Help a total newbie to DL plan a trip for February :)

[kuhltiffany]

Ok, when we lived in BC we had thrown around the idea of going to DL, but that was put on hold this summer when DH got transferred back to Ontario. We know we're going to have a hard time getting through the cold Ottawa winter, so I started hinting around about going to California part way through the winter. I found that we could get a direct flight from Montreal to LAX and put a "fare watch" on. A few days ago the airfare went way down, and DH agreed we should go!

So now what? Our kids are 11 and 12. We've done WDW/Universal quite a few times and 5 Disney Cruises. We've never done California though, so I'm at a loss. (Well, DH has been to Santa Clara for work but that's it). Our dates are Feb. 10 to 20.

We'll need a hotel (can we stay in one place, rent a car and drive around?). We want to do DL (3 days), Universal (1 day). Maybe Legoland (what's the difference between Resort and Hopper passes?). DH also wants to go to Joshua Tree National Park.

So much to figure out, any tips appreciated!

 

[Canuck16]

When we have done just more than Disney we have always stayed at a hotel near DLR and used that as our home base and then driven to Universal/SeaWorld/Knott's. So I would say it is very doable to stay close to DLR and use it as your home base to travel to the other places from if you have a vehicle.

I would recommend getting PH tickets so you can go between both parks as they are so close. One thing to note is that the FP system in each park are not connected so you can hold FP's for each park at the same time which is nice. When we go we always get the maximum park day tickets which is currently 5 so with this being your first trip you may want to consider 4 day tickets at at that time of year the fireworks and some of the night time entertainment may only be showing Fri-Sun.

If your family likes TS meals I would recommend you book a reservation to BB and try and get a water side table to watch the boats float by while you enjoy your meal inside PoC

DLR is far more laid back as far as planning goes compared to WDW which we find so nice.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Geemo]

Ok, when we lived in BC we had thrown around the idea of going to DL, but that was put on hold this summer when DH got transferred back to Ontario. We know we're going to have a hard time getting through the cold Ottawa winter, so I started hinting around about going to California part way through the winter. I found that we could get a direct flight from Montreal to LAX and put a "fare watch" on. A few days ago the airfare went way down, and DH agreed we should go!

So now what? Our kids are 11 and 12. We've done WDW/Universal quite a few times and 5 Disney Cruises. We've never done California though, so I'm at a loss. (Well, DH has been to Santa Clara for work but that's it). Our dates are Feb. 10 to 20.

We'll need a hotel (can we stay in one place, rent a car and drive around?). We want to do DL (3 days), Universal (1 day). Maybe Legoland (what's the difference between Resort and Hopper passes?). DH also wants to go to Joshua Tree National Park.

So much to figure out, any tips appreciated!

Your dates are during what I'd consider a busier time in February. Valentine's day is the 14th and the 20th is President's Day.
For the best rates on places to stay around Disneyland, you'd better be booking soon.

This will give you an idea of what's happening at the parks.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3528760/

 

[chickapin parterre]

start with wednesday the 15th, that is the best day to be in Disneyland, thursday disneyland, Friday and Saturday would be good days for Joshua Tree, for in addition to visiting joshua tree, you would want to visit the Palm Springs tram. if you are naturalist, the Morongo Valley preserve. If you have a spiritual belief system there are several different options in the Mohave desert. BUT REMEMBER, it is winter in the desert and it will be windy and not as warm as you are hoping. Also, the desert visit should not be consider a "day-off" Joshua tree is high altitude and you wil need water if you go exploring. The tram takes you to snow level so you will need coats. Palm springs will be warmer and should be your base for an over night stay. There are nice swim resorts that are very relaxing for the entire family.

Sunday would be your rest day, then Monday in DCA. You don't want to be on the desert freeways on Monday as folks are coming back from three day weekend in Vegas. So the 10th, lego land would be great for resting from flight, Saturday explore your lodging choice, hang around the pool. Sunday and MOnday universal, tuesday buy that extra disneyland/dca day

10th legoland
11th explore and relax at your lodging choice
12universal studios
13th universal
14th, that extra purchase day at disneyland/dca
15th the best day to visit disneyland
16th disneyland
17/18 in the desert
19th rest again day
2oth DCA

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Read this thread for lots of good tips (beware that some info is not up to date, e.g. FP info): A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Have you looked at the website for Legoland? Our kids loved it when they were smaller, but by 11 or 12, they had outgrown it. If your kids like animals, the San Diego Zoo is terrific. If you want to do a non-Disney day near the parks, Knott's Berry Farm might be an option. Definitely go with hoppers. The parks are so close and FPs aren't connected between the parks. You'll have so much more flexibility with the ability to go between both parks. And your kids are old enough to really make the most of that.

