I need some help with planning our DL trip

[agoofylover]

My dfamily (dh, ds3 and ds5) and grandma and grandpa will be going to dl in sept. We are arriving on Sunday the 10th early(9:30 am) and have 4 nights in anaheim and then two nights in San Diego. We have a Southern Cal city pass. We leave Sat the 16th from San Diego and don't depart until after 8pm.
I'm not sure if we should bother with going to Universal when it seems the kids won't get to do much in the way on rides? Will three days be enough at dl/ca or would you upgrade to 4 days when you get there. Also we haven't really planned on what days to do what in San Diego (SW and zoo). We do have seven days and 6 nights total. How would some pro organize their days?
It's our first family trip.
Thanks!

 

[tarheel]

I went to DL for the first time in November. I found the Disneyland forum here to be extremely helpful. Post this question there and read up! Have a great time!

 

[phantom728]

We went to DL 2 years ago and I think 3 days is ample time to do both parks. They are not as large as WDW. We enjoyed CA, but found that we were a bit disappointed with DL. We enjoyed the few rides that WDW doesn't have at DL, however the rides that both parks share, we found that the WDW ones were better.

I'm glad that we went to experience it, but won't rush back.

California is beautiful country, so enjoy yourself

 

[agoofylover]

Come on guys...somebody has got to have some ideas...I'm familiar with DL as an adult...went in 2000, but not with preschoolers and I haven't been to CA. I'm not sure if we should do it all included in the pass and do a 4th day at DL or forget that idea and head to Legoland on the way to San Diego?

Thanks!!
Also, can someone tell me how to get my ticker added to my posts?

 

[HaleyB]

I think you are fine with the 3 days in DL/DCA. There is plenty to do if you want 4 days, but 3 will not feel like you missed everything. There are a few places that are fun but can be big time suckers, Tom Sawyers Island and the Playground in DCA.

If you want touring advice for DL I can dig up a plan I wrote up awhile back. I have gone to DL every year for 20 and lived in the area for 15 with the local annual pass. There are some tricks to the Fast Pass system there too.

Legoland is great for young kids, and if they are lego fans all the better. My kids really enjoyed it. It is not Disney, so make sure to not expect it to be Disney, but they keep it clean and have nice grounds. We find it much more relaxing than DL/DCA. Another fun place is Knott's Berry Farms. It used to be included with the City Pass and it is a shame they took it out. Great park for young kids, tons to do.

I agree with skipping Universal. It will be better when your kids are older.

As for the Zoo and Sea World, I am less help. We have not done either in ages. It sounds to me like you are going to need a vacation from your vacation

And as a rebuttle to the person who found the repeat rides from WDW not as good in DL... huh? POTC is so much better. The themeing fits in with the whole New Orleans square so much better than in Adventure Land and it is much more detailed in Disneyland. Startours being in Tomorrowland works so much better, it seems so out of place in MGM since the premis of the ride is that you are in Star Wars universe not on a movie set. Jungle Cruise is much funnier too ( ). It's a small world, just look at the outside of the two of them and tell me again which one is nicer. The Haunted Mansion is hands down better in Disneyland. The start to finish experiance is so much nicer. ToT is exactly the same. Indiana Jones Ride is about 100% better than Dinosaur. Ok I will admit, the Winnie the Pooh ride, I like the one in WDW better. But DL has mr Toad and Roger Rabbit.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I'm not bashing WDW here, but DL has something that WDW never will. Walt's personal touch and that means a lot. DL is much better than MK. It's the other parks that make WDW stand out. But as for DL, Small World's building is an attraction in and of itself. POTC is amazing. Fantasyland has more rides including some great Disney rides. As for time, 3 days is plenty to really see all the parks. We've gone to DL so much that we don't do commando touring anymore, and I can't remember how we approached when I wanted to go from rope drop to close.

If the kiddies can handle late nights, do Fantasyland at night. The lines tend to be shorter then and the park is beautiful at night. Storybook Land in particular is beautiful at night with the lights under the archway that Aladdin and Jasmine flew through and seeing Cinderella's castle at night complete with the glass slipper on the steps is really cool.

