New question? First time for us for Disneyland/ seaworld any Recommedations/help?

[yeahdisney]

We normally go to Disney world so I get the gist of Disneyland. Here is the plan. Fly into Vegas Friday - gamble. Saturday eat,gamble and see a show. Sunday up and out of there to seaworld arrive around noon there all day. I love killer whales. Where should we stay that night, cheap, clean with a shower? ha! Next day Disneyland. Where to stay that night? In am fly out of LAX 6:15am. Will rent a car to get out of Vegas And drop off LAX.

Rental car $77 bucks. Seaworld I think the best ticket from seaworld itself for a Sunday $69.00. Disneyland I am second tier price $105 or $160 hopper from Disney.

The drive list Las Vegas to sea world 4.5 hrs, is that about right on a Sunday AM? How much time do I need to allow to get the car to rental price then get the shuttle to the airport.

I could get rid of the car after I get from Vegas to San Diego and then uber if that is possible or take a shuttle from a hotel to a shuttle. Any ideas for that?

And does Disneyland do a Christmas event like disneyworld MVMCP?

Thanks

 

[Darkbeer1]

SeaWorld San Diego has announced that the last "Shamu" Killer Whale show will happen soon, but has not announced an exact end date. The Orca's will remain on property and will become a "Aquarium" type of exhibit, where you can see them up close, but will no longer "perform".

I use the Choice Hotel chain the most, since I like their Frequent Stay program, and their prices are good. They have multiple choices in nearby Hotel Circle. The Quality Suites Mission Valley is a one I use on a regular basis. Close to the park, and a decent free breakfast.

On a Sunday, I would recommend you get up EARLIER to do the drive to San Diego on I-15, it can become a true parking lot on the two lane portion between Las Vegas and Barstow, so get out of town as quickly as possible, The Quality Suites I mentioned is right off the I-15, so a straight drive. Can the drive be done in 4.5 hours, from your Las Vegas Hotel to either SeaWorld directly or the Quality Suites, if you are very lucky and have a strong bladder. But I would say 6 hours is a better gauge on a Sunday morning, if get out of town at Sunrise and beat the masses that are returning to the Los Angeles Area after spending the weekend in Sin City.

As for the Disneyland area, Choice has a few choices, if you want basic, cheap and within walking distance, the Quality Inn on Manchester is a good choice.

The drive between San Diego and Disneyland will take about 2 hours, depending on the time of the day due to commuter traffic on I-5, earlier the better.

As for the drive from Disneyland to LAX, you are looking at about an hour, maybe less at 4 AM ish. Much of the drive is on carpool lanes (2 or more people), I use the 91/605/105 option (and I live in Anaheim). But note, like Las Vegas, all rental car companies are off airport property, and you will need a shuttle to get to the specific terminal you plan to use. And the TSA lines are long at LAX in the early morning, so you need to add extra time for both issues, even if the freeways are fairly empty.

As for Disneyland and Christmas, yes, they do a lot of special events during the entire period, mostly focused on Disneyland Park. One big difference is the Candlelight Processional events, it is only offered one day at Disneyland and actualy on Main Street as compared to Disneyworld where it is held in a theater on multiple days.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/Events/holiday-season.htm

 

[smartlabelprint]

You need 2 days to see Disneyland. 3 minimum the DLR.

I'd drive to Anaheim after you're done at sea world. Although I'd watch blackfish before going to sea world. Hotels/Motels are more expensive in San Diego IME. I'd stay at a harbor Blvd hotel/motel.

 

[Sbk1234]

You need 2 days to see Disneyland. 3 minimum the DLR.

I'd drive to Anaheim after you're done at sea world. Although I'd watch blackfish before going to sea world. Hotels/Motels are more expensive in San Diego IME. I'd stay at a harbor Blvd hotel/motel.

this

 

[Darkbeer1]

While I would recommend a 3 day ParkHopper ticket, some folks just don't have the time to allow it, and opt for one day, in which case, what are their priorities of things to see and do? At Christmas time, and the fact OP regually goes to WDW, I would get a single park ticket and focus on the Disneyland park, and the special Holiday things, plus checking on the park that Walt Disney actually created.

