Southern Cal Adventure (SW, Zoo, Lego, DL); 4/6-4/12. Trip Report Updated 4/18 Page 2

[chttyangel]

So I have done two DL trip reports on here over the years. I never used pictures (boring) and I have never done a pre-trip. This time our trip is focusing on more then just DL and into some areas I am not as familar with SO....I decided to do a pre-trip report to get us ready and also to get comments/suggestions. I am also determined to figure out the picture thing!

About us; Myself, my DS (6) and my DD (14) will be going on the trip. My other DS (16) will be staying home with DH. DS is too cool and has other things planned for spring break. DH just got a new job. So I am looking forward to bounding time with my two youngest. All three of us are go...go..go people. When DH goes he is more slow paced and likes an afternoon nap. Not us; there will be no napping!

Pre-planning; This trip started with me finding a great deal on a package for 3 days in San Diego on Expedia. And turned into a whole week trip after a sale from SWA this weekend. I decided to let the kids get involved with the planning so I made a list and had them rate all the area attractions. A high rating; must do. A low rating; could care less. You get the idea. DS listed Disney and Lego high. DD was the exact opposite.

So....here is the plan so far. I am open to ideas;

Day One (Friday); Arrive at John Wayne. Drive to San Diego. Dinner/Exploring in Seaport Village or Coronado or ?????????
**Hotel somewhere in hotel circle area.

Day Two (Saturday); Zoo day!! Majority of day at zoo; explore Balboa Park if time. Dinner in Old Town (Mexican food hopefully)
**Same hotel

Day Three (Sunday); Seaworld!! Dinner in Gas Light district.
** Hotel ???????? Not sure if we should stay in San Diego or head closer to the Wild Animal Park. Thoughts??

Day Four (Monday); SD Wild Animal Park. Dinner?? Maybe beach time??
**Hotel in Carlsbad

Day Five (Tuesday); Legoland. Drive back to Anahiem. Late Dinner at DTD
**Hotel in Anahiem

Day Six (Wednesday); Disneyland. ALL DAY/EVENING

Day Seven (Thursday); Sleep in and go home.

That's it. Thanks for reading and any recommendations. I am a total planner and I think I drive DH crazy with my planning. Nice to have a group to talk to!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Subscribing!!

 

[chttyangel]

Booked two of our hotels today!!

In Anaheim booked the Anaheim Plaza Hotel. It's nothing fancy BUT we have stayed here before and liked it. The hotel has a nice pool, is in walking distance and the grounds are nice; plus last time we had a nice patio. All the hotels across from Park were 125 and up since it was Springbreak. This is about a block and was $89!!! Only downside, no breakfast.

For Legoland we booked Best Western Oceanside. Once again not fancy but got good reviews. 1 mile to beach, 5 miles to Legoland. Breakfast included!! Rockbottom price of $61!!

Still need a place in San Diego. Maybe tomorrow. As you can see, not big on staying anywhere fancy. When the hubs and I go alone we enjoy the finer places but 6 nights with two kids; safe, location, clean and price were our top priorities!

 

[chttyangel]

Everything’s ready (I think)!!! I booked our hotel in San Diego yesterday. Ramada Plaza San Diego Hotel Circle. There were some great beach hotels but I figured for us this was all we really need. Seemed close to everything and I got a great rate!

Also booked the rental car and sent my brother-n-law to the military travel office for all my park tickets. Had him get everything but Disney. The military discount on one day tickets is only a few dollars and haven’t made my mind on park hoppers yet. I mean one day during spring break; two Parks may be overly ambitious. PLUS all the construction and my daughter likes roller coasters but she will not ride alone. So that just leaves 4 or 5 main rides. Think I may save the $75 and just do DL this time. DD will be bummed to miss the Little Mermaid ride thou. Maybe we can come back for just a Disney trip in the Fall after Cars opens!! (hint, hint to DH)

So that's all for now. Will post more in April when we are there. I hope I figure out pics by then; I read the directions but I don't have access to post attachments??

 

[MotoWifey185]

My responses are in BOLD.

So I have done two DL trip reports on here over the years. I never used pictures (boring) and I have never done a pre-trip. This time our trip is focusing on more then just DL and into some areas I am not as familar with SO....I decided to do a pre-trip report to get us ready and also to get comments/suggestions. I am also determined to figure out the picture thing!

About us; Myself, my DS (6) and my DD (14) will be going on the trip. My other DS (16) will be staying home with DH. DS is too cool and has other things planned for spring break. DH just got a new job. So I am looking forward to bounding time with my two youngest. All three of us are go...go..go people. When DH goes he is more slow paced and likes an afternoon nap. Not us; there will be no napping!

