First timers in LA/Anaheim area, Have Questions!

[mickeynut72]

Hi- We frequent WDW and are very well versed in Orlando but ducks out of water in California! It's just my husband and I ( 44yr olds). We are going to LA July 22-25. We fly in and land at LAX at 9am on the 22nd and fly out on the 25th at 1:15 to Reno for 5 days. We would like to do a day at DL and also see some sites.

Questions:

1. Which day would be best for Disney? ( We are only doing 1 day because the goal is to see it and do some rides that aren't at WDW. Not worried about seeing it all but I think we can do a great bit using FP/ SRL & arriving early. Probably staying at Best Western Park Place.)

2. Which is better: Anaheim Tour Company or Hop on Hop off Sightseeing tour, or is there a better option? ( We would like to do WB Studio tour and do a Celebrity Home tour along with all the other sites, Hollywood sign, walk of fame etc..)

3. What should we do our arrival day? ( We thought about knocking out a few sites or a tour and end at a beach later in the afternoon to eat on the beach and see the sunset.)

4. Any ideas for Lake Tahoe? (We are staying on the south end with 10 family members. We are ages 15-70 and all physically fit. We don't all have to do the same thing but If anyone has some experience, we would appreciate it!!)

Thank You!!

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Where are you staying the night of July 22nd, or is that something you're trying to determine? And I assume you're renting a car? Just know that Friday afternoon traffic in L.A. is really pretty awful -- definitely use the Waze app for getting around. You could get a car, drive in to Burbank, do the WB Studio Tour, stop by Hollywood & Highland to see the Walk of Fame, Grauman's, Hollywood sign, then head toward Santa Monica and plan on staying the night there. Or Venice Beach if you want a funkier vibe. Abbot Kinney (Venice) is a fun shopping street (not so many national chains as Santa Monica), and Hotel Erwin has a rooftop bar for the sunset.

 

[mickeynut72]

Thank You for replying! Yes, we will have a car. I've heard about the traffic and that has me a little scared. We hadn't decided where to stay yet but I like the sound of the Hotel Erwin. Will definitely check that out and I like the idea of getting somewhere and staying the night so we can try to avoid as much of the Friday afternoon traffic as we can. Good to know about the Waze app sounds helpful. Thanks again for your ideas!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Okay, Lake Tahoe. Here is some sites to look for discounts in Tahoe and all the other areas as well.

Livingsocials.com

Travelzoo.com

Groupon.com

Just type in the city for stuff to do

You can go to Zephyr Cove Beach
Take a Horn Blower cruise
Paddle Board
Do the Gondola Ride which is in the mall area as well.

You can do plenty of golf. They have some great courses DH can recommend.
At Edge wouod golf course they have the celebrity golf where you can watch them play. It is a lot of fun. DH had his picture taken Dennis Haysbert. It is running from july19- 24. Perfect timing. You can take pictures just not with a professional camera.
Of course there is the casinos as well.

 

[mickeynut72]

Thanks for all the info. Have to check it all out!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Your welcome

 

[scf]

Hi- We frequent WDW and are very well versed in Orlando but ducks out of water in California! It's just my husband and I ( 44yr olds). We are going to LA July 22-25. We fly in and land at LAX at 9am on the 22nd and fly out on the 25th at 1:15 to Reno for 5 days. We would like to do a day at DL and also see some sites.

Questions:

1. Which day would be best for Disney? ( We are only doing 1 day because the goal is to see it and do some rides that aren't at WDW. Not worried about seeing it all but I think we can do a great bit using FP/ SRL & arriving early. Probably staying at Best Western Park Place.)

Thank You!!

So it's a weekend in July, which means that both DL and DCA will be slammed. You might get a little benefit out of EE @ DL on Saturday or @ DCA on Sunday. What rides you want to focus on will be key (e.g. RSR).

Are you using touringplans.com? I feel their crowd projections are a little low, but generally guessing that weekends in July will be busy is kind of a no-brainer