Help - Best Deals on Tickets!!

[simba_one]

So we're finally booking our vacation for next summer this coming week - - and we're planning on doing it all Online this time rather than doing it all through the Holiday Hypermarket and Virgin Holidays as we normally do.

I've been looking around for hotels and tickets and such for months now and we've finally decided on the Holiday Inn on South Walnut for our first two weeks then our final week at our favourite Anaheim hotel - the Hyatt!!

Now that's sorted (well, until we book it at least), we're having to sort out tickets. I've been thinking a five day hopper for Disney. Then a one day ticket at SeaWorld and get the next day free. They've been running that promotion for years now?! They had it at Orlando the last few times we went there and they had it at San Diego in 2004 and this year 'coz I read that on their site. So hopefully they'll have that again next year and that'll be our two days at SeaWorld taken care of. Then we're thinking of getting an Annual Pass for Universal Studios. If we get the Premium then in essence we can go to Universal every day we're in SoCal - and we'll probably do A LOT of days where we go there early in the morning and do some big rides then do a sightseeing day around L.A. and Hollywood. And we get free parking so that makes what I've just said even better and we get discounted food and drink and merchandise and NO black-out dates!! And all for under $100 or £60. OK we'll miss out on the rest of the year but in my eyes even for our three weeks that is a great price for what you get.

Then we'll probably buy a day ticket for SFMM and such. Shopping around and looking at various different passes that allow you entry to several different parks those still seem like the best options for us. 'Coz a lot of the multi-attraction passes are for Cali residents only?!? No fair!!! Maybe that's for the best anyway though.

But I was just wondering whether any of you more experienced SoCal holidayers could give me tips deals for tickets and stuff?! Like I say most of the multi-attraction tickets are for US residents only so we can't take advantage. Do the ticket choices we've made so far though seem OK? Is there some sort of ticket we can get which'll allow us to do other things but you only buy one ticket?!

Advertising for West Coast holidays in the UK is pretty much non-existant. It's STILL all about Orlando. And looking on the Internet you don't know whetehr what you're reading applies to you so I thought I'd make a thread and find out.

There's still more tickets that we'll purchase - our beloved helicopter tour over L.A. and a dinner show which'll probably be Pirates this time. Anything you can say about that? I heard the one in Orlando isn't very good. It was there the last time we were in Orlando but we still went to Medieval Times. Having done the Medieval Times in SoCal already, we want to try something different. And I LOVE Pirates!!!

So yeah, any help or suggestions with anything would be appreciated.

 

[simba_one]

No one?! Any advise on tickets would be very much appreciated.

Also forgot to mention the various Studio tours we like to do. I am a HUGE F•R•I•E•N•D•S fan so the Deluxe Tour of the WB Studios is a must. We got to go on the Central Perk set last year and it was my 18th birthday too. It was amazing!! But all those tickets have to be purchased through the studios so no saving on them but any advice on what tickets to buy and/or opinions on whether I've made the right decisions on tickets (above) so far would also be appreciated!!

 

[Pokemom]

Not sure if this would work for you if you want to spend multiple days at some of the attractions, but another option is the Southern California City Pass. It includes a 3 Day Hopper Pass for DL/DCA, one day at Sea World, one day at the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park, and one day at Knott's Berry Farm. Other posters have said that after April 2006 Universal Studios is going to replace the Knott's entry. You can get a discount on the City Pass at Costco and AAA (maybe other places too, but those are 2 I know of). Current cost at AAA is $175, but the price is supposed to be going up when the new passes come out next year.

 

[simba_one]

Thanks for the info. pokemom!! We do typically like to do multi-days at Universal so don't think we'll try the Southern California City Pass. I'm a huge movie fan and could go round on the Studio Tour alllllll day long!! And with the Premium Universal Annual Pass you get front of line access to it so that is just perfect for me!! Plus, we'd want more than three days at Disney!! And we've just got a great package deal from Virgin Holdiays over here in England so we can afford to spend more on tickets now!! Thanks for the help though.

