My itinerary so far!

[maxie]

So this is what we have planned so far. Any suggestions or changes?

It'll be me, DH and 18 month DS. We have the 5 day dining plan.

Wednesday, Feb 9th - fly into John Wayne. Take taxi to Carousel Inn. Should be about 2:00 when we check-in. Head over to DL for some food as will be 5 p.m. our time! Let DS wear off some energy after plane ride. Hopefully early to bed to recover from the time change and early morning plane ride.

Thursday, Feb 10th - Continental breakfast at hotel. EE to Fantasyland at 9. Late brunch at Goofy's kitchen. Naptime. Back to DL for supper and evening.

Friday, Feb 11th - Pacific Wharf for Breakfast in the Park voucher. Hang out in CA. Naptime. Back to CA for supper and for the Electric Parade.

Saturday, Feb 12th - DH will pick up car from Avis around 8 a.m. Check out of Carousel after continental breakfast. Drive to Hollywood. Park in the parking complex at Hollywood and Highland. Take a 1 hour trolley tour. Stroll along Hollywood Blvd and perhaps check out shopping complex. Lunch at Mel's Drive-in. When DS is ready for a nap load him in car and head to San Diego. Check into Best Western Mission Bay. Perhaps if not too late go for a walk on the beach and play in sand.

Sunday, Feb 13th Seaworld. When DS gets cranky head back to hotel for nap. Spend late afternoon or early evening at playground in Balboa Park.

Monday, Feb 14th Check out of San Diego hotel. Stop in at Carlsbad for some time at Legoland. When DS is ready head to car and go north back to Anaheim. Check back into Carousel Inn. Spend sometime at Downtown Disney.

Tuesday, Feb 15th DH will return car at 8 a.m. Breakfast in the Park voucher for Club Buzz. Hit Toontown madness at 10. Naptime after lunch. After nap maybe go to the Movieland Wax Museum for a bit. (I have a 2-for-1). Take a shuttle or taxi?? Go back into DL for a bite to eat until closing.

Wednesday, Feb 16th Head back to CA for the day. PS for Ariel's Grotto for supper at 5. After supper go back to DL for a bit.

Thursday, Feb 17th Taxi back to John Wayne. Plane home.

 

[got2travel]

Wow, I'd love to have so many days to spend there. You are going to have a great time.

Here are my initial thoughts.

I love the Carousel. That is my first choice anytime I take a trip to DL.

A great place to run off some steam is the Redwood Creek Challenge in Calif Adv. It has ropeclimbs, slides, tunnels, etc. And us big kids can play too.

I've never seen breakfast in CA other than muffins and danish. I guess they have something more since your dining vouchers offer it. But I'm not sure how much of a selection you will have so be prepared.

Do you realize that Hollywood is about 1 1/2 hours north of Anaheim, but then San Diego is an hour south? So you'd pass back through Anaheim to get to San Diego? (well maybe not directly depending on what highway you take, but you will still be backtracking). Then again, Hollywood & Highland is a really cool place to visit. Be sure to check out the footprints at the Chinese Theatre.

You may get a better rate with a shuttle service rather than a taxi. Possibly Supershuttle.

For your rental car, since your using Avis, are you picking it up at the Park Vue Inn? Its only 2 or 3 hotels away from the Carousel.

 

[maxie]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Our Hollywood day is not the way I originally planned it! However we could not get the extra night at the Carousel that I wanted and we needed the rental car to get to Hollywood so we had to tack that side trip into our San Diego leg. Much more driving that day than I wanted to do!

Originally we were going to drive to San Diego Sat morning, return Sunday night and do Hollywood monday during the day but the Carousel was booked up Sunday night so had to shuffle it all.

We're picking the car up at the West Katella location. Would that be at the Park Vue? Planning on just walking over to pick up the car so hopefully not too far away.

We decided to splurge on the taxi as DS will have been on a plane/waiting in airports for over 10 hours by the time we arrive. I just want to get straight to the hotel and not wait for a shuttle. We're budgeting about $40 each way with the taxi.

 

[got2travel]

The Park Vue is on Harbor, right next to the Carousel, well almost right next to. It might be about a 20 minute walk to the other location. Its walkable, but if you switch to the Harbor location, it would be much easier. My guess is they probably share the cars anyway.

As long as you realize what you are getting into with the Hollywood/San Diego drive, no worries. Each location will be fun.

Did you call the Carousel directly? I've been able to get rooms even when all the websites say they are full. But then again, I've also been turned away so I had to use one of my backup choices.

 

[jxgriffi]

If you're not straying too far from Hollywood/Highland, you can always take a taxi to the Metrolink station in Anaheim or Fullerton instead of driving up to Hollywood. Would probably be a LOT more relaxing than traffic on the 5 freeway anytime. There is a station at Hollywood and Highland.

Take the train from Anaheim or Fullerton to Union Station. Switch to the Red Line and get off at Hollywood/Highland.

Metrolink (Anaheim or Fullerton to Union Station)

MTA:
Union Station to Hollywood Highland

When you return to Anaheim, pick up your car and continue south to San Diego....

Just a thought...

 

[RKB]

Looks fun. We just went to Hollywood yesterday and I must say you will see all kinds of people there. You will be constantly hassled to go on star tours so be ready. We did the wax museum and it was a let down. We thought the stars would look more realistic, but if you have never been it is something to consider. Also -we went to Sea World in October and did the "Dine with Shamu". We had lunch right next to a pool in which Shamu appeared and popped out right next to you while you eat. Our kids loved it. We had a great time there as well. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[lulubelle]

Just a second opinion on the Wax Museum. Not really worth it, pretty "cheesy", if you will. I would spend the time enjoying the Disneyland Resort. There is just so much to do there. You really have a lot of fun things planned. I kind of like how you start with DL and end there, too. I would double think the Hollywood to San Diego drive...there may be traffic and half of your day may be shot. Just something to think about. Have a wonderful vacation

Oh, and your little one is very cute!

 

[maxie]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm still wrestling with the whole Hollywood/San Diego leg. Perhaps we'll spend a extra night in Anaheim if I can get ressies at the Carousel for the Saturday.

And I like the idea of taking public transit to Hollywood. Thanks for those links!

And I'm going to try and switch my Avis ressie.

Thanks so much for all the tips!