And I think that DL has the advantage in the rides that the two parks share. Fantasmic, while not offering the seating that it's WDW counterpart does, is better as it has a full out pirate ship scene with Peter Pan and Captain Hook on the Columbia and Steamboat Willie himself steering the Mark Twain steamboat loaded with beloved Disney characters.

 

[DisnyMama]

Hi agoofylover! About 7 years ago for our first vacation after my divorce, my DS and I did the San Diego for a few days and then straight to DL resort for a few days and had the best time. We got a really great hotel, Wyndham Emerald Towers in the Gas Lamp district right near Sea Port Village, through Priceline for $45 per night for 3 nights. The hotel was gorgeous. You can do really well in San Diego through Priceline. Go To Sea World One day then the San Diego Zoo which is definately worth it and then the third day take in a few of the sites such as Old Town which has great shops and some wonderful Mexican Restaurants (watch out for the Margueritas-they have quite a kick! ) Then go check out Sea Port Village if you haven't had a chance during the one of your previous evenings. If you are adventureous and have a little extra time you can take the trolly down to the border and you just walk over to Tiajuana, Mexico. After 3 nights in San Diego head on down to the DL resort, about 1 1/2 hour drive and check into your hotel. The DL resort hotels are great but very pricey. If you are looking for a good quality room at a good price try Expedia.com and check out the Tropicana Inn, Candy Cane Hotel (these two are right across the street from the entrance) and Howard Johnson (still across the street but about a block further). Mousesavers.com always has good offers for HoJO. "3" nights at the DL resort is plenty of time. I would skip Universal Studios. I think you might be a little disapointed. If you want to do Universal and you plan to head to Orlando anytime in the future you would be much better off waiting till then and going to Universal, Orlando and Islands of Adventure. If you really have a full 7th day and it does not involve travel you might think about Knotts Berry Farm or Lego Land. I'll tell ya the difference in that Knotts will cost you a lot less to get in because if you plan ahead you can get discount tickets for around $25 per person admission vs. Lego Land will cost you around $50 per person for admission (adult). I hope this has helped a little and you all have a wonderful trip to my favorite place next to WDW.

 

[Yookeroo]

And as a rebuttle to the person who found the repeat rides from WDW not as good in DL... huh? POTC is so much better. The themeing fits in with the whole New Orleans square so much better than in Adventure Land and it is much more detailed in Disneyland. Startours being in Tomorrowland works so much better, it seems so out of place in MGM since the premis of the ride is that you are in Star Wars universe not on a movie set. Jungle Cruise is much funnier too ( ). It's a small world, just look at the outside of the two of them and tell me again which one is nicer. The Haunted Mansion is hands down better in Disneyland. The start to finish experiance is so much nicer. ToT is exactly the same. Indiana Jones Ride is about 100% better than Dinosaur. Ok I will admit, the Winnie the Pooh ride, I like the one in WDW better. But DL has mr Toad and Roger Rabbit.

s have a much more impressive castle.

3 days should be plenty of time to see the parks. I'd suggest going in late September if possible. Lighter crowds and cooler weather.

 

[agoofylover]

So, thanks for the suggestions. Our dates our set in stone(we've booked). So, it will be the 10th-14th in anaheim and the 14th-16th in San Diego. I guess it looks like some are saying skip universal...so I guess what I'm trying to ask is this....would it be worth the extra 20$ a person to have that 4th day at the parks, so we could go back for naps in the afternoon? Or, would you just take one day off completely..or end up using the universal pass. Because, we would have all day Sunday(we arrive at airport at 9am), Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and we have to check out Thursday from the hotel. We then have Thursday to stay in town or head off to San Diego...where we could do Legoland or just enjoy the beach, etc. We don't want to run our children ragged...3 and 5 you know. But, we do know that we want to see as much as possible, because we won't be returning for a few years, most likely. We have a EE and Mickey's toon town madness and a character breakfast that we want to do at Goofy's Kitchen as a later brunch.
I hope this gives a better idea of what I'm looking for. I'm not sure why people are debating about wdw when I'm only interested in DL right now. I went with my DH in 2000, so we are pretty familiar with most things...just not with our younger ones. Thanks to all again!!

