Originally Posted By t1lersm0m So, I've been to Disneyland once before, for the 2005 LP meet and Disneyland's birthday. I'm thinking of coming back in July, and if I do I'll bring my son Tyler. It will be my second trip, and his first. If we come, should we just focus on Disneyland? I've never seen any other part of California. The trip would only be 5-7 nights. He's been to Sea World in Ohio and Florida, but he probalby doesn't remember them because it's been many years. He's also been to Universal Orlando, the most recent trip being August 2004. Should I bother taking him to those places? I'm pretty sure I'll use Priceline to get a 3 * hotel near Disneyland. I looked on Mapquest and saw that San DIego is about 1.5 hours away. Is it a stressful drive? Our highways in PA aren't like highways in LA. Would I be able to make the drive? Also, if I split up the stay, how many nights should we stay near Disneyland, and how many nights in San Diego? Is there anywhere else that is MUST SEE? Thanks!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I love both the Disneyland parks, but would have a hard time spending more than 4-5 days devoted just to them. I've never seen it, but have heard that Universal Studios Hollywood is considerably better than the Florida park. Looking at the USH website I think I would have to agree. <a href="http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/hollywood/website/index.html" target="_blank">http://themeparks.universalstu dios.com/hollywood/website/index.html</a> I'm not sure how old your son is, but probably my most memorable experience visiting California when I was about 10 years old was going to Newport Beach. Seeing the ocean for the first time and swimming with waves was an incredible experience for a kid who'd never done that before. I hate to say it, but I remember my time at the beach more than I remember my first visit to Disneyland on that same trip.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka <<I've never seen it, but have heard that Universal Studios Hollywood is considerably better than the Florida park. >> I have heard the opposite. USH is only a few hours of fun. We were able to do just about everything in a few hours and most people recommend at least 2 days at the one in Orlando.
Originally Posted By debtee Yes, I have to agree with Mele here, we were all finished at Universal Hollywood by 2pm on Christmas Eve and then didn't know what to do with ourselves as we had planned a whole day there and we really had done everything!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<We were able to do just about everything in a few hours and most people recommend at least 2 days at the one in Orlando.>> I can’t say much about US Hollywood since I've never been there -- was just going by what a friend told me. As for two days at USF... I can’t imagine spending two days there unless you were doing IOA in addition to the Studios.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ To add to the above, what my friend really liked Honest-to-God Studio Tram Tour that none of the other Studio parks have any more. Whether it is really that good or not I have no way of knowing.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Personally I prefer Universal Studios Hollywood to USO. It's a real studios. But California has much to offer. San Diego is an easy drive with loads to do (old town, Sea World, the amazing Zoo, the Maritime Museum, and the beautiful Mission, not to mention great beaches and the Del Coronado). Also, Death Valley and Sequoia National Park are great. But Yosemite and San Francisco are amazing. I can easily spend 7 days at DL and DCA, but if you've never seen the real Califonia, your missing out. Also, Catalina Island is a lovely cruise and day out. Stay away from LA itself though - a real hole and not representative of the state (sorry Angelinos)
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Maybe try to see other parts of California, other than another theme park. Venice Beach, The Grove / Farmer's Market, Santa Monica, Merced...
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m <<I have to ask - why July?>> Yes, mele beat me with the answer. To come out and see the wonderful LPers again! Plus, I don't think I'll be taking Tyler out of school for vacations anymore. We did that in the beginning of this year, and he had so much homework to do on the trip it detracted from the fun. I would just rather plan the trips when he is off from school.
Originally Posted By nemopoppins davewasbaloo, I really love Death Valley too! But are you sure it's a good idea to recommend it in July to someone who probably isn't as crazy as me?
