UK Visitor First Trip for 9 Nights - Planning Help Needed

[Theresa Hudson]

Hi,

We are from the Uk and this will be our first visit to California. We are staying 5 nights in Vegas and 9 nights in LA.

Going 23rd March......yes I have NOW learnt it will be spring break while we are in LA. We are staying at Staybridge Suites and have read some mixed reports, so hope this accommodation will be OK.

We have been to WDW 3 times,so have a fair idea what rides we will want to do. There doesn't look much in California Adventure Park?

My 9 year old is a thrill ride seeker, so we will be looking to do these kids of rides. I know a lot will depend on what pace we want to take the parks but how many days would you recommend given the following:

We have passes for 1 day at Universal Studios (we may do another)
We want to visit Knotts Berry Farm
My DD wants to visit a water park
We want to visit Hollywood
Would like a day on the beach (weather depending)
We are unsure about San Diego, as it seems a long drive. Probably won't bother with Sea World (no Kracken) this time, would like to do the Zoo, but again distance is a factor.

We will have a hire car.

Where is the best place to get tickets?

Thanks very much

Theresa

 

[c&m]

Please don't be put off by the 1 to 1.5 hour drive to San Diego. We do it every time we visit DL. It is such a beautiful place with so much to do and see. It's just heading south on the I-5, nothing complicated. There may be traffic, but if you time it right, you won't get stuck in traffic jams. Don't start heading down there during rush hour traffic during the week. We usually do the drive on Sunday mornings, starting at 10am and sitting at the San Diego Zoo eating lunch by around noon.

Our favourite things to do in SD is to visit the beaches at La Jolla and Coronado...so beautiful. I also like to shop at the Factory Company Stores in Carlsbad. Then there's beautiful Balboa Park. Hope you change your mind about SD.

My in-laws stayed at the Staybridge Suites 2 years ago. They thought it was OK. The only thing that they complained about was that they were rather far from the park and they hadn't rented a car. They always had to rely on the shuttle which was not that great (at least not 2 years ago). Tho this shouldn't be a prob for you since you are renting a car.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

If you don't already have your tickets for Disneyland, the best option for you might be the Southern California City Pass:

3 Days @ Disneyland
1 Day @ Knotts Berry Farm
1 Day @ San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park
1 Day @ Seaworld (Even if you don't want to go there)

Adults: $172.00
Kids: $129.00

www.citypass.com/city/socal.html

If you are a Costco member you can purchase the pass from a local warehouse or their website for about $30 less. It's a great deal.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Too bad you will be in LA first, because my DD and I will be in Vegas from 3/19-3/25!

 

[LucyKate]

Yes, take at least a day trip to SD - Seaworld in partricular is a lot of fun, and in addition to the animals has a great kids free play area with ropes and bridges, and a waterplay area and a few theme park style rides. The zoo was also amazing - but you'll need a whole day for Seaworld and probably wouldn't be able to fit both in.

9 days seems a little long to me in the Disneyland area, but there are plenty of other attractions nearby includign waterparks.

DCA does not have the same magical feel around it as Disneyland, but has some of the best rides - California Soarin, Hollywood Tower of Terror, Grizzly River Run, where, I thought, the best 3 rides in the whole place. So give it a day, and the perhaps go back there for a few hours on another day.

 

[Tink33]

I don't know of any water parks open in the month of March. I checked Raging Waters, Soak City, Hurricane Harbor and Wild Rivers; they don't open until May.

Anyone have any other water park ideas?

 

[spendleb]

Hi Theresa, we are also from the UK and going for the first time early May, we are staying at Newport Beach for 9 days and then San Diego for 5 days. If your daughter likes thrill rides then how about Six Flags Magic Mountain? We are going for a day and they have some of the best thrill rides in the world.

 

[jlmarr]

I'd agree that Magic Mountain is a great choice for thrill rides, but it's a bit of a haul from Anaheim - about an hour's drive if you don't hit rush hour traffic. On the other hand, the directions are easy - straight north on the Interstate 5. If you get to the Canadian border you've gone too far. ;-)

As for DCA, don't overlook California Screamin', which is a very good roller coaster, and yes, you do go upside down: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis.../detail?name=CaliforniaScreaminAttractionPage

 

[Theresa Hudson]

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks spendleb, I didn't know about the Six Flags Magic Mountain, we will have to do that.

