First Visit To Disneyland--need All The Help I Can Get

[DisneyFans4]

Wow! 7 hours from DL to SanFran? You would almost have to stay overnight in SanFran to get the most out of that trip I would think. I don't know if I would want to do that.

Do you think it would be cheaper as far as the rental car to return it in San Diego and then take the train to DL and then rent another car?

 

[Hound 109]

Okay, this is what I have so far and please tell me if I'm spending too much or too little time somewhere:

8/9 to 8/13 in San Diego area at Sheraton San Diego in Mission Valley; 5 days, 4 nights.

Depart 8/13 and take Amtrak to DL (where am I taking the Amtrak to?)
Stay on Disney property until 8/22 10 days, 9 nights and will also take JohnZ's advice and do Universal and get the free shuttle to get there so I won't need a car.


Oh...can I do San Diego without a car or should I rent one and then drop it off before taking the train?

I figure i would jump in here .

I lived in SoCal as a child & have returned for "trips" 20+ times in the past 20 years. I've seen SD, DLR, Hollywood/USH, Yosemite/Sequoila, & now SF discussed.

Most (or all) are doable on a 8/9 - 8/22 trip, but I think you need to decide what you want to do & how important each are.

If i was planning this for me (or for a close relative), I would consider the following:

- Fly into SF. Rent a car. "Do" SF for 2 nights (2-3 days).
- Drive to Monterey (one night).
- " " Big Sur/Hwy 1/Hearst Castle (spend night in Cambria).
- " " Morro Rock/SLO/ (then either SLO winerys - inland....or Pismo Beach)/Santa Barbara/ Hollywood. (hotel next to US)
(May want to spend the night in Pismo or SB if you want this more leisurely)

But (imo) stay at hotel next to USH on Wed. 13th. Visit US Thurs. till after traffic dies down. Drive Thurs night to SD.

- Thurs night/Fri/Sat (night) San Diego.
- Sunday morning drive leisurely back to DLR (stopping at Capistrano/Laguna/Huntington/ beaches etc.)
- Sun night/Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs - DLR.
- Friday fly home (from LAX or SNA or Ontario)

IMO - Yosemite/Sequoilla / SF & SD is TOO much driving & backtracking. I would dump one (& my recommendation dumps Yosemite etc.)

Also, I didn't include in my itinerary above.....but with 18 & 20 y/o...a half day poking around Malibu/Santa Monica/Venice area is "something to see" & talk about. Malibu & Zuma beaches aren't talked about alot on this board, but are world famous for lots of things.....some that 18 & 20 y/o boys might be interested in.

Main thing i want to encourage is that with 2 weeks, you can see ALOT of California. But:

- Minimize the driving (thus one way down the coast)
- Do DLR last.
- SEE SF/SD but also SEE the Central Coast.

Here's a post (with links) that discusses this type of trip....also look at SpartanGirl's TR (with lots of pics).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669293

Have fun planning a trip to Cal. & Walt's Park.

 

[tinkermell]

I figure i would jump in here .

I lived in SoCal as a child & have returned for "trips" 20+ times in the past 20 years. I've seen SD, DLR, Hollywood/USH, Yosemite/Sequoila, & now SF discussed.

Most (or all) are doable on a 8/9 - 8/22 trip, but I think you need to decide what you want to do & how important each are.

If i was planning this for me (or for a close relative), I would consider the following:

- Fly into SF. Rent a car. "Do" SF for 2 nights (2-3 days).
- Drive to Monterey (one night).
- " " Big Sur/Hwy 1/Hearst Castle (spend night in Cambria).
- " " Morro Rock/SLO/ (then either SLO winerys - inland....or Pismo Beach)/Santa Barbara/ Hollywood. (hotel next to US)
(May want to spend the night in Pismo or SB if you want this more leisurely)

But (imo) stay at hotel next to USH on Wed. 13th. Visit US Thurs. till after traffic dies down. Drive Thurs night to SD.

- Thurs night/Fri/Sat (night) San Diego.
- Sunday morning drive leisurely back to DLR (stopping at Capistrano/Laguna/Huntington/ beaches etc.)
- Sun night/Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs - DLR.
- Friday fly home (from LAX or SNA or Ontario)

IMO - Yosemite/Sequoilla / SF & SD is TOO much driving & backtracking. I would dump one (& my recommendation dumps Yosemite etc.)

Also, I didn't include in my itinerary above.....but with 18 & 20 y/o...a half day poking around Malibu/Santa Monica/Venice area is "something to see" & talk about. Malibu & Zuma beaches aren't talked about alot on this board, but are world famous for lots of things.....some that 18 & 20 y/o boys might be interested in.

Main thing i want to encourage is that with 2 weeks, you can see ALOT of California. But:

- Minimize the driving (thus one way down the coast)
- Do DLR last.
- SEE SF/SD but also SEE the Central Coast.

Here's a post (with links) that discusses this type of trip....also look at SpartanGirl's TR (with lots of pics).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669293

Have fun planning a trip to Cal. & Walt's Park.