 

[joanne1968]

Ooh please tell me more about the Warner Bros tour me and dd aged 5 adore friends.

 

[almostGoofy]

Ooh please tell me more about the Warner Bros tour me and dd aged 5 adore friends.

Here's the website for WB studio tours: http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/

Sorry, children under 8 are not permitted.

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba One,
I totally agree about holidays to the West Coast, it's all about Orlando, we went there this year and didn't like it, it's just not the same as Anaheim.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency last year for a month and it was lovely, we bought a Deluxe AP when we arrived at Disneyland and the only blockout days were the first 3 saturdays ( we went in August) so we are thinking of getting one again for next year then we can go to Disney just to watch the parade or the fireworks and then go back to the hotel without wasting a day.
We are looking at the Crowne Plaza for next year, which is (if I remember right) near to the Hyatt and across from Target and close to the Outback and Red Robin. I don't drive so the shuttle is great and if we fancy walking, we have a slow stroll down looking at the gift shops.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Ooh please tell me more about the Warner Bros. tour me and dd aged 5 adore friends.

The tour is amazing!! It's real personal because you are driven around the lot in special WB VIP Tour carts by your own personal tour guide. Ours last year was a yougn lady named Danni - she was sooooo cool!! Because of the nature of the tour, (you MAY get to see sets or some sort of production work for upcoming movies) your cameras are locked away in the trunk of the cart. The back seat of the cart lifts up and everything goes in there. You are allowed to use your cameras in some areas though so when you get to these areas your tour guide will tell you all to jump off and they'll get them out for you.

For me being one of the UK's biggest F•R•I•E•N•D•S fans this tour was like a dream for me. And we did it on my 18th birthday too which made it even more special.

Because the studios are obviously in operation things change almost every day. But F•R•I•E•N•D•S being one of their biggest (if not THE biggest - certainly the best) TV shows ever, I'm sure they'll have plenty for F•R•I•E•N•D•S fans to see even in years to come. Just be sure to tell your guide that you are a F•R•I•E•N•D•S fan - they ask what everyone likes anyway. The tour guides tend to personalise the tours to whatever people like on the cart. So on ours it was F•R•I•E•N•D•S and ER - because some woman on our cart loved ER.

You start off at the visitor centre which when I went last year was a bit drab. In the foyer they had various props (including several costumes from F•R•I•E•N•D•S characters and the invitations from Monica and Chandler's wedding. Cameras were allowed in here so I took advantage and snapped away like crazy. Outside last year was the Mystery Machine from one of the Scooby Doo movies. Apparently they try to have a movie-used automobile outside all the time. Then there's the gift shop. Hmmm - the gift shop. Last year it was a very miserable excuse for a gift shop. Nothing to do with the tour and hardly anything from WB in general. It was awful. But the visitor centre has had a complete makeover and is looking amazing. Huge gift shop which looks like it stocks a lot more things.

Before you head out on the tour you go into a small movie theatre and watch a short movie about WB's history showing clips of the movies and TV shows they've made over the years. It really sets up the tour because it jogs your memory as to what shows and movies are made by WB.

During the tour we got to go on the set of The Gilmore Girls - never watched it but it was still amazing to walk around a real TV/Movie set. We walked through the living room into the kitchen where we then stopped and had a short lesson about product placement with our tour guide. I've watched the show since back in the UK and it's soooo weird to see a scene in the house and think OMG I was there!!!!! We also got to wonder around the prop house. Danni pointed out several props and what they had been used in. We saw the dining table used in the first Pirates movie, (huge Pirates fan too - hope they have lots to show from the forthcoming movies next year) a pink rocking horse which was Emma's in F•R•I•E•N•D•S, two beautiful crystal chandeliers which weighed huge amounts each, (they were hanging from the ceiling in one of the prop rooms and they actually had to reinforce the walls and ceiling to take the weight of them - they cost millions of dollars each - I forgot the actual amount but it was outrageous!!!) and soooooooooooooooooooo much more. To tell you the truth it all just goes so quick. Cameras weren't actually allowed in the prop house but Danni let us take them in and shoot. We passed another group when we were inside and their tour guide spoke to ours and was like "no cameras!!" and Danni said "Oh, Danni doesn't care!!!!" I was soooooooooooooooooo glad 'Danni didn't care' because if she had of cared I would never of been able to shoot two rolls of film inside Central Perk!!! And that really made my day.

