San Diego Zoo or Knott's Berry Farm with 1 year old...

[Disneyland1084]

My family and I are considering another trip to DL in February. On one of the days we want to go to either Knott's Berry Farm or the San Diego zoo. My 1 year old DD will be with us. Which place do you think is better considering her age?

 

[kelmac284]

Personally I would do the zoo. I have been to both and I think Knotts doesn't have much to offer a little one. My kids are 6 and 7 and didn't have much they could do. The zoo is always fun and I think little ones always can appreciate looking at the animals. I guess it just depends on what "you" want to do.

 

[kuusimo]

I agree. We took our 2 and 1 year old a few years ago to Knott's and stayed there for about 2 hours. We also went to the zoo and spent the entire day there. You just have the drive to San Diego and back if that is an issue.

 

[bumbershoot]

Zoo.

There's also the option of Amtrak to get there and back!

 

[Tigger girl]

IMO Knott's is just not in DL's league, you will be very disappointed. I would suggest the zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park--though they will be a 1-1/2 hour drive for you if there is not any traffic and 3 hours during peak traffic.

The Amtrak is very convenient, yet expensive and you'll have to take a bus from the train station to the zoo.

Have you looked into Legoland? It is a fun park for the younger crowd and is half the distance to the zoo.

 

[DisQueen]

I agree with the Legoland suggestion. We just spent the da there today. Although an amusement park, it's much calmer and more geared to little ones than DL. SD zoo is a great zoo, we're members there also, but it is a zoo - not as unique as Legoland. I completely agree that Knott's doesn't offer too much for little kids and it's a typical amusement park. It's fun when kids get older, but not so much at 1 yr.

 

[Albort]

Consider Sea World too

 

[kelmac284]

I agree with the others. If you are looking for a park for the little ones Sea World or Legoland are much better options than Knotts. Knotts is more geared to older kids and adults. And as someone else said it aint Disney. After going there this past July I won't be back for a LONG time. I prefer the Disney style park any day!

 

[EmEyeSeeKayEeWhy]

Definitely the Zoo My little one's seemed to love the zoo more....once you see DL, there just seems to be a little bit of a let down when you go to Knotts after IMHO

 

[ACDSNY]

Knott's Berry Farm isn't what it used to be and not up to the Disney standard. Any of the other options above would be a better choice.

 

[zukeeper]

The zoo seemed better suited to 4yo or older to me. My daughter was reading at the time (7 years) and was able to read signs about the animals so enjoyed that. Absolutely forget Knotts. I can vouch for SeaWorld - they have a fantastic play area for little ones and the shows are entertaining. I would think Legoland would be a good hands on place as well as ride friendly. There is also the Wild Animal Park to consider.

 

[abouley]

Keep in mind that at Legoland they have to be I think it's 36" to ride most of the rides. We went when my son was 2 and had a great time but I was glad he was tall enough. Even the little cars (very similar to Autopia) had a minimum height requirement. Sea World has a great kids play area and the shows are great but sometimes hard for a 1 year old to sit through....especially if you have to sit and wait for it to start. My son liked the zoo at 2 but keep in mind it's a lot of walking up and down hills (or you can always do the buses). I haven't been to Knott's Berry in a long time so can't say there. I'm sure you'll have fun whatever you decide!

Alison

 

[sasha]

I agree with Alison, while Legoland is a lot of fun, there is a height requirement for almost all of the rides. We went there when our youngest DD was almost 2 and she only went on two rides total. It was really frustrating for all of us. It was crazy because some of the rides were so slow & tame and I thought for sure my 2yo would be able to ride, but they were pretty strict about their height requirements. I even talked to someone that worked there and they said that there were only 3 rides in all of Legoland that DD could go on.

I've never been to Sea World so I can't give advice about that place. It's next on our "to do" list.

As far as the zoo goes, I think it really depends on your DD. If she's anything like my DDs you may be a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I know many kids who love the zoo, but it just doesn't keep the interest of my girls yet. DD#1 (who has always been a HUGE animal lover) didn't seem to enjoy the zoo until she turned 4, and DD#2 is still too young to really enjoy the zoo. My girls seem more interested in the snacks I brought for them than the animals. I think it really depends on the child. Although they do love the play area there!

I think I'm gonna go against the grain on Knott's. First of all let me say that it IN NO WAY compares to DL. It's not even close to a DL experience, so if that's what you're looking for you'll be disappointed. Our family would prefer DL any day hands down! With that said, we have found that our girls really enjoy Camp Snoopy. Unlike Legoland, our youngest DD is able to go on practically all of the rides at Camp Snoopy. They have a little train ride, a mini ferris wheel, a school bus ride, a bounce house, and many more that cater to young children. Whenever we go to Knotts we spend all day in Camp Snoopy and our girls love it. Plus there's Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner restaurant that you MUST try if you've never been. Yummy! Now, I need to add that I don't think Knott's is worth the full admission price. We only go when they have a special promotion or when we haven't had to pay full price. That would be another story since it's not worth it if that's the case.

Have fun wherever you decide to go!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD7 too loves KBF, especially Camp Snoopy. We go off season (never in the summer!) and one time we kept count ,and she rode 26 rides, and I rode some as well. They have a few great coasters., but no it's not Disney, but then who is-besides Disney?

Personally, I (and DD and DM)find the zoo boring. You don't always get to see many animals. And there is a lot of walking (unless you buy the bus pass). I much prefer The Wild Animal Park over the Zoo anyday. We really enjoy the WAP, you might want to consider it too. The Lion Camp alone is very cool! The only ride is the tram ride.

As far as Legoland goes, there's not much for a 1 y/o to do, or even adults. We took my DD there when she was 4 and there weren't many rides she could ride then. For us, it was not a full day park.

I think I would do Sea World. If your DD is into sea animals at all, she will really enjoy it. The shows are great! She can touch things in the tidal pool and it's just a beautiful park.

By the way, I currently have AP to DL, KBF, SW, and my SD Zoo membership just lapsed-I'll be renewing it before the holidays.

HTH

 

[DangerMouse]

I say, save your time and gas and spend an additional day at DLR!

 

[darph nader]

I have to agree with DangerMouse. The zoo is cool,but unless you get a 'deluxe' pass,which include shuttle rides, it's a lot of pushing a stroller up hill
Sea World would be better,but

 

[jencav5]

I would go with the zoo. We travel in Southern CA often and we always drive to the zoo or animal park from Anaheim. It only takes 1 & 1/2 hours to either one. It has never taken us longer than that, even in traffic. We usually use the commuter lanes. Legoland is a 1 hour drive. Going south on 5 from Anaheim is not as bad as going north. We have done both of these drives in busy times and slow times. In February, it should not be too busy. Legoland is very good for small children, but it is true about the height requirements for the rides. They also have a nice duplo play area for little ones. You can check all of that online. Also, Legoland is closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays during that time of year. The zoo is really nice. It's fun and relazing compared to a day at Disney. Yes, there's a lot of walking, but it's leisurely, at your own pace. You can also buy a bus pass to help you get around and they have escalators in certain areas, too. I hope this helps! Happy planning!

 

[disney-super-mom]

All a 1 year old needs besides a full tummy and a dry bottom is lots of interesting things to see and hear, and all of the previously mentioned attractions (Knotts, Zoo, Sea World, Legoland, Disneyland) provide plenty of both. She really isn't going to care. You go where YOU want to go.