Good itinerary Hound! If they did SF that was my next sugestion. To either start there, or end there. I definitely agree on the central coast part!

Hound, the OP might buy some of the So. Cal City passes, so they need more time in San Diego.

Disneyfans, you should decide which is more appealing to you. San Fran or Yosemite. They are both great, just wayyyyyyyyy different of course. After you decide that, then you can start planning your itinerary with much more savvy. With either one, you can still do the central coast. (Oh, and of course you don't have to do either one.)

If you do SF, I would wait to rent a car!!!!!!! The street system is horrible, with ALOT of one ways. Also parking cost an arm and a leg. Maybe from the airport you can get a shuttle to downtown? Then when you are ready to leave SF rent a car.

 

[Hound 109]

Good itinerary Hound! If they did SF that was my next sugestion. To either start there, or end there. I definitely agree on the central coast part!

Hound, the OP might buy some of the So. Cal City passes, so they need more time in San Diego.

Disneyfans, you should decide which is more appealing to you. San Fran or Yosemite. They are both great, just wayyyyyyyyy different of course. After you decide that, then you can start planning your itinerary with much more savvy. With either one, you can still do the central coast. (Oh, and of course you don't have to do either one.)

If you do SF, I would wait to rent a car!!!!!!! The street system is horrible, with ALOT of one ways. Also parking cost an arm and a leg. Maybe from the airport you can get a shuttle to downtown? Then when you are ready to leave SF rent a car.

I didn't think about the rental car....in SF.... ....good point.

Would they need more than 3 nights / 2 1/2 days in SD? (I was trying to have them avoid driving from LA to SD on a Fri pm & get them back to DLR for the final Mon - Thurs (Fri AM) of their trip.)

Also good point regarding they might prefer Yosemite etc. over SF (but won't it be VERY crowded in August?)

Man.....I wish i was taking a 2 week trip to Cal. on this type of itinerary....i just looked at SpartanGirl's TR again (& THE OP & ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE PLACES MENTIONED & WANTS TO SEE FANTASTIC PICTURES - and a darn good report - SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.)

 

[SoonerGirl]

If you do SF, I would wait to rent a car!!!!!!! The street system is horrible, with ALOT of one ways. Also parking cost an arm and a leg. Maybe from the airport you can get a shuttle to downtown? Then when you are ready to leave SF rent a car.

Thanks for that bit of information! We are planning on spending our first two nights in SF, I was just going to rent a car as soon as we arrived, but I'm sure we really wouldn't use it once we got to the hotel so it would be a bit of a waste, especially if parking is going to be an issue.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Wow guys! Thanks for the great iteneraries. Really gives me something to think about.

Thanks also on the tip about renting a car in SF....is it that bad???? I guess that's like me telling you not to rent a car if visiting New York City

 

[TexDisneyMom]

Disneyfans4, thanks for the thread. This is our first trip to Disneyland and I feel like my head is spinning. I could plan a trip to WDW in my sleep - its exciting to still get to see the Mouse but have something new to plan!

 

[tinkermell]

Wow guys! Thanks for the great iteneraries. Really gives me something to think about.

Thanks also on the tip about renting a car in SF....is it that bad???? I guess that's like me telling you not to rent a car if visiting New York City

Well they don't have the crazy taxi drivers in SF, but the streets are narrow, and usually one way. It gets very confusing. Then in the middle of all that are the cable and trolley cars. Maybe if you stayed near the piers it wouldn't be so bad, but if you stayed in Union Square........... If you do shoose Union Square to stay at, check out the Villa Florence. It's an older hotel with some to the nicest service we've ever had. Then prices are pretty decent too for the middle of US!!! I usually go to SF every year with my good friends to shop for Christmas. This has become our favorite place to stay. Literally steps to the middle of the square, all of the shopping and theaters. About a block down to the original cable and trolley cars.
At Christmas there is a huge tree in the middle of the square. Ok nuff said........
Maybe someone should speak up for the pier area. Especially Pier 39. It's been years since I have spent any time there. This May I will be going on my DD's 8th grade trip to SF, which includes about everything SF has to offer. After that, I will be alot more savvy on it.

By the way......if you can drive in NY with all of those crazy drivers, then you probably would not be phased by SF. Maybe just getting mixed up? The last time we were in NY in a taxi, I thought we would hit someone as least 5 times. Whew!!!!!!!! That place is not a place for the faint of heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KCmike]

With all this talk about driving around I will forwarn you that you don't want to get caught in traffic after 2pm in LA.

I am a pretty savy driver and have been to many major cities but we got stuck in what seemed like gridlock for a few hours trying to get back from Hollywood one day to our resort hotel at disneyland. i will tell you that nothing sucks the fun out of a vacation more that bumper to bumper traffic.

Hollywood was very disappointing. If you can stay away and do Anaheim and Southern California....but hey I am a one time visitor...hope to be back though in May for a Grand Canyon/Disneyland trip in 08.

