How does this schedule sound?

[crickee]

here's my plan. Does this sound doable?

Fly into San Diego Dec 26th. spend three nights in San Diego doing the Zoo touring and shopping in Old Town, Legoland, the beach

On the 29th drive up to Anaheim (stopping at Capistano)

Spend the 29th until Jan 3rd at DL.

Drive back to San Diego for flight home on Jan 3rd (a Saturday) afternoon.

My biggest concerns are that I'm trying to do too much at San Diego and what the commute on a Saturday from Anaheim to San Diego would be like

Thanks for any input.

 

[jordanyosh]

Legoland is about 35 minutes north of San Diego and if there's any traffic double that time. Yes, that is quite a bit to do especially if you are making that trip to Legoland. If you go to the beach avoid Mission or Ocean Beach as they can be seedy. Pacific Beach, La Jolla or Coronado are good bets.

Old Town is maybe a 2-3 hour commitment. Try and eat and the Old Town Mexican Cafe or Bandini's both 2 of the better places to eat. If you want a little nicer Cafe Pacifica in Old Town is pretty good.

As far as DLR, the week between Xmas and New Year's is one of, if not the busiest times of the year. Plan accordingly.

The commute can even be bad on the weekends between SD and Anaheim. It should take 2 to 2 1/2 hours to get to SD. I have had it take 3 1/2 hours before on the weekend because of people going to SD for the day.

 

[crickee]

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling I was trying to do to much in San Diego. I was thinking we might do the beach day on New Year's Eve instead, just to get away from the parks.

We were at Disneyworld last year from Dec 27th though Jan 3rd and I remember the crowds. Could you (or anyone else) give me a comparison of the two. WDW was crowded, but manageable if we got to the parks early. I'm wondering if this works the same way at DL, or if the smaller size just makes it overall crazier?

Thanks for the info on the commute to SD. It's my big worry we would get stuck in traffic and miss our plane. I decided on the San Diego airport, because they seemed to have better flight times coming in and leaving than either anaheim or SNA, and since we wanted to visit there anyway, I thought it would be the way to go. LAX and traffic from LA scares me (guess I've seen too many movies!)

Again, thanks alot and if anyone has any other ideas, please let me know

 

[ilovemky]

well, if the last few years are any indication, they have actually shut off admission to the parks about 10-11am during christmas week.

 

[Elly]

If you are planning to attend during the very crowded Christmas week I would definately make sure you get the multiple fastpass option with your tickets so that your little ones can get on a few rides! You can get it with Disney hotel packages or with Passport Plus packages (non-disney hotel).

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says......................................Use this plan for fantasyland. It always works.
Get to the park early, so you are near the front at rope drop. Head straight to Fantasyland. Hit Dumbo first, it's a slow loader.
Then do the rest of the rides, clockwise or counter clockwise, either or, but pick one and stick to it You will be done in an hour.
Then as the millions and millions of Disney fans pour in, it's up to you to figure whats next! Maybe a couple FP's and lunch and get out!

 

[mafibisha]

Just back from DL and DCA....got two day park hoppers from our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) and saw EVERYTHING. We used fast pass ALOT, in both parks, and never had a wait longer than 20 minutes. It was amazing. That said, we did not ride dumbo or the tea cups this year, as the kids are getting older.

We were on a three week cross country road trip so we toured San Juan Capistrano mission - it was very beautiful and moving. Plan on 1-2 hours max there. LaJolla is wonderful, as is San Diego. We also stayed in Orange County one night in Laguna Beach -- lovely, artsy community -- a bit pricey, but worth it. We'd done the LA / Hollywood thing in previous trips so kept to the SoCal.

Best advice - get there early and PLAN AHEAD. It is soooo worth it! Have a wonderful time!