Help Needed Choosing a Theme Park

[obithar2]

Hi Everyone,

We are making our first trip to Disneyland and So. Cal. We have three days planned in Disneyland and 1 day and San Diego Zoo. We want one more day and are not sure what to choose. We are two families, one who has really never been to any theme parks before, and us who are WDW Veterans. A couple teenagers and thrill ride lovers are among us. Would you recommend Knotts Berry Farm or Magic Mountain - or Universal, Sea World, or Wild Animal Park. I know this is quite varied. We were leaning toward Knotts Berry Farm, but not sure anymore. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Zoemakes5]

That's a tough one....if most of the people are thrill ride junkies, I'd go to Magic Mountain. However, I don't think there's a whole lot there for non-junkies. And, I haven't been there in years. Of the Six Flags parks, Magic Mountain is the "flagship" of the park.
We've been to Knotts a couple of times. Time one and two we were great, got onto alot of rides, and there were a number of thrill and non-thrill rides. Time three the lines were so so bad, we only got to go on about four rides in all day there. That was miserable, and the child who had wanted an annual pass for Christmas no longer wants to ever go back.
I love Sea World, especially if there's a variety of ages/thrill levels. There are a few rides, but I love the shows and exhibits.
I'm not as thrilled about the Zoo.
Another option would be a San Diego Harbor cruise and tour of the USS Midway. (They have a deal for both.) It was the day my two pre-teens liked the best when we were here on vacation last year (before we moved out here.)

 

[obithar2]

Thank you SOOO much for replying. I was also concerned that Magic Mountain might be too far away. Really don't want to be up too early driving for hours. You gave us some interesting ideas. Thanks again.

 

[Dizneydaz]

If it was me, I would either do Knott's (depends on when you are going-KBF can be packed in the summer). Or, since you are already going to do SD Zoo, then I would also do Sea World. It has all the animals, of course, and one thrill ride (Journey into Atlantis.) Personally, I would skip the Zoo, and do WAP. Unless you're going in the summer-than it's better to stay as close to the coast as possible (in SD) FYI-they take their temp. readings at the airport which is located in the harbor. The inland temps (at the zoo, etc.) are always much hotter. Went to the zoo on June 23rd a few years back and it was incredibly hot. If I remember correctly, the news said the temp that day was 78. The zoo was a good 15-20 degrees hotter

MM and Universal are pretty far from DLR. And in the opposite direction from SD. MM does have some great coasters, but that's about all. KBF has some awesome coasters and the classics that made KBF (Calico Mine Train, Log Ride, Stagecoach, Train, etc.)

Have fun no matter what you choose!

 

[wintergreen]

If you are interested in Universal and SeaWorld in addition to DL and the SD Zoo, you may want to check into getting the SoCal CityPass, which includes admission to all of those for a very good price. See the website for details:

http://www.citypass.com/city/socal.html?id=iYLDyFaj

 

[Cadillac_Dreamgirl]

Universal is a good park too.. there is something for everybody in it.. however, it is about 40 min north..

also if you are a WDW vet you can try US in orlando ... and give the other choices a chance.

 

[obithar2]

I appreciate everyone's comments so much. We are thinking right now of using the city pass. We are WDW vets who have done SeaWorld and Universal in Orlando, but the other family we are with have not, and don't expect to ever be able to get there. We are thinking it would be best for their kids to experience SeaWorld and Universal, especially if MM and Knotts are more typical of regular amusement parks that we can get closer to home. Is there anything about Knotts specifically that is wonderful and should not be missed?

 

[Pucka1378]

If the majority are thrill ride seekers I would do Magic Mountain! Knott's has some pretty good thrill seeeker rides and some calm rides.

 

[bulldoggrl]

KBF is very hit or miss, my DBF and I went there a few years ago cause both of us haven't been since we were kids, and won't have to go back for many years. Nothing horribly special about it, I much prefer MM (I grew up at that park though), but it IS far from SD, think 3+ hour drive, 1.5 hours or so from DL. Not too fun. I would do Universal, it is a good mix of rides, not too horribly far, plus CityWalk is fun if you've never been.

 

[obithar2]

That is exactly the advice I needed - thanks so much.