 

[sters]

We just got back from Disneyland, my first trip back in 15 years! If the Disneyland Hotel or one of the other Disney hotels fits your budget, I recommend booking through AAA for one reason: unlimited fastpass. This proved very handy on a Sunday when the locals come out in droves.

I found that we did everything we wanted to do in two days while we allotted three. Of course, it rained one of those days, so there weren't much in the way of crowds.

Disneyland is compact. My kids, WDW veterans, couldn not seem to grasp that Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney were three different places. They all run together,. so it's just easier to think of it as one Disney Place. Let me put it to you this way: from the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel to the front gate of Disneyland was a ten minute walk, shorter than it is from some hotel rooms to the bus stop at some WDW resorts.

The Fastpass for both parks are not connected, so you can toggle between the two parks if necessary. AT California ADventure, we enjoyed the Alladin show, don't miss it! The new Monstors Inc ride is a great dark ride and is not at WDW. My kids also liked the Block Party. I wasn't really thrilled with this park, but it had a few attractions our family enjoyed. In Disneyland, Space Mountain has just been redone and it's really excellent, as is the INdiana Jones. I thought It's a Small World was nicer as was Fantasyland and Toontown. Toms Sawyers Island is very lame in Disneyland. With 4 days, you will cover everything multiple times.

If you like sit down dining, prepare to be disappointed. Your options are limited and it's expensive to eat in California compared to Florida. A hot dog in the theme parks was $6.50! We had a delicious lunch at the Storytellers Cafe in the Grand California as well as the Jazz Kitchen in downtown disney. Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disnelyalnd Hotel was along the lines of Chef Mickey, only they do some dances in the middle of the restaurant.

Hope that helps.

 

[KarenCPA]

We just went to DL / SD last summer.

1. 3 days will be enough time. Don't spend the extra money. The parks are very compact and you can do it all with time to spare.

2. We stayed on property (Disneyland Hotel). As previously mentioned, you can easily walk to both parks from the hotel. This makes it easier to go back and forth for afternoon swimming / napping.

3. In San Diego, we were not too impressed with their zoo because it was vast and wore us out. They do have bus rides, but they are pricey. We preferred the Wild Animal Park north of San Diego. It, too, had a tram ride, but it was worth it.

4. We skipped Sea World because we had already done it in Florida. The beaches at La Jolla are beautiful, highly recommend.

 

[Gillian G]

We live in So. Cal, so we do Disneyland all the time. I belive the 3 days will be enough for your family because unfortunately, there's not A LOT of rides for your kids to go on at California Adventure. I have a 12,7 and 3 year old and the older kids have a blast at CAdventure, but the little one gets a little bored waiting for them on the rides. There will be enough for you to fill a day there, but you will most definitely spend most of your time at DL.

As for Legoland, I'm not the biggest fan, but I think your kids will REALLY enjoy it. It is perfect for your kid's ages. The SD Zoo is excellent. It is really a must and San Diego is just beautiful.

We love Universal Studios, but again, it is a little old for your kids. Also, a lot of the shows have VERY loud noises (explosives, gunshots, fire), so if they fear loud sounds (like my 3 year old) they won't love the shows too much. You and your spouse would love the place though!

I hope this has helped a little... good luck!

 

[agoofylover]

That helps me out some!! We will just stick to our three days in the dl parks then. I'm sure if we plan it right...we can see it all. Being that we decided to just share a suite...we are staying off property, at the Residence inn Resort (kids suite). It seems to get pretty good reviews from all on trip advisor and it includes our breakfast. So, if we have Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday what days would you do what parks(DL, DCA) and use EE/Mickey's toon town madness? Since the Universal is included and we have that extra day...would you bother with the drive and trying I hate to waste the pass? DH and my DaD would probably like to get away from DL for a little bit. We got the city pass because it was a lot cheaper to do it that way, then 4 days DL and one day Seaworld. It just happens to include Universal and the Zoo too. I know the kids will love Seaworld..they love sharks and anything with water/animals. I've heard about the zoo and thought maybe we'd just pick out some animals that we'd like to see and not worry about doing the whole thing. Any more thoughts?

