Is this place worth a 20 hour journey to get to?

[heatherbelle]

Hi

We've been to Orlando 4 times now and DH is fed up with it (Horrors of horror).

So, we have been looking at spending 1 week in LA staying at the Staybridge Suites, and another week in San Diego.

Now, I know nothing about either of these places, except that they have Sea World/Zoo and a Disney Park.

So my question is, is the horrendous journey worth it?

We've just been spoilt with the Dinning Plan in Orlando too.

So I would like to know - is LA & San Diago any good for two weeks holiday? Planning to travel in Mid August, so what are the crowds like?
What's the weasther like?
Does DLC have FP attactions? I use Tourguide Mike for Orlando.
Where are good places to eat - we like buffets, especially Chef Mickey's in Orlando.
Is there a good guide book out there? I have one called its a Brits Guide to Orlando, which was good for there, but the author doesn't do a DLC one.

What else is good to do in LA.

Finally anything else that you experts over here would like to add.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ok I like the dinning plan at dl but the wdw is MUCH better. I am useing the five day dinning plan this oct. next year when going to wdw i will get dinning plan to.

chef mickys is goofys kitchen at dl its grate i love the dinner more then the brunch.
also minnies at plaza inn is well worth the money and good food. both charcter meals.

are you set with where you are staying? (hojos,desert inn and camolot inn are three right across the street id recomend hojos is a fav here)
thats all i have for now maybe later ill come back with more info today has been a roller coster. good luck and have fun planing

 

[Canyon girl]

YES!!! It is worth it! There is so much more! Hollywood, Universal, Huntington Beach, and the Queen Mary just to name a few. Here is a link for a website telling about many things to do in Orange County alone. http://www.anaheimoc.org/ It is well worth the trip! One of my favorite non-Disney things to do is to stay on the Queen Mary. There is so much history there for my kids to experience! I hope this helps you, and I hope you enjoy your trip! Adding on to my comments, it will probably be fairly crowded in mid-August because that is just before most schools return to session. I do not like the dining plan. It is basically just prepaying for your meals. It is nothing like WDW. I know most people have their favorite guide book. Mine is the Passporter. They are working on a 2009 version that is supposed to come out the end of this year. I would wait for the new one because the current one is out of date. Their website is www.passporter.com

 

[pinktink83]

There is a LOT to do in San Diego! Sea World is doable in one day (you'd miss 2-3 shows), but you can stretch it into two days if you take your time. There are also harbour tours which are fun...ones that look for whales, or seals, etc. Some let you fish. There is the Maritime Museum with its old sailing ships to tour. And you can take tours of the army ships and submarines (which is just down the street from the museum!). Shopping at Seaport Village is fun, especially in the evening when they have musicians. And of course, going to the boardwalk and the beach! You could do that for as many days as you can handle! The Scripts Aquarium is neat, also. And of course the Zoo, which would take ALL day!

A week in LA is doable, too. I'd go to DL for at least 3 days. Then the beach/boardwalk for a couple days. Maybe hit up Hollywood one day if you're interested in that sort of thing. Maybe see a Broadway play. There's also Legoland, Universal Studios and Knottsberry Farm nearby.

I dont think there are a whole lot of buffets in DL. The only ones I can think of are the character breakfasts. But nothing in the park.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Why doesn't you husband like Orlando? Chances are he won't like SoCal for the very same reasons!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Totally worth it! We would probably spend the whole week at DL and forget the other things there are to do in LA.

The weather is usually nice, we go in December every year and haven't seen much rain, in fact we are usually in short sleeves.

The DL dining plan is NOT the same as WDW. It isn't really a value and will not save you any money, it's more for convenience.

There are several character buffets:
Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH
Minnie and Friends in DL (breakfast only)
Lilo and Stich over at Paradise Pier (I think)
I think there's one at the grand CA as well

 

[Danauk]

I'm from the UK (actually origionally a West Yorks girl too!) and DH and I just spent 3 weeks in California and Las Vegas last month. We didn't do San Diego this time but we have in the past, sea world, the zoo, the wild animal park and the old town are definately worth a visit. In California we spent 5 nights at Disneyland plus we visited Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain and went to Hollywood for 3 nights to do all the studio tours (we did Universal, Sony, Warner Bros and Paramount - great fun we went on lots of movie sets and watched shows being taped!) We had an amazing trip.

