Overwhelmed with planning our first trip in SoCal and DLR in April 2018

[isabellea]

Hi,

When DH realized we had enough points to have two 'free' direct flights to LAX from Montreal, QC (YUL) we we booked April 2018 (4/21-4/28). Now that I have days, I need to start planning our trip and I'm really overwhelmed. We are WDW vets (I already read that thread) but I have a lot to learn about LA, SoCal and DLR.

But first, if I want to book some hotel rooms, I need to know when we are going to DLR. We arrive at LAX a Saturday at 11:23am and leave at 8am the following Saturday. So we have have a total of 6.5 days to fill with our must-dos. I am planning on getting 3 days tickets with park hopper with our airmiles points and the rest of our stay would be in San Diego and visiting the coast and beaches since we will have a rental car. What itinerary would you prefer?

Version 1:

Sat 4/21: Arrive at LAX, get rental car and go to Santa Monica pier before heading to Anaheim. Stay close to DLR.
Sun 4/22: Go to Huntington Beach.
Mon 4/23: Go to DLR
Tues 4/24: Go to DLR
Wed 4/25: Go to DLR for me and to a close-by beach for DH for a surfing lesson (I'm not a beach person and DH is not as much a Disney person as me -- he would meet me for dinner and evening at DLR).
Thurs 4/26: Drive south to San Diego
Fri 4/27: San Diego and drive back to LA after traffic to stay at a hotel close to LAX
Sat 4/28: Early flight back home

Version 2:

Sat 4/21: Arrive at LAX, get rental car and go to Santa Monica pier before heading to San Diego (we won't be in a hurry).
Sun 4/22: Go to San Diego zoo.
Mon 4/23: Go to a beach before driving to our Anaheim hotel
Tues 4/24: Go to DLR
Wed 4/25: Go to DLR
Thurs 4/26: Go to DLR for me and to a close-by beach for DH for a surfing lesson (I'm not a beach person and DH is not a big Disney fan -- he will meet me for dinner and evening at DLR).
Fri 4/27: Spend the day in LA (probably visit the museum with the shuttle Endeavour and then stay at a hotel close to LAX
Sat 4/28: Early flight back home

Suggestions on where to stay in San Diego, Anaheim and close to LAX are welcome as we are trying to keep our hotel budget to less than 200$/night.

Any advantage at going to DLR earlier in the week crowd-wise? Will there be nighttime shows like F!, WOC and fireworks that time of year?

Finally, are there any tours like they do at WDW that I should consider for my solo day? Since we always go to WDW with kids, I never did a tour and I am thinking it could be fun to do.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[pennym]

The Residence Inn at LAX was very nice. Free shuttle to airport.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I know this doesn't fit either of your options, but I would hit DL on at least one "weekend" day (Sunday or Friday) to make sure you can see all available entertainment. The shows like F! and fireworks will probably only show those days... it's tough to know about the parade options. If you plan for a weekend day, though, you're sure to maximize your options.

 

[isabellea]

What nighttime shows are not on weekdays in April? Only the fireworks and F! or WOC? I can always see F! at WDW but I don't want to miss WOC!!!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

WOC runs during the week. If you are sticking to all weekdays for DLR, I personally like the sound of the second itinerary. Get San Diego out of the way first, then move back up to Anahiem so you're closer to LAX and can do LA touring on your final day. Also you really don't want to drive from San Diego to LA on a Friday evening, that would be a traffic nightmare.

Not sure if you are set on San Diego but it's really far to go for just 1.5 days really. Likely a 2 hour drive from LA (and depending on what time you leave traffic could make that a 3 or more hour drive). But the zoo is nice. I actually prefer the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is not in San Diego proper, it's in Escondido. You can splurge and go on the safari tour that lets you feed the giraffes and rhinos. I've done it and it's worth every penny!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Unless it is closed for a refurb, something DL will not tell you until much closer to your dates, World of Color will likely run every night. Just as likely though, Fantasmic and fireworks will run only on weekend nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), so if those shows are important to you, I would include at least one weekend night at DL in your itinerary.

However, I would also do San Diego at the beginning of the trip rather than end which messes up the chance to be in DL on a weekend with the days you have to work with. Like a pp said, I wouldn't want to drive from San Diego to LA on a Friday night either. So going by the list of things that you want to do, I would go with the second itinerary for better flow and less harried travel.

