DisneyLand or DisneyWorld

[Travel Guru]

This really depends upon what rides you want to take. If you like taking the rides then more than one day is necessary.

Make sure you understand and us the FastPass system.

It also depends on whether you can get a hopper pass on the 1 days ticket (which i'm not sure you can), in which case i'd go for a 2 day which you can generally hop between Disneyland and California Advenure both days making the most of the fast pass system.

TG

 

[wallacej]

This really depends upon what rides you want to take. If you like taking the rides then more than one day is necessary.

Make sure you understand and us the FastPass system.

Absolute MUST if you want to get to the more popular rides..
Disneyland® - Upgrade Your Browser

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. Hadn't heard about FastPass before - good to know.

We're actually going to get a 3 day pass, as part of the "2007 Southern California CityPass". It gives access to San Diego Zoo, Universal and Disneyland, and works out roughly the same as buying individual tickets but with a 2 day Disneyland Pass. The 3 day pass includes early entry one day (1hr before the park opens), which was VERY useful when I was there in '95, so fingers crossed it's still the same.

Thanks again. Cheers
- Febs.
https://tickets.disney.go.com/buy/T...wtbjyX1JNqm2RYqU41yNIgAIeIiRK2oKPx3IWWxP2YrM=

 

[Maca44]

Its a little costly, but when I took my kids to Universal Studios three years ago we did the VIP Tour, and I would thoroughly recommend it. Although you have to get to the park by your own means, there are plenty of bus companies such as Coach USA etc that take you from Anaheim to Universal and arrives there about 9.30am. When you arrive there are heaps of people waiting for the 10am opening of the gates, but you go to the VIP entrance, get clearance, go upstairs to the lounge for coffee/snacks etc, meet your tour guide who stays with you for the entire day and there is a max if 15 in a tour. Because you don't wait for any rides/shows etc you get the see the entire park in the one day, and the schedule takes you from one activity to the next which is great when you only have limited time. Also, they take you to places on the lot where the normal tours don't go, and with there being limited numbers if you want to take a photo they will stop while you do it. You have to book in advance though, and even though a little expensive it was well worth it for me in any event
Universal Studios Amusement Park California - VIP Experience

 

[littl_flier]

Apologies for the slight derail, but I guess it's fairly relevant.

littl_flier (and others) - for two adults (23, no kids), would you say a 1 day Disneyland pass would be sufficient, or would a 2 day pass be better?

When I was 12 we had a 5 day pass (used about 3 days), but now I'm a bit older I'm wondering if I'll find I'm able to do everything I want in a day, or if 2 days would be a safer bet.

(Heading there on Wed ).

Ta muchly.

Cheers,
- Febs.

Febs, hope the trip is going well. If you're just doing Disneyland, 1 day will be stacks, but if you're "hopping", you won't be able to see every show but should be able to try most rides (presuming it's not school holidays in the US?). I would say 1 day will be a little rushed if you do try Californian Adventure as well but it's definitely doable, particularly if you are there early and don't leave until 10ish. Two days will be stacks.

You know me- I was by myself but saw everything and tried all open teenager & up (and the Tea Cup Ride) rides in the two days. I even went back to the hotel for a sleep on the second afternoon. Not sure if they're on at the moment but the fireworks are amazing.

Make sure you check out the Soaring over California ride (California Adventure). It's not scary but gives an amazing "Imax" like experience of California. I did that one probably 6 or 7 times.

Enjoy Febs!!!

Cheers,
littl_flier

PS.

littl_flier (and others) - for two adults (23, no kids),

Phht, More like two big kids. It's a relief there aren't any little ones yet though.

 

[Yada Yada]

There is also plenty to see and do in the greater LA area (including other themeparks, Santa Monica, Hollywood?/Beverly Hills, Universal Studios (though, there is one in Orlando), even a daytrip to Mexico or a quick trip to Vegas).

I agree. If it were me, I'd do Disneyland (it comprises 2 parks now) and spend the rest of the time visiting other places in LA and California.

