First trip from the UK to Universal Hollywood and Disneyland

[chrish16]

We are from the UK, used to visiting WDW, Florida, but we have never been to California. We are planning an 11-night trip in September 2026, flying to LAX, staying in an Airbnb in Burbank, doing Universal for 2 days, possibly HHN, a city bus tour for the Hollywood sights, WB Studio Tour, then down to Anaheim Hilton Hotel for 8 nights, doing 3 day Disneyland ticket, wondering about the Pacific Surfliner Train to San Diego.

Any tips? Are we doing something wrong? Missing anything out?

 

[PiratesMansion]

You'll want to start and post your questions here: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/

You probably don't need two days at Universal Hollywood unless you're doing HHN (if you're used to Orlando there's a LOT of repeats among the regular attractions, but without the individual variations that you'll find for many Disneyland/WDW "equivalents"), but if you're big into Halloween, don't overlook Knott's Scary Farm: it's the original theme park Halloween event (it's been held for over 50 years), and many people find it better than west coast HHN. They do great haunted houses/mazes and almost the entire park is a scare zone. It's at Knott's Berry Farm (and a separate ticket from the normal operating day), which is only about a ~15 minute drive from Disneyland. Knott's also isn't a bad option more generally if you're looking for rides something between Disney and a more typical park, notable for containing two rides that inspired Disneyland in the Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride, and also has one of the best coasters wooden coasters in the country in GhostRider, though you're best off going during regular park hours during the week and not during the actual Halloween event if you're heading the Knott's for rides.

Make sure you have at least three days planned for Disneyland WITH parkhoppers. This is even more important than normal this time of year because you'll have Oogie Boogie Bash shutting down DCA early on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. You'll want to start at DCA on OBB nights and then hop to Disneyland when you have to; do the opposite

The big spectaculars DO NOT run daily in California unless it's a major school break. So fireworks and Fantasmic are Fri-Sun only, but WOC is nightly (unless it's an OBB night). Plan your park days accordingly.

Stay as close as you can to the Disney parks (the main pedestrian entrance is on Harbor Blvd near the IHOP) and plan to be there for rope drop. You'll get more stuff done in the early mornings than at any other point of the day.

 

[yeti]

You're looking good, good time of year to go if you don't mind Haunted Mansion being closed. I like your itinerary and think you'll have a blast. I would try to fit in Griffith Observatory (don't miss the live star presentation - IIRC you need to book in advance). The George Lucas museum opens on September 22 if that happens to work out, in the vicinity there's a pretty good science museum and a natural history museum I haven't been to.

 

[PiratesMansion]

To clarify, OP, the Haunted Mansion will be running its Holiday overlay in September, so it will be Nightmare Before Christmas-themed.

You also have light overlays (as in, different soundtracks) on Mater's and Luigi's in Cars Land. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout will close at 2 PM daily and re-open at 3 PM to run its Halloween overlay, Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark (both of which count as different Lightning Lanes-so you could potentially reserve both on the same day).

 

[chrish16]

A lot more to think about than we originally thought then
Is it better to take this thread over to the veterans link?
We haven't checked Disney tickets as of yet for prices, weren't intending on park hopper but may have to otherwise we will be losing a lot of park time with OBB. Also, didn't realise Fantasmic and fireworks were only Fri-Sun.
If we don't get park hopper or OBB tickets, and want to see fireworks and Fantasmic is it best to go Wed-Fri, rather than Sun-Tue and do DCA Wed for full park hours and Disneyland Thur & Fri bearing in mind Thur evening in Disneyland will be busier if people park hop out of DCA, or is it quieter as people attend OBB? Is it true DCA 1 day & 2 days for Disneyland?
The Hilton is on Harbour Blvd, we were thinking of getting the ART bus around that area and to Disneyland.

 

[coffeefan]

If you plan on doing 3 days at DL, then I don't think you need to stay 8 days in Anaheim. I'd advise splitting the 8 days between Anaheim and a coastal beach town or San Diego. San Diego has a more laid back scene, and there are so many outdoor activities to do there too. You could even go south of the border and visit TJ for a day trip.

 

[mickEblu]

If you plan on doing 3 days at DL, then I don't think you need to stay 8 days in Anaheim. I'd advise splitting the 8 days between Anaheim and a coastal beach town or San Diego. San Diego has a more laid back scene, and there are so many outdoor activities to do there too. You could even go south of the border and visit TJ for a day trip.