For us thr journey wasn't horrendous, 10 1/2 hours with virgin from Heathrow to LAX, we were at Disneyland 90 minutes after the aeroplane had touched down.

Crowds were OK when we went (mid August) and the weather was nice too, about 35 degrees in Disneyland, moving to over 40 higher up inland.

Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park have many rides with fast passes and have several rides unique to DLR.

For food, we too have been spoilt by WDW but were not dissapointed at DLR. We loved Napa Rose and Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian and we had great fun at the Plaza Inn character breakfast with Minnie and Friends.

For books I used the Unnoficial guide to Disneyland plus I used Ridemax to help plan the order to do the rides in and for extra tips.

I have written trip reports about my trip both on the UK trip reports board and the California trip report board, the contain more details if you want to read them.

 

[eduk8r26]

If you're going to be in San Diego for a week, I'd look into renting a place at the beach. Websites such as vrbo.com and vacationrentals.com will give you more info. If you stay at Mission Beach, you are close enough to most of the major attractions that you don't have to drive far. They rent from Saturday to Saturday if that is something that works for you.

 

[Judy from Boise]

If want to research well, I urge you to read information from all of the boards in our section, as we have 4 boards worth of information (including trip reports where many British visitors have recorded their thoughts).There are also "Hydo guys" guides (a stickie thread at the top of this board) that do a good job comparing the two experiences(WDW vs DLR).

 

[Hound 109]

Hi

We've been to Orlando 4 times now and DH is fed up with it (Horrors of horror).

I'm similar to your DH.
Not sure why he's fed up with it, but for me the immersion became stifling (as was the heat & humidity of FL)

So, we have been looking at spending 1 week in LA staying at the Staybridge Suites, and another week in San Diego.

There is ALOT to do in Southern California 4-5 days at DLR (not DLC btw ) 3-4 days in SD & 4-5 days doing other stuff. Why the Staybridge Suites?

Now, I know nothing about either of these places, except that they have Sea World/Zoo and a Disney Park.

Alot to do.....& it's not "a Disney Park".....it's THE Disney park.

So my question is, is the horrendous journey worth it?

SoCal is definitely worth doing....as is Walt's Park.
We've just been spoilt with the Dinning Plan in Orlando too.

So I would like to know - is LA & San Diago any good for two weeks holiday? Planning to travel in Mid August, so what are the crowds like?

Better than July & the later in August the better. Reading tips here make "the crowds" very managable...since you'll be zigging when others are zagging.

What's the weasther like?

Probably cooler & definitely less humid than Orlando. Could even be cool at night.

Does DLC have FP attactions? I use Tourguide Mike for Orlando.

Oh yes....& using FP intelligenly is recommended in the summer.

Where are good places to eat - we like buffets, especially Chef Mickey's in Orlando.

Goofy's in the DLH is similar to CM. & as others have mentioned there's Minnies inside DL, Storytellers in the GCH & Lilo & Stich in the PP. ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE!!

Is there a good guide book out there? I have one called its a Brits Guide to Orlando, which was good for there, but the author doesn't do a DLC one.

This would be the best place to start. Print the abreviation thread & then start reading the rest. HG's "DLR for WDW Vets" thread is especially helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


What else is good to do in LA.

Tons....let us know what you like to do & you'll get alot of opinions. Also might want to look at the SoCal board (just below the DL board).

Finally anything else that you experts over here would like to add.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I read a trip report on another board recently written by someone who had taken a WDW cast member to Disneyland for the first time. This WDW cast member who adores and loves all things Disney walked out of Disneyland saying "Now I know what Disney is supposed to be like."

Disneyland is absolutely wonderful. It's the only park in the world built by Walt Disney himself.

And don't worry as there is plenty to do in the entire state of California for two weeks. If you're worried about L.A. and San Diego, you could also spend time in Yosemite, considered by some to be the most beautiful national park in the country, or head up to see San Francisco.

