How many days to spend at Universal? Knotts berry?

[shuteye]

We have never been to Universal or Knotts. We have 2 boys ages 15 and 12. They both love thrill rides and roller coasters etc. So after spending a couple days at DL we would like to go to Universal and Knotts. How many days would you recommend to spend at each location and best hotels in the two areas as I know they aren't that close to each other.

 

[Rabb it]

My girlfriend and I knocked out all the rides at Universal in like half a day, including a chuck of time spent in Harry Potter Land. Universal is tiny compared to Disneyland.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I haven't done Universal, but from what I have been reading it sounds like you can pretty much cover everything good in one day even post the Harry Potter additions. I have been to Knotts and enjoy that park. It too is easily covered in one day. There are a few good thrill rides my family can enjoy but plenty of other types of things that I, a non-thrill rider, can experience. Knotts is only 8 miles or so away from Disneyland, so you don't really need to relocate in order to visit. You can drive or even take the ART bus between your Disney-area hotel and Knotts.

If your kids are really into coasters and thrill rides, you may want to consider Magic Mountain. We have been once. My boys and husband rated it ok. They enjoy coasters and thrill rides but are not fanatics. For a non-rider like me, there is absolutely nothing to do at Magic Mountain, so I personally would be looking at the two parks you asked about. I'm just throwing the Magic Mountain thing out there since I think it's one of those places that really jumps to mind when you start talking about coaster enthusiasts.

For Universal or Magic Mountain, you do probably want to look at hotels closer to those locations since LA area traffic can be intensely frustrating and slow. There are a number of choices near each of those theme parks, but I haven't stayed at any of them so can't offer you any informed opinions.

 

[Nut_Meg]

Haven't been to Knotts, but Universal is definitely doable in a day. We went for the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and even with the huge crowds we did all the rides and the studio tour in under ten hours.

 

[kkendle]

Universal is doable in 1 day unless they want to ride things a bunch of times.

 

[Baptist]

I concur. Universal Studios is a one day park. Definitely worth going. I think you will have fun.

 

[Kindermouse]

We did universal in one day and we spent a lot of time in the Wizarding world that was in soft opening.

We used a shuttle that picked us up from our hotel and returned us at the end of the day it was Southern California Grayline. I get totally neurotic diving in LA's traffic and traffic, even in the early morning on a Sunday, was noticeable. Getting back to the hotel that night took about an hour and a half. Blech. I Cant remember the cost, I remember thinking it sure wasn't cheap, then afterwords thinking it was worth it anyway.

 

[shuteye]

Thank you all so much for the info!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I think both parks are 1-day or 3/4-day parks. I do recommend going first thing in the morning, and after Universal have dinner at CityWalk. Knotts is about 15 minutes from Disneyland, so you don't need to get accommodations there, and if you're just going to Universal for one day and spending the rest of the time at the Disneyland Resort, you can just make the drive. Otherwise, there are several places in Studio City, Universal City, or Burbank that you can stay at.

 

[DLfan4]

we did Universal in 2012 and spent 6 hours in the park. Knotts has alot of roller coasters and thrill rides, the park can be done in 1 day.