2005 Disneyland Trip

[disneymoc]

OK West Coast Chapter. Help me plan my first Disneyland experience.

After many trips to DW, I have talked my wife into taking a trip to Walt's original. She has been there before as a young teen, but this will be my first trip.

Here is the scenario.

I won't have vacation until after June. When would be a good time to go (what days and for how long)? My wife also wants to visit Yosamite (sp?) and I wouldn't mind going to Vegas for a few days since we will be out West.

Any ideas on how this should be planned?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Stranger, if you give be bad advice it will never be forgotten. :wave:

 

[stranger]

Stranger, if you give be bad advice it will never be forgotten. :wave:

Who, me? :goodnevil
I guess that leaves out some clubs I had in mind for you and your wife to visit :drevil: .

Seriously, I'm happy you're coming down to Cali

How many days you plan on staying?

 

[stranger]

I won't have vacation until after June. When would be a good time to go (what days and for how long)? My wife also wants to visit Yosamite (sp?) and I wouldn't mind going to Vegas for a few days since we will be out West.

For weather, June is the best time to visit because it's not too hot yet. Warning, we are known for our June Gloom (marine layer in the morning...very cool) and heats up in the day. October is also a good time to visit, but it’s off season and you’ll encounter ride closures, but low crowds.

Disneyland resort can be done easily in 3 days - 2 days at Disneyland and 1 day at DCA. Just give yourself time to walk around and take all it in…it’s when the magic comes alive.
You’ll be at the park in perfect time because of the 50th celebration and all rides will be open, new parade and new fireworks show.

As far as Vegas (Don’t know how you convinced your wife) I’ll expect it to be a good 4 hour drive from Orange County. There is so much to do in Vegas, but I have no idea what’s your cup of tea…if you just want to walk around the strip, watch shows, gamble, go dancing and drinking (Vegas has is it all.) Just let me know what you want to do and I can recommend some great places.

To remind you California is not just about Disneyland…if you have time, drive through L.A. and visit the Orange County beaches (they’re beautiful).

If you have any questions, please ask. :wave:

 

[LadyDarling]

Wow! You picked 3 very spread out places! It's about a 7 hour drive from LA to Yosemite (but it is worth it!) and about the same distance for Vegas, so if you're looking for a central place to fly in - good luck!

BUT if you wanted to check out some things a little closer to LA without staying in LA, why not check out San Diego? It's one of the nations most beautiful cities! As a 14th generation native californian, I'd be proud to help you guys out with a tour of the area! Heck, one of us might even be willing to meet you up in Disneyland for 1 day or something. Show ya'll the ropes. A lot has probably changed since your wife's last visit!

If you're hell bent on doing Vegas and Yosemitie this trip, I would suggest saving Disneyland or Yosemite for last. This will give you a chance to relax and unwind after all the hustle and bussle of Vegas. I like Vegas, but I can only do a day there, really. Then I'm bored. I can only lose soo much money.

~Jay

 

[disneymoc]

I forgot I posted this thread over a week ago. Oops...

We're not set on Vegas. I've always wanted to go and my wife is willing this time. It maybe something we do on another trip though.

I would love to meet up with some people while we are there to "show us the ropes." If you ever take a trip to the world, I will return the favor.

We are looking at late October, early November for our trip. Which onsite hotel would be best to stay at? Also if had planned on staying in California for a few extra days, what would be good places to visit?

I am at your mercy (well, not stranger's). :wave:

 

[xfkirsten]

I'm always happy to meet more Magic'ers! when they visit! :wave:

As far as an onsite hotel, I really can't compare them... I've stayed in the Good Neighbor hotels a few times, but that's it. Maybe someone else can help ya out here.

As for other SoCal stuff... SeaWorld! :lol: Not that I'm biased or anything. :lol: It's a pretty little park, with a much more home-y feeling (in my opinion) than the SeaWorld in Orlando. I love Universal Studios Hollywood, too. Fun atmosphere! The Studio Tour tram is really great, because there's so many movies filmed there that there's just movie history everywhere. Lots of fun!