If I was going to offer suggestions for changes to your travel plan, I personally would drop the San Diego time unless the zoo is a bucket list type item. Southern California traffic can be time-consuming and such a short stint in San Diego may not be worth it. If you were to drop San Diego off the list, you could still start with Santa Monica pier then head to Anaheim when done there. Make Sunday a DLR day to maximize entertainment opportunities. You may even want to add a day to your Disney passes. You don't need to visit Disney on consecutive days, so take time for a day trip from Anaheim to visit a different area beach that is not such a long drive as San Diego. Finish with LA as planned but consider adding a night to the LA portion of the trip for other interesting museums or attractions if you are concerned about having too much Anaheim time.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, after Spring Break "season" ends, fireworks and F! are likely to only be presented on weekends (Fri, Sat, and Sun). WoC is usually presented nightly (baring refurbishment), but the schedule won't be announced until much closer to your dates (45-days in advance, usually). That being said, if seeing either fireworks or F! are important, I would try to slot in one weekend evening. It is worth noting that April 21 and 22, 2018 is when Spring Dapper Days is slated, so there will probably a pretty good sized crowd in the parks on those days.

What nighttime shows are not on weekdays in April? Only the fireworks and F! or WOC? I can always see F! at WDW but I don't want to miss WOC!!!

While it is true that you can see F! at WDW, note that it is not the same show. DLR debuted a new version of F! earlier this summer, which is markedly different from the one presented at DHS. While the basic elements are the same, the individual scenes are different. It's kind of like saying, both MK and DL present fireworks, but while both shows have fireworks, the show themselves have different music, arrangements, etc..

 

[tarheelalum]

Your vacation looks like it is going to be exhausting. You might want to consider taking something out.

 

[GeneralTso]

I think you are overthinking and over planning this. Relax, choose a few things that look fun to you and go with that.
You've got a lot of detail there, and it's exhausting just looking at it. Disneyland is much more chill than WDW. You don't need to plan within an inch of your life.
This is your vacation, so pick a few anchor things and flow with it. Don't worry too much. You're gonna have a blast!

 

[halfmonkey]

Here is my $.02. I would personally take out Huntington Beach and Santa Monica Pier. Those are cool places to visit IF you have the time but your itinerary looks very stressed and tiring. I don't think you'll have much time to do much between driving to those locations after landing at LAX and then trying to get down to SD and then drive back to Anaheim. I would personally suggest maybe just flying directly into SD. Do the World Famous San Diego Zoo and go to one of our beaches. La Jolla Shores is always a nice beach and in a nice part of town. The Coronado Island also is nice and is also in a nice part of town not too far from Downtown and the airport. I would suggest spending some available time in San Diego and then driving up to Disneyland. Also, I don't know what part of the country you're coming from but for many folks that have never experienced LA traffic, they get the shock of a lifetime. Again, another reason to avoid all of that driving and just fly directly into SD.

 

[isabellea]

Very happy to know I should be able to see WOC! I’m even planning on booking the dessert WOC event to have guaranteed spots for it since I don’t think we’ll come back to DLR before 2022 since I want to go to Paris Disney in 2019 for my 40th birthday, Tokyo Disney in 2020 for our 20th anniversary and get APs for WDW 50th anniversary in 2021. I was hoping to see F! too but it’s not the end of the world if I miss it. Another option would be to do DLR Sunday-Monday-Tuesday and go to San Diego Wednesday-Thursday and go back to LA Friday after morning rush hour... Too many options and I really want to book my hotel in Anaheim as soon as possible!

WOC runs during the week. If you are sticking to all weekdays for DLR, I personally like the sound of the second itinerary. Get San Diego out of the way first, then move back up to Anahiem so you're closer to LAX and can do LA touring on your final day. Also you really don't want to drive from San Diego to LA on a Friday evening, that would be a traffic nightmare.

Not sure if you are set on San Diego but it's really far to go for just 1.5 days really. Likely a 2 hour drive from LA (and depending on what time you leave traffic could make that a 3 or more hour drive). But the zoo is nice. I actually prefer the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is not in San Diego proper, it's in Escondido. You can splurge and go on the safari tour that lets you feed the giraffes and rhinos. I've done it and it's worth every penny!

We are not set into anything other than DLR (for me) and some beach time (for DH). That’s why I offered him to go to Dana Point for a surfing lesson while I go solo a third day in DLR! We really want to see the Pacific coast so we thought of driving down to San Diego to see more of it but I am open to any other suggestions. We thought of staying in LA instead of driving south to SD but Hollywood/LA doesn’t appeal to me much. We live in a big city with lots of traffic so I’m not too keen on staying in LA. In fact, if I had more time, I would have preferred driving north to Monterey or to Sequoia National Park!

