Originally Posted By 2much2do We did Disneyland two years ago and loved it. This summer we are planning a trip to San Diego, but we thought we'd add three days to do Disneyland as well. The kids (ages 11, 9 and 4) have never done San Diego before, but they love Disneyland. Will the attractions in San Diego still be fun for them in comparison to Disneyland? We won't be there long enough to do everything, so I need to figure out what to prioritize. I'm thinking Legoland is too young and won't compare to Disneyland. But what about the other major family attractions down there?
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I have a 6 and 3 year old, and they love Sea World when we can't get to Disneyland. The zoo is fun, but we personally don't like it. We did it once with comped tickets, and I probably wouldn't pay for it. It's a LOT of walking, unless you pay for the tour bus. There's also the Wild Animal Park. I've never been, so I can't give you any details. I would also personally recommend Balboa Park. There are lots of musuems (the model train museum is one of our favorites). The Natural History Museum also has a Pompeii exhibit, but I'm not sure when that ends, it may not go into summer. There's also the Padres games, and other "locals" stuff you can do. Hotel Del Coronado is right on the beach, and there's a really great ice cream shop that we heard about from Rachel Ray's Tasty Travels.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains My son is 11 and enjoys lego land quite a bit... Check out Davewasbaloo report on san diego <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-94710-P-3.asp" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms gBoard-T-94710-P-3.asp</a> he has pix too
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x Ah, yes...I meant to mention LegoLand. I've never taken the girls. They always want to do Sea World
Originally Posted By dzny daze I might consider doing the San Diego attractions first and then work my way up to to the Disneyland Resort. Then, if the San Diego stuff isn't as exciting as Disney, they won't seem as inferior or boring then they would AFTER Disney. Or, maybe do a San Diego day sandwiched in between some Disney days. Being on vacation and telling the kids that Disney has to wait until after San Diego might not sit to well with them, though. Mine would get antsy!
Originally Posted By BoyStory ^^^That is such a good point, dzny daze. I always plan the "inferior" parks before Disneyland, LOL. We did Univeral (which I REALLY enjoy) once AFTER the Disneyland portion of our vacation and I just wanted to click my heels together and get back to Disneyland. Conversely, the other places (like Legoland- which is a wonderful park!) is a great build-up to Disneyland. A word on Legoland: we found it to be a beautiful, clean Park and were pleasantly surprised that there were rides on every level- even a couple "wild" ones. It's just more of a one-day type Park. It's been nearly 3 years since we've been there and I'm trying to plan a week-end trip back this spring with my 5 sons; ages 3-13. Have a great time 2much2do!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I would check this out for San Diego... <a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11219002&search=tickets&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Mo=41&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&ViewAll=42&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=tickets&Ntt=tickets&No=19&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1" target="_blank">http://www.costco.com/Browse/P roductgroup.aspx?Prodid=11219002&search=tickets&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Mo=41&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&ViewAll=42&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=tickets&Ntt=tickets&No=19&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1</a>
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Yes I am sorry I made it wide - Don't know why this always happens to me! :{
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well we love Seaworld, Legoland and the San Diego Zoo with a vengence, considering them real highlights of our vacation. It is true that Legoland is aimed at a younger set, but there are some thrill rides and great detail. After DL and Sea World, it is my favorite park in California. We used to go to the one in the UK before having children, but then again, I love lego. Your kids are the right ages. Sea World has fantastic exhibits, and a couple of fun water rides. While not quite Disney, this is a wonderful park. we love it, but we are animal people. As I said though, we are animal people, and for us SDZ is as important as DL. There are only 5 places outside China where you can see Pandas, and San Diego is one of those. Mix in the biggest Koala collection outside of Australia, and a hugely diverse collection of animals, couple it with the largest botanical garden in America, we think it is increadible. I have been to countless zoological parks around the US, Europe and Asia (including Disney's Animal Kingdom and a safari in Africa). The SDZ is my favorite. Also, don't forget Mission San Diego, one of the most beautiful. The Big Dipper at Belmont Park, The Aircraft Carrier museum, Old Town with early spanish colonial and victorian structures (and great Mexican food), a wonderful mix of museums in Balboa park. We think San Diego is wonderful! I've not been to the Wild Animal park in about 25 years, but I know some people rate it even higher than SDZ.
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM Ditto for me on the zoo and Sea World. Both places are amazing, and you won't be disappointed in either one. There IS alot of walking at the zoo, but what's the rush? Take your time, enjoy the sites and sounds as you go, grab a spot to sit and rest if you need to, and take in the beauty of the place. The plant life there is incredible as well. Sea World is a blast. The shows are wonderful, and being able to see the sea creatures up close is something I will always remember. I touched and fed a manta ray...how cool is that? He felt like wet felt. I will admit (like davewasbaloo) to being an utter zoo freak. My daughter and I spent 2 full days there from open to close last october. Don't miss out on Balboa Park. Neither place is an amusement park, so it's a bit difficult to compare them to Disneyland. If you have the chance...go.
Originally Posted By Stacers76 I'll echo the sentiments that you and your kids shouldn't be disappointed in San Diego. It's a different experience than Disneyland, but as long as the kids aren't going into Sea World or Legoland expecting to see Mickey Mouse, I'd imagine it will be a fun adventure for all. Unless the kids are scared of animals, which I know some are...my niece being one, but her big sister is fearless with them. I don't have kids, so I'm definitley not an expert, but maybe show the kids the website for the zoo, SeaWorld, Legoland, etc and see what they seem to be most interested in. And if they REALLY aren't into any of it...force them! NO just kidding...but if you're worried about them liking things compared to Disneyland, just let them know ahead of time, that Disneyland is coming up (if you do SD before DL) or vice versa, and I bet if you're excited about SD attractions (and I personally would go for SeaWorld, Legoland and the zoo, in that order lol) they will be too. Good luck and I know you'll have fun wherever you go!
Originally Posted By godalejunior We took DS6 to Legoland for the day in Jan. during a trip to DL. He is the biggest Lego nut there is. I thought the park was cute but definitely on the kiddie side for even his age. We enjoyed our day but don't think we will go back again.
Originally Posted By MrDisneyGeek my wife and i were disapointed in the SD Zoo Wild animal park. after DAK it was kind of a let down.
