DL and LA Daytrips

[mom2travel]

I’m not entirely sure this is the best place for this, but it seemed to make the most sense. We are headed out west at the end of the week (yeah! ) and I’m trying to collect my thoughts. We are starting out in AZ, then driving from NV to DLR. I’ve read many “traffic” threads for LA area. We live in a lower traffic area now, but lived in the NY area for awhile so get the concept of not knowing if a drive will take 30 minutes or 3 hours. Anyway, we are staying 5 nights at DLR and have 5-day PH passes. We plan to do day trips during the day and hit the parks at night (will probably also do a couple hours at opening). What I am still trying to figure out is if I missed anything in grouping different daytrip destinations together, the best route to take and an estimated travel time range for some of it. Have some other random questions too.

The day we arrive we will probably get there early/mid-afternoon and will hit the parks right away. Have PS for BB that night. My only question is – we are staying at DLH. *Is it correct that the parking garage for us is the one next to DLH on one of the maps I’ve seen?

On Wednesday, DD & I will hit the CA Science Museum or Museum of Natural History while DH & DS visit/tour USC. *Any best place for them to drop us off given traffic, etc in the area? They will park on campus. *Also, they need to meet for their tour at 10:45am; barring really terrible traffic/accidents, are we leaving enough time for them to drop us off, park and walk to where they need to be if we leave DLH around 9:00-9:15am?
After the tour I think we will meet up for lunch and then will visit the Page Museum/La Brea Tar Pits. *Any reason to think we would have trouble getting back to DTD for a 7:30 PS time? I’m thinking not, that we’d be heading back before rush hour

On Thursday, we are thinking that after morning rush hour is over (maybe 10am?), we will head to Griffith Park. After that, we will hit Hollywood and walk the sites. Will probably have lunch in Hollywood (thought would be the most fun for the kids). Depending on what time it is, could still be around there for dinner or (more likely) back at DLR. I know different people have said that having PS at DL isn’t as important as at WDW, but it will be the week before Easter. *Any reason to think we’d have trouble getting in somewhere without a really long wait at DL? (was thinking HOB, RFC, ESPN type places but could just do CS if easier). Probably wouldn’t be looking for dinner until somewhere in the 7-8pm range.

On Friday, the current plan is to drive through/around UCLA, over to the Getty Center and then north up the coast. Don’t really have a destination in mind on the way north, but were thinking of stopping in Santa Monica or maybe Venice Beach on the way back. The beach is not a novelty for us, but we thought the kids might think the difference between west coast beaches and others they’ve seen is interesting. Planning a lunch stop somewhere? We have a 7:15pm PS time this night. *Do we have enough time to do all this? Or how can we adjust to get back to DL in time? If we get stuck in traffic I can call to change/cancel the PS but would like to make it.

On Saturday, have tix to the Dodger’s game at 1pm. *Do we have time to stop by to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall on the way to the game? I wasn’t sure how crazy baseball parking is/couldn’t tell from the maps how long a walk from parking to stadium (we have a pass we bought w/ our tix).

We leave on Easter Sunday. We have 9am PS at Goofy’s and our flight is about 2pm. Was thinking we would leave DLH around 11am to return car and get to LAX. *Is this reasonable?

Somewhere in there we will need to do laundry. I haven’t come across hours for the self laundry at DLH, but don’t remember it ever not being open when needed at WDW. *Can we access the laundry (near the pool I think?) at DLH all day?

Also, is anyone familiar with the Anaheim tennis center? From my search, that seems to have the closest courts to DL. I will call later, but was wondering if non-members can pay to use the fitness center? Then DH can work out while DS hits.

We are very much looking forward to DL!! We know we won’t be able to do everything, but figure that spread out over portions of five days we’ll get in a good bit – we’ll concentrate on our favorites from WDW and unique-to-DL attractions first. Sorry this ended up much longer than I thought. TIA for your help!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Wow! You've really thought this out. I wish I could answer more questions, here's the ones I can help with

The day we arrive we will probably get there early/mid-afternoon and will hit the parks right away. Have PS for BB that night. My only question is – we are staying at DLH. *Is it correct that the parking garage for us is the one next to DLH on one of the maps I’ve seen?

The structure you see is the Mickey and Friends structure and is for the parks only. You could park there for the hotel but you don't want, or need to. The structure closes after the parks close. The DL hotel has it's own parking lot. Just follow the signs leading you to the hotels. The hotels have their own parking lots.