 

[cruisehopeful]

We'll need a hotel (can we stay in one place, rent a car and drive around?). We want to do DL (3 days), Universal (1 day). Maybe Legoland (what's the difference between Resort and Hopper passes?). DH also wants to go to Joshua Tree National Park.

I'd stay overnight near Joshua Tree. It takes too much time to drive there and when you are there, you actually do a lot of driving in the park. Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage are nearby and worth an overnight stay or two.

You can drive to Universal from a hotel near Disneyland, but be prepared for heavy traffic. It can take twice as long as what you expect.

You can also drive back and forth to Legoland in one day, but know that it could take up to 2 hours each way. Legoland has short hours during that time of year. You'll want to check their website for the times/dates that have the longer days. That way, if you get caught in a traffic jam, you won't feel like you missed out too much time of the visit. Legoland has tickets for the amusement park only or you can add the aquarium. They also have a small water park for young children, but that won't be open in February. If you have been to nice aquariums, I'd pass on the one at Legoland.

 

[biochemgirl]

I'll just throw in there that we drove from Disneyland to Universal and spend hours in traffic. If I had planned on a two-day visit to Universal it definitely would have been worth it to stay close to Universal for that time.

 

[nikkislaght]

if you only doing 3 days at Disney and days at other parks consider the city pass, currently $341. for adults. you get 3 days Disney.. park hoppers, with Magic Morning.. entry to LEGOLAND and SeaWorld. and current bonus is San Diego Zoo or Safari park for an extra $38 for adults..
or get the southern cal city pass which does include Universal Studios

 

[kuhltiffany]

Wow, thanks for all the tips! So far I've just figured out the end of the trip:

20: Fly out of LAX
19: Joshua Tree/drive back to LA, Airport Hotel
18: Joshua Tree
17: ?/drive to Joshua Tree, local hotel

Sounds like we might be better doing a split stay, Disney/Universal area?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...Sounds like we might be better doing a split stay, Disney/Universal area?

If you do a split stay and are interested in seeing Hollywood stuff, there is a Red Line station (metro) at Universal City (at the bottom of the hill). One station away is Hollywood & Highland, a shopping center with the Dolby Theater (home of the Oscars Ceremony), a photo spot for the Hollywood sign, Walk of Fame right out front, Chinese Theater next door, Disney's El Capitan Theater across the street, bus tours (Hop On/Hop Off, Stars Homes, famous sites, etc.) leaving from out front, etc. You could easily spend a few hours there seeing various things. If you want to do a studio tour, Warner Bros. Studios isn't far away from Universal City. That is a good tour which your family might enjoy.

 

[SMD]

10th legoland
11th explore and relax at your lodging choice
12universal studios
13th universal
14th, that extra purchase day at disneyland/dca
15th the best day to visit disneyland
16th disneyland
17/18 in the desert
19th rest again day
2oth DCA

Don't attempt to fly from YUL to LAX, go through customs, drive to San Diego and go to Legoland all in the same day. Start at Universal. Depending on when you arrive in LA you could do a half day in Hollywood or at City Walk before 1 night near Universal. Then go to Anaheim. If you want to do 5 days at DLR, just do that. When move on to Joshua Tree and back to LAX and staying there the night before you flight is a good idea, especially because of the holiday. I'd skip Legoland. If you want to do San Diego, it's doable as a day trip from Anaheim to avoid another hotel move.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Hmmm, now that I'm considering a split stay, is it worth splurging a bit and staying onsite at one of the DL hotels?

Ideas of where to stay near Universal?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There are two hotels right at Universal -- the Sheraton and the Hilton. On site hotels at DLR give you EE each day of your stay, but you will save a lot of money by staying off site. Some of the off site hotels are actually closer to the gates than the on site ones. Your kids are old enough to walk a bit further, so even if you aren't right across from the gates, you can save quite a bit and possibly get a free breakfast thrown in to the bargain.

 

[SMD]

Hmmm, now that I'm considering a split stay, is it worth splurging a bit and staying onsite at one of the DL hotels?

Ideas of where to stay near Universal?

The Garland and Sportmen's Lodge can be cheaper than the Hilton or Sheraton at Universal and have free shuttles. If you were going to do City Walk or take the red line to Hollywood, both are good options.