Unless it is closed for a refurb, something DL will not tell you until much closer to your dates, World of Color will likely run every night. Just as likely though, Fantasmic and fireworks will run only on weekend nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), so if those shows are important to you, I would include at least one weekend night at DL in your itinerary.

However, I would also do San Diego at the beginning of the trip rather than end which messes up the chance to be in DL on a weekend with the days you have to work with. Like a pp said, I wouldn't want to drive from San Diego to LA on a Friday night either. So going by the list of things that you want to do, I would go with the second itinerary for better flow and less harried travel.

If I was going to offer suggestions for changes to your travel plan, I personally would drop the San Diego time unless the zoo is a bucket list type item. Southern California traffic can be time-consuming and such a short stint in San Diego may not be worth it. If you were to drop San Diego off the list, you could still start with Santa Monica pier then head to Anaheim when done there. Make Sunday a DLR day to maximize entertainment opportunities. You may even want to add a day to your Disney passes. You don't need to visit Disney on consecutive days, so take time for a day trip from Anaheim to visit a different area beach that is not such a long drive as San Diego. Finish with LA as planned but consider adding a night to the LA portion of the trip for other interesting museums or attractions if you are concerned about having too much Anaheim time.

The San Diego zoo is a bucket list item but I know we will be back in California with the kids for 2-3 weeks in the future but probably not before 2022. We like doing road trips and driving 2h to see something fun is not a problem for us (we usually drive to WDW from Montreal, a 22h drive). As for adding a day, I would love to but DH won't be on board. I was able to 'sell' him 2 days and then add a day for myself by suggesting to him he could go take a surfing lesson for most of the day while I'm in the parks. lol.

As others have said, after Spring Break "season" ends, fireworks and F! are likely to only be presented on weekends (Fri, Sat, and Sun). WoC is usually presented nightly (baring refurbishment), but the schedule won't be announced until much closer to your dates (45-days in advance, usually). That being said, if seeing either fireworks or F! are important, I would try to slot in one weekend evening. It is worth noting that April 21 and 22, 2018 is when Spring Dapper Days is slated, so there will probably a pretty good sized crowd in the parks on those days.

While it is true that you can see F! at WDW, note that it is not the same show. DLR debuted a new version of F! earlier this summer, which is markedly different from the one presented at DHS. While the basic elements are the same, the individual scenes are different. It's kind of like saying, both MK and DL present fireworks, but while both shows have fireworks, the show themselves have different music, arrangements, etc..

I understand that refurbishment happens and will be disappointed but that's life! Thanks for the dapper days dates. Let say I go to DLR on Sunday April 22 just to see F!, should I book a dinner package or will it be possible to see it? Crowds don't scare me, especially since I will have two more days to do my must-dos and dapper days could be fun to experience!

I know that F! is not the same at WDW (I never seen it even if we visit WDW every year because DH always want to watch the Star War fireworks and unpredictable event always prevented us to attend a representation at DHS) but I assumed that WDW would also update their version in a near future. But maybe not and maybe I should make an effort to see it while at DLR.

Your vacation looks like it is going to be exhausting. You might want to consider taking something out.

I guess it is a little exhausting but we will have a 6h flight to rest on the way back! Lol.

 

[isabellea]

Here is my $.02. I would personally take out Huntington Beach and Santa Monica Pier. Those are cool places to visit IF you have the time but your itinerary looks very stressed and tiring. I don't think you'll have much time to do much between driving to those locations after landing at LAX and then trying to get down to SD and then drive back to Anaheim. I would personally suggest maybe just flying directly into SD. Do the World Famous San Diego Zoo and go to one of our beaches. La Jolla Shores is always a nice beach and in a nice part of town. The Coronado Island also is nice and is also in a nice part of town not too far from Downtown and the airport. I would suggest spending some available time in San Diego and then driving up to Disneyland. Also, I don't know what part of the country you're coming from but for many folks that have never experienced LA traffic, they get the shock of a lifetime. Again, another reason to avoid all of that driving and just fly directly into SD.

