Love your trip!! We are WDW frequent flyers but have taken several trips the past few years to California and our great love...Disneyland!!! We have stayed in a few of the same hotels. Make sure you don't over schedule your Alcatraz day, I only say this because it takes a little time traveling out & back and the audio tour is excellent, we spent more time out there than we had anticipated. My then DS9 loved it and still talks about it and is fascinated with its history. We all really enjoyed it ( we traveled with my mom also). Also if you have time(but I don't think you do) the Walt Disney Family Museum is REALLY great, I think there is something for everyone but it's extra special for fans. Even if you can't do the Walt Disney Museum, right near it in the Presidio and close to Golden Gate is the Lucas Studios. This is a neat but quick stop. Basically the security guards greet you and allow you to enter the main lobby. There are some awesome displays, props, and artwork from his films...and a fun Yoda fountain in the courtyard. It's a neat little stop that really only takes about 20-30minutes tops and is directly on the route(overlooking) Golden Gate. I hear Lassen is supposed to be beautiful, I hope to make it on one of our next California adventures. We had fun at then Santa Cruz Boardwalk, but have never been there in true beach season. We love the historic roller coaster, and the kitschy feel to the rest of the park. However we don't spend tons of time there, and SOME areas can seem a little sketchy, BUT we have NEVER had a problem. Monterey is fun, and an interesting aquarium. We actually stayed at the Fog Catcher and really liked it. We were behind schedule in our touring and finished at Hearst Castle basically at closing time(instead of mid day as planned), and decided we would alter our plans and find a place to stay locally. We found Moonstone Beach and the Fog Catcher first and honestly we really liked it, and have talked about going back. The beach is really cute and we had fun hunting for Moonstones! Onto Disneyland....we LOVE it!!! It is not the same as WDW , some things are not as good, some are far superior, but mostly it's just a wonderful change of pace and experience. I love how close everything is. The food , especially counter service, is far superior. It's Walts park!!! It has Carsland!! Love it , love it, LOVE IT! As for the hotels....we REALLY like the Paradise Pier....especially the rooms you have. Just make sure you request a higher floor (maybe 10 &up..check this on PP disboard thread)...to make sure you re not at tree level. In my opinion, the high up park view rooms have THE best view of any of the WDW & DL resort rooms. Now I know they are not a bungalow lake view at the Poly, but for the price of a moderate(kind of), you get a phenomenal view! The view at night is crazy beautiful, and the aerial view of World of Color (with TV piped in music) is awesome(it does NOT replace seeing it in park). The rooms are pretty big by Disney Standards, probably because it's an older hotel. I feel it has enough Disney touches but others disagree. I also love certain buildings/rooms at the Disneyland Hotel but can't say they are better than the PPH. I love the Lobby and common areas of the GCH but I am not as impressed with the rooms, they seem smaller and darker. I think you will be very happy. Everything is so close at DL compared to WDW, who cares IF it takes you 2 extra minutes to commute to the parks? We always crossed the street & cut thru the GCH. I have been to
Legoland several times. My DS11is a
Lego fanatic! That being said, I think most of the rides will be a bit tame for your kids but there are a couple of good ones for older kids. I also think most anyone would enjoy mini land and the crazy awesome Lego creations throughout the park. I think if you research what rides you think will be up your alley age/interest wise, and just cruise the park looking at the Lego creations, skipping the rides on non interest, and finish in Miniland, you will enjoy it. There is nothing like Miniland, and non brick fans also find it fascinating. Be aware the water rides get you SOAKED! Also, Mindstorms is a program probably both of your kids would enjoy, it's programming robotic Legos, it's pretty fun, but you need to sign up as soon as you enter the park. The San Diego Zoo and it's Safari Park in Escondido are favorites of ours. The Zoo is VERY hilly , but worth it. Take the bus around the park to orient yourself, then maybe a sky tram back up to the top and come down one side, then maybe the shuttle back up to walk down the other...it's worth it.
You re going to have an amazing trip!!! We re hoping to hit DL in late August or October (both would be nice) to catch some of the 60th Anniversary celebration. We are also always plotting how to work more time into our trips to spend in San Fran or San Diego-we never have enough time in either city.
Have fun!
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They do have pressed penny machines in Disneyland right?!?!?!