As for the propaganda film, Blackfish. First off, the OP clearly stated they are a fan of Killer Whales (aka Orcas) and since SeaWorld is ending their shows, I can understand why the OP wants to see them.

https://seaworldcares.com/the-facts/truth-about-blackfish/

SeaWorld is one of the biggest providers of marine rescue on the west coast, and does it at no charge, using some of its profits to run the programs. In fact, the first program was started a year before SeaWorld San diego opened to the public.

And what SeaWorld does is similar to the shows the San Diego Zoo/Safari park offers, such as an Elephant show and a Sea Lion show.

 

[yeahdisney]

Thanks. For Saturday night the concert would let out I would guess 11pm. We could maybe get a car earlier that day and then drive out of Vegas for maybe 2 hours. But I think Dh and my friend would much rather crash and get up early in am and drive to San Diego. DH does not ride too many rides he is going to humor me for Disneyland.

I am totally willing to drive from San Diego to Anaheim at night. Friend can not take more days from work. Should we not get a hopper ticket date for Disneyland dec12.

What is blackfish?

And do we need to leave Las Vegas before 7am?
.

 

[jevs]

Thanks. For Saturday night the concert would let out I would guess 11pm. We could maybe get a car earlier that day and then drive out of Vegas for maybe 2 hours. But I think Dh and my friend would much rather crash and get up early in am and drive to San Diego. DH does not ride too many rides he is going to humor me for Disneyland.

I am totally willing to drive from San Diego to Anaheim at night. Friend can not take more days from work. Should we not get a hopper ticket date for Disneyland dec12.

What is blackfish?

And do we need to leave Las Vegas before 7am?
.

I wouldn't go to Disneyland without a hopper to be honest. It's a lot easier to park hop there than at WDW.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Darkbeer1]

What is Blackfish?, a film/movie that was created by Animal Activists to give SeaWorld a hard time about keeping Killer Whales captive. While much of the "documentary" have ben proven false, it did have an impact, and the main reason SeaWorld is ending the pre-planned "shows". But US law, once an organization (Zoos, Aquariums, Rescue Center and companies like SeaWorld) takes in an animal, they have to make sure it is taken care of for the rest of its life, unless they can get certification that it can be return to the wild and be able to take care of itself. Since many animals used have not learned to feed in the wild, or have injuries that won't allow it (think SeaWorld's Manatee program, where many of them come to the park in bad shape due to injury) they have to remain in captivity. Sometimes when a location closes or needs room, they find another location that is willing to take care of them and transport them there.

The link in Post #5 talks about "Blackfish".

And since you are trying to stay on a budget, and the "Disneyland Park" has more than a days worth of things to see and do, especially during the Christmas Season, I would opt for the single park ticket, since you said it would be about 50% more for the Hopper ($55 a person).

Is a ParkHopper nice? Of course it is, but if you are limited to a single day, it really isn't worth the different in price, at least in my opinion

 

[smartlabelprint]

Thanks. For Saturday night the concert would let out I would guess 11pm. We could maybe get a car earlier that day and then drive out of Vegas for maybe 2 hours. But I think Dh and my friend would much rather crash and get up early in am and drive to San Diego. DH does not ride too many rides he is going to humor me for Disneyland.

I am totally willing to drive from San Diego to Anaheim at night. Friend can not take more days from work. Should we not get a hopper ticket date for Disneyland dec12.

What is blackfish?

And do we need to leave Las Vegas before 7am?
.

If you're there 1 day you're only going to hit some highlights. I would not get a 1 day hopper.

 

[TashK]

What is Blackfish?, a film/movie that was created by Animal Activists to give SeaWorld a hard time about keeping Killer Whales captive. While much of the "documentary" have ben proven false, it did have an impact, and the main reason SeaWorld is ending the pre-planned "shows". But US law, once an organization (Zoos, Aquariums, Rescue Center and companies like SeaWorld) takes in an animal, they have to make sure it is taken care of for the rest of its life, unless they can get certification that it can be return to the wild and be able to take care of itself. Since many animals used have not learned to feed in the wild, or have injuries that won't allow it (think SeaWorld's Manatee program, where many of them come to the park in bad shape due to injury) they have to remain in captivity. Sometimes when a location closes or needs room, they find another location that is willing to take care of them and transport them there.

The link in Post #5 talks about "Blackfish".

