Advice for some Australians - USA Theme Park Expedition 2007

[OzErik]

G'day guys,

 

Was hoping you could give me some advice on our family's upcoming trip to the US.

 

I am travelling with my wife, mother, and two daughters (5yrs old, and 18 months).

 

This is our basic itinerary:-

 

16th - 19th Nov - L.A. (Hollywood Celebrity Hotel)

19th - 23rd Nov - Las Vegas (MGM Grand)

23rd - 27th Nov - Denver (visiting family friends)

27th Nov - 18th Dec - Orlando (Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort)

18th Dec - 27th Dec - (Disneyland Hotel)

 

The Florida side of things is pretty much under control although we are going to go to Busch Gardens and would like to know what day would be best to check that park. We were planning on a Saturday (cause the park is open an extra hour) but I am not sure how crowded that park gets.

 

My main area of questions are around the L.A. / Anaheim parts of our trip. We would like to go to the following non-Disney attractions:

 

- Legoland California

- San Diego Zoo

- Knotts Berry Farm

- Six Flags Magic Mountain

 

So first question: Bearing in mind the dates we are going to be in California what would be the best days for us to visit these parks? We are going to do a 8 day park hopper for Disneyland at the end of our trip, and I think that the parks are open late at Disney so we can potentially do something during the day non-Disney and then go to DL / DCA at nights.

 

Second Question: As we are only going to do a single day at Six Flags and we want to ride as many coasters as many times as possible is it adviseable to buy 1 or 2 Flash Passes on the day?

 

Third Question: What would be the best way to get to Anaheim / LA to Legoland? I had read that the Amtrak system was a good option to go from Anaheim to San Diego.

 

Anyways thats about it, any help help / advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Erik

Also

[Carnage]

We are going to do a 8 day park hopper for Disneyland at the end of our trip, and I think that the parks are open late at Disney so we can potentially do something during the day non-Disney and then go to DL / DCA at nights.

 

8 days at DLR? That seems like overkill.

[OzErik]

8 days is the length we are at the resort. So some days I figure we'll just go into the parks at night. I am hoping they are open late in mid to late December.

[OzErik]

Any advice guys?

[socalRCfan]

OzErik- I think I would spend at Sat/Sun doing Legoland, then San Diego Zoo. It will be more crowded on the weekends, but there are less rides (lines) at those two parks. Also look into going to Belmont Park after the zoo since it is very close. Beware the traffic going to San Diego on Saturday morning and Sunday evening. Simple rule, go early and return late.

 

Go to Knott's and Magic Mountain (check the operating days) during the work week. You won't have much of a commute for Knott's, so very little traffic to deal with. Also, the crowds will be a fraction of what they will be on the weekends, especially a Saturday!

 

Disney is generally a more pleasant place to be when it is crowded, especially if you have covered the "E-ticket" attractions on previous days. There are more diversions for the entire family. Eat at Blue Bayou! Evenings during the holidays are a real pleasure at Disneyland.

[OzErik]

Hey!

 

Thanks for the advice - I really appreciate it.

 

I have been to SoCal before - but in August / September about 10 years ago!

 

I would of thought the week before Christmas would of been a completely different kettle of fish!

 

We were thinking of getting a couple of Flash Passes for Magic Mountain, just to make sure we can do as many of the rollercoasters as many times in the one day!

 

Still no sure what to do travelling to San Diego - tossing up between a train, rental car, or a bus transfer.

 

Decisions, decisions!

 

Thanks again,

 

Erik

[RIP Psyclone]

That is one long trip, sir! I have not seen Sea World mentioned in this thread, and since you're going to be in So Cal for over a week anyway, you might as well hit that too. Good park for kids. It's very easy to get to San Diego from Anaheim, Interstate 5 takes you all the way there. Options such as Amtrak I'm not TOO familiar with, but I believe the southern terminus is still a ways away from downtown San Diego. I wouldn't recommend visiting Tijuana, Mexico.

[timetrial3141592]

At San Diego, hit Belmont Park.

[RIP Psyclone]

Magic Mountain can be a 2 day park if you really want to ride everything, but I wouldn't commit to 2 before seeing what you got done during the 1st day. With Flash Pass, 1 day may be sufficient. Not interested in Universal Studios? If you're considering it, I'm sure you could squeeze it in during your stay in Anaheim, along with Knott's, Legoland, possibly Sea World, and whatever else in So Cal.

[RIP Psyclone]

At San Diego, hit Belmont Park.

 

Yes, it's worth it if you do visit San Diego. There are many "mini" parks throughout So Cal that you can visit if a goal on your trips is to get as many credits as possible. Do be sure to ride the Vegas coasters as well.

[OzErik]

We're going to do Universal Studios in Florida - so I reckon we won't manage to get to Universal Studios California (went there in 1998 and was disappointed). Same goes for Sea World - we'll be hitting the one in Florida to do Kraken.

 

Much admit I hadnt thought I hitting Belmont Park - how many coasters are there at that park??

[RIP Psyclone]

^Just one, the Giant Dipper, a classic woodie built in 1925. It's not worth a trip to San Diego by itself, but if you're already there and can spare an hour you might as well. As for Sea World and Universal Studios, I agree. The only thing that sets USH apart is that it is the original, and a real working studio, so the Studio Tour is more authentic. Other than that, yeah, it's hardly worth a trip.

 

Also, it's not much but there's also Adventure City in Anaheim, just south of Knott's on Beach Blvd. A couple of credits to be had there.