Frustrated with CA vacation budget

[superme80]

I think you got some great suggestions. I would not drop the Improv show, especially since a few of your boys are interested in acting or directing. Have a great vacation!!!!

 

[platamama]

For meals, check out Restaurant.com. Enter in a zip code and xx mile radius and it will bring up places that accept it. Usually there is a sale code floating around (my personal approach is to go to evrewards, and see which website is offering the most cashback for Rest----.com and go through that website) that gives you another 70-80% off. I don't buy until the 80% sale comes around and then get a $25 gift certificate for $2 (usually they cost $10). Some restaurants offer $50 and $100 gift certificates, just be sure to read the fine print about how much you have to spend, etc. You can print them out immediately after purchasing so there's no lag time there.

We just got back from a SoCal trip and I saved some money doing that. I also cross referenced those restaurants against the frequent flyer dining program I was enrolled in to get those extra miles into my FF account. Might as well, right? I checked those restaurants on yelp to make sure they were decent first. It's a bit of work, but if you have the time...

Sounds like a fun trip. No matter your plans you have to leave a lot of buffer for traffic. It can be stop and go for no apparent reason.

HTH

 

[nrpofp]

I agree with others and would drop the snorkeling. The water is always cold here. I would also get rid of the bus tour. If your renting a car there is so much to see without spending extra money. You can visit the beaches, rodeo drive, hollywood etc. Drive along the coast on highway 1 from hollywood to San diego. Its a beautiful drive. Lots of beaches, restaurants, shops etc. I don't think you need to spend a lot of money on tours to keep busy. BTW Hollywood Universal is fantastic. Don't miss the King kong 3d tour and the water world show. Have fun.

 

[iheartdisney]

Also wanted to point out on the hotel front... If you have a vehicle and don't mind NOT staying directly across the street, you can get more hotel for your money by brnaching out. the cheapest rooms on Harbor Blvd will cost you at least $100 (and during the summer, probably closer to $130- $150) per nigt, for a basic, small hotel room. The Disneyland Forum on these borads will give you a great mix of opinions on all the So Cal accomadations. (if you can't find it, we are close to the bottom. Underneath the DVC, Underneath the Cruise Line. Underneath everywhere else in the world. I sometimes feel like Disneyland is the red-headed stepchild of the DisBoards!)
Last December we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Buena Park (we wanted to stay on points) It was beautiful, and QUIET! Plus Kids eat free, and we had all you can eat Prime Rib dinner for 12.99- about the price of a bowl of chili inside the berm. It is also close to Midevil Times, Pirate Dinner Adventure, and Knott's.
About the indoor skydiving- are you talking about the ifly at Universal City Walk? I would LOVE to hear how that is, everytime we go to City Walk we think about it, but usually I'm not dressed appropriately!

 

[LuvMickey36]

I might cancel the snorkeling and just hope to play in the water and check out the tide pools.

I guess the bus tour appealed to me because we know nothing about the area, and those usually give a good over view ... But i will look at it closer and see if it makes sense to do it ourselves.

I dont think renting a sedan saves us much, and DS16 is 6'4, so space is important to him.

Thanks for the help!

My ex is 6'8 and when we vacationed with his parents we would rent a luxury car (i think that is the class name). The deal was that both men drove and both sat in the front seat. This saved us $$$ since he had plenty of room in the front.

I would also drop the snorkeling, sky diving, tours. Wait until you are there to see if you have time or feel like doing the improv. You don't say if the 8 days are flight free or not. Going on the assumption that they are travel free Disney, Universal and the zoo are going to keep you busy. If you allow 2 days for the parks and 1 for zoo that is 5 days. Me personally would plan some downtime for the family. Not buy tix for extra's until day of. That way if peeps are tired or just don't want to do it, the money isn't spent and/or you don't feel like to have to do it since you spent a small fortune on tix.

As far as a little downtime, no one wants to get home from vacation and feel like they need a vacation from their vacation. The parks and zoo will be a lot. Peeps will be tired and I don't know about your family, but 8 days together 24/7 and all the togetherness starts to wear on the nerves. If it were my trip, I would plan 3 days for each park. That gives enough time to relax a bit more and not rush from ride to ride stressed that you won't get everything done before it is time to go to the next activity. With 3 days in each park and a day @ zoo it leaves a free day. You may find you don't need 3 days and will have more time. I wouldn't buy tix for anything else until you get there. You might be surprised at what you find. You don't say if you have an "extra" budget. Things like souvies, unexpected trip expenses etc. If not, def drop the rest and save the $$$. Hope you get it all figured out and have fun!!!

 

[kawing123]

I would also think about taking these boys to Griffith Observatory. Don't rent the bikes just visit the observatory. If I remember correctly there are alot of trails right near the obsevatory to take a hike. You can also view the Hollywood sign from a different angle from this location. I believe the observatory is free and if you look on their website alot of times different activities and observations are planned. I would spend a small amount of time at the beach. Manhattan Beach is nice beach to just park and walk for a while.

 

[Anne34]

I would drop
Hollywood on/off bus tour $175. Snorkeling $225. Indoor skydiving $240. Improv theatre $66.

With the city pass don't you get seaworld too? I would think Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios, Seaworld, San Diego Zoo- are a full trip!
Monterey is a great place to visit and the aquarium there is great. There is tons of free fun. The tide pools are so interesting.
Here are a bunch of FREE Southern California things to do
http://www.daytrippen.com/free-southern-california-attractions.htm

Getty center is a good one! oh and the observatory!

