Originally Posted By skellinton Hello, We are going to be in DL the 4th-10th (3 weeks- YEAH!!!) and we will be in DL the 4th for the CL Processional, and then again Tuesday-Friday. We don't leave until late on Saturday so we will spend that day doing Downtown Disney stuff. My question is what are some suggestions on the Monday we are not doing Disney stuff. We have not planned on renting a car, but we may need to we realize. I am travelling with my 13 and 14 year old boys and my 63 aged mother. We did Hollywood the last time we went and my mother isn't that interested in that (no Cary Grant sightings you see), but I was wondering about Universal or Sea World. I am completely confused on how far those are from DL and how one would get there if they didn't have a rental car. I would appreciate any suggestions, thoughts, and opinions! Thank you! Skellinton
Originally Posted By 4Disnee Knottsberry farm is not to far. I have not been there is a few years but the last time we went we had a nice time.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Buena Park is close, and you could take the city bus or a cab there with no problem. Knott's would be great for the kids if they like Roller Coasters.. For you and Mom, the Christmas stuff would be out by then, so you could watch some holiday plays at the Bird Cage Theater, and enjoy shopping for home made Chrsitmas Crafts, as they set up special booths in the Ghost Town area.. <a href="http://www.knotts.com/hot/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.knotts.com/hot/inde x.asp</a>
Originally Posted By Ellya Universal Studios is about an hour's drive to the north (depending on traffic). You would need a car, although there are bus excursions available too. Sea World is even farther and I don't think it would make a very good day trip...too much to do in too little time.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP I also vote for Knotts, a smaller park you can do in about a day, and during the holiday season they often have a nice craft fair going. Knotts is also closer than Universal, but the clincher to me would be which one is cheaper!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I also vote for Knotts. Be sure to stop and look at the map or find one online before you go. It helps, especially if you are going to let the boys go by themselves and want a meeting place I'm not sure where you are staying but your hotel should be able to set you up with a taxi or shuttle. Same for Universal. By car we can make it to Knotts in 15 mintes and Universal in 45. Others have posted of not liking to take the shuttle to Universal because of time constraints.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Knott's is fun. Back in the 60's(!), that was always the second place my parents took us kids. It may be a little cool weather-wise, but a trip to Venice Beach would be somewhere I'd want to go.
Originally Posted By skellinton So Knotts isn't the scary place I have heard it was? I don't know why I was under the impression Knotts was a place to avoid, but you all are saying it is fine? It is much cheaper than Universal and must be easier to get to since it closer. We are either staying at the Fairfield or the Candy Cane- we haven't made our final decision yet! Thanks for your advice and help! Skellinton
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Knott's is only scary during halloween. Perhaps you are confusing it with Magic Mountain? If you do go to Knott's, don't miss having their "world famous" chicken dinner! It is, after all, the reason why the park came to be.
Originally Posted By skellinton I think I was thinking of Magic Mountain- alright then, my decision has been made! Thanks for all your help everyone! Skellinton
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Good choice. Knott's is a lot of fun. Don't miss a ride on the Train, Stage Coach, the Mystery Lodge, or the Calico Mine Train. And the chicken dinner is a must!
Originally Posted By markcanada If you have a car, Legoland is only an hour's drive away near San Diego (Carlsbad), well worth the trip. Was actually easier to get to and from than Universal. Just a few miles from Disneyland is the Discovery Science Centre, if you want to get the kids some learnin'. Looks cool from the outside.
Originally Posted By magicbeinghad2 I really like Knott's. My 11 year old doesn't do scry rides, ie. anything with any sort of slide or drops. So Knott's is fun for us. I have never been to Magic Mountain and I believe it is close to an hour from Disney, we pass it on our way to Disney from the Bay area. I've also been to a really cool, very small train exhibit on the same road as Magic Mountain. (yup, I have a very intense child who hates scary motion rides, transitions and has intense interest in subjects like trains, planets and now Manga) (All code words for parents who also have children like my older son. Anyway, sorry, My point... Magic Mountain is a roller coaster park, lot's and lot's of roller coasters, new and old. That's it's theme. Knott's is almost the same as when I went there 30 years ago as a child, it has a western theme, stagecoach, train, dust, old town, robbers, and some rollercoasters. It also has a really fun Snoopy area for smaller children, like 5-6 and under. I just remember that you had 2 boys over 11, I believe, so I would take that in consideration. For my family I would choose Knott's but thrill rides are low, low on our fun list. Where as my friends son who is also 11 like my DS, would really want a chance at those rollercoasters, having had enough theme at Disneyland. Oh and if you are in the Knott's area and are on a huge budget and eat up themes like we do, Medival times is a really fun 2 hour medieval themed dinner show with live horses and knights and even an evil wizard.
Originally Posted By magicbeinghad2 I should have added that the reason I brought up being on the same road as Magic Mountain, I looked and looked and looked at all I could see through the gates of that park. Before being old and having horrible motion sickness, I LOVED rollercoasters! (Much more than trains)
Originally Posted By skellinton Thanks for all your help everyone. We have decided to go to Knotts- now we just have to figure out how to get there! Thanks again everyone, Skellinton
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The bus is cheap, take the METRO (LA) bus, the 460 goes straight from Disneyland (Harbor right by the Pedistrian entrance) to Knott's, direct and uses the freeway, about a 20 minute drive for $1.25 one way. Seniors are 45 cents, and 2 kids under 5 are free with a paying adult (2 adults, 4 free kids under 5). <a href="http://www.mta.net/images/460.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.mta.net/images/460. pdf</a> The second choice would be a Taxi, about $20 one way, unless your hotel offers a free shuttle service.
Originally Posted By Gardyloo Knott's tickets online are $35 for adults; $14.95 for kids. If you're a AAA member and can buy them in advance, they're $28.95 for adults, and $15 for kids. They also have specials for police, firefighters, military and county employees. Check out their webpage: <a href="http://www.knotts.com/hot/index.asp" target="_blank">http://www.knotts.com/hot/inde x.asp</a>
Originally Posted By mickeynewe We thought about going to Knotts, but decided we would rather shell out the $30 pp for the blackout day. Nothing beats Disney!
Originally Posted By skellinton Gardyloo, Thanks for the tips about the discount tickets. We will def. be buying them in advance! Mickeynewe- I agree that nothing beats Disney, but we have 5 days in Disney- and the boys and my mom have never been to Knotts, so I think it will be nice to visit for one day. Skellinton
