Just back from CA---any ???s

[dr&momto2boys]

We're just back from our California trip. We spent two days in San Francisco, 2 days in San Diego (SDZoo and SeaWorld), 1 day at Legoland, and 4 1/2 days at Disneyland and California Adventure.

We are a well traveled family. We've traveled to 15 US states and 3 Canadian provinces just in the past 2 years since our youngest son was born.

I am a huge planner (anticipation is half the fun of the trip, IMO.) So I made a trip itinerary including park touring plans for LL, DL, and CA. I also made special shirts for the boys every day of the trip, and matching family shirts for the 5 days we were at DL. (I know I won't get away with this for very long--so I'll enjoy it while they're young!)

We stayed at The Dana in San Diego and The Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland. I wasn't impressed with The Dana. The rooms and grounds were nice (we stayed in the newer section), but the amenities including pools and spa services weren't up to par. The GCH was certainly nice. The bathrooms could be updated but everything was clean and the service was outstanding.

DH and sons didn't spend that much time at SDZoo because we were all a bit tired from traveling from San Francisco (short flight but airports drain our energy.) I didn't even go. I stayed for a well deserved facial and massage. I only do this maybe once a year or two years. I had a lot of stree from running an event at a conference in SF (the reason we went to SF.) I'm 6 months pregnant and in for some long park days with two little boys. I expected a spa setting, but instead it was one lady in a very small room near the pool. It wasn't a very good experience.

SeaWorld was nice. We've been a couple of times (in Orlando) and so we knew what to expect. The crowds were moderate. The shows were busy. We dined with Shamu which was nice to do once. We skipped the Shamu show. We've seen Believe and wanted to leave earlier than Shamu Rocks since we got enough Shamu with the dining experience. We saw the Halloween Sesame Street show whick the kids enjoyed. The boys were surprised and excited that they had trick-or-treat stations. We saw the Clyde and Seymour Show and Pets Rule. The kids really liked the play area. Everything was nice at SW, but it was definately a good place to start. All of the other amusement parks were way more exciting.

It was our first visit to Legoland. This park blew me away. It was very well done. Clean, well themed, pleasant scenery. Again we were surprised they had a little trick-or-treat trail going on. The rides were perfect for our little boys. It wasn't terribly crowded and the weather was perfect the day we went. There was only one ride we didn't go on because the wait was too long. The minilands were amazing. The fried apple fries were yummy!

I'll write a more detailed trip report later in the DL section. I'll post here when it's started.

 

[timtunes]

Hiya
We are just off to do a similar trip to you, we have one boy 10yo and one girl 5yo and we are all WDW veterans

We are staying at the the Grand californian for 3 nights but have not made any ADRs
Should we? What about the Blue Bayou (?) the one in POTC?

Any other tips for the Anaheim stay?

I see you also rated Legoland?

Tips appreciated

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I would definately make ADRs (they call them Priority Seating (PS) at DL) if you intend to eat at Blue Bayou or most other sit down restaurants. The crowds while we were there last week were large. I don't know how much longer that will last. The wait even after checking in at BB was 20 -30 minutes--and longer if you wanted a waterside table. The caracter meals and Cafe Orleans were busy too.

I definately recommend having at least a rough touring plan in mind for Disney and even Legoland (if you're only spending one day in LL--otherwise you won't need one.) Even with a pretty detailed touring plan, I was afraid we wouldn't get to do everything we wanted at DL and CA in the 4 1/2 days we spent there.

Toy Story Mania was more fun and addicting than I could imagine. Even my little kids liked it and DH and I definately did. We rode it twice--dashing off to it first thing at rope drop two different mornings. The line gets very long during the day! (Unless the crowds die down by your trip.) We still waited 15 minutes heading there at a brisk pace 1st thing because everyone did too! (We're a little slower with a double stoller and pregnant me!)