The indoor skydiving is fun. We did it in Orlando. See if you can find some discounts online. I wouldn't cut this one for an active family (We are also a family of 5 -- kids 17, 15 & 13). I agree with cutting the snorkling & on/off bus tour.

Also, look on the Disneyland/California board for suggestions. Also the transportation board for car rental codes. I'm sure you can find something cheaper than $550!!! Try every code for every company -- you never know which one will be the best deal.

 

[hsmamato2]

subbing for ideas......

 

[Scully12]

Considering doing Sea World instead of Universal...

I went to LA with my mom last May and we spent a day at Universal...It wasn't worth our time or money. If you've been to Universal in Orlando the California one doesn't compare at all. They don't have much to do at all....like 5 rides, and most of them we didn't like at all. Luckily the day was saved when we saw Glee in Concert

We walked around Hollywood by ourselves. No need for a tour bus! Most of the touristy spots you're going to want to see are all pretty close to each other. A drive up to Griffith Observatory could be fun. You can get a really great view of LA and the Hollywood sign from there.

Have fun!

 

[MickeyManiac]

I second Priceline for your rental car. We've been able to get minivans in California for under $20/day on multiple occasions. Take a look at betterbidding.com for advice on how to bid successfully. It can sometimes take awhile to get them to accept a low bid but keep trying it can really pay off.

If you have a Costco membership I've had really good luck using the rental car codes and coupons on their website. Remember rental car prices can change daily so after you book check them often/daily and watch for price drops. Most agencies allow you to cancel and rebook without a fee.

We are BIG baseball fans so a trip to Anaheim is never complete without a trip to an Angels game. When the Angels are "away" they do tours of the stadium for cheap. (a few dollars) We haven't done that yet since we'd rather be in the stadium when the team is there. Angels Stadium is about a 10 min. drive from Disneyland.

Have a great trip. There is little about Southern California that I don't love. (ok, maybe the traffic )

 

[marthachick]

I don't have a lot of ideas of what to drop or add, BUT if you do go to the zoo, visit the Pandas first. We went several years ago & didn't get to the panda exhibit til after 3 I think and they were not out then. I have griped for years about that. We saw 3,000 ( not really just seemed like it) kinds of gazelles but sadly, no pandas.

 

[hsmamato2]

we're staying at a hotel near disney- how hard is it to drive to Hollywood walk of Fame- and perhaps Universal?
also- what is the best beach near Anaheim to visit for a day? We live on the east coast,and would like to experience a different coast-also never been .......

 

[mafibisha]

The indoor skydiving is fun. We did it in Orlando. See if you can find some discounts online. I wouldn't cut this one for an active family (We are also a family of 5 -- kids 17, 15 & 13). I agree with cutting the snorkling & on/off bus tour.

It IS fun!
But since you can do it in other locations, I'd skip it in CA and do something that can only be done in CA. When in Rome, when in CA....
IMHO FWIW

 

[Katy Belle]

I looked online for other indoor skydiving places...there arent any close to us. Not a big sirprise, we live in Oklahoma . We might do it...DS13 turns 14 on the trip...might be cool to do on his birthday.

I just need to start booking hotels, etc and see where we end up, money wise. DH has offered me a bigger budget but I want to try to do it with my original budget. Now it is a challenge. I needed a challenge anyway!

Thanks for your help!

Katy

 

[iheartdisney]

we're staying at a hotel near disney- how hard is it to drive to Hollywood walk of Fame- and perhaps Universal?
also- what is the best beach near Anaheim to visit for a day? We live on the east coast,and would like to experience a different coast-also never been .......

Universal and Hollywood will be about an hour north in fair traffic... and not hard at all. Just a ride up the 5 to the 101, and then both are clearly marked.
As for the beach, we used to visit Seal Beach when we came out to CA to visit. (I live in Ventura now, so don't frequent any other beaches but our own) The best thing to keep in mind is that the Pacific is COLD! I've lived on both coasts, so I can compare. You know how on the East Coast the ocean makes everything hot and muggy? The Pacific is the exact opposite. It is our natural air conditioner. I love the beach, but rarely go in the water. It doesn't bother my kids though- they will go in the water on Christmas!

 

[SamSam]

Sign up for the Southern California groupon.com, you may get a great offer on some tours,etc. in the area.

 

[Katy Belle]

Sign up for the Southern California groupon.com, you may get a great offer on some tours,etc. in the area.

That is an awesome idea! Thanks!

 

[MickeyManiac]

we're staying at a hotel near disney- how hard is it to drive to Hollywood walk of Fame- and perhaps Universal?
also- what is the best beach near Anaheim to visit for a day? We live on the east coast,and would like to experience a different coast-also never been .......

Huntington and Newport Beaches are great and only about a 20 min. drive from Disneyland. We usually go to Huntington since we really enjoy walking around the shops in the area.

 

[hsmamato2]

seal beach....are there actually seals there?

 

[eroilersgal]

You may want to look at the Youth Education Series Individual Enrollment at Disneyland. They offer a variety of classes and offer discounted theme park tickets. We did the Youth Leadership class with our sons in November and they loved it. The 3 +/- hours we used of our vacation time was well worth what the boys got out of this class.