First Timers - we need to know EVERYTHING !...Please :-)

[Bert N Gert]

Hello,

We're planning our first Disneyland Adventure for next Summer and need all you can tell us.
What to do, what to see.
Where to go and what (if anything) to avoid.
Any non- Disneyland info will be greatly appreciated too (if that's allowed) since we plan to 'do' LA and Las Vegas over two weeks.

Thanks in advance

Bert n Gert

 

[JenniferW]

Not much I can help, but ....look into going to Vegas during the week since it is cheaper and make sure hotels are available for a price you want to pay since they sometimes have conventions, etc. Also, do LA during the weekend since traffic will be better. If you have 2 weeks, there are many ways to split, personally I would break up the park days since the tickets don't expire for 14 days.

I also recommend San Diego almost even more than LA. More sights close together, easier to get around. Amazing zoo, animal park, Balboa Park, etc.

I would think 3 days in Vegas would be fine, but you might like more if you like to hang in the pool or do day trips to Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc. There is a lot to do aorund Vegas if you want to drive, but lots to do in town also. If you can get a cheap flight which many airlines do great deals I would consider flying between OC,LAX to LAS since it is soemtimes super cheap and the avoids the traffic. You don't need a rental car in Vegas unless you want to do lots of things off the strip which many people don't.


Have fun!

Jenn

 

[Bert N Gert]

Thanks for the info Jenn

 

[jlima]

- if you are considering San Diego you should look into using a Citypass ticket . . . it includes DL, DCA, Knotts, Seaworld & the San Diego Zoo and you can save $$.

- Do you have AAA? If so go to a local office & get a Southern California guidebook and maps.

- There's more to Southern California than theme parks - beaches and shopping and restaurants and everything in between. Are you into musuems? There's the Getty, the LACMA, the Nixon & Regan Libraries, the Huntington and more. Shopping? There's lots of malls + Beverly Hills, Ventura Blvd, Melrose, etc etc (or wait till you get to Vegas for shopping!). Sports? Check schedules for the Dodgers & Angels, or Lakers & Clippers, and see if anybody's in town when you are.

- What do you want to do in Vegas . . . I've lived here for 6 years & would be happy to make suggestions.

 

[WIcruizer]

After years of doing WDW and DCL, we've decided to try out DL for the first time ever. We're going to Vegas for 3 days and SoCal for 4-5 days. (We would rather skip Vegas, but that's another story.)

I've been in and out of OC and LA, so I know the area generally. But since we'll only be there for 4 or 5 days we want to see the good stuff and miss the over hyped stuff (La Brea Tar pits for example).

Would you do 1 day DL, 1 day CA, then 3 days other places? We're thinking beach, nice coastal drive, San Diego Zoo, Sea World. Any Natl Parks worth seeing withing driving distance? What about LA? Studio Tours...Rodeo Dr....And is Knotts Berry Farm worth it?

I realize this is all opinion, we just want to find fun things to do without killing ourselves trying to do it all.

 

[Michelle2]

Hi! I am excited you are taking your first trips to Disneyland...I have gone all my life. I, too, lived in Las Vegas for 18 years at one time. I was actually able to visit WDW for the first time 3 months ago! But here are my suggestions for Disneyland.
I saw a poster ask about seeing DL one day, CA one day and then some other things in the California area. Just for your reference or something to think about, in order to "hop" between the 2 parks, which is nice, and a must if you want to avoid crowds, then Disney only sells the "hopper" ticket for 3 days or more. If you purchase just 2 days, then you will only be able to do 1 park all one day (which in DL is impossible, unless you skip things) and 1 park the next day, without being able to go in between them. I must admit this is the biggest pro and advantage to me over WDW...their entrances are right across from each other! So just remember, if you want to go from one to the other in the same day, it has to be through a 3 day park hopper pass. Other than that it will have to be 1 day seperate admissions to each, and they don't let you switch...this is all as of late last year, so if Disney has changed this, then I am sorry... If you have any other questions, please feel free.

 

[adrien32]

Michelle2: The CM making my reservations for Feb. 2004 said that 2 day hoppers are currently available for DL/DCA. I think they expire in Jan. of 2005. This may be something new.

 

[720L]

I was just at Disneyland Dec 31 and we bought a 2 day park hopper.

 

[mobetsy]

With that limited time, WIcruizer, I'd skip Knott's; even if I had a lot more time I'd skip Rodeo Drive! There is a McD's just on the north east side of Knott's that has an absolutely incredible LGB train layout inside, so that's worth a visit at meal time BTW, the La Brea Tar Pits and the Page Museum are great, but they don't take a lot of time, though the County Art Museum is also right there.

Bert & Gert, in the summertime, I'd think about a day at the beach, preferably a weekday. Beyond that, a lot depends on what you like doing and who all will be in your group. For example, the trip from DL to Legoland is pretty easy and a big hit for kids about 10 and under. For adults, the Getty Museum is truly spectacular, both in its collection and in the architecture and view; the Huntington Library and Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena are also both wonderful. San Diego is great for all ages. Universal Studios can be fun if you enjoy that type of activity, but it also can be very hot in midsummer. There are a few excellent children's museums in LA and Orange Counties. If you like the mountains, the San Gabriel and San Bernadino ranges are w/in a reasonable drive with wonderful hiking. Almost everything involves driving, which is best done at non-rush hours and will probably take longer than the actual mileage would suggest. Have fun planning!

 

[jacks]

Just in case you wanted an Aussie's point of view on Las Vegas- we are about to do our 3rd trip. We have stayed at Circus Circus, Luxor and Stratosphere and have booked Circus circus again for this June. Out of them all it was the best and their prices are great ($39.95 on their website) You have to go during the week though from Sun-Thurs to get good prices, the weekends are expensive. The circus circus caters really well for Kids and us 'kids at heart'. For DL we did a 3 day pass last time-will probably do a 5 day one this time as now two parks, went to Ontario Mills (which is why we are now going for our 3rd trip cause were hooked on shopping and outlet shops), trip to Tijuana (which was a bit dirty and spent money didn;t want to as you if you ask a price you are followed, pushed, pinched etc until you buy it), and Universal Studios which was fantastic (very clean and great rides). We did a VIP tour of hollywood stars but they failed to mention that a night time tour that after 7.30 couldn't go and see them and Rodeo Drive was cornered off, however Southern Cross have excellent variety of tours. This time round were looking at doing the beaches i.e Venice Beach, maybe a baseball game and defiantly my favourite restaraunt 'Chili's' which we don't have here. If you have time going to San Fran is great too.........hope this helps

 

[ChairborneRangr]

check out http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13038 and http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43446