 

[heatherbelle]

Thanks for all the replies.

It's booked and we're going to be there from the 14/08/09. Can't wait.

i was a bit disappointed at the thought of coming to LA, but from everything I've so far about DL, I won't be missing the mouse at all. The only thing I have to do now, is drag DH to DL.

He thinks there won't be too much to do in DL, it looks like there's loads to do.

It looks the heat will be a lot more bearable too compared to Florida. Off to check out the thread for WDW vets......

Thanks again. I've also ordered some books from the bookstore too.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for all the replies.

It's booked and we're going to be there from the 14/08/09. Can't wait.

i was a bit disappointed at the thought of coming to LA, but from everything I've so far about DL, I won't be missing the mouse at all. The only thing I have to do now, is drag DH to DL.

He thinks there won't be too much to do in DL, it looks like there's loads to do.

It looks the heat will be a lot more bearable too compared to Florida. Off to check out the thread for WDW vets......

Thanks again. I've also ordered some books from the bookstore too.

August is VERY hot in Los Angeles/Anaheim - and it always seems hotter in DL than out in the rest of the city because the sun beats right down on you. But it is a different kind of heat from what they have in Orlando - not necessarily better, just different. A dry heat, not so much humidity.

The Goofy's Kitchen buffet in the DLH is the closest to Chef Mickey's, from what I have read. Great food - you will love it. Disneyland itself as a park is said to be much more intimate and have more personality and character than the WDW Magic Kingdom (I am not including Animal Kingdom or the other two Orlando parks in this). From what I have heard, WDW itself - just set alone as a park - is more sterile and cold than DL, and perhaps that IS because it is lacking Walt Disney's actual personal 'touch.' Also, DL in California has the ONLY New Orleans Square out of all the Disney parks worldwide, and it has some rides exclusive to DL, such as Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, etc. Also, from what I have heard, our ToonTown in Calif. is better than the one in WDW. Our Pirates and Haunted Mansion rides are better, too. Plus, we have DCA, which is exclusive to SoCal.

You may also want to consider taking a ferry out of Long Beach (close to the airport and pretty close to Anaheim, for the most part) over to Catalina Island for a day trip. You see dolphins on the way to the island and sometimes whales, too. You can get alot done there - rent a golf cart, see seals, see flying fish, see buffalo, etc. It is great for a full day trip OR longer. Everyone who goes there for the first time loves it. It is my OTHER favorite place besides DL!

And then there is the world famous Farmers Market (now the Farmers Market and The Grove), popular with celebrities and tourists, which is close to Hollywood Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. A little west of Beverly Hills is the famous Venice Beach, so you can see all of those places in one day, too, if you run out of things to do!

 

[amyamya]

If you were initially disappointed to visit LA, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you like it. San Diego is gorgeous and the weather there is the best in the country. Do the Zoo or the Wild Animal Park, both are world class. If you get a chance, do one of the bus tours of Hollywood/Beverly Hills. It is very touristy, but VERY fun. Even when I lived in LA I would still get so excited to see celebs and behind the scene stuff. The studio tours are facinating as well, and Universal Studios is a great place that combines the studio tour with crazy rides.

Disneyland is magical and intimate and the details will blow you away. You really get to see them with the size of the park. I think your DH will come around when you get him in the gates.


As an aside: the longest trip of my life was my trip to York--plane to Heathrow, plane to Manchester, train to York, taxi to hotel...and boy was it worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[heatherbelle]

If you were initially disappointed to visit LA, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you like it. San Diego is gorgeous and the weather there is the best in the country. Do the Zoo or the Wild Animal Park, both are world class. If you get a chance, do one of the bus tours of Hollywood/Beverly Hills. It is very touristy, but VERY fun. Even when I lived in LA I would still get so excited to see celebs and behind the scene stuff. The studio tours are facinating as well, and Universal Studios is a great place that combines the studio tour with crazy rides.

Disneyland is magical and intimate and the details will blow you away. You really get to see them with the size of the park. I think your DH will come around when you get him in the gates.


