Hotels for Universal, Knotts Berry farm, etc. before Disneyland

[Raya]

Our plan was to spend 5 days in Disneyworld, then fly out to Disneyland. A hurricane has ruined that, and I'm now trying to find a hotel near Anaheim that's got space for this weekend. We don't have park reservations, passes, etc. at Disney, so we'll probably do Universal an other LA tourist sites. Any suggestions? I wish I could just extend our Disneyland hotel reservation, but they're booked up.

 

[Aurora0427]

Our plan was to spend 5 days in Disneyworld, then fly out to Disneyland. A hurricane has ruined that, and I'm now trying to find a hotel near Anaheim that's got space for this weekend. We don't have park reservations, passes, etc. at Disney, so we'll probably do Universal an other LA tourist sites. Any suggestions? I wish I could just extend our Disneyland hotel reservation, but they're booked up.

We love The Garland hotel and the Universal City Hilton. The Garland has a shuttle and it’s an easy 5 minute drive to Universal Studios. You can walk from the Hilton to US. The Garland is just a more interesting hotel in our opinion, but they’re both great. I would stay up there if you’re wanting to do Universal and things in L.A. Anaheim is quite a slog through Los Angeles traffic.

We love The LaBrea Tarpits. The Griffith Observatory is great, but it’s only open on the weekends and they may still be requiring vaccination cards. There’s so much to do in Los Angeles!

I would pick Universal and things in L.A. over Knotts.

 

[pennym]

Can you tell me about the La Brea tar pits? They look interesting, but what is the experience actually like?

We love The Garland hotel and the Universal City Hilton. The Garland has a shuttle and it’s an easy 5 minute drive to Universal Studios. You can walk from the Hilton to US. The Garland is just a more interesting hotel in our opinion, but they’re both great. I would stay up there if you’re wanting to do Universal and things in L.A. Anaheim is quite a slog through Los Angeles traffic.

We love The LaBrea Tarpits. The Griffith Observatory is great, but it’s only open on the weekends and they may still be requiring vaccination cards. There’s so much to do in Los Angeles!

I would pick Universal and things in L.A. over Knotts.

 

[Aurora0427]

Can you tell me about the La Brea tar pits? They look interesting, but what is the experience actually like?

You are up close and personal with prehistoric tar pits….. it’s fascinating. The outdoor part is free…. And you can see a live excavation, and actual artifacts they are still pulling from the tar pits. There’s nothing else like it in the world…. Most of the world’s fossils have come from the La Brea tar pits. The museum is great…. Tons of history, several movies, artifacts, hands on exhibits. Everyone who has come to visit that we’ve taken there has loved it…. We spent two weeks in Southern California last summer before we moved here…. 6 days in Newport, 3 at Disneyland, went to San Diego to visit friends, Knotts, and my kids favorite part of the trip were the La Brea Tar Pits.

 

[irlandaise]

Raya, do consider going to a movie at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The 96-year-old theater was the site of the premiere of a little film called "Citizen Kane." Disney bought it 30-some years ago and did a gorgeous restoration on it, including the pipe organ.

They're showing "Avatar" through Sunday.

There's also a Ghirardelli Soda Fountain onsite, and last I knew, they had special food items keyed to the current film.

 

[BrianL]

Raya, do consider going to a movie at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. The 96-year-old theater was the site of the premiere of a little film called "Citizen Kane." Disney bought it 30-some years ago and did a gorgeous restoration on it, including the pipe organ.

They're showing "Avatar" through Sunday.

There's also a Ghirardelli Soda Fountain onsite, and last I knew, they had special food items keyed to the current film.

I've always wanted to see a movie at one of the venerable Hollywood movie houses, but have never worked in the time to do so.

Also, I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D the otehr night and it remains amazing!

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

As an fyi-Knotts is only 12 minutes away from Disneyland-so if you are renting a car there is no need to have a hotel near there-unless you are attending somewhere else in the area. I do recall seeing a few near the Medieval Times and Pirate night buildings

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

I second the tar pits. Just don't let your kid touch any tar, its a mess L.A. Zoo is worth a visit, it's nice and near Universal. If you are near Disneyland, Medieval Times is a fun dinner, good for a few hours of entertainment. We also like the Anaheim Packing District.