First time to Disneyland CA...what else should I see?

[beattyfamily]

I tried asking in the Disneyland CA board but it doesn't get much traffic.

I'm in the middle of planning our first trip to Disneyland CA!!! I've never even been to CA.

This will probably be a once in a lifetime trip at least until my 2 DDs are grown up.

We will probably go April 17 thru April 23 2005. I'd stay 4 nights at the Grand Californian hotel (3 day pass) and then 2 nights elsewhere sightseeing.

I don't what else to fit in before we leave CA.

I love anything to do with the stars and Hollywood. I love Universal Studios in Florida and visit it every year while we're in Florida. Should I bother with Universal Studios? It's about 40 miles from Dinseyland right?

I haven't got a clue where to stay those last 2 nights. We'll be flying in and out through Long Beach Airport via Jetblue probably.

How would you tour Hollywood and other 'star' related things? Is there a good wax museum? Maybe Rodeo Drive?

Any advice or tips would be GREATLY appreciated like what I shouldn't miss or where to stay and I guess we'll rent a car so we can see other places??

I know I'm not giving ourselves too much time to sight see that is why I'm asking you CA experts what I should do with those 2 to 3 days...after Disneyland CA.

What would you do?

Thanks!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

After DL, I would spend the next few days in San Diego. It's about a 90-minute drive from Anaheim. The climate is wonderful and the city itself is just gorgeous. The ticket listed below is one you can buy directly from DL and looks like it would be a real cost-saver if you choose to do San Diego. Your post listed travel dates in April -- I am assuming 2005. The ticket below is only good thru 3/05 but they will probably have it available when you're travelling as well.

Southern California Attractions CityPass (Valid from 4/1/2004 thru 3/31/2005)

Save over $70 On Southern California Fun! With just one pass you can experience four of Southern California's greatest attractions! The Southern California CityPass includes a 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Ticket, plus one-day tickets to Sea World Adventure Park, the San Diego Zoo and Knott's Berry Farm. Buy yours today! Note: The collective value of the admission tickets is approximately $246 adult and $185 child when purchased individually.

Ages 10 and Up $172.00
Ages 3-9 $129.00

I wouldn't do US in CA if you go to the one in FL on a regular basis as there is no comparison between the two. Also, if you do decide to tour Hollywood -- go with a tour operator as some parts of it can be pretty seedy.

Have Fun!!!

 

[Magix]

Are you going in April 2005?

I'd recommend checking out the Santa Monica/Malibu area - always a good place to go. For Hollywood type stuff, try a real studio tour - Sony and Warner Brothers do them - just find a main phone number for the studio (Sony's in Culver City, CA and Warner Brothers is in Burbank, CA) and they should be able to help you. You never know who or what you might see.

Since you're flying in and out of Long Beach anyway, you should keep your eyes out for the dates of the Long Beach Grand Prix (this year's race event is 4/16-18). You can usually find free Friday tickets and the Saturday ticket isn't too high priced. Both Fri and Sat include the Toyota Pro Celebrity Race. A great chance to watch a variety of TV, music and film stars racing against each other in Toyota Celicas on the Long Beach street course. Lots of crashes (don't worry, I've never seen any injuries happen) and an opportunity to see some stars in person. Plus, you get Champ Car qualifying, Trans-Ams and Toyota Atlantics and the huge beach party that Long Beach always is (it's America's equivalent to the Formula One Monaco race). Check here for info: Long Beach Grand Prix Highly recommended!

 

[TxJasmine]

How old are your kids?

If they are young (<10 or 11) then Legoland is a really nice park to visit. But, it's really best for younger kids.

San Diego is definitely worth a visit. The zoo is great and so is the Wild Animal Park. You will find more than enough things to do to keep you busy for 2 days!

 

[Goofy4Pluto]

I'm with calypso a go go...

definitely get the city pass...
if you like animals and stuff,
go to Sea World, if you like
roller coasters go to Knotts
(the Ghostrider is a hoot!
but hang on to your glasses!)
and if you are into movie trivia
and pop culture, go to Universal
you MUST go on the tram tour
and sit as close to the outside
of the tram as you can...
(I think one version of the city
pass has a universal day option
unless that was last years availability)

Everything is within a days drive
so you can leave for an adventure
at 7 in the am and get back by
midnight...