As an aside: the longest trip of my life was my trip to York--plane to Heathrow, plane to Manchester, train to York, taxi to hotel...and boy was it worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was only disappointed, because I love going to Orlando, I've been 4 times now and really know my way around, and just love the whole place. If DL is better than WDW MK, then I'll be amazed, as I think the MK is fantastic, although my fav park is EPCOT and my fav ride is Soarin, I get goose bumps everytime I go on that ride. Now I'll be able to see it for real.

DH is still not keen on visiting DL, he only said so, last night but with me and DS in tow, he isn't going to get an option. He can have one day doing what he wants, to the beach watching the bay watch babes!!!

I live near York, so I know why you liked it. My trip is taxi to Leeds, plane to Heathrow,( 1hour) 4 hour wait, plane to LAX (10.5 hours), car to hotel. (leeds in very near Manchester), coming home its worse, as I have a 5 hour wait at Heathrow for the plane home. I'm sure it will be worth it, but deep deep down, I want to go back to Orlando. I'm sure I won't be saying that in 1 year from now.

I'll be on these boards for the next 12 months, gathering info, as I'm a plan a holic.

 

[heatherbelle]

The Goofy's Kitchen buffet in the DLH is the closest to Chef Mickey's, from what I have read. Great food - you will love it.

You may also want to consider taking a ferry out of Long Beach (close to the airport and pretty close to Anaheim, for the most part) over to Catalina Island for a day trip. You see dolphins on the way to the island and sometimes whales, too. You can get alot done there - rent a golf cart, see seals, see flying fish, see buffalo, etc. It is great for a full day trip OR longer. Everyone who goes there for the first time loves it. It is my OTHER favorite place besides DL!

And then there is the world famous Farmers Market (now the Farmers Market and The Grove), popular with celebrities and tourists, which is close to Hollywood Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. A little west of Beverly Hills is the famous Venice Beach, so you can see all of those places in one day, too, if you run out of things to do!

Thanks for these, I have made a note of these as possibles. The Catalina one in particular will suite DH. The shopping one will suite me.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for these, I have made a note of these as possibles. The Catalina one in particular will suite DH. The shopping one will suite me.

Great! I think your DH will be quite pleased with Catalina for the babes (he will aso find lots of them over in Venice Beach, but really, they are all over Los Angeles - drive up and down Sunset Boulevard or Beverly Hills and there are beautiful people everywhere!), but also because, while Catalina/Avalon is part of Southern California, because you have to take the boat to get over to the island, it feels like it is much farther away. It feels more vacation-esque than just going to the regular beaches in SoCal. One of my former co-workers had just moved out to Los Angeles from Kent, England (don't know if Kent is near York at all??She was one of the nicest people I have ever met - so pleasant, so friendly and polite, always smiling!) and she and her family took a day trip to Catalina and rented the golf cart and all that, and they LOVED it! They tried some of the freshly made salt water taffy (which Catalina is very good at). They took a tour or two. It is a great place. And you can catch the ferry from Long Beach in the morning and be back by nighttime. Also at the Long Beach dock is the famous Queen Mary (the original) and nearby the Long Beach Aquarium. And at Farmers Market/the Grove, not only are there almost always celebrities there of some sort, but FM has a lot of great food. People from all over the world go there!

I really think you and your DH will be so pleasantly surprised by how much you like DLR. Sure, we don't have Animal Kingdom or Epcot (and believe me, I am annoyed about that too!) but there is DCA and so many great things that we have that WDW does not have. And yes, we do have Soarin' but we have the real oceans and mountains and rivers, too! And since you like buffets, I think you would be very content with Goofy's (being that it is the most similar to Chef Mickey's).

I can't wait to hear your plans over the next year as they evolve and come to frution!! Keep us all posted!

 

[KimAshton]

I love love love love CA. I am going back out in October and it will be my 4th trip there this year. There is so much to do that you will have enough to do while you are there.

 

[olivejuice]

I dont fly there but i do drive a little more than 20 hrs. just to get to DL. And Its so fun its what i look forward to. The driving isnt that bad eighter.