Los Angeles hotel

[almostGoofy]

I love vegas, so let me tell you some of my "must do's" there
4. A walk through (the name is escaping me! The Italian place across from TI) shops

The Venetian is what you're thinking of. They do gondola rides there too and it will much cheaper there than in Long Beach!

I like to see all the things Judy has mentioned but would like to add the Pirate show in front of Treasure Island althought I haven't seen the new show yet and the Mardi Gras Parade in the sky at the Rio. For a fee, you can participate in the parade and be one of the ones throwing beads to the spectators.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Yes the venetian!
We were very dissapointed with the new pirate show, actually my DH and I dissolved into helpless giggles as it was like veiwing really cheesy soft porn!

 

[diberry]

WOW!!!! So much information - thank you all so much. We're really excited to be coming to California and everything will be interesting for us but it's really helpful to have some insider tips from people who really know the area and the practical tips are really great too - traffic, rush hours etc.
Judy from Boise - thank you for the Las Vegas tips - it all looks incredible but it's good to have some definite "must dos" - I'm a big Star Trek fan!!! The fountains, volcano and Venetian sound great too.
Mary Jo - great tips - thank you so much for all the info on L.A. and San Diego which will be really useful - can hardly wait!!
almostGoofy - I'd never have thought of car pool lanes as we don't have them over here but that sounds like a great idea to look out for and thanks for telling us how to avoid getting a ticket! We've never been to Venice so the gondolas sound good - or maybe in Las Vegas! The Mardi Gras parade sounds wonderful and I'd LOVE to take part in it - thanks a lot!!
Any more ideas are always welcome as I'm in full planning mode!!!

P.S. - anyone heading for Nottingham - I can tell you all about Robin Hood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

We love to help our cousins across the pond!

Actually, maybe you could write us a little essay on Rh and his merry men........

 

[diberry]

I think uncle Walt already made a really good film about it!!! Just weird with an American accent - no offence - I adore American accents but I'm sure if Robin Hood existed he didn't talk like that - but he also probably wasn't a fox!!!!! We always love to meet him and Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham when we go to the parks!!!

 

[chrisnjilly]

Hi Folks,

We see from your counter that you have some time left before your trip and so might still be able to adjust your schedule a little. We are also from the UK and have made the LHR/LAX trip a number of times. If you have not done so already we would strongly suggest that you spend your first night at a hotel with a shuttle bus from LAX and pick up your hire car early the next morning. The flight and time shift is a good deal greater than your previous trips to the East coast and we find we just want to get to a hotel ASAP on arrival at LAX. As you will know from your WDW trips driving is easy in the US but its easier still after a nights sleep!
The time zone thing means that you will be awake at around 4.00 or 5.00am next morning and that is a great time to get the shuttle back to the airport and then on to the rental car desk. No lines! We stayed at The Best Western Airport Plaza Inn in 2003 and their shuttle bus actually took us direct to Alamo.
One other tip, if you are planning to park at Heathrow. Marriott Heathrow offer room + breakfast for 2 + parking for the same or less than you might spend on parking alone. They call the program “Park Here, Fly There” and it is exceptional value.

It does take a day or two to get over the jet lag so you are wise to leave DL until towards the end of the trip. Once your body clock has caught up, we are sure you will love the West coast

 

[Lorraine]

Hi,

Doing a seach and came across this so thought I would jump in as there are some very good comments on this thread! (Hope you dont mind).

We too are from the UK and arriving in LA a week before the repo cruise. We are DVC members and trying to find something nearish to DL/Universal and the beach - that is available!

I have found a couple of resorts in Capistrano Beach - Riviera Beach and Spa Resort and Riviera Shores resort. We dont mind the drive too much if we get a bit of beach too. HAs anyone stayed there? It looks nice, but it can be deceiving.

Any info would be great.

thanks

Lorraine

 

[diberry]

Thank again for the tips chrisnjilly!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

The only thing i have ever done in Capistrano, is go to a wedding in the mission. I actually don't know anything about it except it along a very nice stretch of coast and has famous swallows!It might be wonderful.