (not including souvenirs, but counting admission/transportation for 2 adults/2 children), Obviously less expensive excursions would mean we could do more.

I'm frankly not a big shopper. I don't love to go to new cities and visit there Banana Republic for example. We like the outdoors, we like beaches and swimming. We like aquariums- in the past we've taken the kids to the one in Chicago and Oregon and they both really enjoyed them. We are members of the Audubon Institute (New Orleans Zoo/Aquarium) so we do really enjoy those types of activities.

I will definitely look into LegoLand and Knots Berry Farm. I went to the Sea World in Texas many years back and wasn't impressed but perhaps the one out there is nice/has more to do?

Is there much to see at the La Brea Tar Pitts? What about Catalina Island? Can you swim off it? Pardon my ignorance, I am spoiled by just being able to hop into the Gulf and swim nearly year round.


And thank you for the baby sitting link! I tried doing several searches and couldn't turn up anything. I don't know what I did wrong, but I appreciate the link.

 

[leinalani]

I will definitely look into LegoLand and Knots Berry Farm. I went to the Sea World in Texas many years back and wasn't impressed but perhaps the one out there is nice/has more to do?

We were kinda in the same boat as you are now. We spent a good 7 days at Disney then went to San Diego. The zoo for us was a half day thing - and that's stretching it. We're big animal fans, but we've seen many of those animals at our home zoo here (Honolulu Zoo). We focused on some animals, rode the bus and the skyway thing and then called it a day. It was fun, but not something I'd want to do again soon.

Sea World was a different story. We got there early, left late and went back the next day. We love marine animals (maybe even more so than land based animals) so we spent all of our time at the shows, visiting the tanks (baby beluga!) and riding rides. My son went on the Wild Arctic ride a ton of times. It's similar to Star Tours.

They have several stages where they have things like Shamu, the dolphin show, sea lions, and such. They just opened a sea turtle exhibit that's kinda cool to walk through. The Sesame Street Bay of Play would probably be fun for your kiddos. My son (he's 5) loved it.

So I say, if you have the time, do it. Maybe you weren't too into it but your kiddos might be.

 

[pinktink83]

I would rent a car over paying cab fees. It would probably end up being more expensive to get cabs.

The stores and restaurants at Downtown Disney are very unique and themed well, and they have products you can't get anywhere else! Disneyland's website shows pics & details.

The Grove is the same ole, same ole malls stores but they are all huge. Its gorgeous and there is music and water fountain shows and lights, and trolley rides and a movie theater, etc. And The Farmer's Market is all unique, boutique type shops and eating places. Very fun and places you won't see anywhere else. But again, if you weren't planning on renting a car, it may not be very practical.

If you like Aquariums, there are some nearby. I know Legoland has one, too.

SeaWorld in San Diego is probably very similar to Sea World in Texas.

I've heard great things about Cataline Island, but haven't been there myself.

 

[KCmike]

Congrats our your upcoming trip to Disneyland. We haven't been to the Zoo but Seaworld in San Diego was awesome and we have been to the one in Orlando. I'm not sure if its worth driving to San Diego if your not staying down there though. Don't get me wrong San Diego is beautiful. LA is congested on its freeways and we didn't enjoy going downtown or to Hollywood. We did love Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar beach. We have taken sunset cruise which was amazing from Newport. Haven't been to Catalina yet so can't comment on that.

Where are you staying?