The places in LA mentioned above are great. There is some good shopping to be had in California too - e.g. South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is massive. If you go when there is an annual sale on (e.g. Veteran's Day in Nov) it is simply amazing (e.g. good quality business shirts for $9.95).

Further afield, it doesn't take long to get to places such as San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and San Diego. Sea World in San Diego is brilliant.

 

[willymaykett]

I suppose it comes down to whether we want to spned all the time at theme parks, or actually do other things. I think I will need to go and check with the rest of the family what else they may want to do.

Although having said that, I still wouldn't mind seeing the Kennedy Space centre, I am pretty interested in that sort of stuff.

I am also keen on a short stay at San Francisco, so maybe fly into SF, then go onto Orlando from there...

Decisions, decisions...

 

[futaris]

Wikipedia page on Fastpass

 

[wallacej]

I suppose it comes down to whether we want to spned all the time at theme parks, or actually do other things. I think I will need to go and check with the rest of the family what else they may want to do.

Although having said that, I still wouldn't mind seeing the Kennedy Space centre, I am pretty interested in that sort of stuff.

I am also keen on a short stay at San Francisco, so maybe fly into SF, then go onto Orlando from there...

Decisions, decisions...

I took my (now ex) wife and two kids on the following trip a few years back. Kids were 11 & 8 at the time..No work, all play.

MEL-LAX 6 days (did Disney etc and other parks)
LAX - SFO 5 days (saw friends as well)
SFO-JFK (New York) 4 days (blackout 15th Aug 03)
LGA -Orlando (Disney, Nasa) 5 days
Orlando- LAS (had to have a couple of grown up days) 3 days
LAS-LAX, LAX-MEL

Total trip was 23 days, but we did spend extra time with friends in SFO..

 

[willymaykett]

I took my (now ex) wife and two kids on the following trip a few years back. Kids were 11 & 8 at the time..No work, all play.

MEL-LAX 6 days (did Disney etc and other parks)
LAX - SFO 5 days (saw friends as well)
SFO-JFK (New York) 4 days (blackout 15th Aug 03)
LGA -Orlando (Disney, Nasa) 5 days
Orlando- LAS (had to have a couple of grown up days) 3 days
LAS-LAX, LAX-MEL

Total trip was 23 days, but we did spend extra time with friends in SFO..

Sounds like an interesting trip, I am also contemplating putting SFO into my itinery, any tips/recommendations of must see/do things? I am looking at staying around 2 weeks in US, before going to Toronto for a few days, then off to London/Europe for about 3 weeks.

Your kids ages at the time are pretty close to mine, if you had to do it again, any preference to DisneyLand/DisneyWorld?

Thanks

 

[wallacej]

Sounds like an interesting trip, I am also contemplating putting SFO into my itinery, any tips/recommendations of must see/do things? I am looking at staying around 2 weeks in US, before going to Toronto for a few days, then off to London/Europe for about 3 weeks.

Your kids ages at the time are pretty close to mine, if you had to do it again, any preference to DisneyLand/DisneyWorld?

Thanks

I just asked them, and they, without hesitation, said World!!! They also said that their favourites were Blizzard Beach and the space simulator... mission space.. that was really cool.... they have just said that it was all too good, but that was their first response.

As for SFO, the bridge stands out in their minds, Alcatraz. They also spoke about some market, but I can't remember that....definitely do the tour bus..

Overall, I was concerned that they may have been too young, but I have just discovered that they have remembered more about the trip than me...

 

[willymaykett]

I just asked them, and they, without hesitation, said World!!! They also said that their favourites were Blizzard Beach and the space simulator... mission space.. that was really cool.... they have just said that it was all too good, but that was their first response.

As for SFO, the bridge stands out in their minds, Alcatraz. They also spoke about some market, but I can't remember that....definitely do the tour bus..

Overall, I was concerned that they may have been too young, but I have just discovered that they have remembered more about the trip than me...