Once you have parked in the hotel parking lot you can board the monorail in DTD to get into DL. The monorail entrance is pretty close to the DLH. They will do the bag check there and scan your PH.

On Thursday, we are thinking that after morning rush hour is over (maybe 10am?), we will head to Griffith Park. After that, we will hit Hollywood and walk the sites. Will probably have lunch in Hollywood (thought would be the most fun for the kids). Depending on what time it is, could still be around there for dinner or (more likely) back at DLR. I know different people have said that having PS at DL isn’t as important as at WDW, but it will be the week before Easter. *Any reason to think we’d have trouble getting in somewhere without a really long wait at DL? (was thinking HOB, RFC, ESPN type places but could just do CS if easier). Probably wouldn’t be looking for dinner until somewhere in the 7-8pm range.

I've lived within 30 min. of DLR all my life and I finally went to Hollywood about 10 days ago for the first time. My DD's Girl Scout Troop went to the El Capitan theater to see Alice in Wonderland, see the Walk of Fame, and check out Grauman's Chinese Theater (footprints,etc.) All was within easy walking distance. The only other times I've been to Hollywood is to see a few musicals. I highly recommend that you not plan on staying in Hollywood after dark. Too many strange characters on the streets after dark. During the day there are a lot people in that area, in costumes, posing for pictures for a tip. I wasn't comfortable with my DD10 posing with them though some of the other girls did. I'll keep my character photos taken at places like DLR where the person inside the costume has been screened and hired.

Anyway, depending on how much you want to do while in Hollywood, you should be able to return to the DLR area to eat. However, you will hit traffic if you leave the L.A. area anytime in the afternoon on. (Say around 3, or so)

On Saturday, have tix to the Dodger’s game at 1pm. *Do we have time to stop by to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall on the way to the game? I wasn’t sure how crazy baseball parking is/couldn’t tell from the maps how long a walk from parking to stadium (we have a pass we bought w/ our tix).

This would all depend on when you leave for L.A. I would try to arrive at Dodger Stadium about an hour before the game. And then figure backwards from there to see when you should leave Anaheim.

According to Mapquest it's only 2 miles from Disney Concert Hall to Dodger Stadium (6 mins.) so I think you will have plenty of time. Traffic Saturday a.m. shouldn't be too bad, barring an accident, of course.

Hope this helps and someone else can answer some of your other questions.

Have fun!

 

[mom2travel]

Thank you Dizneydaz! This is great!
I like to have a plan so we don't waste time figuring out what to do once we are there. In a funny way having all the detail known let's us be more flexible - like having several options available depending on what mood strikes

This time next week we will be in DL!!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We leave on Easter Sunday. We have 9am PS at Goofy’s and our flight is about 2pm. Was thinking we would leave DLH around 11am to return car and get to LAX. *Is this reasonable?

I don't think that's gonna work ~ I imagine it will take you at least an hour to get from DLR to LAX even on Easter Sunday. Who knows how long it'll take you to return the car and get to the airport from there. LAX is a huge airport. Have fun ~ sounds like a busy trip. Maybe try for an early breakfast @ Goofy's....

 

[mom2travel]

I don't think that's gonna work ~ I imagine it will take you at least an hour to get from DLR to LAX even on Easter Sunday. Who knows how long it'll take you to return the car and get to the airport from there. LAX is a huge airport. Have fun ~ sounds like a busy trip. Maybe try for an early breakfast @ Goofy's....

Thanks. I'll see if I can move up the Goofy's time, and plan to leave for LAX as soon as breakfast is over. We are going to have a long travel day flying back to NC so was hoping to not get everyone up super early. I need to look at the LAX map again. We're renting from Hertz and flying Southwest. When we travel w/ a rental car DH usually drops us off to check any luggage and then returns the car, depending on the airport layout/ease of doing this

I know it sounds busy - trying to keep everyone happy. And we'll probably shave things off the to-do list or otherwise make changes as we go depending on what we feel like doing. We are usually either really active on vacation or just sit on a beach - no in the middle for us

 

[tholczer]

After the tour I think we will meet up for lunch and then will visit the Page Museum/La Brea Tar Pits. *Any reason to think we would have trouble getting back to DTD for a 7:30 PS time? I’m thinking not, that we’d be heading back before rush hour

On Thursday, we are thinking that after morning rush hour is over (maybe 10am?), we will head to Griffith Park. After that, we will hit Hollywood and walk the sites. Will probably have lunch in Hollywood (thought would be the most fun for the kids). Depending on what time it is, could still be around there for dinner or (more likely) back at DLR. I know different people have said that having PS at DL isn’t as important as at WDW, but it will be the week before Easter. *Any reason to think we’d have trouble getting in somewhere without a really long wait at DL? (was thinking HOB, RFC, ESPN type places but could just do CS if easier). Probably wouldn’t be looking for dinner until somewhere in the 7-8pm range.