We live in Montreal, QC and I once read an article that ranked Mtl #4 for worst traffic in North America after LA and Vancouver (I don't remember #3) so traffic is not something we are afraid of but one of the reason I wanted to go to San Diego instead of visiting landmarks in LA was to avoid some of it. In fact, hubby is looking forward to experience LA traffic (weird I know)! We also looked at getting flights to San Diego but with our points we had to have an overnight layover in Toronto or NJ instead of a direct flight to LAX.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We are not set into anything other than DLR (for me) and some beach time (for DH). That’s why I offered him to go to Dana Point for a surfing lesson while I go solo a third day in DLR! We really want to see the Pacific coast so we thought of driving down to San Diego to see more of it but I am open to any other suggestions. We thought of staying in LA instead of driving south to SD but Hollywood/LA doesn’t appeal to me much. We live in a big city with lots of traffic so I’m not too keen on staying in LA. In fact, if I had more time, I would have preferred driving north to Monterey or to Sequoia National Park!

The San Diego zoo is a bucket list item but I know we will be back in California with the kids for 2-3 weeks in the future but probably not before 2022. We like doing road trips and driving 2h to see something fun is not a problem for us (we usually drive to WDW from Montreal, a 22h drive). As for adding a day, I would love to but DH won't be on board. I was able to 'sell' him 2 days and then add a day for myself by suggesting to him he could go take a surfing lesson for most of the day while I'm in the parks. lol.

If you want to "see" the Pacific Coast by driving to San Diego, then what you want to do is drive down Pacific Coast Highway rather than the freeway (starting in LA, you can pick up PCH and take it all the way to Dana Point) . This is a very beautiful drive that takes you through interesting beach towns, including Sunset Beach, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar and Laguna Beach--the best in my opinion). Know that driving down PCH will be at least twice as long as the freeway... although to continue on to San Diego you would have to pick up the freeway in Dana Point. So I would give yourself four hours to get to San Diego if you wanted to do this, or even make it an all-day thing so you can actually stop in the various towns to see the sights.

I also wanted to share that you said you like driving... driving down PCH with no timetable is very enjoyable. Driving on the freeways during traffics horrible... no matter how might you like driving. You just creep along, inch by inch. It's not fun.

If Hollywood/LA doesn't appeal to you (it does not appeal to me!), I would waste no time getting a rental car at the airport and immediately getting on PCH for your leisurely drive along the coast to San Diego. Don't worry about spending any time in LA.

Finally, Dana Point is not a close-by beach for your DH to take surfing lessons while you go to Disney. It is about a 45-minute drive from the DLR. Huntington Beach is closer.

 

[figment_jii]

I understand that refurbishment happens and will be disappointed but that's life! Thanks for the dapper days dates. Let say I go to DLR on Sunday April 22 just to see F!, should I book a dinner package or will it be possible to see it? Crowds don't scare me, especially since I will have two more days to do my must-dos and dapper days could be fun to experience!

I know that F! is not the same at WDW (I never seen it even if we visit WDW every year because DH always want to watch the Star War fireworks and unpredictable event always prevented us to attend a representation at DHS) but I assumed that WDW would also update their version in a near future. But maybe not and maybe I should make an effort to see it while at DLR.

Even before the new version debuted, the versions at DL and WDW were already different (I don't think they were ever carbon copies). I think the DHS version has much better seating, but the DL version is the better show. If you can, I would see the DL version at least once (although, maybe it would be better to see the DHS version first so you aren't left feeling disappointed...at least that's how I felt after seeing the DHS version, especially regarding the dragon and the finale). Either way, I would strongly consider getting a dining package because then you don't have to worry about getting a FP. However, it would be worth asking when FPs are running out much closer to your trip; right now, it's still a new show so the demand is high. By April, things might have calmed down.

 

[Princess_Kirky]

I would do either LA or SD not both. I am not a fan of LA at all so my suggestion is SD. LA is a no for me. Personal preference. Santa Monica was a jolt after a nice peaceful week in La Jolla. Nope. Nope. Nope.

We flew into LAX because we saved $1200 as a family for a SD vacation. It took us about 5-6 hours to get to SD from LAX. Never will I do that again! Driving is terrible and downright scary at times.

We stayed in La Jolla for 8 nights and 1 night near LAX before our flight home (with a visit to Santa Monica - wish we would have skipped it). We did drive up to DLR for one full day in the middle of the week and it worked fine. We left La Jolla at 6:00am and came home after 11:00pm.