Pre-planning; This trip started with me finding a great deal on a package for 3 days in San Diego on Expedia. And turned into a whole week trip after a sale from SWA this weekend. I decided to let the kids get involved with the planning so I made a list and had them rate all the area attractions. A high rating; must do. A low rating; could care less. You get the idea. DS listed Disney and Lego high. DD was the exact opposite.

So....here is the plan so far. I am open to ideas;

Day One (Friday); Arrive at John Wayne. Drive to San Diego. Dinner/Exploring in Seaport Village or Coronado or ?????????
**Hotel somewhere in hotel circle area.

I just wanted to say that once when my fam and I were at Coronado, we all rented boogie boards and it was one of the funnest times we've ever had on vacation. It's easy to pick up and the fun lasts for hours, it's also fairly cheap as well. Something to consider if you like that sort of thing.

Day Two (Saturday); Zoo day!! Majority of day at zoo; explore Balboa Park if time. Dinner in Old Town (Mexican food hopefully)
**Same hotel

Day Three (Sunday); Seaworld!! Dinner in Gas Light district.
** Hotel ???????? Not sure if we should stay in San Diego or head closer to the Wild Animal Park. Thoughts??

You may be kind of tired after Sea World and may want to crash at a nearby hotel. We stayed at a Good Nite Inn near Sea World but I wouldn't recommend it, just google "hotels near seaworld CA" and you should find a nice website with a list of all the hotels prices and ratings!

Day Four (Monday); SD Wild Animal Park. Dinner?? Maybe beach time??
**Hotel in Carlsbad

Day Five (Tuesday); Legoland. Drive back to Anahiem. Late Dinner at DTD
**Hotel in Anahiem

Day Six (Wednesday); Disneyland. ALL DAY/EVENING

Day Seven (Thursday); Sleep in and go home.

That's it. Thanks for reading and any recommendations. I am a total planner and I think I drive DH crazy with my planning. Nice to have a group to talk to!

Your trip sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun! Too bad you won't have more days at Disneyland, are you going to check out California Adventure? Your kids might like the more thrilling rides like Tower of Terror and California Screamin' that it has. I hope I've helped even just a little.

 

[MotoWifey185]

Everything’s ready (I think)!!! I booked our hotel in San Diego yesterday. Ramada Plaza San Diego Hotel Circle. There were some great beach hotels but I figured for us this was all we really need. Seemed close to everything and I got a great rate!

Also booked the rental car and sent my brother-n-law to the military travel office for all my park tickets. Had him get everything but Disney. The military discount on one day tickets is only a few dollars and haven’t made my mind on park hoppers yet. I mean one day during spring break; two Parks may be overly ambitious. PLUS all the construction and my daughter likes roller coasters but she will not ride alone. So that just leaves 4 or 5 main rides. Think I may save the $75 and just do DL this time. DD will be bummed to miss the Little Mermaid ride thou. Maybe we can come back for just a Disney trip in the Fall after Cars opens!! (hint, hint to DH)

So that's all for now. Will post more in April when we are there. I hope I figure out pics by then; I read the directions but I don't have access to post attachments??

Oops I didn't read this. Yes I think that doing DL just for now will be best if you only have one day. Then you will get to relax just a little more and focus all of your time in DL. I think you're going to have a blast!

 

[chttyangel]

Oops I didn't read this. Yes I think that doing DL just for now will be best if you only have one day. Then you will get to relax just a little more and focus all of your time in DL. I think you're going to have a blast!

My daugther LOVES all the thrill rides at DCA. But my 6 year old approaches everything VERY cautiously. I don't think I could talk him in to even the simpliest rollercoaster. I know our 1 day is going to do by so fast and just leave me wanting more DL. I guess it will be a nice fix thou until I can go back in the Fall (hopefully).

 

[chttyangel]

Oh and thanks for the boogie board idea! Sounds TOTTALLY FUN!!!

 

[MotoWifey185]

My daugther LOVES all the thrill rides at DCA. But my 6 year old approaches everything VERY cautiously. I don't think I could talk him in to even the simpliest rollercoaster. I know our 1 day is going to do by so fast and just leave me wanting more DL. I guess it will be a nice fix thou until I can go back in the Fall (hopefully).

Haha yes any trip to Disneyland is a good fix! That's how I see my next trip, we are going for one day at the end of March, but this time we're park hopping, usually I like to do just one park to limit the feeling of being rushed but DF reallly wants to spend the extra on a park hopper and I am not complaining!