On Friday, the current plan is to drive through/around UCLA, over to the Getty Center and then north up the coast. Don’t really have a destination in mind on the way north, but were thinking of stopping in Santa Monica or maybe Venice Beach on the way back. The beach is not a novelty for us, but we thought the kids might think the difference between west coast beaches and others they’ve seen is interesting. Planning a lunch stop somewhere? We have a 7:15pm PS time this night. *Do we have enough time to do all this? Or how can we adjust to get back to DL in time? If we get stuck in traffic I can call to change/cancel the PS but would like to make it.

On Saturday, have tix to the Dodger’s game at 1pm. *Do we have time to stop by to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall on the way to the game? I wasn’t sure how crazy baseball parking is/couldn’t tell from the maps how long a walk from parking to stadium (we have a pass we bought w/ our tix).

If you do the tarpits, just keep in mind that you will be in a really terrible area as far as traffic goes. There are no freeways close by, and you will be relying on surface streets (along with all the other angelinos who work in nearby Century City and downtown LA). For the most part, there really is no such thing as "rush hour" around here. Traffic can bog down in certain areas at any time of day, any day of the week. Hwy 5 is like this in both directions, as is the 405, among others.

Your UCLA/Getty center day seems a bit packed. But it depends on what you are planning to do at UCLA (a friend's son just got into UCLA with a 4.2 - he was one of 4800 accepted with 56,000 applications this year, yikes! You must be very proud of your son). It is a huge campus. Also, you could spend hours at the Getty - just depends on what you want to see/do. Your beach trip might be one too many things.

Same with visiting the Disney concert hall. But I suppose if you leave early enough. Downtown LA really is only about 30 minutes from Anaheim if there isn't any traffic. Dodger stadium isn't far from the concert hall. Walk from parking into the stadium is around five minutes.

Hope that helps. You probably can manage all these things if you really squeezed tightly, so it depends on what kind of vacation you want. After your packed days, I'm not sure how much energy you will have for the parks, though.

Have a good time!

Tracy

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

I would allow more time for the rental car return also. I think all of the rental places are off site from the airport. I think we rented from Alamo last time in LA and I would say it was an hour & half from car return to check in desk at LAX.

 

[mom2travel]

If you do the tarpits, just keep in mind that you will be in a really terrible area as far as traffic goes. There are no freeways close by, and you will be relying on surface streets (along with all the other angelinos who work in nearby Century City and downtown LA). For the most part, there really is no such thing as "rush hour" around here. Traffic can bog down in certain areas at any time of day, any day of the week. Hwy 5 is like this in both directions, as is the 405, among others.

Thanks - that's the part I figured I was missing. We'll make sure we allow extra time/don't expect to get back to DL too quickly. I need to take another look, but I think AAA directions has us on hwy 5 every time we plan to leave DL

Your UCLA/Getty center day seems a bit packed. But it depends on what you are planning to do at UCLA (a friend's son just got into UCLA with a 4.2 - he was one of 4800 accepted with 56,000 applications this year, yikes! You must be very proud of your son). It is a huge campus. Also, you could spend hours at the Getty - just depends on what you want to see/do. Your beach trip might be one too many things.

DS is still in HS and more interested in USC so maybe we will skip UCLA or just "drive through"?? He is just at the beginnings of thinking about schools so we figured while we're there might as well let him see different campuses. DH had visited a friend at UCLA years ago and said the campus is beautiful.
I need to take a look at the Getty website and see what everyone may be interested in seeing. For me, I'm leaning toward a short visit to Getty and a coast drive w/ a stop somewhere fun for lunch

Same with visiting the Disney concert hall. But I suppose if you leave early enough. Downtown LA really is only about 30 minutes from Anaheim if there isn't any traffic. Dodger stadium isn't far from the concert hall. Walk from parking into the stadium is around five minutes.

the concert hall is another could skip part - we'll probably play it by ear and see that morning what we feel like doing.