If you do decide to go to SD there is a lot more to it than the zoo. Check out Old Town, Donut Bar, shops in La Jolla Village, Birch Aquarium, Coronado Island etc.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

The San Diego zoo is a bucket list item but I know we will be back in California with the kids for 2-3 weeks in the future but probably not before 2022. We like doing road trips and driving 2h to see something fun is not a problem for us (we usually drive to WDW from Montreal, a 22h drive). As for adding a day, I would love to but DH won't be on board. I was able to 'sell' him 2 days and then add a day for myself by suggesting to him he could go take a surfing lesson for most of the day while I'm in the parks. lol.

Well then I would vote for dumping Santa Monica Pier and LA from the itinerary and adding a day to the San Diego time. There have already been a number of great suggestions for things to do in addition to the zoo. I personally love San Diego as a tourist. Drive to Anaheim on the Tuesday, and do DLR Wednesday through Friday. How early is the flight home? Either drive to a hotel near LAX late Friday after the worst of the traffic, or get up crazy early the next morning to get to the airport in LAX from Anaheim.

 

[jessrose18]

going through a similar planning issue....... so if we leave san diego super early and drive up the coast to anaheim during the week is that also a nightmare? we would want to take some time to stop and see a few things ( from the side of the road probably) we were thinking of disney then san diego...but maybe san diego then disney is better?

 

[farmfresh]

I think your first plan would work with a minor tweak. Arrive on Sat and head to DLR. Skip Santa Monica pier ( we love staying in SM but, and generally do so for a few nights before hitting Anaheim, but the pier itself is no biggie!). Head to the parks Sunday Mon Tuesday, San Diego Wed Thurs Fri. That gives you plenty of time in DL, including a weekend day, and minimizes your driving around.

You could add in your Huntington Beach day, but if so pick Monday or Wednesday. This means you can use your 3 day hopper early entry admission on Tuesday (make sure you don't book the surfing that day ) If necessary you could go Sunday, and see F! fireworks etc on the Saturday night when you arrive. But you'd need to add a day on to your ticket, and stay in DL Wednesday. You really need 3 full days there as a minimum although two is doable but tiring.

My thinking is that it is better to skip Huntington, and add a day on to San Diego.

Hope that helps - enjoy your trip.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

going through a similar planning issue....... so if we leave san diego super early and drive up the coast to anaheim during the week is that also a nightmare? we would want to take some time to stop and see a few things ( from the side of the road probably) we were thinking of disney then san diego...but maybe san diego then disney is better?

If by "driving up the coast" you mean driving up Pacific Coast Highway, you should be fine as long as you miss the morning rush hour on the freeway from San Diego to Dana Point, where you can pick up PCH. PCH itself shouldn't have much traffic on a weekday, although it's a slow road in general because it has few lanes and is more winding. If by "drive up the coast" you intend to take the freeway, there isn't much to see from the side of the road.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Something to think about:

Sat 4/21: Arrive at LAX, get rental car and drive to Huntington Beach, stay overnight in hotel there
Sun 4/22: Enjoy Huntington Beach, then drive to San Diego, drop by La Jolla Children's Pool & see the sea lions there (hopefully they'll have pups, maybe watch sunset from there) - have dinner at Seaport Village in San Diego
Mon 4/23: San Diego Zoo (or San Diego Safari Park - both close around 5pm, and spring is a good time to visit - I've been to both, and have segments on our podcast about them) - have dinner at Old Town if you spent time at zoo
Tue 4/24: Drive up to LA - either drive up PCH and enjoy places like Beachcombers for lunch at Crystal Cove Cottages, or visit Mission San Juan Capistrano and eat at a nearby restaurant for lunch
Wed 4/25: DLR
Thu 4/26: DLR (surfing lesson for DH at Huntington, Seal, or Newport Beach)
Fri 4/27: DLR
Sat 4/28: Early flight back home



Version 2:

Sat 4/21: Arrive at LAX, get rental car and go to Santa Monica pier before heading to San Diego (we won't be in a hurry).
Sun 4/22: Go to San Diego zoo.
Mon 4/23: Go to a beach before driving to our Anaheim hotel
Tues 4/24: Go to DLR
Wed 4/25: Go to DLR
Thurs 4/26: Go to DLR for me and to a close-by beach for DH for a surfing lesson (I'm not a beach person and DH is not a big Disney fan -- he will meet me for dinner and evening at DLR).
Fri 4/27: Spend the day in LA (probably visit the museum with the shuttle Endeavour and then stay at a hotel close to LAX
Sat 4/28: Early flight back home