True but I’d do maybe 5 days in Anaheim as it’s a good home base to venture to Newport Beach, Laguna, Dana Point etc. OP - you’ll be here in prime time beach season (no foggy mornings / early afternoons and pleasant temps on the coast) so I’d take some time to visit some of the above. There are some really nice beaches, great restaurants, beautiful outdoor malls like Fashion Island. Get a reservation at the Beachcomber and get the grilled artichokes for appetizers and order the beignets for dessert but make sure you get that reservation like 30 days in advance. For food out in the Anaheim area and OC I can give you some solid restaurant recommendations.

Lots to do in SD too though. I’d do either Sea World or the SD Zoo. Coronado. Go get some Mexican Food in Old Town.

 

[PiratesMansion]

A lot more to think about than we originally thought then
Is it better to take this thread over to the veterans link?

Eh, at this point the thread's established and you're not starting two billion similar threads like some people have done in the past, so you're probably fine.

We haven't checked Disney tickets as of yet for prices, weren't intending on park hopper but may have to otherwise we will be losing a lot of park time with OBB. Also, didn't realise Fantasmic and fireworks were only Fri-Sun.
If we don't get park hopper or OBB tickets, and want to see fireworks and Fantasmic is it best to go Wed-Fri, rather than Sun-Tue and do DCA Wed for full park hours and Disneyland Thur & Fri bearing in mind Thur evening in Disneyland will be busier if people park hop out of DCA, or is it quieter as people attend OBB?

You may want to take a look at prices, though I also understand the temptation to wait and see if you might be able to score a deal since they seem to be more willing now to offer discounted tickets and packages than in the past. In terms of where to buy tickets (assuming no discounted anything comes up), I've had very good experiences with Undercover Tourist, they're legitimate and cheaper than Disney, plus you get a 365 almost-full-refund policy. I've used them for many years at this point.

I'd honestly do Fri-Sun if you're banking on Fireworks and Fantasmic, reason being you have the maximum number of opportunities to see them (the fireworks show in particular can get cancelled due to high winds at ground or firework level). Then just make sure you see WOC Friday or Saturday and you're set. Don't fret too much about weekends vs. weekdays, a lot of times the crowd difference is more negligible than you'd expect. If you're unable to move from Sun-Tues or Wed-Fri, I would do Wed-Fri simply because you have one fewer OBB to deal with/plan around.

Is it true DCA 1 day & 2 days for Disneyland?

Yes.

The Hilton is on Harbour Blvd, we were thinking of getting the ART bus around that area and to Disneyland.

You could do ART, but you might also consider crossing the street and bussing in from the Toy Story Lot. It's free, you can get security done over there in the morning, and there's a steadier flow of busses than ART will run. Those busses also are routed such that they face much less traffic on Harbor and Katella than the ART busses will. TSL busses are also preferable if you stay until park close-ART's last busses will leave 30 min after the last park closes and they will wait until then and be crammed. TSL busses run until an hour after the last park closes and although people sometimes stand and pack those busses, it's much less frequent.

 

[coffeefan]

You probably don't need two days at Universal Hollywood unless you're doing HHN (if you're used to Orlando there's a LOT of repeats among the regular attractions, but without the individual variations that you'll find for many Disneyland/WDW "equivalents"), but if you're big into Halloween, don't overlook Knott's Scary Farm: it's the original theme park Halloween event (it's been held for over 50 years), and many people find it better than west coast HHN. They do great haunted houses/mazes and almost the entire park is a scare zone. It's at Knott's Berry Farm (and a separate ticket from the normal operating day), which is only about a ~15 minute drive from Disneyland. Knott's also isn't a bad option more generally if you're looking for rides something between Disney and a more typical park, notable for containing two rides that inspired Disneyland in the Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride, and also has one of the best coasters wooden coasters in the country in GhostRider, though you're best off going during regular park hours during the week and not during the actual Halloween event if you're heading the Knott's for rides.

Yeah, if you're into Halloween, then for sure consider adding Knott's Scary Farm to your list. Many park enthusiasts consider KSF better than HHN, so it's worth checking out.

 

[Nirya]

Honestly, for Disney if you're committed to three days, I would do one DCA, one Disneyland, and then the third as a Park Hopper to bounce around and hit things you missed/things you want to do a second time.

I personally think eight nights in Anaheim is insane, but if you're going at the end of September and mix in three Disney days, Knotts for Scary Farm (as the biggest Scary Farm booster on this forum, I will heartily second a trip to experience one of the best Haunt events in the country), and maybe a beach day or two, then maybe it makes sense, but I would bump a day from that and stick it on to a longer San Diego trip, which also has nice beaches and the San Diego Zoo, which is a huge rec (if anyone tells you to consider the LA Zoo, you should laugh in their face until they walk away).