This may upset some people, but looking at the rides and attractions at Disneyland I don't think there is much we would want to do. Maybe we know Florida too well!

calypso*a*go-go, thanks for the Costco tip, we are members.

Still not sure about San Diego.

We would like to go to a Native American Reservation though.

Theresa

 

[LucyKate]

With that attitude I fail to understand why you are going in the first place.

Disneyland is a magic place in its own right, and if you are looking for good rides most here will acknowledge the Pirates ride, to take one example, is better than the WDW version. Screamin is a superb coaster, soarin is a sensational ride (not available in Florida) and Big Thunder, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, the 3D shows and Grizzly River Run to name a few would keep the most jaded person occupied. Even an adult can appreciate rides like Pooh and Peter Pan which are superbly rendered.

Try going with a positive attitude and you may be surprised.

 

[Theresa Hudson]

With all due respect LucyKate, I don't really feel it is up you to question why we are going in the first place.
Big Thunder, Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion all like Florida. I didn't say we didn't like what was there, I said I don't think there is much we would want to do. We wouldn't have been to Florida 3 times and Paris 4 times if we weren't big Disney fans.Nor am I disputing the lovely theming of rides such as Pooh and Peter Pan, but after having done those rides numerous times in Florida and Paris, WE don't want to do them time and time again.

We are going with a positive attitude thankyou, what we are not going to do is buy a pass for lots of days when FOR US it would not be worth it.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Now how did I know that would happen?

Theresa: With all the time you have scheduled in the LA area you might want to consider a 3-day cruise to Mexico. There are several cruise lines that offer sailings out of various ports and the prices are very reasonable. You would still have plenty of time for the other things on your list.

As for Disneyland...I absolutely love it but would agree that it may not be that interesting to those seeking the fastest/tallest thrill rides. That's okay--different strokes for different folks!

If you haven't already been, you might want to consider a future trip to Cedar Point in Ohio (Sandusky?). They have some of the greatest thrill rides in the US.

Have fun whatever you decide to do...

 

[Theresa Hudson]

Hi calypso*a*go-go,

That's a great idea, thanks very much for that.

Off to do some planning now to see just what we can see in our 9 days.

Theresa

 

[jlmarr]

More on thrill rides, this time in Vegas - the coaster at New York New York casino is great, although at $12.50 a pop is a bit pricey. Last time I rode it was as a NYNY hotel guest on a free ride ticket. Maybe there are discounts available for those not staying at the NYNY or MGM properties but I haven't heard of any.

The thrill rides at the top of the Stratosphere are out of my league, heightwise, so I can't comment on them. If you're driving to Anaheim you'll pass by the coaster at Buffalo Bill's casino at the Nevada/California state line, and that is one of the best and worth the brief detour.

 

[aussiemickeys]

Here's another vote for Magic Mountain if you guys love thrill rides. Being from Australia we tend to go to Las Vegas & then spend quite a few days in the Disneyland Area. We love it all, the different theme parks, the shopping, the food, everything. Here's a few of my tips that might fit in with your plans. Knott's Berry Farm - try to leave some time to have a meal at the fried chicken resatuarant (just outside the park). Yummo!
Measure your child so there are no unhappy suprises at the parks (I can still picture my poor nephews face when he couldn't go a couple of the major thrill rides at Magic Mountain).
We took a trip out to Legoland (the youngest in our group was 8 years old- up to 70 years) & we all had a great time. Now we love, love, love the thrill rides but I am still amazed how pleasant a time we had here. Spent a full day here & didn't see everything & we were never bored.

Not sure if you have mentioned it in your plans but don't forget about Universal Studios either. We have been to the ones in Orlando & they are so much better, but there is till heaps to do at the California one & always a must for us.
Do you do any of the Dinner Shows? They have a few around the area such as Wild Bills & Medievel Times & the kids always seem to have a ball at these.
I think one thing that you are going to love about the Disneyland Resort is how compact it is (the 2 parks even face each other with Downtown Disney in the middle towards one end). Knotts Berry Farm is only a 10 minute drive away as well. Very convenient.

Hope this helps!