What to do on arrival day?

[wisegal]

Hi, my family (DH, DD 8, DS7 and myself) are going to Disneyland at the beginning of October Our flight arrives at 9am into Long Beach on a Wednesday, we are getting a 5 day hopper tickets. I have a car rental for our arrival day. I was thinking of going to Santa Monica pier on our arrival day, but after reading some other posts I'm not so sure now. I don't want to go to the park on our arrival day, because we will be up early to catch our flight. What would you suggest doing instead of Santa Monica? Budget friendly please

Thanks
Nicole

 

[gary1955]

if you can switch to arrive at LAX you can go to the California Science Center and see the space shuttle. I believe the tickets are free, but you have to book a time.

 

[usnuzuloose]

If you are arriving in Long Beach and not LAX, you could visit the aquarium, or the Queen Mary. They have a pier there for some shops and the light house is near by.

 

[bcla]

if you can switch to arrive at LAX you can go to the California Science Center and see the space shuttle. I believe the tickets are free, but you have to book a time.

It's a $2 "reservation fee" whether or not you book ahead of time or show up in person (if space is available). I think there might be an additional fee for each party reserving online and there definitely is one for booking over the phone. Most weekdays, there should be walk-up reservations available. The reservations are only needed for the Space Shuttle; the rest of the museum is free, and that includes an aquarium section, aerospace exhibits, and lots of other science exhibits.

Even if the regular reservations are gone, anyone with a ticket for an IMAX movie or their special exhibit can walk in for the Shuttle line without a reservation.

https://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/PlanningYourVisit/Hours/endeavour/endeavour.php

I agree it's a really nice exhibit, and especially nice that they don't gouge the visitor with something like a $50 ticket price. It is $10 for parking though, and I wouldn't recommend trying to park outside because of the neighborhood.

 

[gary1955]

If you are arriving in Long Beach and not LAX, you could visit the aquarium, or the Queen Mary. They have a pier there for some shops and the light house is near by.

I went there years ago when the Spruce Goose was next door. I think we had a combination ticket to visit both.

it didn't seem like there was a lot to see at the Queen Mary by itself. have they added more to do there?

 

[gary1955]

It's a $2 "reservation fee" whether or not you book ahead of time or show up in person (if space is available). I think there might be an additional fee for each party reserving online and there definitely is one for booking over the phone. Most weekdays, there should be walk-up reservations available. The reservations are only needed for the Space Shuttle; the rest of the museum is free, and that includes an aquarium section, aerospace exhibits, and lots of other science exhibits.

Even if the regular reservations are gone, anyone with a ticket for an IMAX movie or their special exhibit can walk in for the Shuttle line without a reservation.

https://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/PlanningYourVisit/Hours/endeavour/endeavour.php

I agree it's a really nice exhibit, and especially nice that they don't gouge the visitor with something like a $50 ticket price. It is $10 for parking though, and I wouldn't recommend trying to park outside because of the neighborhood.

that's good information to have. I have not been able to visit the exhibit yet.