Help planning our trip to DL/San Diego

[brandi~momof3]

Magicalfoursone - thatis funnt we planned the same trip I hope you have an amazing time.
Skiingfast - I am sorry, I did say that in a confusing way not that i go back and read it. We plan to do one of those 3 days at Sea World, one at San Diego Zoo, and one at the beach Sorry for the confusion.
Thank you so much everyone for all of your ideas and recommendations. I am very excited for this trip.

 

[brandi~momof3]

this is what the City Pass website says

Validity Period

Purchasing Southern California CityPass means you get to see and experience Southern California’s most famous and popular theme parks. Southern California CityPass booklets and ticket cards are valid for 14 consecutive days on the calendar. The first day you present it is Day One; you get the next 13 days to use your remaining tickets one time.

 

[sonnyjane]

So...the zoo is open in the evenings in the summer? Do you know what time it is usually open in the morning and closed in the evening? We're trying to fit in the Old Town Trolley tour and I wonder if we go to the zoo right for opening and then leave to do the trolley tour and have lunch (say around noon) and then come back to the zoo (say around 5) if that would be an option?

During the summer, the zoo is open from 9 to 9.

As for what we're going to try to see...the kids each get to pick 3 things that they really want to see and we'll hit those 6 places first. We do that everywhere we go and it eliminates trying to decide once we're there, and means the kids get their own choices. I'm sure they will pick all the places you mentioned...my daughter's only choice so far is giraffes but I have yet to look and see if there are even giraffes there? I'm hoping there are and that they aren't only at the WAP.

We definitely have giraffes! The only sad thing is I wish you were here now! Since it is spring, we have tons of babies at the zoo! There is a brand new baby camel, a baby panda, a baby giraffe, and a whole bunch of little baby birds Hopefully they will still be "little" when you come in August!

Answers above

 

[erinbharris]

That's perfect--we'll aim to get to the zoo at 9, stay for a few hours and leave and do lunch and the trolley tour and then come back in the evening. Hopefully we'll miss the hottest part of the day by doing that and it will make for happy kids.

I bet the babies are adorable...hopefully they'll still seem little in the summer!

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

Hopefully we'll miss the hottest part of the day by doing that and it will make for happy kids.

You have a much better chance of seeing the animals active in the mornings and evenings, too! On hot summer days, often times its hard to see some of the animals at the zoo. Or if you do, they're sleeping.

 

[erinbharris]

That makes sense, if we don't want to be there in the heat at 2 then why would they want to be?

Has anybody done the trolley tour in SD? It looks like a good idea to get around, hear about the city and see some sights by getting off and back on another trolley...am I right in thinking that?

 

[Koda]

"We are doing the S. CA city pass and found Costco to be the cheapest price. I ordered online and got them fast and paid $239 for adults and I think $209 for kids. We are going to upgrade our 3 day park hopper to a 5 or 6 day at the gates. We are doing Disney first for a week and then staying in Carlsbad and doing all the San Diego stuff, beach and Legoland."

Do you know how much it costs to upgrade the 3 day hopper to a 4 day is it just the difference in price on the web-site?

 

[nemofans]

We went to San Diego for vacation & didn't do the city pass. I found coupons for the zoo, seaworld, & Legoland that saved us $42. We would have paid more w/the city pass.

 

[ploeb]

Hello all you wonderful and helpful Dis'ers. I am a WDW vet and am so excited to finally be able to make a trip to California and DL this summer.
We plan on flying into San Diego July 30, then doing SD zoo, Sea World, and a beach the 31, 1, and 2nd. The 3rd we plan to drive to DL. Then spend August 3rd-8th at the DLH. We are planning on spending 3 days visiting DL/CA and 1 day at Universal. The 8th we will fly home.
Does that sound like a good plan?
We plan on buying the So Cal city pass - is that a good idea?
Any hotel recommendations for San Diego?
Is the dining plan/vouchers worth it? It is very different from WDW's plan.
Any advice or recommendations you can give me are very welcomed!
TIA for any and all help

Woops-didnt mean to post all!! Anyhow,The Del is a little pricey,if $$ is not a problem go,I have stayed many times-however-Th Catamaran is right on Mission Bay and offers an amazing array of things to do for your age group! The hotel even has "Bahia Belle",which is a boat like the one at DLR-and is offered free to guest. You can also rent water gear,paddle boats and the such. Plus,you can see the Fireworks at Sea World from the bay!! If you want to go to beach side,you just need to walk across the street-in my opinion,this is a great place for the little people in your life!! Have fun!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

"We are doing the S. CA city pass and found Costco to be the cheapest price. I ordered online and got them fast and paid $239 for adults and I think $209 for kids. We are going to upgrade our 3 day park hopper to a 5 or 6 day at the gates. We are doing Disney first for a week and then staying in Carlsbad and doing all the San Diego stuff, beach and Legoland."

Do you know how much it costs to upgrade the 3 day hopper to a 4 day is it just the difference in price on the web-site?

I'm not sure what "value" they assign to the city pass PHs. I know others have done it and hopefully can chime in (otherwise call Disney). You will pay the difference between the gate price of the PH you want (not online price) and the "value" of the PH you have. Most promo deals (like 5 for 3) are NOT available at the gate. If you are upgrading to a longer PH, you may want to calculate your costs....

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We are doing the S. CA city pass and found Costco to be the cheapest price. I ordered online and got them fast and paid $239 for adults and I think $209 for kids. We are going to upgrade our 3 day park hopper to a 5 or 6 day at the gates. We are doing Disney first for a week and then staying in Carlsbad and doing all the San Diego stuff, beach and Legoland.

Make sure this is the cheapest way....you will pay full gate price on those PHs.

 

[Jenna319]

I am also planning to stay a few nights in San Diego after visiting DLR in September. Can anyone tell me how long of a drive it would be from San Diego to John Wayne Airport on an early Thursday morning? I am reserving a camaro for this trip as a surprise for my husband's bday and the car needs to be dropped off at the same airport it was picked up at, therefore we would have to drive back to John Wayne Airport from San Diego for a 10am or 12pm flight. Is there usually a lot of traffic coming from the Sea World area to John Wayne airport if we leave at like 5-6am? About how long of a drive is it? I just worry about traffic and missing our flight! Thanks for any input!!