What do you think of this for a short stay ?

[DL4my2kids]

November trip:

I'd like to book one hotel for Monday - Wednesday so I was thinking of the Ramada in Carlsbad and then just driving over to Sea world on Monday for the day.

Mistake? Would you stay in San diego for a night just to be closer to Sea world?

Sea world trip - Monday

Legoland - Tuesday and Wednesday.
We are doing 2 days at Legoland because of Park hopper passes of buy one get one day free. I don't know that the kids will want to do the water park but we would like to do LL and the sea life aquarium.

If I can manage to get kids free tickets with adult purchases, to Legoland then we may just do one day there.

Then off to Disneyland for a few days.

Thanks for any advice on this one.

 

[Lissame]

In 2007 we stayed in Oceanside (fairly close to Carlsbad) and San Diego was a decent drive, just try to avoid driving at the peak of rush hour in the morning. We found Sea World totally do-able in one day, even with the drive. We didn't go on all of the rides though because the lines were monstrously long, but we did see many of the shows. If you're doing DL and LL, you may not care anything about the SW rides.

How old are your kids?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Water park in november? even though its usually mild, its not that warm.

 

[eduk8r26]

The water park may not even be open. MOst close after Labor Day.

 

[DL4my2kids]

My kids are 6 and 9. I don't even think the water park is a choice for them if it were open because they don't like that sort of thing. We have a water park close to the house but they won't go there either.

I just wasn't sure if we should stay in SD as an overnighter since we want to do Sea World or just make the drive from Carlsbad.

I think we may just make the drive since the Ramada all of the things we wanted. Breakfast, shuttle to LL and free parking. Also this way, we won't have to repack for a few days then off to Disneyland.

Thanks for the reminder of the traffic. I commute in the Bay Area everyday and although I am sure I don't have it as bad here, commute traffic definitely is something I don't want to do on vacation. We'll plan around that.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

My kids are 6 and 9. I don't even think the water park is a choice for them if it were open because they don't like that sort of thing. We have a water park close to the house but they won't go there either.

I just wasn't sure if we should stay in SD as an overnighter since we want to do Sea World or just make the drive from Carlsbad.

I think we may just make the drive since the Ramada all of the things we wanted. Breakfast, shuttle to LL and free parking. Also this way, we won't have to repack for a few days then off to Disneyland.

Thanks for the reminder of the traffic. I commute in the Bay Area everyday and although I am sure I don't have it as bad here, commute traffic definitely is something I don't want to do on vacation. We'll plan around that.

The drive down to sea world won't be that bad. you are on I5. just take your time having breakfast before you hit the road.

 

[HydroGuy]

The drive down to sea world won't be that bad. you are on I5. just take your time having breakfast before you hit the road.

On a weekday? I guess it depends when the OP wants to get to SW. Don't they open at 9AM? I am not saying the OP should pack up and move down to SD to be closer to SW, but the drive on I-5 from way up north in Carlsbad/Oceanside can be a killer in the morning. And a killer in the evening going back. For sure do not try and do it during rush hour. If it was me I would not leave Carlsbad in the morning til after 9AM and I would not start back until after 7PM. If I really wanted to be at SW for opening I would stay closer to SW the night before. Or I would plan SW for a Saturday or Sunday.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

On a weekday? I guess it depends when the OP wants to get to SW. Don't they open at 9AM? I am not saying the OP should pack up and move down to SD to be closer to SW, but the drive on I-5 from way up north in Carlsbad/Oceanside can be a killer in the morning. And a killer in the evening going back. For sure do not try and do it during rush hour. If it was me I would not leave Carlsbad in the morning til after 9AM and I would not start back until after 7PM. If I really wanted to be at SW for opening I would stay closer to SW the night before. Or I would plan SW for a Saturday or Sunday.

Not really necessary. like the OP said, they are used to commute traffic and after 9 or so it is considerably lighter in that area (carlsbad) it will get a bit heavier towrds downtown San Diego, but they would not be going that far, mostly mission bay. It would be easier to stay in the same hotel for the legoland experience and they would only have to deal with the traffic one day.

the traffic is not that bad to deal with when comparied to having to pack up and move to another hotel for one night. not to mention that it would be easier to leave for Disenyland from the Carlsbad area. and of course they are going to hit a bit of traffic on that journey also.

 

[amamax2]

Sea World doesn't open until 10 am in November, so OP will miss the traffic on the way down from Carlsbad. Going back will be another story - Sea World closes at 5 p.m., so yes, I would find some place close by to go for dinner and wait out the traffic, or if tired, just know you will be in it.

I think your plans sounds good - it is what I would do and advise friends. I wouldn't get a hotel closer to Sea World for just that one night - Carlsbad is much better given that you will be at Legoland for two days.

 

[amym2]

November trip:

I'd like to book one hotel for Monday - Wednesday so I was thinking of the Ramada in Carlsbad and then just driving over to Sea world on Monday for the day.

Mistake? Would you stay in San diego for a night just to be closer to Sea world?

Sea world trip - Monday

Legoland - Tuesday and Wednesday.
We are doing 2 days at Legoland because of Park hopper passes of buy one get one day free. I don't know that the kids will want to do the water park but we would like to do LL and the sea life aquarium.

If I can manage to get kids free tickets with adult purchases, to Legoland then we may just do one day there.

Then off to Disneyland for a few days.

Thanks for any advice on this one.

My friend came across free child's ticket coupons to Legoland at Carl's Jr when we were there last week (I believe it was one child per adult ticket). I'm not sure if they worked on hopper passes or not.

We stayed in San Diego and did the drive to LL one day, but it was a holiday, so traffic was light. I would think you would be fine driving from Carlsbad one day to SD. If you decide to spend a second day in SD instead of a second day at LL, you might consider staying closer to SD. Otherwise I think you'll be fine.

 

[eroilersgal]

Check the schedule at legoland.com. They show the only thing open is Sea Life Aquarium at that time. This may change your plans....