Hope that helps. You probably can manage all these things if you really squeezed tightly, so it depends on what kind of vacation you want. After your packed days, I'm not sure how much energy you will have for the parks, though..
Have a good time!
Tracy

We will probably cut a few things from the potential list, just want to make sure we have hours, directions, etc ahead of time. We'll have time in the car to talk about what everyone's top must-dos are and go from there. Thank you for your help!!

 

[mom2travel]

I would allow more time for the rental car return also. I think all of the rental places are off site from the airport. I think we rented from Alamo last time in LA and I would say it was an hour & half from car return to check in desk at LAX.

Yikes! Don't think I've ever taken that long to return a car and get back to the airport - even in NY where they are offsite rentals. Will definitely do a little more digging to find the exact location of Hertz
Thanks!!

 

[tholczer]

You really could skip the tarpits. It's somewhat interesting, but not really worth the hassle of getting there. IMHO, of course. You will see basically the same at the science and natural history museums. Except the tarpit part, of course. But it is rather small and somewhat anticlimactic. An oversized pond of tar.

You can definitely drive through the UCLA campus, and it is very close to the Getty. A couple freeway stops away off the 405. UCLA is a beautiful campus. If you could do this on a weekend day, all the better. The 405 is AWFUL.

Good idea about the Getty. It so depends on what you want to do. My DD8 wants to spend the entire time investigating the travertine for fossils, while my teens want to sit on a bench and text .

Lunch on the beach! The food isn't terrific or anything, but Bubba Gump's on the Santa Monica Pier is lots of fun. Especially if the kids have read the book or seen the movie. Plus it's close to where you'll be. I'm not really familiar with food along the northern beaches. We tend to keep to the beaches more south of there. Newport being my favorite.

What an adventure!

Tracy

Edited to add: Actually, Seal Beach is my family favorite - Newport is my romantic getaway. Can you tell what's on my mind??

 

[mom2travel]

You really could skip the tarpits. It's somewhat interesting, but not really worth the hassle of getting there. IMHO, of course. You will see basically the same at the science and natural history museums. Except the tarpit part, of course. But it is rather small and somewhat anticlimactic. An oversized pond of tar.

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of the similarities between them, just the "tar" part. Certainly don't want to spend a good bit of time driving around that area, parking and walking just to go "oh, ok", when we could be doing something else - like rides at DL!

You can definitely drive through the UCLA campus, and it is very close to the Getty. A couple freeway stops away off the 405. UCLA is a beautiful campus. If you could do this on a weekend day, all the better. The 405 is AWFUL.

Good idea about the Getty. It so depends on what you want to do. My DD8 wants to spend the entire time investigating the travertine for fossils, while my teens want to sit on a bench and text .

Funny, I was envisioning the same for our kids - DD getting into the Getty exhibits, and DS texting his friends about the torture we were putting him through

Lunch on the beach! The food isn't terrific or anything, but Bubba Gump's on the Santa Monica Pier is lots of fun. Especially if the kids have read the book or seen the movie. Plus it's close to where you'll be. I'm not really familiar with food along the northern beaches. We tend to keep to the beaches more south of there. Newport being my favorite.

What an adventure!
Tracy

We've never been to Bubba Gump's - thanks for the idea!

 

[tholczer]

Glad to help!

Tracy

 

[tommya60]

I've done the CA Science Center/USC trip a few times--the Science Center is across the street from USC--really you could park in the parking lot and just cross the street to USC. The Science Center part of the park/museum/stadium complex where the football games are played. I'd do the CA Science Center and the Natural History museum, skip the tar pits. There isn't much to see at the tar pits, and you will have covered most of it at the Natural History museum.

Have a great trip!

 

[mom2travel]

I've done the CA Science Center/USC trip a few times--the Science Center is across the street from USC--really you could park in the parking lot and just cross the street to USC. The Science Center part of the park/museum/stadium complex where the football games are played. I'd do the CA Science Center and the Natural History museum, skip the tar pits. There isn't much to see at the tar pits, and you will have covered most of it at the Natural History museum.

Have a great trip!

It seems like skipping the tarpits is a much better idea
I'm glad to hear that the USC/museum combo makes sense
Thanks for you help!