Oh and thanks for the boogie board idea! Sounds TOTTALLY FUN!!!

Aww you're welcome!

 

[chttyangel]

Small change of plan; we decided this weekend that no matter how many times we have been or how soon we will be going back, one Disney day is just not enough! So we cut out the Safari Park, moved around our hotel reservations and added a day at DL and DCA.

The first day we are planning on going to DCA first, seeing some of the shows/parades, just taking it casual. The Parks will be packed and just want a day to check out some things we never get a chance to see (like Tom Sawyer or Alladin or the Hillbillie (?) show or WOC) and hitting the handful of DCA rides we like (Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Soaring). The second day we have our Ridemax planned out for a FULL day. (Ridemax showed less wait time on Tues vs Wed prob because of MM)

We also added the Animal Spotlight Tour at Seaworld since we are skipping out on the SP. Should be fun!

 

[chttyangel]

25 days, 1 hour, 27 minutes until our flight leaves!!!

Booked our seats for the Fantasmic dessert/seating for the first show on Tuesday night. Had a little buyers remorse for a second when I saw that Chase alert for that big charge (close to the same as we paid for Goofy's Kitchen for a full dinner for 5 vs 3). BUT everything I have read on here and talking to my family/friends; I think it will be well worth it. I work hard; what is the point if I dont get to enjoy it every now and then.

Also been still trying to figure out this pic thing. Read the directions and it says use an attachment but my account says attachments not allowed. So going to try publishing the pic to another site first. So he we go; lets try this....Here is DS 6;

And Here is DD 14;

 

[chttyangel]

Tomorrow is the day; leaving on a jetplane at noon!!

We confirmed our rental car on Monday and the price went down over $100 which was great!! The kids also decided they wanted more time to explore at Seaworld; so we canceled the animal spotlight. Everything else is the same!

I have REALLY enjoyed reading everyone's reports. THANK YOU!! I will be sure to take lots of pics and try and do a great one myself. See you all in a week when I get back!

 

[MotoWifey185]

yay have a GREAT trip!! Cute pics of the kids too! Write all about it when you get back and take lots of pics! I just got back from a one 1 1/2- 2ish day trip and I've got 200 + pictures uploading right now.. Haha it's taking forever but will be fun to write about. Stay safe!

 

[chttyangel]

yay have a GREAT trip!! Cute pics of the kids too! Write all about it when you get back and take lots of pics! I just got back from a one 1 1/2- 2ish day trip and I've got 200 + pictures uploading right now.. Haha it's taking forever but will be fun to write about. Stay safe!

Thank you! Can't wait to see your pics too!

 

[roberrl187]

I'll be in San Diego 4/15-4/20 and DL/DCA 4/20-4/23.

 

[chttyangel]

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[chttyangel]

I'm back. Okay so here goes my trip report (wish I knew how to put update in the title…hopefully I will get a few readers without thou). I have not downloaded my camera yet so I will start with a written account Day 1 with a couple pics from my IPhone and add some more photos/Day 2 tomorrow.

DAY ONE DEPARTURE, WHIND-UP TOYS, OLD MOTELS and CORVETTES- We were flying from Sacramento to Orange County on Southwest. Our flight was schedule to depart at noon; so we arrived at the airport a little after 10AM. The line for the counter was L…O…N…G but it moved along quickly and we were checked in after only about a 10 minute wait. This was DS’ first flight so everything about being at the airport, checking in, riding the tram was exciting to him. (side note; Not sure how many of you fly Southwest; but I really feel like the computer check-in completely takes out in customer service. Sure there is an attendant standing in front of you; but your basically doing most of it yourself, interacting directly with a computer.)

So once checked in, we went through security smoothly and hopped the tram over to the gate. Both kids were already hungry and we found the new terminal at Sac had a great selection of choices so we decided to have lunch a little early. Both kids wanted burgers so we chose Burgers and Brew by Crepeville. It was surprisingly good, not bad priced, and 2 meals feed 3 with plenty leftover; cheeseburgers with fries and sodas for around $20 (I like to mention the prices because even thou I was lucky enough not to be on a strict budget….I like a bargain so you will see me mention the cost throughout). After lunch we waited at our gate for a few minutes and they started calling boarding about 20 minutes before noon. We were A 21, A 22, and A 24. So we were able to get on quickly and all get seated together; which was my main concern with SWA not having assigned seats. The flight to Orange County was uneventful; DS did good for it being his first flight (colored, had a snack, and looked out the window). I loved flying over Catalina Island (beautiful; DH and I honeymooned there).