And since you are trying to stay on a budget, and the "Disneyland Park" has more than a days worth of things to see and do, especially during the Christmas Season, I would opt for the single park ticket, since you said it would be about 50% more for the Hopper ($55 a person).

Is a ParkHopper nice? Of course it is, but if you are limited to a single day, it really isn't worth the different in price, at least in my opinion

Which parts were proven false?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread will give you a good idea about the similarities and differences between WDW and DLR: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. The info in the thread will help you get the most out of your one day.

 

[yeahdisney]

New question. DH likes staying by seaworld at the end of that day. For at the end of the day for Disneyland he thinks he would rather go to a LAX airport hotel, turn in the car that night at dollar, shuttle to hotel. And then catch shuttle in AM for 6:15 am flight.

I like embassy hotel, it's $200. But I can not figure out where dollar rental is located. Is it by the hotel at all?

I think I want dollar rental. $77

So what hotel could we stay that we could get the car back LATE Monday to dollar rental, take shuttle to a hotel, sleep and get back to airport for 6:15 AM.

Thanks again. And I think we will just do one day ticket, we can always change to a hopper there I would quess.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're looking at LAX airport rental cars, they are around the airport. I know, silly answer, but really, it's the truth. LAX has no onsite rental cars; you shuttle to them. And I don't know that he will find a shuttle from Dollar to your hotel.


As for SeaWorld, while I won't be watching Blackfish, the orca shows have been awkward and bizarre for a long long time. We sat through them twice, when DS was little and a few years later, and just hated the whole thing. They are SUPER cheesy, and since they tell the same stories but with different people telling it, the stories are total lies, really. It's just a show. (the dolphin show is bad, too, if they still have them) Since you love orcas, you might very well hate the shows, too, as it's the antithesis of what orcas are about.

I think letting them go to an aquarium concept is for the best.


BUT. The sea lion show is very cute, and doesn't feel as forced and awful. And go see Pets Rule. That show is incredible; they adopted a bunch of shelter pets and trained them to do little things on queue, and it's just adorable and makes you feel good (vs the orca show that makes a person feel somewhat dirty). The penguin exhibit is nice. etc. There are very nice things to do at SW even if you don't go near the orca and dolphin shows. (and we should know, because we avoid those shows entirely now but still enjoy the place)

 

[tarheelalum]

Pets Rule and the dolphin show are the best shows there. Also walk and and see the various aquariums. Seaworld has some incredible stuff. The Atlantis and Manta ride are the best they have. The Rapids ride is not that great. The bucket ride over Fiesta bay has gorgeous views but the height of it kind of creeps me out. Leave Vegas BEFORE 7am if you can. And don't try to drive up the 5 freeway to Anaheim between 7 and 9 am. Traffic is awful. Have a great time.

 

[Darkbeer1]

As for the drive from San Diego to Anaheim, leave early, and then try and stay in the left lanes, the first segment shouldn't be too bad through San Diego County and Camp Pendleton, but you will hit some traffic when you switch to Orange County in San Clemente for a few miles, but once you get past the city, there is a carpool lane (2 or more people in a vehicle) take that straight to Disneyland, (make sure and stay on the I-5 and not take the special I-405 exit), then use the special Disney Way carpool exit. It will place you on the west side of the freeway and close to Disneyland.

 

[VickiHD]

If you have a chance to have "breakfast with Shamu", it's a neat experience and the price for breakfast was not bad. You can read about it on the SW website. We just went to SW for the first time last month and REALLY enjoyed it.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Ok, here is a marked map from the LAX Dollar drop off to the LAX Embassy Suites, it is right about one mile apart using city streets.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6936564

No real places to stay near the Dollar drop off, you could take their shuttle to LAX, and then catch the Embassy shuttle back to the hotel (but drop off your luggage at the Hotel first, to make trip easier, also only the driver has to deal with the two shuttles). Also, ask Dollar if they can drop you off near the Embassy.

Maybe get quotes from Hertz and Budget if you really want to stay at the Embassy, as they are close. But be carefully some companies will charge you a drop off fee for using a second location, especially from another state.

To be honest, I would go cheap, stay at the two Choice Hotels I mentioned, sign up for Choice Privileges first to get a lower rate (membership is free), and then get up early to head to LAX, but that is me, who does like to watch my wallet when I can. Enjoy your trip.

By the way, what dates are you looking at....