Originally Posted By allthingsdisney too put in my 2 cents we love USH and we could easily spend more than 1 day there but can get it all in in one with careful planning and city walk can be alot of fun too we spent like 3 hours on citywalk alone and had a blast....and the studio tour while some parts are cheesy it is alot of fun and if u've never done it. it is a must do......we have always like Knott's but our last trip there was horrible and i wont ever go back....sea world was fun but we had more fun in old town and on the beach... we liked long beach and newport beach....loads of great stuff to see and do in southern CA I have been going since i was a child(its been a lonngggg time) and i still discover new things to see and do every time we go.... Hope ur trip is great
Originally Posted By love DL We did Sea World last year and loved it. The drive wasn't bad on a Monday. We did get lost though and ended up in National City. Those dang freeways. It really was not a bad drive though. We are actually thinking of taking our kids 9 and 6 to Lego Land in Carslbad. We have never been but, it looks fun and is definately geared at kids. I am hoping it will take a good portion of the day up. Does anyone have any insight on LegoLand?
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess I was just going to post that the original poster should try Legoland! We *love* it, and our kids are 7 & 11. Your kids are definitely the right ages. To the original poster--another fun place to see in California would be Hollywood. You can do a tour of the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards are held, see the Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, have lunch or ice cream at Disney's Soda Fountain (across the street, etc). Just stay in the main touristy areas where it's pretty safe and cleaned-up. We took our kids there last summer and they loved seeing the stars on the sidewalk and all of the characters dressed-up, milling about. (Surprised me how much they enjoyed it.) You could even do a few hours there and then head over to Universal Studios to get the whole "Hollywood" experience. I also vote for going to the beach. That's a definite must-see for a Southern California trip.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m I wasn't sure if Tyler was the right age for Legoland. I'm glad you think he would like it.
Originally Posted By buzzlyear Allthingsdisney, what happened at Knotts? Am kinda thinking of going there on next trip to Dland, but wondering how it is with 2 small ones (3,6). Thanks.
Originally Posted By allthingsdisney just utter disrespect from every employee in the park they had me very close to breaking down and sobbing (and im not a really emotional person) but first thing we have a handicapped child who unfortuantly cant walk great distances so in a theme park we generally take his wheelchair and by no means do we expect special treatment but our first ride (it was well over 100 degrees already @1030 am ) we decided to ride one of our favs the river rapids and used the wheelchair entrance....after waiting 25 mins for someone to acknowledge us they told us would be about 10 more mins, great we will wait no problem...so we moved down walk a but to sit in the shade while we waited as i said very very hot well we got to talking (my sisters family went with us as her childen had never been) and realized 30 mins had went by so i get up and ask whats going on guys(there was no wait time at all for standby line) she told me at this time they had called another person in to help load our party ok great i said about how long just a few more mins she said ok we were hot but excited to ride and cool down a bit ( we r from WA state and over 100 is very rare here )so we decided to wait. another 25 mins go by i ask her whats up at this time we have been waiting well over an hour now it is stubbornous keeping me there and a great rage building...she calls the lead (who sits high above ride and can clearly see this party of 9 waiting to board (2 handicapped kids, my son and her nephew) the lead tells her he thought we left because he couldnt see us but....i tell her we have waited almost 2 hours at this point i tell her is there any way we could get a pass for later so we could come back and ride when they had more steady help no she says wait or dont wait whatever(her exact words)i finally decided i had had enough so we move on to next ride same attitude different employee..the only 2 not so dim spots of the day a employee walking by after our 13th bad ride exp. stopped to see if he could help in any way(at this point i am fighting back tears and hubby is furious)went and got my whole family sodas and popcorn apologized for our treatment and walked me to customer relations where i was told sorry but tooo bad....(that young man should be at DL)the other not so dim spot was the log ride the employees there were very helpful and willing to let us ride over and over(we chose to only ride twice and got off not fair to those waiting in line)...we have been going for soo many years and have taken our son the last 10 yrs having a great time every time but this was beyond a bad exp....they made feel ashamed to have even thought of bringing my child to thier park, how dare i....and what they say is true one bad exp can ruin it forever and i will never go back nor will any of our friends or family...i would love to say i have gotten over this but clearly i havent and it has been 4 months and i remember it as if it happened yesterday...it may not seem like a big deal to some but they way they treated us was soooo bad i dont think i could ever bring myself to willingly give them more of my hard earned money.....sry if this is long winded but as i said i am still fuming after all this time...just writing about has brought that strong urge to just break down and sob....
Originally Posted By allthingsdisney i wanted to add every other park we went to had a great time USH, Seaworld, DL, DCA.... everywhere else great just Knott's was bad.....