We got to see several portions of their backlot too. The entrance to the emergency room at ER, (which has a hidden basketball hoop outside - the cast used to play before and after takes) NY streets which have been used numerous times for F•R•I•E•N•D•S, an exterior of a motel and a TINY section of grass that was used for the episode of F•R•I•E•N•D•S - 'The One Where Phoebe Runs'. Although it was TINY it was used and on camera looked much bigger and passed for Central Park - AMAZING!! We passed loads more on the cart but not all were mentioned by our tour guide.

So yeah... lonnnnng description of the tour there but when I start talking about it I can't stop. It was fabulous. For obvious reasons there's also a chance you'll see some stars. We saw one. And I had no idea who he was - my Dad had to tell me who he was rotfl - Ed Harris. Danni stopped our cart and he stopped and spoke to us all for a minute or two. He had just come out of one of the stages and was carrying a garment bag. He put it in the trunk of his car and spoke to us. Wish I had seen someone else (or more people) but that wasn't what I went there for.

And you visit the Movie Museum which has dozens upon dozens of recently used movie props. Last year (and I should imagine for a while yet too) the WHOLE top floor was dedicated to Harry Potter. There was everything you could ever wish to look at from the movies. And even lifelike models of the actors. There was one of Hermione laying down and it freaked me out soooo much. I had to look away. Again, no cameras allowed though.

When we drove into Burbank we had touble finding the entrance for VIP Tours (it's in an underground carpark - YES, an underround carpark. It is nice though. Benches to wait on all roped off and valet parking and vending machines. Rather nice for where it is. And to get over to the main building you have to run across a busy street. I was laughing because I jsut couldn't believe it. So we found the entrance eventually but not before we pulled up to the main gates to the Studios. The security very kindly gave us directions to the VIP Tour parking and waiting area and let up the barrier for us so we could drive in and pull a u-turn and head back out. I would loved to have kept going but hey, at least I can say we've driven through the main gates into the Studios. The same gate that all the stars use every day. The fact we then had to do a u-turn I'll just keep quiet. They get people driving up a lot though. Apparently new signs have been positioned so the VIP Tour parking can be found easier.

We saw all that on the normal tour which is $39 (SUCH a bargain for a 2 1/4 hour long tour) but for $125 you can do the Deluxe Tour which lasts five hours and you get more for your money. We're going to do that one next year. Plcaes go quick though so make sure you make reservations. All the info. you need is on their website - http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/

And I have just scrolled down and noticed that your DD is 5. As almostGoofy states - only children 8 and above are permitted. Such a shame 'coz your DD would have absolutely loved it. Things can only get better though so when she turns 8 it'll probably be even better!!!

 

[simba_one]

Hi Simba One,
I totally agree about holidays to the West Coast, it's all about Orlando, we went there this year and didn't like it, it's just not the same as Anaheim.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency last year for a month and it was lovely, we bought a Deluxe AP when we arrived at Disneyland and the only blockout days were the first 3 saturdays ( we went in August) so we are thinking of getting one again for next year then we can go to Disney just to watch the parade or the fireworks and then go back to the hotel without wasting a day.
We are looking at the Crowne Plaza for next year, which is (if I remember right) near to the Hyatt and across from Target and close to the Outback and Red Robin. I don't drive so the shuttle is great and if we fancy walking, we have a slow stroll down looking at the gift shops.
Love Ella

You didn't like Orlando?! OMG!!! I LOVE Orlando. But having been there several times before, we decided to go to Anaheim and experience the original Magic Kingdom last year!!! There's obviously A LOT more to do in Orlando (theme park-wise) but Anaheim is just as fun!!! Still annoys me that Orlando is shoved down your throat all the time though. But maybe that's a good thing 'coz it makes Anaheim a little less busy - well, less British tourists anyway.

