Which one would you do?

[thatmom]

Hi,
We only have four days. We will do Disney for two of them. We would like to take the tour to either Seaworld or The Zoo. Which one do you think is the best. We will have one three year old and one two year old. Also our grandson who is eleven. I am thinking that I just might only take my grandson and go for a day. Do you think the little ones would have fun or will it be to long of a day?
thanks,
Carla

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I vote for Sea World. The zoo is great & interesting, but it's built on a hilly area, and you have to walk a lot there.

At Sea World, there are some interactive stuff, rides, and shows, as well as walking through the shark exhibit. Just my opinion, but I think they'd have fun there, including the little ones - we took ours there when they were that little, and they had fun.

 

[year2late]

I will go against the grain here. Assuming that the kids live out of the area.....

Why not just do Disney?

Four days is easy to fill there.

But then again, I hate to rush and commando tour.

 

[roymccoy]

Ironically enough, we just got back from San Diego (stayed at the Torrey Pines Hilton) and we went to the Zoo one day and Sea World the next. My vote would be for Sea World. It's a great park. Very clean, organized and the food is good and moderately priced. I remember mentioning to my DW that Disney could learn a thing or two about how to run a theme park at Sea World. The Zoo is okay, but if I had my choice I would vote for Sea World.

(If you're a golfer, try Torrey Pines in La Jolla. They're holding a PGA event there this year. That course kicked my......backside. ;-)

Roy

BTW - AAA cards get $10 off the admission price at Sea World.

 

[cndncruiz]

Hi there,

I was just at Sea World on Fri. Aug 29th and my vote would be not to take the younger ones at all.

This is the only side trip we took. I have a 6 1/2 yr old son and 4 1/2 year old daughter.

By the time the bus picked us up, it was full and we didn't have enough seats to sit together and my son ended up getting sick because we were at the very back. He was much better on the way back because I gave him gravol.

I am sorry to say I disagree with the last post. When we were there, they didn't appear to know how to move people at all. The food cost way more then I had spent in Disneyland but it was good. I had to wait 25 minutes to get lunch from the Ranchers Grill. The Coconut Cafe or ( I think that is what it was called) was closed. We really did enjoy the shark exhibit, but it was so packed and people were moving so slow. The dolphin show was great and so was the Shamu show. I enjoyed the shows but we were ready to leave at about 3:30 because of the heat and the trip etc but because we took the tour bus we had to stay until 6:30 pm. I am glad I went but I wouldn't do it the same way again. I think you should just take the older child.

Of course you know best. They do have double strollers there for 15$ and you get 3$ back when you return the stroller. They do let you bring in food as well, so that is also something you may be interested in doing.

I did enjoy seeing the shows and the ride home was beautiful. There were about 4 hot air balloons in the sky and the sun was setting, it was very peaceful and enjoyable. Our children slept alot of the way back.


Good luck, I hope it all works out which ever way you decide. Just remember to bring a hat because there isn't any shade at the dolphin show and only a small section that has shade at the Shamu show.

 

[almostGoofy]

I've taken my children to Seaworld when they were 2 & 4 years old and they enjoyed it so I wouldn't hold back due to their age. Most young children enjoy looking at animals and they should really enjoy Shamu's Happy Harbor.

I vote for Seaworld over the Zoo for the same reason as Mary Jo; the zoo is very hilly. Not stroller friendly.

 

[roymccoy]

Sea World can be a tricky place but we have found a way to "beat the crowds."

Since Sea World is basically built around it's 5 shows, where you are in the park in relation to the crowds going to and coming out of those 5 shows can really make the difference. Try to not be "in the crowd." Don't go to the first Shamu show and don't be eating at a restaurant right outside of the Shamu show when it gets out. 5,000 people descending on a restaurant that fits about 200 people is a recipe for disaster. Try to eat during the shows. You still have plenty of time to catch another one. We have found that the afternoon shows aren't as crowded as the morning shows. There are many things to do at Sea World besides the shows, too. There are many walkthrough aquarium's and exhibits and a couple of places where you can touch sea creatures and even touch dolphins. You can also feed sea lions and watch penguins.

Get a map when you first walk in and just stay away from the crowd. You will be surprised how empty that place can be when most of the people are watching the dolphins jump around! A little tip, though...almost everything at Sea World is outside and uncovered. Bring and use your sunscreen and apply it many times during the day!


Roy


Oh yeah, my 4 year old DD loves the "Fools with Tools" show...a must see!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Sea World is great, but it still means a part of your day of driving if you plan to return to Anaheim the same day. Unless your travel plans extend to 5-7 days, that's just too much time doing "nothing." With the exception of the rare occaision that you'll see some military aircraft near San Diego, there isn't much to keep you entertained along the way.

I would still vote for some time away from Disneyland, just shoot for something a bit closer. The ages of your two youngest travelers is ripe for the overstimulation that comes with a lenghty DLR stay.

Some closer options:
- Mile Square Park, Fountain Valley (http://www.ocparks.com/milesquare/)
- Irvine Park/Zoo (http://www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/)
- Knott's (Camp Snoopy)

 

[roymccoy]

Mile Square Park? What's there to do at Mile Square Park? It's just a big patch of grass.
(About a mile square!) I have never been all that thrilled with that park. Lots of groups take it over for soccer games and giant parties. I bet you've got nicer parks in your hometown. ;-)

Roy

 

[Uncle Buck]

^ Wouldn't necessarily want to go there on a weekend, but for picnic/take-out lunch and couple hours to let a 3YO and 2YO run around in some open-space not too far from the concrete jungle which is the Anaheim Resort couldn't be all bad.

I always had a blast at Irvine Park when I was a kid.

We always try to take our daughter (5 going on 6) over to Knott's for a short day. She has a great time in Camp Snoopy since it is much more relaxed, quieter, and more interactive than most places at DLR.

Any of these would have some pluses over three kids in the backseat to San Diego and back.

 

[thatmom]

Gosh I'm so impressed with all your replys. We will be going the first week of DEC. so the weather shouldn't be hot. I think I'll just play it by ear, if we have some time I think we will go to Sea World. I think I'll take all three of them....
thanks again,
Carla

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Carla,

Something to keep in mind -- our weather (though wonderful) can be pretty unpredictable in December - you have the chance of very cool weather (60's to 50's), a heat wave (90's), rainy weather, or just plain nice weather (70's).

If the weather is rather cool or rainy, I'd opt for Knotts, too, because the air will be quite chilly at the ocean for Sea World, and watching animals perform in the rain ... well, not fun. However, at Knotts, there'll be stuff for the whole family to do, and the little ones will have fun at Camp Snoopy.

Sea World is 2 hours drive (or train) away, so keep that in mind when planning your day. We've gone there for the day many times, and I live near the LAX airport, and I don't mind the drive myself, but it might be something you'd want to consider when planning your 'off' day.

 

[dsnylndmom]

I'd have to go with the suggestions of Knott's, so you don't have to rush through Disney, especially with 2 little ones. It's much more fun and relaxing if you can take your time. That way you can do things like character meals, build a bear etc etc around nap times. Kids that age will have fun at Camp Snoopy at Knott's and the older one will like some of the bigger rides. Since you're there for only 4 days it will seem much more rushed if you're spending so much time driving to Sea World while Knott's is 10/15 minutes away.

Just my opinion!