 

[DisneyFans4]

By the way......if you can drive in NY with all of those crazy drivers, then you probably would not be phased by SF. Maybe just getting mixed up? The last time we were in NY in a taxi, I thought we would hit someone as least 5 times. Whew!!!!!!!! That place is not a place for the faint of heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the way the drivers are in NJ as well since we are so close to NY and alot of them commute into NJ so yes, I am well used to narrow misses, constantly being cut off, etc. Tough having to teach your kids to drive in this state because it's so scary. To this day I worry with them on the road

Can you picture us driving in Europe where they drive on the opposite sides than us....now I definitely wouldn't drive

 

[DisneyFans4]

Disneyfans4, thanks for the thread. This is our first trip to Disneyland and I feel like my head is spinning. I could plan a trip to WDW in my sleep - its exciting to still get to see the Mouse but have something new to plan!

Ditto

I always book our WDW trips myself because I know that place like the back of my hand but for this trip I am calling my TA because I have no clue.

I thank all you guys here on the boards especially because without you guys I wouldn't be able to plan this trip so again, thank you.


HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2008

 

[SoonerGirl]

Maybe someone should speak up for the pier area. Especially Pier 39. It's been years since I have spent any time there. This May I will be going on my DD's 8th grade trip to SF, which includes about everything SF has to offer. After that, I will be alot more savvy on it.

I'd love any info on Pier 39, we will be staying at the Hilton Fisherman's Wharf, so if anyone out there wants to speak to it, I'm listening!

 

[tinkermell]

That's the way the drivers are in NJ as well since we are so close to NY and alot of them commute into NJ so yes, I am well used to narrow misses, constantly being cut off, etc. Tough having to teach your kids to drive in this state because it's so scary. To this day I worry with them on the road

Can you picture us driving in Europe where they drive on the opposite sides than us....now I definitely wouldn't drive

I will comment on this even though it is off topic. It is difinately scary to drive over there. My DH will drive anything any where. One of our businesses is hauling huge equipment on a low bed. Escavaters, loaders, tractors, big trees.........you name it. Sometimes he has to have pilot cars with him. Anywhos, while we were in England about 3 years ago, we rented a car to sight see. He was a nervous wreck, which shocked me. Here is someone used to California traffic, driving a big rig. But being on the opposite side of the road is very disorientating. Even when it just comes to going in and out of a driveway. And don't even get me going on their round-a-bouts! One time we must have gone around it 4 times, before we knew how to get out on the right road.

2 days later he had a heart attack while in London. I'm not saying that was the whole cause, but it sure didn't help the situation!

 

[phisigprincess]

Hi everyone!
This thread has already helped a ton. DH and I are talking about doing the City Pass for a week in April. I have a few questions that haven't been answered yet.

1. How crowded does the Food and Wine Festival get at DCA? The week we're looking at is right in the middle of the FAWF. I know it impacts crowds in WDW, but I wasn't sure about at DCA.

2. We were planning on flying into San Diego and doing the Zoo and Sea World, renting a car and driving to Anaheim for US and Disneyland/DCA and then flying out of LAX to go home. Does that make sense?

Thank you for all of the help already. Planning out of my "comfort zone" is a bit overwhelming!!

 

[Hound 109]

Hi everyone!
This thread has already helped a ton. DH and I are talking about doing the City Pass for a week in April. I have a few questions that haven't been answered yet.

1. How crowded does the Food and Wine Festival get at DCA? The week we're looking at is right in the middle of the FAWF. I know it impacts crowds in WDW, but I wasn't sure about at DCA.

2. We were planning on flying into San Diego and doing the Zoo and Sea World, renting a car and driving to Anaheim for US and Disneyland/DCA and then flying out of LAX to go home. Does that make sense?

Thank you for all of the help already. Planning out of my "comfort zone" is a bit overwhelming!!

Are you flying SWA? I ask, because we do & if i was planning a trip, I would do your itinerary as you listed...with one wrinkle.

- Fly into SD. Zoo, Sea World (& a day or morning for other stuff....Old Town, Point Loma, the Del...etc.)
- Drive to DLR. (However many glorious days there).
- Late night (after traffic dies down) Drive to a motel/hotel next to US.
- US (when it opens) for half a day. Drive to Burbank Airport (near US) & fly home.

(unless you're flying home on a Sat. or Sun.....then spend your last night at DLR, up early drive to US for rope drop & then to the airport to fly home.)

I mention this because the drive from DLR to US (& back) can be brutal especially during the week....& alot of folks try it as a day trip from DL & regret it.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Hi everyone!
2. We were planning on flying into San Diego and doing the Zoo and Sea World, renting a car and driving to Anaheim for US and Disneyland/DCA and then flying out of LAX to go home. Does that make sense?

That's how we were planning it also but still debating on taking the train from San Diego to DL.

Were you planning to drive from San Diego to DL?

We're definitel doing LAX to Newark going home.