Help! Suggestions Needed - DL & SD

[allforpooh]

This will be our first time in CA, we will be there April 5 thru April 12. We would like to spend most of the time around DL, but also would like to see the SD Zoo. Need suggestion on the best way to do that. Should we stay in DL and just drive to SD Zoo one day or should we get a room in SD at the beginning or end of our trip. We will be flying in and out of LAX.

Thanks for all of your help!

Denise

 

[LuvTigger]

I would say get a room for a night or two at the beginning or end of your trip. SD is about a 1 1/2 hour drive each way, and after a day at the zoo, you might be pretty pooped since it's a very big zoo and you'll probably do a lot of walking. If you get a chance, you might want to consider Sea World too.

If you're not getting into LAX too late, maybe you could drive straight down to SD and start of your vacation there, and end it at DL?

 

[tink2dw]

The SD Zoo is wonderful!! We just returned from a Dl & SD vacation Jan.11 th!

At the Zoo we bought their ticket which included a bus tour and 2 Sky Way rides and access to the Express Buses. This saved our feet!! The tour gave you a chance to see many,many animals,and helped to orientate you. The Sky Way takes you from the front of the zoo to the back and back to the front and lets you get a peek at some of the animals not on display. Express Buses will meet you at the end of a walk and carry you to the next area.

We ate Lunch at the Flamingo Cafe and it was excellent food.

P.s. Stay away from the Howard Johnsons on El Cahon Drive,they have really bad beds!! We had booked 3 days but after 1 terrible night,we packed up and moved down the Street to a Wonderful Days Inn.

 

[disneyjlh2002]

We're also planning a side trip from Disney to the SD Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. The website for the Wild Animal Park provides a map that makes it looks like some major walking is involved to see everything. Is it possible to do the zoo in one day and the Wild Animal park in another? Or will we be completely exhausted? Any advice? We have a third day in SD, but wanted to try Sea World, which looks much easier on the feet.

 

[tink2dw]

Of cxourse it depends on how long you plan to stay at the SD Zoo But it has really major hills. But the Express buses will carry you back up hill.

 

[allforpooh]

For all of your responses....we have decided to go from LAX to San Diego for 2 nights then back to DL for the rest of the trip.

Now to find a hotel in SD,

Thanks,
Denise

 

[LuvTigger]

Denise,

I'm not sure what kind of hotel you're looking for, but wanted to say that I really liked Dana Inn. It's right on the water, and it's very near Sea World (if you're considering that). And it's reasonably priced too.

Also, you could do the zoo in a day and the Animal Park another day. Personally, I would choose one or the other and do Sea World the other day. (I like both the zoo and animal park, but I prefer the zoo, I guess because there are more animals and they are easy to see--at the animal park, sometimes you have to look kind of hard to find them since they are in a more natural environment.)

As for the hills at the Zoo, we did the bus ride first, and our driver gave us a great tip...walk down, ride up! There are escalators too, so I would use those when you're going up. There's also a skyway. It costs a few dollars extra for the bus tour and the skyway, but I think most would agree that it's worth it.