September trip - comments on my plan please?

[Lizzim]

We are coming from the UK for a short trip at the end of September. We are flying in and out of LAX and are considering a brief trip to the Grand Canyon and Vegas along the way.

I have a loose plan at the moment but am trying to pin down the places for the trip so that I can book hotels etc - would be grateful for advice/comments.

Sat 22nd - Fly into LAX - need to book a hotel (near airport or go straight to Anaheim?)

Sun 23rd - Check into Grand Californian (already booked) for 4 nights:

3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure
1 day at Universal
Maybe try and see the Hollywood sign on the Universal day?

Thurs 27th check out of GC and travel to Vegas - stopping here for 1 night

Fri 28th drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon - stay here 1 night

Sat 29th - head back towards LA - stop somewhere on route?

Sun 30th - need to be in LA overnight so that we don't risk missing our flight home the next day?

Mon 1st - Fly home at 1600 - see some local sights before we go to airport?

This won't be our only trip to California as I know there is loads more to see but this is a short trip and I really want to see as much of DLR as possible

 

[StageTek]

Sat 22nd - Fly into LAX - need to book a hotel (near airport or go straight to Anaheim?)

I would say go to Anaheim. Nothing to do near LAX.

1 day at Universal
Maybe try and see the Hollywood sign on the Universal day?

Universal can be a full day - but they close early so a trip up to the Griffith Park Observatory (to see the sign) in the early evening would be great.

Sat 29th - head back towards LA - stop somewhere on route?

Sun 30th - need to be in LA overnight so that we don't risk missing our flight home the next day?

Maybe head straight to Hollywood on Saturday. See the local sights including the sign if you missed it on your Universal day.

 

[Lizzim]

Thanks StageTek,

I am now wondering if 1 night at the Grand Canyon is long enough - should we maybe stay 2 nights here?

 

[CPT Tripss]

Thanks StageTek,

I am now wondering if 1 night at the Grand Canyon is long enough - should we maybe stay 2 nights here?

Yes, stay two nights and skip Las Vegas . . . it's a full day drive from LA to Grand Canyon. See if you can get lodging inside the park. http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/

 

[Judy from Boise]

Honestly some of these decisions are highly influenced by your family's interests and possibly ages.........for some an hour at the GC is enough........

 

[Judy from Boise]

Honestly some of these decisions are highly influenced by your family's interests and possibly ages.........for some an hour at the GC is enough........

 

[Lizzim]

I probably should have mentioned - there are just the two of us going on this trip (myself (31) and my boyfriend (32) )

Well after a bit of thought we have made a few minor changes - and I think the final itinerary is below:

Sat 22nd - Fly into LAX - Booked the Doubletree Guest Suites Anaheim

Sun 23rd - Check into Grand Californian (already booked) for 4 nights:

3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure
1 day at Universal
Maybe try and see the Hollywood sign on the Universal day?

Thurs 27th check out of GC and travel to Vegas - stopping here for 2 nights. Possible hotels include Luxor, MGM Grand - any thoughts here?

Sat 29th - drive to Grand Canyon (early start - stop at Hoover Dam on the way) Have booked the Yavapai Lodge as the Bright Angel Lodge was fully booked - will keep looking and see if I can swap if there are any cancellations.

Sun 30th - Drive back to LA and stay in LA overnight - any suggestions?

Mon 1st - Fly home at 1600 - see some local sights?

 

[Judy from Boise]

for the Vegas portion, head over to that board for lots of great advice. If you can afford it , if I was only there for one night I would stay at the Bellagio.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Good move staying in the park at Grand Canyon!

Go to the websites for the big casino hotels and sign up for their email deals. Take a spin around this site - http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/?styleid=5, you might pick up an idea or two. Also - http://www.cheapovegas.com/

 

[Lizzim]

Have now decided on MGM at Vegas - we are doing 2 nights so decided against Bellagio.

Still trying to decide what to do on our last night. We were thinking about staying in Santa Monica but that seems to be an expensive option!