What dates were you out there last year? We were probably there the same time. And we stayed at the Hyatt all three weeks so our paths must have crossed at some stage. We were there July 31st through August 21.

We booked next years holiday last Thursday. We were going to book it all seperately but we just decided to go for it with Virgin again. Plus, we're frequent flyers so we got out 10% discount. And you know what? The Hyatt is fully booked the dates we want. We want July 29th through August 19th and the closest they could get us for the Hyatt was August 10th (day after my birthday so that just doesn't work for me - I always have my birthdays in the States ) through August 31st. And because we were going through Virgin, the selection of hotels to choose from is minimal. We would have gone for the Sheraton but we looked at that last year and wasn't too keen on it. So we had to settle for the Hilton Garden Inn. I just keep telling myself that there's more to a holiday than the hotel you stay in. But I know I'm lying to myself. And it's even more anoying because it is available but just not through Virgin!!!! Grrr!! They need to extend the choice of hotels. They could even add the Plaza on there. And the Marriott. It's pretty much one hotel for each budget so if the hotel your budget fits into sells out you have to compromise. But the Hilto Garden Inn is just in front (and slightly to the side) of the Hyatt so I'll be able to see it - hopefully we'll have rooms at the back of the hotel and not at the front facing onto Harbor.

What Tower did you stay in last year? We were in the North Tower. We ventured over to the South Tower though... I didn't like it at all - still rather stay there than than the HGI though. Very dark!! And not the best views. I had a room on the sixth floor and could see ToT and Space Mountain from my windows. And it was a corner room so it was enormous!! I made sure I got the nicest room!! And when you book through Virgin they print on your bill to please supply the nicest rooms available. LOVES Virgin!

The Crowne Plaza looks beautiful!! Great choice. We were considering that instead of the Hyatt back when we weren't going through Virgin but I just love the Hyatt so much I couldn't resist. Lol. And you remember correctly about it. It's across the road from the Hyatt next to the Marriott. Opposite CoCo's.

And great idea about the AP for the DLR. We're definitely doing it for Universal 'coz the benefits are brilliant (and we plan on doing LOADS of days where we get there at opening and do the big rides and then leave and do the rest as a sightseeing day) so that's a definite and I'll look at what yoy get for Disney now too. I know I'm gonna be annoyed though 'coz we'll all have access to the parks but we'll be thousands of miles away in London and won't be able to use them!!! Aww well. Make the most when we're out there!!!

I hope you have a great holiday!! Keep me updated as to where you decide to stay, etc.

 

[joanne1968]

I checked that site out and saw you had to be 8, oh well we will save it for another trip! Sounds great though, I would love to sit on the sofa in Central Perk!

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
we were there last year from the 2nd August till the 30th August. We were in the South Tower and our room looked out over the fountain at the front of the hotel. They gave us a suite with a bedroom and a lounge with a sofabed and we had 2 TV's so my daughter could watch the Disney channel as much as she wanted.
We must have seen you, it was just myself and my daughter (then 15) and we spent a lot of time by the pool, she was the one in a Burberry bikini!!!!...lol.
We are looking at booking with Octopus or somebody as Virgin (like you say) are so limited and we have already stayed at the Radisson Maingate. We have been looking at the Clarion as well, though not sure that I can recall passing this one.
We are hoping that Virgin will do their 15% off on Xmas Day for our flights, if not, we too are frequent Virgins so will get the 10% off but might do it just flights. Was looking at using 2000 points to get money off our flights, but you don't save very much, we have just under 20,000 points at the moment so hopefully we will have enough next year to do something with them.
I loved having Starbucks and Pizza Hut in the Hyatt, frappucinos round the pool and buffalo wings before bed!!!...lol.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Hmmm... can't say I recall seeing anyone in a Burberry bikini by the pool last year. Then again we were in the opposite Tower and we only went over to the South Tower a few times so I guess we would only have seen each other in the either the lobby, restaurant or lounge. Our paths must have crossed at some stage though. I would have been me with my Mum and Dad - my Mum being absolutely mad and very loud!!