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

It's been years since I've been to Universal, but in the days when we went there, you could do the park from 9 to 5. With thrill rides it takes longer now, but I'm thinking you still wouldn't need a whole day there. The key will be dealing with L.A. rush hour. And as for food, you can do fast food or Denny's type meals property. Since we always stay in our motor home for DL, I don't much about DL dining other than I thought Village Haus in Fantasyland offered good food, nice proportions for a not bad for a theme park price. Which means it will do if you're in a pinch, but fast food which is minutes away from DL is cheaper. Tomorrowland has a pizza place that tasted okay too, but it was also in-park prices.

 

[HaleyB]

Have you thought at all about the possibility of spliting up? The adults that most want to going to Universal and the rest of you doing a 4th DL day? Just an idea...

 

[agoofylover]

Yes, I've thought about splitting up...just not sure who wants to go for sure...and what the kids and I(or whoever else) will do that day, since the ones that would go to universal would get the car for the day. It's just 4 adults and the 3 and 5 yr old. The only option for that day would be for us to hang out at the pool at our hotel or bu y the 4th day pas at DL...that's kind of why I was asking if that would be worth it to anyone.

 

[HaleyB]

Yes, I've thought about splitting up...just not sure who wants to go for sure...and what the kids and I(or whoever else) will do that day, since the ones that would go to universal would get the car for the day. It's just 4 adults and the 3 and 5 yr old. The only option for that day would be for us to hang out at the pool at our hotel or bu y the 4th day pas at DL...that's kind of why I was asking if that would be worth it to anyone.

Yeah I think it would be worth it. It is about $20 right? I don't think you need an extra day, but your kids are young and the extra day takes all the pressure out of it. However if there is something else they want to do (like Legoland or a beach or Hollyweird) you will be fine with 3 days.

There is someone else going to DL/DCA that I have been posting to, and I think I am getting the two of you mixed up

So if it is a day off and 3 days in the parks or 4 days in the parks at a slower pace, I would pick the 4 days. Just that you don't need the 4th day, it is still nice. There really is no such thing as too much time in Disneyland in my book. I know at that age (around 3) my son was in the 'again, again' stage. I can recall looping Pirates four or five times in a row with him! Oh, and he could still spend 2 hours in the tiny little POTC gift shop...

Sun-Wed are the perfect days for DL/DCA. I think you get one early entry, they call it something else. If there are 2 days you could use it on, go to DCA for the morning of the day it is offered but you don't do it. Does that make sense? Other than that I would hop between the parks. One nice thing about the way DL/DCA are set up is that you can bring the rented stollers between the parks.

Random tips about DL/DCA

If you need a bathroom in New Orleans Square there is a big one back down the ally that the POTC ride lets you out onto. I love that little nook of the park. That is lso where you will find the Blue Bayuo.

All the shops on Mainstreet (left side as you enter) connect, so if you need to get out of the park and Mainstreet is busy, cut through the stores.

Visit the little Firestation at the front of the park.

Plan on a long time in Toon Town, it is fun! If you eat back there, you don't have to buy the Pizza in the combo with the salad (last year that was the only way it was on the menu) you can buy it ala carte (that is true for every place in DL/DCA, with any combo).

Do you have a Disney Visa? Don't forget all the freebies in Disneyland. I think they are all the same as last sumer, photo op, free stroller rental, and ???.

The fireworks show is wonderful but it is very intense from the hub. Loud and close. You may want to try to do it from far back one night and then decide if the kids can deal with it up close after seeing it. I like to watch from the Main Street Train Station Depot, but they were redoing it last year so I am not sure if it is still a good spot. It is way back, some people don't like that, but with young kids I find it much more enjoyable.