I assume you are renting a car? If so, just do the drive from Anaheim to San Diego. As much as I like the Surfliner and have used it before, you will still want a car in San Diego to get places. The West Coast has some terrible public transportation options.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I agree that you're best off doing split hotel stays if you're not spending all of your days in Anaheim.

California is infamous for traffic for a reason, and the best way to overcome that is to move hotels so that you're dealing with it as little as possible. Stay as close as is reasonably possible to the destinations that interest you so that you are able to eliminate as much wasted time as you can.

Traffic in SoCal is all-encompassing, constant, and soul-sucking. It's not that the drivers themselves are particularly terrible IME-I'd rather drive in LA and San Diego than many other places in the US-it's the sheer pervasiveness of the congestion that gets to you IME.

You seem to be reasonably covered for the LA/Burbank bit with the AirBNB, but trust that you're not going to want to base in Anaheim for San Diego.

 

[mickEblu]

I agree that you're best off doing split hotel stays if you're not spending all of your days in Anaheim.

California is infamous for traffic for a reason, and the best way to overcome that is to move hotels so that you're dealing with it as little as possible. Stay as close as is reasonably possible to the destinations that interest you so that you are able to eliminate as much wasted time as you can.

Traffic in SoCal is all-encompassing, constant, and soul-sucking. It's not that the drivers themselves are particularly terrible IME-I'd rather drive in LA and San Diego than many other places in the US-it's the sheer pervasiveness of the congestion that gets to you IME.

You seem to be reasonably covered for the LA/Burbank bit with the AirBNB, but trust that you're not going to want to base in Anaheim for San Diego.

Yeah I’d do 5 days in Anaheim (DLR + OC beach towns etc) And 3 days in SD. You can make a case for 4 days in SD too. But I think 3 days in SD should suffice unless you are doing two or more of the SD Zoo, Sea World and Legoland.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Yeah I’d do 5 days in Anaheim (DLR + OC beach towns etc) And 3 days in SD. You can make a case for 4 days in SD too. But I think 3 days in SD should suffice unless you are doing two or more of the SD Zoo, Sea World and Legoland.

I'm planning a week for San Diego this summer.

There's a 99% chance I'm totally, extremely overcommitting, but hey, I haven't done anything in the city before other than SeaWorld, the Zoo, and the Safari Park-all of which I'm planning on doing again anyway while I'm there.

It's always better to have too much time than not enough time IMO.

 

[mickEblu]

I'm planning a week for San Diego this summer.

There's a 99% chance I'm totally, extremely overcommitting, but hey, I haven't done anything in the city before other than SeaWorld, the Zoo, and the Safari Park-all of which I'm planning on doing again anyway while I'm there.

It's always better to have too much time than not enough time IMO.

Dude when are you just going to move here? Hahah.

How long are you staying in SD? I think you can totally spend 4-5 days in SD especially if you’re planning on doing the zoo’s / parks again. Have you been to Old Town? I’d definitely check that out and get some Mexican food when you’re down there. Hell maybe even a ceramic Pelican like they sell at Adventureland Bazaar. Did you walk around Balboa Park when you went to SD Zoo? It’s worth checking out Hotel Del Coronado. I got some serious TOT vibes last time I was there.

EDIT: disregard my first Question as you said one week.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Dude when are you just going to move here? Hahah.

How long are you staying in SD? I think you can totally spend 4-5 days in SD especially if you’re planning on doing the zoo’s / parks again. Have you been to Old Town? I’d definitely check that out and get some Mexican food when you’re down there. Hell maybe even a ceramic Pelican like they sell at Adventureland Bazaar. Did you walk around Balboa Park when you went to SD Zoo? It’s worth checking out Hotel Del Coronado. I got some serious TOT vibes last time I was there.

I am but a humble Midwestern teacher, so I imagine I will be able to afford living in SoCal approximately never lol. But I sure do love to visit!

I'm spending a week near-ish to Balboa Park, which apart from the zoo itself is entirely new to me. Definitely looking forward to visiting the museums and just spending time appreciating the park itself. Also sort of intrigued by the mini-World Showcase-sounding House of Pacific Relations, but perhaps that's overselling what that actually is? No seafood tacos for me but I would take any other food recommendations.

Haven't made it to Old Town yet but it's on the list, as is Hotel Del Coronado.

 

[mickEblu]

I am but a humble Midwestern teacher, so I imagine I will be able to afford living in SoCal approximately never lol. But I sure do love to visit!

