Legoland, Sea World, and area hotels?

[abckid]

We are making an unexpected trip to AZ, and since we will be driving through southern CA we want to stop for a few days of fun with the kids. We are on a very limited budget though because we had already planned another family vacation this summer. I need some opinions, and advice, for those of you more familiar with the area.

First of all, we are trying to decide between Disney, San Diego, or a combo of both with the City Pass. As must as I love Disney, I'm not sure the kids will care as much as long as they get to do a theme park of some kind. We are debating between a 5 day park-hopper at Disney and no other theme parks, or a City Pass (with zoo, Sea World, Universal, and 3 days at Disney), or 5-6 days in San Diego.

If we choose the San Diego option, we want to do Sea World and Legoland. I've heard that Legoland is just perfect for us considering we have all young boys. Dh absolutely loves the ocean, so we would just do the 2 theme parks and a day or two on the beach. What are good beaches in the San Diego area that we should look into? We're not really looking to spend any money on activities or anything, just swim and play in the sand.

How many days do you recommend for Sea World and Legoland each. I was kind of hoping for 1 day at Sea World and 1-2 days at Legoland. It looks like it's only $10 more for a 2 day pass though, so I don't know. Although, I might be able to get some coupons for free kids with paying adults which would make it a no-brainer for 2 days LOL

I also need advice on inexpensive, yet clean hotels in the area. We are not too picky about hotels as long as they are clean. We're driving, so free parking at the hotel would be nice. On this particular trip, I will need internet access too unfortunately. I will have a laptop so I can plug in or use wireless. I would like to have something with a pool for the kids too. We are going to the ocean, but the kids will not actually be "swimming" because they are too little. Just getting their feet wet We live in WA with few swimming opportunities so we love to take advantage of warm weather to go swimming whenever we can. It's not a necessity, but would be nice. I wouldn't mind having a continental breakfast included, but not a necessity. So I guess we're a little more picky than I thought. LOL

 

[mott]

Well, I'm no expert, but here are my thoughts...I'd say do either the City Pass or just San Diego. We are doing the City Pass when we go and adding Legoland with the kids free w/ adult coupon. I think this option gives you a little of everything! The Costco price beats everyone hands down - and you don't have to be a member to order from their website (you just pay a little more I think).

Also, Legoland is a SMALL park and you might only need one day to see it.

As for hotel, I have NOT been there, but the one in San Diego that I found got great reviews on Trip adviser and was the cheapest I could find in the mid-range hotels (ie not Hyatt and not Super 8) is the Best Western Lamplighter Inn & Suites. The rate there was about 1/2 of the other area hotels. Again, I know nothing of this hotel first hand - only what I read on Trip adviser.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[abckid]

I wish we could do the City Pass and Legoland, but we really are trying to keep the cost down since this will be our second vacation Costco's City Pass price is so good that it's hard to pass up. I think we've decided to just do Legoland and Sea World though. Thanks for the hotel advice. I'm going to check it out and see if they have any rooms left

 

[jenjersnap]

Make sure you understand the Legoland pricing if you really intend to go 2 days. We've come to the conclusion that a 2nd day just isn't worth it despite having bogo and other coupons so we'll be trying to get it all in during a single day. The Costco 3 month membership is the cheapest way to go for more than one day.

SW is bigger and, with all the shows, harder to see all in one day. A gate-priced 1 day ticket gets you in free for the rest of 2008. Or, if only going one day, join Southwest Airlines frequent flyer program. If you present your card (you'll print it yourself, no waiting for it to be mailed), you'll get 20% off at the gate which is the best deal I can find.

 

[abckid]

I thought it was $15 extra to add another day. But it seems like we might be able to get it all in one day, which would be better anyway.

I was wondering what the difference was between the 1 day SW ticket and the one that gets unlimited access for the rest of the year. Seems like there has to be something that I'm missing. Is it really the same as the regular ticket? I don't know what all comes with a regular ticket, but does the yearly one come with all of the same stuff. If so, that is definitely the way to go.

Please fill me in on anything that I might be missing with Legoland and/or Sea World. I've only been on this board for a few days and I've already learned so much. You guys are great! Thanks!

 

[jenjersnap]

I thought it was $15 extra to add another day. But it seems like we might be able to get it all in one day, which would be better anyway.

I was wondering what the difference was between the 1 day SW ticket and the one that gets unlimited access for the rest of the year. Seems like there has to be something that I'm missing. Is it really the same as the regular ticket? I don't know what all comes with a regular ticket, but does the yearly one come with all of the same stuff. If so, that is definitely the way to go. Thanks!

If you use a BOGO coupon at LL, to get that "free" kid in it will cost $31 for the 2nd day. The adult ticket that was paid for would be $15. So, for us, 2 adults, 2 kids, one free toddler, it would be $15 + $15 + $31 + $31 = $92 for the second day. If you look at the LL ticket page, it explains it. Total cost, including day 1 using coupon would be: $211.90

Full price 2 day ticket would be $279.80 (74.95*2 + 62.95*2)

Costco 3 month membership is $189.96 (51.99*2 + 42.99*2)

I think the SW deal is straightforward. Pay full price and you'll get entry the rest of the year.

Signed, the theme park ticket spreadsheet queen.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

There's also the San Diego go card you could look into. We used the Citypass for our trip in Feb/Mar and thought it was a good value. We also did legoland 1 day. Our only problem was not scheduling any rest days between all those parks.
http://www.gosandiegocard.com/

 

[abckid]

Thanks for the info on the LL tickets. I somehow missed that when I was looking at the site yesterday. You're right, it's not worth the extra $ for a second day. I guess we'll do 1 day at LL and get the year pass and do 2 days at Sea World

 

[LoveMyBoys]

I don't mean to steal this thread, but can someone elaborate on this 3 month membership at Costco. I am planning on buying the citypass through them, and I was planning to just pay the 5% surcharge, but if there is another option, I would love to know what it is.

 

[mott]

I don't mean to steal this thread, but can someone elaborate on this 3 month membership at Costco. I am planning on buying the citypass through them, and I was planning to just pay the 5% surcharge, but if there is another option, I would love to know what it is.

It's a 3 month pass to Legoland that is sold at Costco. (not a 3 month costco membership)

 

[mjmcgillivray]

I would guess they were saying the 3-month membership to Legoland that is available at Costo. Costco actually calls it a membership...

Go to costco.com and search for legoland. It will come up as one of the two tickets for sale. The 3-month adult membership is $51.99 and the 3-month child membership is $42.99. Shipping of the tickets is additional and there isn't a pick-up option. They also have a one day admission for a discounted price of $44.99 adults and $35.99 for children. Not as great of savings but still a discount. If you're a AAA member they have a two-day pass for an even better price. $47.00 for adults and $37.00 for kids, that's what we're doing.

 

[jenjersnap]

Oh yes! I meant a 3 month membership to Legoland available thru Costco. I was writing shorthand because I thought the OP would know what I was referring to.

A Costco membership is around $35 so once you spend $700 or more in tix, it makes sense to just purchase a COSTCO membership rather than pay the 5% surcharge.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

Thanks for clarifying that