Other parks in addition to Disneyland

[temple4]

How would these parks rate for children (San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Universal Studios, Legoland). Plan to pick two out of the four). We will be taking children ages 2 - 10. We know Disneyland is already okay with everyone. Not worried about distance to/from Disneyland. We are driving from Northern California.

 

[Michelle]

Well, that is a wide range of choices there.

With kids that young I think I would choose Legoland and Sea World. Both have attractions geared to the younger crowd. Universal has a few things for younger kids but mostly appeals to teens and adults. The zoo is great for everyone but of course has no attractions, really.

Good luck deciding!

 

[year2late]

Legoland is a "comfortable"park. If the child is not a legomaniac, the fun will be consistent - and it might even be a bit relaxing (as compared to DL). If the child is a legomaniac - yeeehaaa. Legoland seems to bore many kids after say the age of 12. I have never been to Legoland when the crowds were awful. We usually pick this as our "Saturday" park becasue the others are too packed on Saturdays (especially Disneyland)

San Diego Zoo is immense. You spend most of the day walking (HIKING!). It is a fabulous zoo, but exhausting. My son especially enjpoyed it after he was 5 years old.

I would say no to Universal for the sake of the 2 year old.

Sea World would be my personal favorite. A nice combination of exploring and relaxing.

Have fun.

(You might look into Wild Animal Park as well.

 

[tink2dw]

San Diego Zoo is immense. You spend most of the day walking (HIKING!). It is a fabulous zoo, but exhausting.

San Diego Zoo is located in a Canyon!! The entrance is at the top and there are 3 [i think] Animal walkways down to the bottom.

If your kids are Animal crazy then the zoo might be a good chose. There are tour buses for $$,Buses that will pick you up at the bottom for $$ and The Skyway For$$.

 

[ilovemky]

Leooland and Sea world would be my guesses, also. I don't have kids and have not been to legoland but have heard it is great for kids under 12. the zoo has way too much walking--adults will have trouble and you really don't want to be carting kids up and down the hills, especially on a hot day!

 

[MateasMom]

My vote goes to LegoLand and the Zoo That's what my kids would enjoy most (2 and 4).

 

[alekana]

We love the Zoo and Sea World. Your 2 yr old will probably not be tall enough for some of the rides at LegoLand. If you want totally different activities from DL, I would pick the Zoo and SeaWorld. The zoo is a lot of walking, but you can take your time.

Tracey

 

[missypie]

Yes, avoid Universal ... my kids were 7, 10 and 12 and only the 12 year old really got into everything. My pretty fearless 7 year old was scared by just about everything but the Animal Planet show.

 

[carriep1657]

We have taken our 5 year old DD and 2 year old DS to Legoland, the Zoo, and SeaWorld. We enjoyed them all. DD loved Legoland. It is by far her favorite. Next she would choose SeaWorld. Those were also my two favorite. DS seemed to like Legoland the best and enjoy the other two about equally.

 

[M&M's Daddy]

We spent a day at Knott's last year (2 @ DL and 1 @ DCA). Our DD's 2 1/2 and 6 loved it. They have a pretty good Camp Snoopy area for kids under 12. We never left camp snoopy so I don't have a clue what the rest of the park was like. There was one very cute ride on rails that was one of our DD's all time favorite rides from any park (WDW, DL, DCA, EPCOT... included). The ride was modeled after the old manually cranked rail cards. DD's rode it at least 6 or 7 times that afternoon.

 

[dsnylndmom]

We also like Knott's, especially Mrs Knott's Chicken Dinner! LOL

My boys are 4 & 8 but have been to Knott's at many different ages. The little ones will have fun at Camp Snoopy and riding the train, the log ride(both my kids went on this at 18mths it's not as big as DL)the mine train ride, the stagecoach and the little boat around the lake. The bigger kids have quite a few roller coaster's and bumper cars to choose from nowadays! And make sure you end your day at Knott's with Mrs. Knott's Kitchen!!!!!

Oh there's a calm little dark ride that takes you "back into the future" to the dinosaur age, it's not scary and is for all ages. Although it was 10 times better when it was the Beary Tales Ride(anyone remember that??)

HTH
Tina