LA Trip next week - GOT QUESTIONS!!

[mike2005]

I am coming to CA/LA Area with family for the first time ever (for vacation anyway). Just purchased my flights.

I arrive there on Dec 24th and Leave on the 31st. I am planning to visit San Fransisco, Vegas and do the Disney thing for a couple days. I don't have the accommodations done yet so I am pretty flexible on the dates. I am not sure how to plan the dates the most efficient way. Here are my questions...

- Which days should I plan Disneyland trip? Dec 25th? Do I need more than one day to do that particular park?

- Same question stands for Universal Studio

- I am not into gambling but I still want to visit Vegas and see the lights and walk on the main street and stuff. Is it better to stay in the Vegas area or can I simply drive from LA and come back to my hotel in LA?

- I also want to do the same thing as above for San Fransisco. Can I drive to it and come back to LA or would it be better to stay there for the night

- If time permits, I would like to do San Diago Zoo. Is it worth it?

What else am I missing? I am in desperate need of some good tips. Please suggest all you can about things that are must to do.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[DangerMouse]

Wow, seems like you are planning way too much in just one short week. Most of it would be spent driving.

Disneyland is going to be a complete madhouse the week between Christmas and New Years. Expect park capacity closings each day -- yes they close the gates because "DL is full". If you don't have reservations by now, don't plan on being able to stay within walking distance or even finding a decent rate.

Have you thought about priceline?

I'll let someone else answer your questions about Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego. I, for one, think it's just way too much to cram into such a short itme.

 

[mike2005]

Wow, seems like you are planning way too much in just one short week. Most of it would be spent driving.

Disneyland is going to be a complete madhouse the week between Christmas and New Years. Expect park capacity closings each day -- yes they close the gates because "DL is full". If you don't have reservations by now, don't plan on being able to stay within walking distance or even finding a decent rate.

Have you thought about priceline?

I'll let someone else answer your questions about Vegas, San Francisco and San Diego. I, for one, think it's just way too much to cram into such a short itme.

I am planning on using Priceline for hotels but before I did that I wanted the dates laid out. And maybe this is too much into one week and thats why I am here asking questions. I may cancel the SF altogether. I am willing to a little driving to/from my hotel to the DL. Regarding the park being full, are you saying that I should buy park tickets too online to avoid that? Thanks!

 

[Tigger girl]

In my opinion you are doing way too much to enjoy any part of it.
Disneyland and Universal are all day events with major crowds, like DangerMouse said, Disneyland may even close the gates.

You can't just drive to Vegas or San Francisco for the day and stay in LA. Vegas is about a 4 hour drive one way and SF is about a 7 hour drive. It just seems like your vacation would be spent mostly in a car driving around.

The San Diego Zoo is a great place to visit, about a 2 hour drive from LA...that is when there is no traffic...and we always seem to have traffic here.

Regarding the purchase of DL tickets--even if you have previously purchased tickets, it doesn't mean that you will get in the gates. When they are full, the gates close.

Good luck planning your trip! I hope it turns out fun.

 

[riaesq]

from a fellow last minute-er-----

You will need at least 6 hours to drive each way to San Francisco, so you'd want to at least stay overnight and probably more- lots to see and do there. You can fly pretty cheaply (49-100)-an hour long flight and they run frequently to/from all the local airports- but I understand that delays can tie you up almost as long as driving. I hear the train is lovely and that takes a pretty long time too. There is a nice discussion about the trip on flyertalk- I have to go find it and print it out.

Everything, everywhere is going to be crowded. Just go with a positive attitude and a strategy and a backup plan.

We are grappling with all these decisions too, plus I hurt my foot and I won't be walking much, so I am thinking about maybe just spending a few nice days someplace like La Jolla. Fortunately we get in tomorrow night and are hoping for a do-able day on Thursday in the park.

Have a great trip.

 

[mike2005]

^^ That makes sense. I was only thinking out loud in my first post.

Here is what I am thinking.

1. Arrive in the morning on the 24th
2. Get settled and pay a visit to a beach nearby in the late afternoon
3. go to DL on the 25th.
4. go to DL on the 26th (if one day wasn't enough)
5. Check out from the hotel on the morning of 27th
6. Go to Vegas on 27th. Stay there for a couple of nights
7. Check out from hotel in Vegas and go back to LA on the 29th
8. Do Universal Studio on 30th
9. Fly back home on the 31st

My question is, is Vegas worth spending 2 days? Like I said in my first post, I am not into gambling. I also have 2 boys (9 and 4). Should I come back a day early and try San diego zoo?

I will obviously cancel San Francisco for right now.

Any thoughts?

 

[DangerMouse]

If you have two young boys, and aren't interested in the casino scene, I'd skip Vegas. Honestly, it's not for kids. We were just there this spring and we won't be going back. Sleezy billboards, cigarette smoke everywhere, horrible traffic.

I'd take that time and instead go down the coast to San Diego (La Jolla, Wild Animal Park or Zoo, or Sea World). But once again, these places will all be quite crowded b/c of the holidays.