Thanks for the info, this is our first trip to the States, so appreciate the tips. .

I am keen to go to SFO and do the sites you mentioned, famous landmarks the kids are sure to remember. Then off to Orlando for some serious fun.

May I ask what time of year you went? I am looking at begin Sept08.

 

[flyingzzzds]

Just polled our kids and SF got huge votes! We did a bus tour in the morning that took us across the Golden Gate and then dropped us back to Pier 39 in the "Fisherman's Wharf" area. From there you can walk down to the cable car turn around and take a ride into town. We jumped off the cable car at Lombard Street and walked down and back up it's twists and turns. We all loved it.

Another thought, if you are going to Orlando and Cape Canaveral, have you considered a short Caribbean cruise? We took the whole tribe on a Carnival Cruise for 4 days. It worked out as great value, and the facilties for the kids (young and old) were sensational. Definite highlight of the trip.

 

[wallacej]

Thanks for the info, this is our first trip to the States, so appreciate the tips. .

I am keen to go to SFO and do the sites you mentioned, famous landmarks the kids are sure to remember. Then off to Orlando for some serious fun.

May I ask what time of year you went? I am looking at begin Sept08.

We went in August and the weather was fine... another tip, I booked my tickets for most of the theme parks before I left. I can't recall exactly why but I can bet you that price had something to do with it.. They arrived in the mail at the time... you can probably just print them now though??

 

[straitman]

I just asked them, and they, without hesitation, said World!!! They also said that their favourites were Blizzard Beach and the space simulator... mission space.. that was really cool.... they have just said that it was all too good, but that was their first response.

As for SFO, the bridge stands out in their minds, Alcatraz. They also spoke about some market, but I can't remember that....definitely do the tour bus..

Overall, I was concerned that they may have been too young, but I have just discovered that they have remembered more about the trip than me...

If you go to Alcatraz the headset tour is a must. The extra value is well and truely woth the extra cost. A great day out. Also you must do a cable car ride as it's something else again.

 

[willymaykett]

Just polled our kids and SF got huge votes! We did a bus tour in the morning that took us across the Golden Gate and then dropped us back to Pier 39 in the "Fisherman's Wharf" area. From there you can walk down to the cable car turn around and take a ride into town. We jumped off the cable car at Lombard Street and walked down and back up it's twists and turns. We all loved it.

Another thought, if you are going to Orlando and Cape Canaveral, have you considered a short Caribbean cruise? We took the whole tribe on a Carnival Cruise for 4 days. It worked out as great value, and the facilties for the kids (young and old) were sensational. Definite highlight of the trip.

How many full days did you spend in SFO? I am thinking about 2 full days, with a fly in/fly out day on either side. Will fly in from Syd, then fly out to Orlando. Then some days at Orlando, before flying out to Toronto.

Thanks for the info

 

[straitman]

How many full days did you spend in SFO? I am thinking about 2 full days, with a fly in/fly out day on either side. Will fly in from Syd, then fly out to Orlando. Then some days at Orlando, before flying out to Toronto.

Thanks for the info

Sounds reasonable to me. Remember that the airport is a long way out of town in SFO so you need a plan.

 

[willymaykett]

Remember that the airport is a long way out of town in SFO so you need a plan.

Didn't know that.... but know I know I need to make a plan . I have heard you don't need a car to get around in SFO, is that so? If I need a car, any suggestions? Is it better to book here, or get one over there?

Any good links for decent info on SFO?

Thanks!

 

[straitman]

Didn't know that.... but know I know I need to make a plan . I have heard you don't need a car to get around in SFO, is that so? If I need a car, any suggestions? Is it better to book here, or get one over there?

Any good links for decent info on SFO?

Thanks!

willymaykett,

Suggest you do a google search. I looked at SFO and the first link was:

SFO - San Francisco International Airport

All sorts of useful info.

 

[willymaykett]

Thanks for the help

Will start doing some planning to include SFO, then working out an itinery with QFF points.