We enjoyed the parades at both Disney parks. It wasn't necessary to wait much in advance to get a good spot though. Don't waste your time unless the kids have to be right in front. For the DL parade, we picked up dinner and ate it at our spots on the curb before and during the parade. That worked well and left us more time for rides. If you plan where you are headed right after the parade, you can choose a spot on the right side of the street and near the direction you're headed next and not have to wait for the street to clear to get going. For instance after the Pixar Play parade we were off to Monsters Inc so we sat near the start of the parade on the proper side of the street to head there right away.

Some rides we expected would have a longer wait didn't--just because the line moves pretty fast. Monster Inc was one of them, but especially the Buzz Lightyear ride at DL. If you see a long line, just go back later--it was rare you'd have to wait more than 5 minutes.

If there are rides your 5 year old doesn't want to go on. You can use Child Swap. Just head to the attendant at the ride and ask them for a child swap pass and then your 10yr old and and one of you can go on. Then when they're off, the other one can go on again with your ten yr old. That way the rest of you can ride and 10yr old gets to ride twice without waiting the second time. (Child swap lets you go through the Fast Pass line or enter through the exit of the ride.)

The Apple Fries at Legoland are a unique treat. We really liked that park and I think your 10yr old is still young enough o enjoy it too.

Since your staying at GCH, did you know that Storyteller's has make your own pizza as a kids meal choice? It's a little something different for the kids. It's no big deal though--apparently you can only make cheese or pepperoni. They just bring the crust out along with the toppings for them to spread on top themselves.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. Let me know if you want to know anything more specific.

 

[timtunes]

Thanks. much appreciated and notes taken

Off in a weeks time now........

Hope its all going well with your imminent arrival

 

[Donnask8pro]

My son is 8 and loves legos. But rides all the biggies at DW(splash mt, space mt etc). Do you think he'll be bored at Legoland? Thanks. We're going at the end of Jan.

 

[ozvisiter]

Did you find dining with Shamu cut into your time at the park much? Did you do dinner or lunch or breakfast?

 

[jerseygal]

Were you pleased with Grand Californian? Did you by chance book Standard Room, Courtyard View? Thinking of this versus city view..If you booked standard, did you have city view?

Seriously thinking of booking summer 09 and wanted to know your opinions!

Thank you for any input/suggestions you may have!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

We are planning on doing the Zoo, SW, and LL with a 2 year old and 3 year old next year. Any tips specific to that age group? What did your boys love? What did they hate? Thanks!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

My son is 8 and loves legos. But rides all the biggies at DW(splash mt, space mt etc). Do you think he'll be bored at Legoland? Thanks. We're going at the end of Jan.

He'd still enjoy Legoland. There were things there that were beyond my young kids. Rollercoasters too. Definately give it a try. I think you'll be surprised!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Did you find dining with Shamu cut into your time at the park much? Did you do dinner or lunch or breakfast?

We went at dinner time. We had done everything we wanted to do by then. We didn't feel the need to go to ALL the shows though. We just did a couple and even skipped Believe! and Shamu Rocks. We had seen Believe the year before and thought that we saw enough of Shamu at dinner we didn't need to attend a Shamu show. But my kids are little, so if you know there are a lot of shows and attractions you don't want to miss out on you may value that time more. I think dinner was a good choice because we weren't in a hurry to get anywhere. (The way you may feel at breakfast or lunch.)

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Were you pleased with Grand Californian? Did you by chance book Standard Room, Courtyard View? Thinking of this versus city view..If you booked standard, did you have city view?

Seriously thinking of booking summer 09 and wanted to know your opinions!

Thank you for any input/suggestions you may have!

We loved the Grand Californian. Having stayed there, I can't imagine staying anywhere else now. The hotel was beautiful. The rooms were well kept and serviced a couple of times a day. The pool was nice. The dining options were good.

We used DVC points to stay there (Disney Vacation Club/ Disney's "timeshare" for those who don't know what it is.) We booked standard view for our stay except the first night we booked pool/park view because standard wasn't available. Upon check-in, they gave us the upgraded view for our entire stay. Very nice to not have to change rooms! The view we got was not that great. If I had paid more for it, I would have compained. But since we only paid more for one night of five, I thought it was great! If you stood at the edge of the balcony and turned your head sharply left, you could see part of the pool and some of the CA park. Mostly you could see the roof of part of the hotel!

