HELP! Never been to CA...need help planning for April

[cmbonneville]

So after months and months of deliberation I have finally convinced DH to agree to a week in CA for our kids spring break this year (4/6 - 4/13)

We have done WDW many times and need a disney fix, but also need something new - the kids (15, 11, 9, & 6) don't want to go to Florida again this year (probably since we have been at least once a year for the last 5 years )

So - Here's what I have so far....

Flights - SWA - flying into LAX 4/6 - won't arrive until after 10pm so we'll head straight to a hotel

Rental cars - seem so expensive in CA... I have it down to about $520 for a minivan from LAX to San Diego...

We must do Disney of course - I figure at least 2 days - do we need 3?

Must do's - at least those we know about are:
~ of course Hollywood, walk of fame, chinese theatre, sightseeing, etc...
we were looking at places like La Brea tarpits and other sightseeing and
touristy kind of things to do
~ Have to see the pacific ocean -

Then - head to San Diego - sight see there - do Sea World 1 day (free since we have passes)

Flight home 10am 4/13

So - my questions are about what to do and where to stay

Would it make since to stay by LAX - sightsee - head to Disney - stay in Anaheim - then head to San Diego and stay there before seaworld and before we fly home???

I was thinking a hotel with breakfast to save money and time

Any help, advice, or suggestions are so appreciated

 

[HydroGuy]

So after months and months of deliberation I have finally convinced DH to agree to a week in CA for our kids spring break this year (4/6 - 4/13)

We have done WDW many times and need a disney fix, but also need something new - the kids (15, 11, 9, & 6) don't want to go to Florida again this year (probably since we have been at least once a year for the last 5 years )

Any time is a good time for Disney, but some times are better than other times. Before you lock up dates be aware of the following:

o The Rivers of America are drained until early May - that means no Fantasmic (until late May) and no Mark Twain, SS Columbia, Davy Crockett Canoes or Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (PLATSI)

o The new night time spectacular World of Color at DCA is scheduled to debut in May and you will miss that

o On the plus side the Disney Electrical Parade will still be showing at DCA before heading out to MK for a couple years

Rental cars - seem so expensive in CA... I have it down to about $520 for a minivan from LAX to San Diego...

There are trains to SD. See "Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

We must do Disney of course - I figure at least 2 days - do we need 3?

Two days at DLR will seem like 4 days at WDW. Enough to get a taste but feeling like you missed a lot. Three days is considered the minimum to get a solid DLR experience. Four is better.

Must do's - at least those we know about are:
~ of course Hollywood, walk of fame, chinese theatre, sightseeing, etc...
we were looking at places like La Brea tarpits and other sightseeing and
touristy kind of things to do
~ Have to see the pacific ocean -

Then - head to San Diego - sight see there - do Sea World 1 day (free since we have passes)

Flight home 10am 4/13

Sounds like fun!

So - my questions are about what to do and where to stay

As for DLR you will be off-site since the Disney hotel rooms only sleep 5 unless you get a $uite.

My advice - stay within walking distance! There are many hotels at DLR where your hotel room door is closer to the gates of DL and DCA than some of the bus and boat dropoffs are at WDW to the park gates there. Truly a quick 5 minute walk.

See this thread and the links it gives:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Also see this thread * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

Would it make since to stay by LAX - sightsee - head to Disney - stay in Anaheim - then head to San Diego and stay there before seaworld and before we fly home???

Sure, that will work.

I was thinking a hotel with breakfast to save money and time

Different folks do Disney differently. You would be there high season/Spring Break and the park hours will be maxed out. That means 8AM opening every day and 7AM on Magic Mornings (which is like EMH sort of).

We sleep as late as possible and take bagels and fruit and eat in line rather than taking time for breakfast. We get to the gates 20-30 minutes early. That is what saves time for us.

Many of the DLR good neighbor hotels have small breakfasts and maybe that is what you want. Again, check the links above.

Any help, advice, or suggestions are so appreciated

My favorite DIS poster has a popular thread that is now up to 28,000 views and it will help you get pointed in the right direction:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[bettymae1121]

I'm not sure if staying by the airport (LAX) and then driving all that way to/from DL each day is such a hot idea. First off, you have to pay for parking. Second, it's a bit of a hike from the parking garage to the main gates (there is a tram, but that means you have to wait for it). Third, LA area traffic can be killer, what looks like should take you 30 minutes can take you 3 hours if conditions are just "right". I'd really try for a hotel near DL unless there are some really good outside considerations on why LAX would be easier for you.

 

[sasywtch]

I don't know if you meant stay by LAX for the time you would be doing the sightseeing in Hollywood? If so, I personally would not stay by LAX but that's me. We stayed at the Beverly Garland Hotel (think it was a Holiday Inn?). We stayed there for two days to do the sightseeing "up north" (Hollywood, LaBrea Tar Pits, Rodeo Drive, Sunset blvd, Kodak Theatre) and then went south to a hotel there in Anaheim for the Disney days.

 

[DSNY4ever]

There is SOOOO much to do/see in San Diego- are you planning to do more than Sea World? Old Town is great, the zoo and Balboa park are fabulous, your kid's ages are about right for probably thinking Mission Beach is cool (surfer type neighborhood). Coronado is beautiful, you could have a picnic on the beach in front of the Hotel Del. There are lots of cute shops along there to walk around- we LOOOVE the ice cream place called Moo Time Creamery. La Jolla has beautiful beaches.

Have you tried priceline for a car rental? We have gotten good so. california deals through them.

Enjoy Disneyland!

 

[WonkaKid]

So after months and months of deliberation I have finally convinced DH to agree to a week in CA for our kids spring break this year (4/6 - 4/13)

So - Here's what I have so far....

Rental cars - seem so expensive in CA... I have it down to about $520 for a minivan from LAX to San Diego...

I've always had amazing deals on car rentals in LA. I often use Priceline to name my own price. On a trip about three years ago I got a car for $15 per day. They gave me a brand new red Mustang!

We must do Disney of course - I figure at least 2 days - do we need 3?

Two at the minimum. Do you *need* three? Perhaps not, but I'd do 3 if I could. It's such a fun place and time can really fly while there. Two days will go by in no time. As will three, now that I think of it...

Must do's - at least those we know about are:
~ of course Hollywood, walk of fame, chinese theatre, sightseeing, etc...
we were looking at places like La Brea tarpits and other sightseeing and
touristy kind of things to do
~ Have to see the pacific ocean -

All good, but may I also recommend Joshua Tree? I went there for the first time about ten days ago. It was truly awesome. It's about 150 miles east of LA.

Also, there are many farmer's markets in LA nearly every day of the week. I like the one in Santa Monica (Arizona and 2nd) on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I've had the best organic oranges of my life there. Highly recommended!

I was thinking a hotel with breakfast to save money and time

In Anaheim, I like the Candy Cane Inn. Close to DL, includes breakfast and is a nice place, generally. Much cheaper than a Disney hotel, unless you've got some special deal.

Enjoy! S.Ca is awesome!

Rob