 

[CoolPool]

I do Vegas with the kids once or twice a year. I also do not gamble. Usually we stay 3 days. Here are some "kid-friendly non-casino but still able to see the casinos" things to do. Mind you though, have a big fat wallet with you. Its Las Vegas.
1) Take them to see the lions at MGM (free)
2) Fountain performance at Bellagio (free)
3) Take them to the top of the Eiffel Tower (not free)
4) Gondola ride at Venice (not free)
5) "Street shows" at Venice (free)
6) Volcano at Mirage (free)
7) Dolphins / Big Cats at Mirage (not free)
8) Fountain performance at Caesars Mall (free)
I know I've forgotten some things but you get the picture that there are lots of kid friendly things to do AND give you the feel of Big Time Vegas.

My hotel recs based on solely on pools: Mandalay Bay and MGM

 

[DLR29]

If you have two young boys, and aren't interested in the casino scene, I'd skip Vegas. Honestly, it's not for kids. We were just there this spring and we won't be going back. Sleezy billboards, cigarette smoke everywhere, horrible traffic.

I'd take that time and instead go down the coast to San Diego (La Jolla, Wild Animal Park or Zoo, or Sea World). But once again, these places will all be quite crowded b/c of the holidays.

I totally agree, but I'd spend another day at DLR. It's going to be VERY crowded that week and you'll want the most time you can get. I think you're underestimating the time it takes to see DLR. It's big and with those crowds to see most of the resort it would probably take at least 5 days, however with limited time 3 can be done. Certainly not 1 or 2.

Here's how I'd revise your plan:
24-Arrive, visit beach
25-DLR
26-DLR
27-DLR
28-Leave early for San Diego and visit zoo, Seaworld, or Wild Animal Park
29-Do some San Diego sightseeing or just relax in the pool, drive back
30-Universal Studios
31-Depart

 

[fairycat]

I have to agree with DLR29's schedule. The biggest issue for you is going to be traffic in and out of Vegas. The 15 can be tough at the best of times but with many people heading to Vegas for NYE you can expect traffic delays and general craziness. The biggest problem is the road is two lanes most of the way and while you can get to Vegas from Anaheim in 4-5 hours on a good day, with Holiday traffic you might be adding 1-3 hours to that 4-5 hours. On a Friday last summer it took my friends 6 1/2 hours to get to Vegas and 8 to get home to Orange County. And its a boring drive.

San Diego is beautiful and has a whole lot to offer, or you could do a day in Hollywood since you are driving right by Hollywood to go to Universal.

Another great idea with your kids ages is to add Legoland. I have heard it is so much for kids their ages. My friends boys beg to go, so often they got passes.

You will have a great time but as others have said it is a busy time of year so be prepared. The good news is most likely the San Diego parks will not be as busy as DL.

 

[mike2005]

Thanks for all the help and good advice guys... and gals!

Well, here is the update....

I have been busy last few hours.

Did a lot of research and thinking and here is what I ended up deciding:

Dec. 24 - Arrive, Visit Beach
Dec. 25 - Disneyland
Dec. 26 - Disneyland
Dec. 27 - Go to San Diego, stay there and relax
Dec. 28 - Visit San Diego Zoo (or Wild Animal Park) - I really don't want to do Seaworld.
Dec. 29 - Sight Seeing San Diego, Drive back to LA Hotel
Dec. 30 - Universal Studio
Dec. 31 - Depart

I got some good deals for hotels using priceline. Please see below and let me know if you guys agree.

Anaheim Hilton 3-star
Disneyland Area
Check-In Date: Mon, Dec 24, 2007
Check-Out Date: Thu, Dec 27, 2007
Price Won: $48.00 (per night)

Doubletree Club Hotel San Diego 2½-star
Mission Valley
San Diego, California 92108
Check-In Date: Thu, Dec 27, 2007
Check-Out Date: Sat, Dec 29, 2007
Price Won: $58.00 (per night)

Residence Inn Manhattan Beach 2½-star
Redondo - Manhattan Beaches
Manhattan Beach, California 90266
Check-In Date: Sat, Dec 29, 2007
Check-Out Date: Mon, Dec 31, 2007
Price Won: $55.00 (per night)

I gave up trying to squeeze in SF and/or Vegas. Maybe some other time I guess.

Again, thanks again for all the help.

 

[mike2005]

Just wanted to give you an update....

We returned back on the 31st. Everything went according to the plan. We visited DL on teh 25th and 27th with the 2-day Park Hopper. It was very crowded both days but we were able to manage it. We did every single ride except for the Finding Nemo and Haunted Mansion. The wait on Nemo was more than two hours both days and it didn't have FP so we skipped it. We skipped Haunten Mansion on purpose. They closed down Splash Mountain on the 27th twice due to maintenance. Fortunately they reopened it later. My older son loved it so much that we did the ride twice with the fast pass even with the temps dropping slightly under 60 degrees. Space mountain was awsome.

The trip overall was wonderful and the kids loved it. We adjusted our plans slightly and went to Legoland instead of Universal Studio in the last end of our trip and it was well worth it. We didn't care much for Sandiego Zoo, it was just Ok.

The beaches are awsome. I felt like I was in a different world.

Thanks for all the help guys!!!! It helped alot.

 

[DLR29]

Thanks for the update! Glad you had a good time!