DS excited at the airport;

We landed on time and went straight to the baggage terminal. Our rental car was through Advantage (which is owned by Hetrz). I was a little nervous because they were an “off site” company and had some horrible reviews on Yelp. The price was great thou $90 for a week (it was originally $240 but they lowered it a few days before the trip) so with my sister’s encouraging (she is a big traveler) I decided to give them a try. I waited about 10 minutes in the shuttle/bus area and then gave them a call. I was informed the driver would be right over. Less than 5 minutes after the bus arrived and drove us a couple blocks to the rental office. Checking out the car was simple; they did put a 200 deposit on my card because it was an ATM (which they promptly returned with no problem at the end of the trip) and ran my credit. I bought a tank of gas at $3.99 a gallon so I didn’t have to worry about filling her up at the end of the trip and declined the insurance. A couple of signatures and I was on my way with no hidden charges. HERE IS WHERE THE WHIND-UP TOY comes in. I booked a compact car, which says 5 people 3 bags. I got a hatch back Yaris. Have you ever seen one of these? I never had; they are like a SmartCar with a backseat. It only fit one suitcase in the trunk which means the other two went in the backseat. The backseat was truly only big enough for two children. I am not complaining thou; just warning. The car actually worked perfect for us, had only 1200 miles on it and got GREAT gas mileage, like 40MPG. So compared to my gas hog hemi at home; big improvement….just do not plan on putting in 5 people in less it is a family of clowns. And hard getting use to the powerless wonder on the freeway on-ramps!

The trip to San Diego was a little slow. If I had to do it again; I would have just flew into that airport and out of Orange County rather than commuting. But given it was Good Friday and late in the afternoon; wasn’t that bad. Our hotel in San Diego was the Ramada Hotel Circle. Two words to describe this place; NEVER AGAIN. I enjoy the finer resorts or B&B’s when I am on a vacation to just relax or a romantic get-away with the hubs; or when my work is paying. When I will be on the go all the time like this one thou; I just have three requirements: clean, safe, location. I picked this place because it seemed close to everything and with Ramada’s name I figured it would be a decent economy location. I was wrong. It was OLD, SAD, UNLOVED/UNKEPT. We asked for a room for three and was given a room with 1 bed. One night my sheets had a stain on them. The hotel staff was unfriendly. It was close to everything but nothing was in walking distance (not even places to eat). They also ran the entire stay plus a deposit on my card upon check-in (odd). The breakfast was okay; but I think it was the same pastries the entire stay because by Day 3…they were tasting dry/stale. They told you WHEN YOU ARRIVED that parking was $6 a day; hello I understand paying to park in the City but this is not the middle of the City and parking was plentiful. I just have nothing good to say about this place so I will move on.

Only hotel pic I got; breakfast room at Ramada;

After we got checked in and over the disappointment of our accommodations for the next 3 nights; we decided to venture out for dinner. Our next stop was Liberty Plaza for the Corvette Diner. This place was great!!! Liberty Plaza is a small park on the water with a few shops, restaurants, and a golf course. The Corvette Diner has several rooms with 50’s/60’s inspired rooms and a large arcade. We were seated in the 60’s room; it was very dark with neon painting and a “hyper-color” table; which both kids got a kick out of, especially when I told them I use to have a t-shirt like that. Our waiter was great; he stayed in character the whole time (groovy man). The music was great too; every once in a while a song would come on that all the wait staff would stop and dance to. Some of the waitresses were making funny “sculptures” out of straw’s and balloons in some of the little girl’s hair. It was just a feel good vibe through-out the place. The food was yummy; I had the truck stop turkey dinner, DD had another cheeseburger and DS had sliders. I wish we had room for ice cream because they had a HUGE ice cream/milk shake menu and they looked good! (maybe next time) At the end of our meal my son got a few pics with our waiter, which he got a kick out of, and bought a t-shirt for him and one of our family members who is a Corvette nut. The shirts were 16.99 each and dinner was around 40; not too bad. DS wanted to play games too but the place was packed and we were exhausted so we left, stopped at CVS for some supplies and back to the hotel for TV/sleep. OH….that is the other thing; I know you don’t go on a trip to watch TV but I work for a company that gives their employees free TV services so my son is used to having 400 channels, movies, etc at his fingertips. The Ramada has like 6 channels. This was a hard adjustment! LOL

Tomorrow Seaworld

 

[SnowWhite09]

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[jagmom]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[tessieg]

Excited to read this trip report!!! We are headed on our first big trip to CA in June with our kids. Can't wait to hear and see more about your trip!

Sorry about the hotel!!