Short Trip to LA - Recommendations?

[tommanb182]

I will be in LA this weekend (last minute plans) and have most of the day on Friday and all day Saturday available. I have never been to the area and am wondering what fellow TPR'ers recommend.

 

Tentative plans are to see some of the LA sights on Friday and hit Disneyland (and some of CA, time permitting) on Saturday.

 

Is there anything I must do while there? Is going to Disney a waste? Any recommendations on places to stay/transportation methods?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

- Tom

[Crazy4Coasters!]

...Is going to Disney a waste? ...

 

- Tom

 

I don't know why don't you ask him>>>

 

By the way if you can switch going to the a park on Friday instead Saturday that might just save you from the more aggressive weekend crowds that come in the summertime.

[DBru]

Just curious...are you more interested in visiting Disneyland than SFMM?

 

Have you been to the parks near LA before?

[tkkyj]

Disneyland is definitely not a waste (I just went for the first time this year and I'm 30). I don't think I would have as much fun there by myself (I was with my girlfriend), but if you're the least bit "park enthusiast" you will most likely enjoy it no matter what. I don't even like most of Disney's licenses but I think the theme parks are great.

 

On Knott's, people are quite divided... I happen to like it a lot. It is a small park, and depending on your timing you could probably get a lot out of 3 hours there. I wandered around looking at everything in Ghost Town, so I needed some more time... there are some unique food choices, too.

 

For me, Magic Mountain is king down there. Big park, big rides, old tech, new tech. The crowd may be sketchy (though not nearly as bad as about 5 years ago) and the food is pretty terrible, but the place is great for rides.

 

If you're with someone and want to have a "cute" (and fun) time, I would definitely hit Disney. If not, I would try to work in both Knott's and SFMM.

 

If you play hockey at all, Hockey Giant and Hockey Monkey are nearby, too... but if you're from midwest/out east anyway then you probably have something just as good back home.

 

Go get a chili dog at Pink's though! eat at Norm's in the middle of the night...?

[Sir Clinksalot]

^^^ Actually, right now because the only AP's that are able to go on Saturday's are premium AP's, Saturdays have actually been not so busy.

 

As for "must see's":

 

Disneyland:

Pirates of the Carribean

Haunted Mansion

Indiana Jones Adventure

Space Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain

Matterhorn

Disneyland Railroad

It's a Small World

Mark Twain or Columbia (boat on Rivers of America)

Splash Mountain

Spend some time in Fantasyland, but I wouldn't wait more than 20 minutes for any of the rides there.

Also make sure you take some time to explore Main Street, the shops, etc. The fire-station, ride one of the cars up and down the street. It's really one of the underrated things in the park.

 

DCA:

Soarin' over CA

California Screamin'

Tower of Terror

Toy Story Mania

Grizzly River Run

Animation (if you haven't done the one in FL)

 

Also, because of the way they have the times set up, you either have to pick to see the Electrical Parade (DCA) or the Fireworks (Disneyland). The Parade starts at 9:00pm and the fireworks start at 9:24pm.

 

My suggestion, see the fireworks at 9:25 and then catch the 10:30 Fantasmic. Both are well worth it.

[tommanb182]

Just curious...are you more interested in visiting Disneyland than SFMM?

 

Have you been to the parks near LA before?

This is my first time to LA, and with that I have never been to any of the parks.

 

I was thinking Disney because I have always wanted to go there, since I was a kid. I'm planning a coaster trip later in the summer so I think I'd rather go to a classic/all around fun park than something with sheer coaster goodness.

 

But... I am flexible and just looking for opinions on what locals/well traveled people think.

[Sir Clinksalot]

^ I think if you've never been to Disneyland and have always wanted to, you should go to Disneyland. It's really awesome. I know we get jaded out here because it's in our backyard, but you will love it.

[Crazy4Coasters!]

^ Thanks for the info buddy, I'm actually going to Disneyland this Friday for my girlfriend's birthday so it should be a blast... And I gotta agree, if you haven't been to Disneyland and you're planning a coaster trip later on then by all means head out to Disneyland!

[The Bebes]

I am a fan of all the SoCal parks. I visit SFMM and Knotts a few times each year, and Disneyland/DCA once every few years.

 

Definately GOTO Disneyland if you've never been!!!!!!

 

BUT try to stay away from a Saturday there, or any other theme park for that matter. Disney is always more crowded than the other parks and you'll likely encounter 2hr lines for most attractions. You will NEVER be able to complete even the "MUST SEE" rides that the other poster listed. Also, I would add the NEMO Submarine ride to the list. Friday will probably be half the crowd of Saturday. OR get a two-day park-hopper for Fri and Sat and save your sightseeing for some other time.

 

-Mr. Bebe

[dino]

Disney sounds like the best choice. For the same reasons others have already said.

 

As for tips, I would suggest learning about the Fastpass system. Micechat has a great thread on it, & learning the in-&-outs of it will really help maximize the attractions you'll be able to do.

 

As for foods, I would suggest a Dole whip at Disneyland. The black pepper popcorn at DCA is pretty good too. Also, since you'll be in Socal you HAVE to hit up an In-N-Out burger.

[tommanb182]

Also, since you'll be in Socal you HAVE to hit up an In-N-Out burger.

Don't worry, In-N-Out is the first planned stop on our trip. Another reason i have been itching to go to SoCal.

 

This has probably been asked 8000 times, but does anyone know some good resources to look up one day, two park (Disneyland + DCA) game plans? I have been swamped with work recently and don't have enough time to really do my homework on these parks.

 

Thanks in advance!

[atem122]

^The micechat link should help, but fast passes are by far the best way to get things done, especially if you arrive at the park opening (which is early) you can run to get FP's for Space Mountain and ride Nemo before the ride gets too long. I got there at park opening once and we left at 7 because we had already done everything and were kinda getting bored lol. But you must know that Flash Passes have no expiration time on the day that you use get them, it says that you have to come back between x and x, but really you just have to come back after x.

 

 

Edit: But you must have priorities In N Out>Disneyland!

[The Bebes]

Disey's website is your best bet for prices, but they have so many combos that it's difficult to naigate. Also, we had found people on Craigslist that sell you one day of their ten day parkhopper for about $50/day. They'll meet you at a place like Coco's right outside of Disneyland, give yout the ticket, then meet you at the pizza shop near Space Mountain near the end of the night and get the ticket back from you. Worked great for us in the past!

[Crazy4Coasters!]

^ I'm trying that actually on Friday. I bought a 1 day park hopper ticket from Ebay for $50. I've heard people have been pretty reliable using that method so I hope all goes well that day.

[SuperShawn]

From my experiences in the parks as a pass holder and having gone around 3 dozen times this year. If you are planning on doing both parks, I'd suggest going over to DCA first. Everyone tends so go to Disneyland at opening and stay there because it opens first, and then switches parks in the afternoon. You can knock out all the must do's at DCA pretty fast before the crowds switch parks. Then you can head over to Disneyland and be able to do all the major attractions and then some with out too much worry.

[itnotfair]

I think going on Friday is your best bet, if you can swing it. Definitely take advantage of fast passes, which are free because Disney kicks booty. I agree that In 'n' Out is a must. Have a great trip! What I would give to see Disneyland with fresh eyes!