What was the Radisson Maingate like? We were originally booked for there but we didn't like the look of it. And when we saw it last year we were so glad we decided to upgrade. It just looked quite gloomy. And I've read of several problems at the hotel too.

The Clarion looks nice. You should look into the Embassy Suites too - very nice!! I'll be checking for the 15% discount with Virgin on Christmas day too - not that we'll get any benefit. Lol. We were considering it but when we found out that the Hyatt had already gone we thought we'd get in as soon as we could and avoid any more disappointment.

Don't know what we're going to do with our points. Will probably end up going towards our Orlando holiday after next years California!!!

I loved having the Pizza Hut at the Hyatt too. It couldn't have been any easier to grab a bite to eat and head for bed. So convenient. And we got to know the guy that did the late-night shift there too and he gave us so many free pizzas. He rocked!!!

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
We liked the Radisson, it was clean and the rooms comfortable and the staff were very nice. It's nowhere near as bright and big as the Hyatt but for a cheaper option, its good.
We are now looking at the Hyatt as you reminded me just how nice it was there (hope you're on comission!!!) they have the availability but need to wait till Xmas day to book (fingers crossed for 15% 0ff).
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

At the comission!! I wish I was. I'd be rich if I was 'coz I talk about the Hyatt all the time. And OMG at you staying at the Hyatt again now. What dates you going now? I just checked and the August 10th deal is still available. I just wish even August 5th was available. But no luck!!!! Oh well. I hope you do get the 15% and that the Hyatt is still available.

 

[Ella1]

We are hoping to go on the 30th June for 17 nights and we want to travel to Vegas for 3 nights and visit the Grand Canyon again. Going to do Circus Circus in Vegas I think coz it's cheap and cheerful.
Will have to look at transport from Anaheim to Vegas, i know a bus leaves every day from the Anaheim Visitors Centre and I expect CoachUSA do a trip there.
Did you see any of those big black flying bugs when you were there? they were like big flying beetles that fly into your face, we were sat round the pool one day and one flew into my neck, I screamed and shouted "what the????" and Emily just dived into the pool. i was trying to get it away with my towel and everyone just sat looking as if to say "look at the mad Englishwoman!!!"....lol.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Aww late June. That's a whole month before we depart. I hate having to go during peak time. Well, I love it but hate it at the same time. We've never done the Grand Canyon (would LOVE to though) - went to Vegas last year before we went to San Francisco but never did half the stuff we'd have liked to. Circus Circus looks like a great hotel!!! Although all Vegas hotels look amazing so no matter where you stay I bet you'd have a wonderful time!! They all have their own little things though don't they so you can't go wrong really. Thank god we don't have to choose a hotel there else I'd have a break-down. Circus Circus looks great though - all those rides!! We drove back to LAX and flew there but coach would have been just as easy I guess? Probably easier 'coz no airport. Thinking about it I'd have preferred to go by coach and have it take longer because using the smaller terminals at LAX in midsummer is terrible!! We must've queued for 4 hours just to check in. Horrendous. And we nearly missed our flight. And then they left my luggage back in Vegas and said I might not get it back when we were in SF!! Got it back the next day though. All hell would have broke loose if I didn't.

As for the bugs... YES!!! OMG they are h-u-g-e!! Never had a close encounter with any like you did - sounds very funny - but we did see them flying about a lot. Although I'd rather see them than roaches like in Orlando. We were being terrorised by one in the Fantasmic! Amphitheatre back in 2001. When my sister started screaming (not mid-show I must add) this American woman behind us just sat there and said "Ain't you ever seen a roach before?" NO I've never seen a roach like that before!! They must just be so used to encountering things like that. Like us with the cold I guess. We did see something run across the paving on the street out front of the hotel though. It was huge. I don't even wanna know what it was.