I'm spending a week near-ish to Balboa Park, which apart from the zoo itself is entirely new to me. Definitely looking forward to visiting the museums and just spending time appreciating the park itself. Also sort of intrigued by the mini-World Showcase-sounding House of Pacific Relations, but perhaps that's overselling what that actually is? No seafood tacos for me but I would take any other food recommendations.

Haven't made it to Old Town yet but it's on the list, as is Hotel Del Coronado.

Haha. You could afford to live here but you just might have to cut back on the vacations. But then again many of your vacations are here so it would be a wash. We walked around Balboa Park and I remember it being quite lovely. Don't think I saw the House of Pacific Relations, I'll have to look that up. You don't like fish tacos!? Not even the fried ones? I don't have a lot of food recs for SD. Haven't spent a lot of time there in recent years and when I do it's more park/ zoo focused. Or we're visiting family or going there for weddings and eating hotel wedding food. But Old Town is fun. I don't remember the food being phenomenal but when you take it as a package deal with the atmosphere it checks all the boxes.

 

[DrStarlander]

I personally think eight nights in Anaheim is insane

This is what I thought too. If your focus is theme parks almost exclusively, maybe. But if you want to also experience what's unique and organic to what Southern California is all about, rent a car, drive south, get off I-5 in Oceanside and get onto Hwy. 101. Spend a day going from one beach town to the next heading south: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, La Jolla, etc. Get out of the car, walk down to the beaches, have Mexican food, coffee, beers, smoothies, whatever. Soak up the relaxed surfer vibe. Take it slow. That's pure California (Encinitas in my home town, thus the plug!).

You can easily stay a week in San Diego, it's a great place with plenty to see and do.

 

[Touchdown]

Personally, if you are doing the WB studios tour and have been to Orlando a bunch, I’m not sure you need to do USH. The only truely unique attractions are the Studio Tour, Secret Life of Pets, and Kung Fu Panda 3D +/- Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift (if it’s open, and Orlando will get this in 2027.) I love experiencing Jaws and Earthquake as much as the next guy but you’re already doing a studio tour, I don’t think you need to do 2. However I only say that because I did it in fall 2024 so let me tell you what I did.

I suggest booking 2 nights in Burbank at the start of your trip, the Universal Hilton is walking distance from the park and Citywalk, I did this the last time. On arrival day I checked in, had dinner at City Walk and went to bed. The following day I had a day ticket to USH, and did a RIP tour for HHN. Do not expect the same quality as Orlando in Hollywood, their houses are much more rudimentary, limited to one story in all rooms but the facades, soundstage houses do not have the giant black curtains (as you approach you can see the top of all the scenes which means light pollution and sound pollution.) I’m sorry to say, I felt like HHN Hollywood had non of the positives and all of the negatives of HHN Orlando (I litterally attended both events less then a week apart and went to Orlando first so your mileage may vary.). The following morning I went to do the WB tour (which I splurged and did the gold tour with a small group and got yo eat in the commissary which I felt was worth it.) Then checked into Anaheim.

If you are Halloween people I would highly recommend you check out Knotts Scary Farm. I think it’s a far better event then HHN Hollywood (and the only other event I would say can match/challenge HHN Orlando for the king of Halloween crown) while it lacks the IPs, more polished sets and repeats mazes for a few years (not that you would care about the latter as a first timer) it gains in having a cast of screamsters who are allowed to improv and do more then just trigger a sound effect. Their scarezones are the best in the business, they invented them here, the Ghost Town scarezone has nets over the pathway to trap in fog so that it gets so thick you sometimes can’t see 3ft in front of you, and all zones are filled with sliders (monsters wearing knee pads with metal surfaces who will sprint, dive on their knees, and skim right by you with a shower of sparks. It’s a nice park during the day as well (Scary Farm is an extra ticket) and if you chose to make Thursday the day you go, the park will be dead during the day. I’ve been to So Cal a lot and am a park junkie (I’ve been a DL AP/MK holder 4 times) I’ve gone to USH twice, Knotts over a dozen times.

 

[mickEblu]

Personally, if you are doing the WB studios tour and have been to Orlando a bunch, I’m not sure you need to do USH. The only truely unique attractions are the Studio Tour, Secret Life of Pets, and Kung Fu Panda 3D +/- Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift (if it’s open, and Orlando will get this in 2027.) I love experiencing Jaws and Earthquake as much as the next guy but you’re already doing a studio tour, I don’t think you need to do 2. However I only say that because I did it in fall 2024 so let me tell you what I did.

