Legoland and SeaWorld - Which day to go out of these three?

[Anjelica]

Looking for advice as we have never been to SW/Legoland before and I wanted to come to the experts.

We are staying at DL starting Friday, November 20th through November 25th. We were thinking about doing Legoland (we have two small children, 2 and 6, and I think the oldest will be to old in just another year or so) as well as SeaWorld.
At this time we aren't sure what we are going to do the following days:

Wednesday, November 25th - Do a 1/2 or so at DL/DCA (although that is what the previous days are dedicated for)? Go straight to hotel in Carlsbad and take it easy? Go to Seaworld or Legoland that day then to hotel in Carlsbad?

Thursday, November 26th **THANKSGIVING DAY** - Seaworld or Legoland?

Friday, November 27th **Day AFTER T-Day** - Seaworld or Legoland?

Saturday, November 28th we fly out at 200PM from LAX so we didn't want to plan on anything this day (including morning).

I have heard that we can easily do Legoland in 1 day and that they are generally one of the least busiest parks in SCA. However, I don't know with it being peak season if it would be better to do Legoland on Thanksgiving or Seaworld on Thanksgiving.

Also as I know some people have suggested when talking with them - we don't have any interest in going to the San Diego Zoo (we live in St. Louis, and while no its not the San Diego zoo, its highly rated - we go numerous times of the year so for us the San Diego zoo just isn't a high priority).

 

[annacali]

We have done the trip you are describing a few times We also always stay in Carlsbad.

First of all, I think you may underestimate how TIRED you and your kids will get on this trip. We did this last month (though in reverse...we did San Diego first ad DL last) and it really was a BIG trip. DL totally wore my two out (they are 4 and 6) and Sea World is a big day for us too.

My thoughts...if you do Disney on the day you drive to Carlsbad, take the rest of that day off, swim if that is an option where you are staying (indoor pool?) check out the beach--- too cold to go in the water but it is fun to play on, have dinner at Ruby's Diner in the outlet mall etc. Go to bed early!!!

Do Sea World the next day (Thanksgiving Day) because you won't have traffic to deal with and it is about a 30 min drive from Carlsbad. We always do it on a weekend to avoid the traffic...you can do it on a holiday. If they offer Breakfast with Shamu that day and it is in your budget I highly recommend it if your kids are into the whales at all. You get nearly an hour of amazing up close whale interaction and the food isn't bad either. We've done it the past 3 years and my kids LOVE it!

Do Legoland on Friday. It is in Carlsbad so won't take you 5 minutes to get there, yes it can be done in a day and it tends to be a lower key day for us than Sea World or any day at Disney. I suspect the park will probably close by 6 or so then so you can have an early low key night.

If you have a 2pm flight from LAX Saturday, and a rental car to return, honestly I don't think I would leave Carlsbad too much later than 8am. We left anaheim at 6:30 am for an 11 am flight and didn't have more than 45 min past security to eat/wait before boarding. I have heard that Saturday traffic gets a later start but gets just as bad after 9-10am as rush hour on week days. It will take you about 90 min to drive to LA with NO traffic, plan 30-60 min to return the rental car and get the shuttle to the terminal, depending on the airline the line to check in/check baggage could easily be another hour, the line for security took us an hour...etc. It seems insane to leave at 8 but if you wait until 9 the drive could take you exponentially longer due to the increased traffic and it is sooo much better to be waiting AT the airport than desperately trying to get there. But just a warning...there is NO option for food at LAX until after security so make sure you eat before you leave...or take food for the kids during the wait!


Oh...we don't do the zoo either. Too much walking and too much downtime between animals for my very active 6 year old DD. Did it twice and it led to a meltdown each time. Maybe when she is older???? And if you are waffling on a stroller or not for your 6 yo take one! DL is SOOOO much walking. My 6 yo is very active, walks a ton and hasn't had a stroller for years and we needed on at DL!

 

[lark]

Legoland's hours are limited in November, so take that into account. It will close at 5 on Thanksgiving and 6 the next day.

I've done these parks alot (also staying in Carlsbad!) and my recommendation would be to figure out which day will be busier and do Seaworld on that day. The reason is that even when it's not that crowded, the lines at Legoland move slowly. Virtually all of the rides at legoland are non-continuous loading. Basically, 20 people get on, ride, exit, and then another 20 are let on. It's very slow. Think of a dozen or so rides exactly like Dumbo. Even a short looking line can take a half hour.

Seaworld, by comparison, is not as difficult when crowded. Most of the best attractions are in stadiums that hold thousands of people, or they are pass through exhibits. The one blockbuster "ride" -- Journey to Atlantis -- should be done early or late. Otherwise, no matter how crowded, you can have a good day at Seaworld.

I think the Friday after Thanksgiving is going to be a very busy day at either park. I hate to disagree with the previous poster, but this would lead me to do Legoland on Thanksgiving and Seaworld the next day. Also, if you're coming from Disney on Wednesday, you'll appreciate the chance to sleep in a bit later on Thursday morning.

 

[Anjelica]

Thank you annacali and lark!!! I appreciate you guys taking the time out to write - especially all the detail you included annacali - it really does help me out ALOT.

 

[annacali]

You're welcome!

FWIW...Legoland. We have had really good luck starting at the back of the park in the newer section where the Indiana Jones ride is immediately when it opens and working our way forward. Do Indy first (it is totally nonscary and a videogame type ride where you shoot a laser gun at targets to get points...but no where near as fun as Toy Story-and about 90 seconds long and NOT worth the hour long waits that happen later in the day!!!). Then do all the other kiddie type rides over there---they can often be done "again!" at that hour since the lines are short. Then we moved to the medieval section and did the jousting horses and the dragon coaster etc...then did the Sports theme restaurant for lunch (has a kids only buffet that is fairly good). As we worked our way forward, the lines at the front of the park were shorter as everyone was then at the back. Even in July, we have never waited more than 20 minutes for most rides (though we skip the BIG attraction rides other than Indy due to the ages of our kids...the little kid rides seem not to have as long of a wait)

The water area...we usually skip, and in nov the weather may vary and it may not be warm enough anyway. If you do it be warned that there are few bathrooms/changing areas actually over by it. We usually save it for the end of the day, change somewhere else in the park, and go home wet. Also be warned that it is impossible to stay close to your child if they are in the main part of the water area (not just in the baby section) without getting soaked yourself(huge bucket of water dumps over entire area every few minutes!)

 

[DLtorgo]

We just came back from Legoland I agree with the idea that it is a lower key park and if you want something that is more of a break to stick it in between DL and SW. I would say skip the water part becuase it will be too cold anyway. I will also second starting with Indy. Then we worked around counter clockwise- Dragon, then Fun Town. My DD and nephew LOVED the driving school. They went on it several times. So cute!