 

[disneymoc]

I'm always happy to meet more Magic'ers! when they visit! :wave:

As far as an onsite hotel, I really can't compare them... I've stayed in the Good Neighbor hotels a few times, but that's it. Maybe someone else can help ya out here.

As for other SoCal stuff... SeaWorld! :lol: Not that I'm biased or anything. :lol: It's a pretty little park, with a much more home-y feeling (in my opinion) than the SeaWorld in Orlando. I love Universal Studios Hollywood, too. Fun atmosphere! The Studio Tour tram is really great, because there's so many movies filmed there that there's just movie history everywhere. Lots of fun!

My wife wasn't a big fan of SeaWorld when she visited for the first time last year. I doubt I'll be able to get to go to another one.

We had chatted about Universal, but didn't know if it was worth it. I would enjoy it. I'll have to talk her into it. How far away from Disneyland and we should be able to do it in a day shouldn't we?

 

[stranger]

We had chatted about Universal, but didn't know if it was worth it. I would enjoy it. I'll have to talk her into it. How far away from Disneyland and we should be able to do it in a day shouldn't we?

Universal is about an hour driving from Disneyland (depending on traffic, but always expect traffic).

Late October/early Nov. is the best time to visit California...you shouldn't deal with too much crowds during that time. As far as weather, beautiful! Our average highs are in the low 70's to the upper 60's.

Great California places to visit? There is so much to do here, but you only have a few days. I'll go with the ladies on recommending San Diego...so much night life, beautiful beaches (I'm partial to Coronado island) and a lot of culture. There is more to see in San Diego than just Sea World.

Other great California spots...I recommend Santa Barbara. You can't get a more picturesque beach city. The city is beautiful and surrounded by lots of quaint towns and great sea food. It's a perfect romantic getaway. It's just about an hour north of LA.

As far as LA I can go on and on...I love that city. If you want to experience the night life go straight to Sunset...you can get a glimpse of old Hollywood...some restaurants owned by old classics, like Dean Martin, are located there. Or you can go to a Laker game .

You can also visit the local mountains and play in the snow...I recommend Big Bear Mountain (I live near there )

When you decide where exactly you plan on visiting, let me know...I can give you more specific locations to visit.

 

[xfkirsten]

There is more to see in San Diego than just Sea World.

She lies! :lookaroun :lol:

Seriously, there's a ton of stuf to do in San Diego. A ways north of San Diego is the Wild Animal Park (in Escondido) which is amazing. It's huge, with a several-hundred-acre free-roaming exhibit with a tram tour. And the best part is, you can feed the giraffes! :lol: I love that park, because it's very hands-on. Feed the giraffes, feed the lorikeets (they land on you to eat), pet deer. Lots of fun.

 

[stranger]

She lies! :lookaroun :lol:

Seriously, there's a ton of stuf to do in San Diego. A ways north of San Diego is the Wild Animal Park (in Escondido) which is amazing. It's huge, with a several-hundred-acre free-roaming exhibit with a tram tour. And the best part is, you can feed the giraffes! :lol: I love that park, because it's very hands-on. Feed the giraffes, feed the lorikeets (they land on you to eat), pet deer. Lots of fun.

I've forgotten about Wild Animal Park.

You know what I forgot to recommend...Knotts Berry Farm!! Great theme park (doesn't compare to Disneyland, of course), but it does hold it's own. Lots of roller coasters and kiddie rides if you can't handle the grown-up rides, cheesemoc :animwink: . It's theme is set in the old west...but you'll be there in the fall, so expect to see a lot of Holloween decorations up throughout their park (they're known for their ghoulish and frightening festivities known as Knotts Scary Farm. Lots of scary mazes and shows...very fun.) When I think of more I'll keep adding on. :wave: