Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I agree with TP. I'm so happy you're actually traveling throughout Southern California, instead of just limitig it to the Disneyland Resort. Cosmic, I think you can now be a part of the California Cool Gang!
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
My L.A. in November... I mean, November in L.A. Trip!
- Thread starter Cosmic Commando
- Start date
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Good to hear!
A reminder that while admission is free, you must reserve your tickets in advance on the Getty website. Weekends and peak holiday periods tend to book out a few weeks in advance. But even for an off-season weekday you must reserve your tickets online in advance for the smaller Getty Villa. They are closed on Tuesdays.
I highly recommend the GettyGuide service when you're there. It's basically an iPod Touch that has audio and map information on the various exhibits. There's a version for kids, and a version for adults who want additional information on each gallery or exhibit. Give yourself just a few minutes to stop at the modern entry pavilion welcome desk to get the full download on services available and happenings that day. The Getty people do an excellent job of providing their services to those who want to use the museum to its fullest. There's also a nice cafe restaurant there to take advantage of. Enjoy!
Re-jiggering the trip a bit with the feedback from all of you guys and my new Fodor's book.
-The Getty is out and the Getty Villa is in.
-Planning on seeing Wreck-It Ralph at either The Grove or the El Capitan.
-I'm very interested in Channel Islands National Park. Has anyone done a "fly-by" cruise or landed here?
-I briefly rekindled my love affair with Kings Canyon/ Sequoia National Parks, but the drive and the potential weather conditions are just too much of a put-off. On the bright side, the crushing disappointment of ending that dream led me to a new plan. I was going to spend a night out in Kings Canyon to make the drive doable, but I decided to spend that hotel room $ on a night out in the desert instead in the Palm Springs area instead. I found some extra cool things in Fodor's, and I was already cutting items from my itinerary to make a one-day plan. This will give us space to do (mostly) everything I want to.
Day 1
-Pines to Palms Scenic Drive ~3/3.5 hours to get out there instead of two on the highway
-The Living Desert - nice collection of desert animals and plants. They have a jaguar, my son's favorite animal.
-Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert - This isn't really a must-see, but if we have time between the zoo and the tramway, it would be a good way to spend a couple of hours out of the sun.
-Palm Springs Tram - Planning on heading up mid-afternoon or so. Ideally, I'd like to time it right so we can head up while it's still light out, watch the sunset from the top, and maybe even see the moon. I have a mini-obsession with seeing a big full moon in the desert. I even went to a site to find phase, moonrise and set, civil twilight, astronomical twilight... the whole deal. Sometime from the 15th-19th seems ideal for our desert excursion, unless something happens to the moon between now and then.
Day 2
Hi-Desert Nature Museum - seems almost like a supplemental visitor center for Joshua Tree. It has some animals that you can find in the park, as well as geology and archaeology exhibits.
Joshua Tree National Park - Lots to see. Definite moon potential here, too. I'm determined to see a big moon in the desert sky!
Does anyone have experience with places to eat or stay in the Palm Springs area?
Also, my son is turning six while we're there. I was thinking maybe the Pirates dinner show or Medieval Times? We have a Medieval Times in Toronto, so I'm leaning towards saving that one. Disneyland has some kind of family tour, but it's pretty darn expensive, like north of $50 per person. I'm considering turning him loose at the Frontierland Shooting Gallery and the Games of the Boardwalk and small upcharge things like that that we normally avoid. Are there any other small things like that at/near Disneyland? Do they have the little Jungle Cruise boats like at MK?
-The Getty is out and the Getty Villa is in.
-Planning on seeing Wreck-It Ralph at either The Grove or the El Capitan.
-I'm very interested in Channel Islands National Park. Has anyone done a "fly-by" cruise or landed here?
-I briefly rekindled my love affair with Kings Canyon/ Sequoia National Parks, but the drive and the potential weather conditions are just too much of a put-off. On the bright side, the crushing disappointment of ending that dream led me to a new plan. I was going to spend a night out in Kings Canyon to make the drive doable, but I decided to spend that hotel room $ on a night out in the desert instead in the Palm Springs area instead. I found some extra cool things in Fodor's, and I was already cutting items from my itinerary to make a one-day plan. This will give us space to do (mostly) everything I want to.
Day 1
-Pines to Palms Scenic Drive ~3/3.5 hours to get out there instead of two on the highway
-The Living Desert - nice collection of desert animals and plants. They have a jaguar, my son's favorite animal.
-Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert - This isn't really a must-see, but if we have time between the zoo and the tramway, it would be a good way to spend a couple of hours out of the sun.
-Palm Springs Tram - Planning on heading up mid-afternoon or so. Ideally, I'd like to time it right so we can head up while it's still light out, watch the sunset from the top, and maybe even see the moon. I have a mini-obsession with seeing a big full moon in the desert. I even went to a site to find phase, moonrise and set, civil twilight, astronomical twilight... the whole deal. Sometime from the 15th-19th seems ideal for our desert excursion, unless something happens to the moon between now and then.
Day 2
Hi-Desert Nature Museum - seems almost like a supplemental visitor center for Joshua Tree. It has some animals that you can find in the park, as well as geology and archaeology exhibits.
Joshua Tree National Park - Lots to see. Definite moon potential here, too. I'm determined to see a big moon in the desert sky!
Does anyone have experience with places to eat or stay in the Palm Springs area?
Also, my son is turning six while we're there. I was thinking maybe the Pirates dinner show or Medieval Times? We have a Medieval Times in Toronto, so I'm leaning towards saving that one. Disneyland has some kind of family tour, but it's pretty darn expensive, like north of $50 per person. I'm considering turning him loose at the Frontierland Shooting Gallery and the Games of the Boardwalk and small upcharge things like that that we normally avoid. Are there any other small things like that at/near Disneyland? Do they have the little Jungle Cruise boats like at MK?
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Your new itinerary is still looking good! I'm unaware of the palm Springs area but I'm sure someone else will be able to help you out. I do know one of Walt Disney's favorite places to stay is located there. I can't remember the name though.
The Plaza Inn at Disneyland (Walt Disney's favorite eatery in the park) throws birthday parties with character interaction. Here's the link: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-occasions/birthdays/
Also you might be able to get your own boat for Storybook. Just ask one of the cast members if it's ok.
We don't have the little Jungle Cruise boats. Don't forget to get your son his birthday pin!
That birthday at the Plaza thing is surprisingly affordable! It would only be fitting for Mickey and Minnie to show up at the party, as they both share a birthday with my son... 11/18. Do you think anyone wishes Mickey a happy birthday?Your new itinerary is still looking good! I'm unaware of the palm Springs area but I'm sure someone else will be able to help you out. I do know one of Walt Disney's favorite places to stay is located there. I can't remember the name though.
The Plaza Inn at Disneyland (Walt Disney's favorite eatery in the park) throws birthday parties with character interaction. Here's the link: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-occasions/birthdays/
Also you might be able to get your own boat for Storybook. Just ask one of the cast members if it's ok.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
November 18th??? No way, that's my older brother and my best friend's birthday! So five birthdays in one day, hahaha.
I wouldn't be surprised if they wished Minnie and Mickey a happy birthday
That would just be so cool, Mickey, Minnie and your son can all celebrate together! I was shocked at the prices too, pretty cheap. Is the Plaza something you guys would consider?
Yeah, actually. I kinda mentioned it to my wife in passing and she seems like she's on board. We ate at the character breakfast there in either '07 or '08 and liked it.November 18th??? No way, that's my older brother and my best friend's birthday! So five birthdays in one day, hahaha.
I wouldn't be surprised if they wished Minnie and Mickey a happy birthday
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Oh ok, good then. Just a warning, the birthday song that is sung is very addictive! Oh and I like your idea of letting your son explore Frontierland.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Cosmic, are you a D23 member? There will be a Walt Disney Studios tour In November.
I'd consider joining for something like that... I've never really thought about it because of the SoCal-centricity. Do you actually have a decent chance of signing up for a studio tour when it's offered, or is it one of those gone in 30 seconds deals?
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I could understand why you've never thought about actually becoming a member. During the first year, yes, the studio tours sold quickly. Now they don't. They've been on sale for months now, and they're still not completely sold out.
In regards to my plan to get my son on Space Mountain, here's his first coaster ride: Goofy's Barnstormer in 2010. It's roughly the same as the Go-Coaster.
But it's been two years, so....
But it's been two years, so....
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
OMG, your son is adorable! He seemed a little scared in the beginning but he handled it pretty well. I think he can do Space.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
So I asked my brother about some Universal tickets and turns out he gave away all his comps
He can get discounts on entry tickets, though. If you're interested at all, let me know cosmic.
He can get discounts on entry tickets, though. If you're interested at all, let me know cosmic.
Yeah, just keeping an eye on my daughter's height. Let me know how much when you can. There's always some re-imagining of what exactly is going on, so I'm definitely going to keep that in mind... I wanna ride Transformers!So I asked my brother about some Universal tickets and turns out he gave away all his comps
Finally bought my final plane tickets yesterday, and it turns out that the four of us are flying Buffalo-LAX, LAX-DC on Thanksgiving, and Baltimore-Buffalo on Sunday for about $750 with all of the points I had! I love Southwest!
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Ok so I finally asked my brother and with his team member discount, the tickets are $55. I jut realized your daughter is young enough to get in for free, so the price would only apply to three of you guys, if you go. Something to think about!
So glad you were able to get your tickets, and for cheap too! November is getting closer!
Yes! We're in a month next to a month that is next to the month of my trip! A momentous occasion, indeed! It's kinda nerdy, but I finally made a countdown online. 61 days and some change as of the time of this post. Thanks for checking on the Uni tickets. My son was all over the walkaround Bumblebee and Optimus; thankfully I was just reading "In the Parks" so I could tell him they were just statues. But those things look frickin' awesome!
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
I make Christmas countdowns all the time! Nothing wrong with countdowns! Your son would love Optimus and Bumblebee. They are really cool and they're so tall! I really hope you guys get a chance to go.
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Cosmic, let us know if you want to meet up while you're here in California! We could get ice cream at the Disney Soda Fountain, or something.