I suggest booking 2 nights in Burbank at the start of your trip, the Universal Hilton is walking distance from the park and Citywalk, I did this the last time. On arrival day I checked in, had dinner at City Walk and went to bed. The following day I had a day ticket to USH, and did a RIP tour for HHN. Do not expect the same quality as Orlando in Hollywood, their houses are much more rudimentary, limited to one story in all rooms but the facades, soundstage houses do not have the giant black curtains (as you approach you can see the top of all the scenes which means light pollution and sound pollution.) I’m sorry to say, I felt like HHN Hollywood had non of the positives and all of the negatives of HHN Orlando (I litterally attended both events less then a week apart and went to Orlando first so your mileage may vary.). The following morning I went to do the WB tour (which I splurged and did the gold tour with a small group and got yo eat in the commissary which I felt was worth it.) Then checked into Anaheim.

If you are Halloween people I would highly recommend you check out Knotts Scary Farm. I think it’s a far better event then HHN Hollywood (and the only other event I would say can match/challenge HHN Orlando for the king of Halloween crown) while it lacks the IPs, more polished sets and repeats mazes for a few years (not that you would care about the latter as a first timer) it gains in having a cast of screamsters who are allowed to improv and do more then just trigger a sound effect. Their scarezones are the best in the business, they invented them here, the Ghost Town scarezone has nets over the pathway to trap in fog so that it gets so thick you sometimes can’t see 3ft in front of you, and all zones are filled with sliders (monsters wearing knee pads with metal surfaces who will sprint, dive on their knees, and skim right by you with a shower of sparks. It’s a nice park during the day as well (Scary Farm is an extra ticket) and if you chose to make Thursday the day you go, the park will be dead during the day. I’ve been to So Cal a lot and am a park junkie (I’ve been a DL AP/MK holder 4 times) I’ve gone to USH twice, Knotts over a dozen times.

You kind of have to do USH even for the Studio Tour alone. As a theme park fan, I’m not skipping on any major park if I happen to be at that city. Especially if I have the luxury of time.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Personally, if you are doing the WB studios tour and have been to Orlando a bunch, I’m not sure you need to do USH. The only truely unique attractions are the Studio Tour, Secret Life of Pets, and Kung Fu Panda 3D +/- Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift (if it’s open, and Orlando will get this in 2027.) I love experiencing Jaws and Earthquake as much as the next guy but you’re already doing a studio tour, I don’t think you need to do 2.

Fair, though I don't believe the FNTF coasters will be clones-Hollywood's topography would seemingly prohibit that. There's also Waterworld, though I suppose most people aren't going to get excited about a 30 year old stunt show, excellent though it may be.

If you are Halloween people I would highly recommend you check out Knotts Scary Farm. I think it’s a far better event then HHN Hollywood (and the only other event I would say can match/challenge HHN Orlando for the king of Halloween crown) while it lacks the IPs, more polished sets and repeats mazes for a few years (not that you would care about the latter as a first timer) it gains in having a cast of screamsters who are allowed to improv and do more then just trigger a sound effect. Their scarezones are the best in the business, they invented them here, the Ghost Town scarezone has nets over the pathway to trap in fog so that it gets so thick you sometimes can’t see 3ft in front of you, and all zones are filled with sliders (monsters wearing knee pads with metal surfaces who will sprint, dive on their knees, and skim right by you with a shower of sparks. It’s a nice park during the day as well (Scary Farm is an extra ticket) and if you chose to make Thursday the day you go, the park will be dead during the day. I’ve been to So Cal a lot and am a park junkie (I’ve been a DL AP/MK holder 4 times) I’ve gone to USH twice, Knotts over a dozen times.

Quoted for emphasis.

You kind of have to do USH even for the Studio Tour alone. As a theme park fan, I’m not skipping on any major park if I happen to be at that city.

Eh, the studio tours are all kind of similar to each other, and Warner Bros. will give you more access in their basic tour and allow you to actually get out and walk around sets for less money than a Universal ticket. This probably depends on the OP and how interested they are in studio tours; some people probably could do multiple and be fine, but I imagine for some others it's a one and done scenario, especially if they're more interested in the properties that have been filmed at one studio over another or if they find the experience underwhelming.

And really, USH does a poor job of enticing people that have already done Orlando because so much of what Hollywood has is exact clones or smaller/inferior variations of Orlando attractions and concepts-even the Halloween event is inferior. With only 10ish attractions, it's not hard to make the argument that the park is overpriced for what it offers. As much as there are many WDWers that don't understand why anyone would go to Disneyland given WDW's existence, Disney does a far better job of differentiating their domestic theme park resorts in meaningful ways and giving people a reason to go to both. So as much as I love USH and the Studio Tour, I totally understand why someone that's already done Orlando and is doing another studio tour anyway might give it a pass.