I don't know what the other views may offer. It would be pretty cool seeing into the park. Walking around CA, you could see some rooms would really have a view of the action.

I especially liked our room because it was so close to the entrance to the pool, Storytellers, and the CA entrance. The location was awesome!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We are planning on doing the Zoo, SW, and LL with a 2 year old and 3 year old next year. Any tips specific to that age group? What did your boys love? What did they hate? Thanks!

We didn't spend much time at the zoo. My boys travel so much and have seen so many zoos, that it was nothing special and we were all tired. I can't help you out much there. I'm sure it's a wonderful zoo. Just don't have any special tips for you there.

I would recommend you visit these places in the order you listed them. The most exciting to the little kids would be LL, so I'd visit it last.

SW has lots for the little kids to do. It's a lot of walking so map out where you want to visit and what shows you want to see, so you don't waste your time walking from one side to the other and back a lot. Some attractions don't open right away (water ride) or require an additional fee (things that go high into the sky) to ride, so know that before you head somewhere. My kids enjoyed the Pets Rule and Clyde and Seymour shows. We didn't go to the dolphin show or Shamu show. We would have gone to one of the Shamu shows if we hadn't "Dined with Shamu."

There is a large section of the park just for little kids. Don't go there first if you want to actually see the sealife and other attractions! There is a Sesame Street stage show in the kids section (you sit on the ground) and a 4-D show that the kids really liked. Besides the rides in the kids area, there is a huge climbing apparatus and other things for the kids to play on. They love it and could spend the whole day here! It's so large though and there are multiple ways in and out that you really have to stay with your little kids. Get ready to climb!

LL was a very pleasant surprise. I don't think you need much of a plan here. We started off going right (most go left) and going around the entire park from there. I think that was a good choice. We got on several rides without any wait. We caught up to the crowds around the driving school area. It's a very fun park. Check out "Miniland" before you leave--once you've gone on all the rides you want to go on. And try the Apple Fries for a unique sweet treat. If you follow the path to the right it will be about time for a snack when you get to them, anyway.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Thanks for all the info, we are going next june, I was interested what you were saying re airports draining you, we werer going to drive from la to la then up to san fran, we thought about flying or driving, tonight I was looking at taking the bus, at least no delays, it is cheaper than flying but not cheap! any body any views, Thanks again.lynne

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Thanks for all your help! You gave me some great tips. Oh, and congrats on the baby!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks for all the info, we are going next june, I was interested what you were saying re airports draining you, we werer going to drive from la to la then up to san fran, we thought about flying or driving, tonight I was looking at taking the bus, at least no delays, it is cheaper than flying but not cheap! any body any views, Thanks again.lynne

I think any travel is draining! Re: planes vs. trains vs. cars: I think it's a matter of weighing cost, time, and convenience. We'd rather save the time and the cost was actually pretty reasonable so we chose to fly. My kids are also VERY used to flying, so it's no big deal. We all know what to expect. For some kids, riding a train may be part of the excitement of the trip. (For my kids, that would be very short lived excitement.) At least when you drive, you can decide when and where to stop. But of course on a train or plane--you don't have to stop. Bathrooms and food (you bring with you) are right there.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Oh, and congrats on the baby!

Thank you!

 

[KCmike]

We really never thought of giving legoland a try. Our kids our now 14, 11, and 11. Only my son likes rollercoasters. So now I am wondering whether or not to try to fit legoland in sometime? If we decide to head to Calif again next year it will have to include Yosemite Natl Park.

We went to San Diego for the first time last year and we loved it! We didn't hit the zoo (like you posted before...once you've seen several why bother) but we hit Seaworld and stayed at the beach for a few days at the Hotel Del Coronado.

 

[jerseygal]

Using our Marriott Points at either Marriott Marina San Diego or Coronado Island Marriott....

I've heard the beach by the Del is quite nice!

Also want to try LaJolla Beach, Cove....

What did you think of the beaches?

Thanks for any input!