I'd recommend also, to take the
smaller freeways when going places
during weekdays tho... like
the 101 and the 91 instead of the 5 north
and the 57 & 15 (I think) instead of 5 south
you can ask locals for better routes, but
if you can avoid travel between 7-9 am
and 3:30-6:30 pm on the freeways you'd
be best unless you can find better routes
and go on the less travelled freeways
(I learned that those were the biggest
irritation to my visits there)

just carry a map with you if you'll be driving...
since you want to be leaving anaheim say
at 7 to get to San Diego for Sea World when
it opens, taking the 5 might get you in a world
of morning commute traffic...

and HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[Tina]

Hollywood/Beverly Hills is really easy to drive around in. Get off on Sunset and you'll find plenty of guys selling "Maps of the Stars Homes." You can usually talk them down a buck or 2 on the price. Its a lot of fun to drive around and see the houses. You can easily spend a full day driving around, walking on Hollywood Blvd to see the stars and funky shops. I think there are a couple of wax museums on Hollywood. Don't forget to stop by Mann's Chinese Theater and see all of the names/footprints/handprints of the stars in the courtyard. Then you can take a drive up the coast a little into Malibu. Stop and take a walk on the beach. Stop for dinner. There's tons to see. And keep your eyes open. You never know who might be walking or driving right next to you!!

 

[cheeringmom]

While in San Diego, make a trip a little farther south to Coranado Beach. Gorgeous. In SD, do Old Town and eat some fabulous Mexican food. Have fun in sunny so. CA!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks everyone for the great tips!

Keep them coming!

I'm wondering where I should stay if I focus on Hollywood and the stars' homes and maybe the San Diego Zoo.

Where is a good central location to visit Hollywood, San Diego, Mailbu, or Beverly Hills??? That's where I'm comfused.

Thanks again for all the info so far!

 

[Nutsy]

Have you thought of doing Knotts Berry Farm?? We went there when we did DL back in Sept "02 & enjoyed it. Your little girls should like it.........Snoopy lives at Knotts.

We also spent 2 nights in Hollywoond at the Roosevelt & did Universal from there. Plus of course we were right across the road from Mann's Chinese Theatre & the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Nutsy
Have you thought of doing Knotts Berry Farm?? We went there when we did DL back in Sept "02 & enjoyed it. Your little girls should like it.........Snoopy lives at Knotts.

We also spent 2 nights in Hollywoond at the Roosevelt & did Universal from there. Plus of course we were right across the road from Mann's Chinese Theatre & the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I've been hearing quite a bit about Knotts Berr Farm but not exactly what it is?? My DDs (ages 8 &5) LOVE Snoopy!!

So do you recommend that hotel, the Roosevelt Hotel? I recognize the name. I hope it's not out of my financial ability!!

Thank you!

 

[Nutsy]

The Roosevelt was nice....not sure how it is on the finances, as ours was a package.

Knotts was lovely & Snoopy is great...........your girls would love it. It's not that far from DL either. If you go to Knotts...........make sure you have Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner for lunch. Two Dinners will serve 4 people with ease. It beats the likes of KFC etc by a mile.

 

[Planogirl]

If you drive your own car and the day is nice, try to drive Mullholland Drive. The views are wonderful and you also see the Hollywood sign close up.

The Roosevelt Hotel is interesting but it was being refurbished when we were in Hollywood. Hollywood itself was interesting but definitely more seedy than I expected. It was fun to see the handprints at Grauman's and the walk of fame. We also visited Knott's and had a nice time. It's a cute park and the Knott's restaurant was yummy but extremely packed.

If you go to San Diego, definitely try to go to Coronado Island and check hotel the Hotel del Coronado. This hotel is magnificent IMO and they also have a gorgeous beach. Old Town is nice and even includes a supposedly extremely haunted house that you can tour called the Whaley House. Sea World is beautiful as is the zoo but allow tons of time and lots of energy for the zoo. It's HUGE and even has shows. Legoland is supposed to be fun for little ones but we never made it over there.

By the way, it took us more than a few hours to travel between San Diego and Anaheim. The scenery was nice but do count on very heavy traffic.

 

[Nutsy]

Here is what it says about the Roosevelt in a travel brochure we have.......

Location: Ideally located right on Hollywood Walk of Fame, opposite Mann's Chinese Theatre

Hotel: Recently remodelled and upgraded. Heated swimming pool, spa, gym, Hollywood Memorabilla Gallery, restaurants, bar, nightclub, cafe.

Room: Air conditioning, TV, mini bar, hair dryer

Sleeps: Max 4

Standard: Superior

Rates in Aussie dollars 01 April03- 31Mar04 Twin $102 Child Free U18


US Dollars is cheaper than that tho.

 

[Alice28]

I wouldn't bother with Universal Studios if you frequent the Florida one often. It's not as nice in my opinion. Then again, I'm not a huge Universal fan, so I'm probably not the best to spout my opinion.

Malibu is very pretty! I would definitely go the Malibu/Hollywood Hills/Beverly Hills route for a day. Fun stuff to see.

And San Diego is gorgeous as well for another day or so. The Zoo is phenomenal.

 

[Nutsy]

We didn't think much of San Diego Zoo I'm afraid. We did enjoy Universal, but needed more than the one day.