confused? please help

[simon]

We are thinking of a trip to DL next year. How far away is Sea World and Universal Hollywood?
We cant gauge the distance via the travel brochure. We are a non driving family on holiday. In Florida we have no problems getting to and from parks.
Also the trip is for 3 weeks so not sure if we would have enough to do if we can't see the other parks.
Lastly in size how does DL compare to DLP? :blush:
Any help please

[wdwgrandma]

Ok. I did a quick little "MapQuest" thing and found out that it is approx 36 miles from Disneyland to Universal, and approx 90 miles from Disneyland to Sea World.

[simon]

ok many thanks, distances further away than I thought, guess a car a must have.

[wdwgrandma]

If you plan on heading down to the San Diego area (that's where Sea World is), you really should visit the famous (and quite wonderful) San Diego Zoo! I spent a glorious day there a few years ago!

[BevW]

Yes, most definitely go to the Zoo...it's one of the best zoo's we've ever been to.

[simon]

ok guys :p

[rjh812uk]

Simon
Just to prepare you the drive to Universal is a bit of an adventure.Fast Freeways with lots of people cutting in from both sides.
If you are used to driving in the US you will know what i mean,I've done it a couple of times and would do it again.
I'm sure someone will now tell you it a nice steady drive,but i thought you would like the Tourists perspective.
Oh and the drive down to San Diego is'nt a bad one and does'nt take too long.

[Cinderella]

ok many thanks, distances further away than I thought, guess a car a must have.

In California a car is a must. There isn't much around DisneyLand except for hotels and restaurants.

[simon]

thanks guys

[tajainaz]

It's about a one-hour drive from Disneyland to Universal Hollywood in moderate traffic. Don't even think about rush hour--you'll be sitting in a series of parking lots (freeway gridlock)! :D

There are confusing interchanges from one freeway to the next (frequently due to strange signage), and sometimes a freeway interchange occurs near the exit you need. I'm thinking that Universal is the Lankershim exit from...ummmm...can't remember freeway numbers...the Ventura Freeway (101?). I don't remember it being a particularly nasty exit, but I lived there at the time and considered Los Angeles freeways "normal"! :eek:


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[tajainaz]

Simon, I'm not sure I would want to book three weeks in the Disneyland area, particularly without driving! You probably can find enough to do for about a week or 10 days.

Is it possible to split your stay between DLR and San Diego? You could check to see if coach transport is available (not Greyhound--although I know people who have voluntarily taken it all over the country!) from Anaheim to San Diego or possibly a train. The western US has begun to discover train travel again! The downside is that most of the terminals are in rather seedy areas, so you would need to do your homework!

Another possibility (depending on your interest), would be a flight from Orange County airport (John Wayne airport) to Las Vegas (McCarren). You definitely can get around on the strip without driving and there is a lot to do (including gawking at everything!). They have bus service to Fremont Street (recommend taxi for the return trip or round trip at night), and several of the hotels have shuttles that will take you from one property to another (Harrah's to the Rio--both are owned by Harrah's).

Of course, if you're going June - August, you may not want to consider Las Vegas. It is wickedly hot!


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[tajainaz]

My brain is beginning to kick into gear. I'm on the second glass of ice water!

Keeping in mind that transportation is going to be an issue, so you would have to do some major research, another possibility--if you like a laid-back, relaxed vacation--would be Santa Barbara. This isn't a theme park resort area, just beautiful beaches and a small university town. It can be expensive, but you also can find some decent rates if you don't expect 4-star lodging or food for 2-star prices!

If you stay at one of the motels or B&Bs within walking distance of the beach and town, you wouldn't need transportation during your stay. You would just need to figure out transportation to and from the area.

Just food for thought!


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[nyck]

Just got back 3 hours ago from 10 days at disneyland + 4 at vegas(no car)
very sleepy will report back tomorrow.

have prices of coach trips to parks+tours etc


nyck

[simon]

wow! thank you so much can't wait for info!!!!!

[nyck]

hi simon
We stayed near disney so we walked to the DL & DCA (5 day hopper).The coach tour operater was located at are hotel (VIP tours).I left the price list at the hotel but this is what we paid i think San diego zoo & sea world was the same as Universal .Children under 3 free

AD CH
Universal $70 $59 inc entry

LA/star homes/
walk fame etc $45 $30

Mexico shopping $54 $?


Buena Park
Shopping & Knotts Berry $6 $4 transport only

Any questions ask away

[Relishy]

Hi Nyck
Hope you had a good holiday? :) Where did you stay at DL and Las Vegas? Are you going to do a trip report when you have recovered? We will be without a car in Anaheim for our first 3 days.
Relishy

[nyck]

I hate typing i'm very sloooowwww so i won't be doing a trip report,But i will answer any questions you have.

I didn't use a tour operator i booked it all direct or via expedia
We went with our 2 kids and both and all our parents.

We got married in vegas and stayed at Circus Circus for 2 night and 1 night at Maderlay bay no kids.Booked direct with hotels it was cheaper
Circus circus $45
Maderlay Bay $99
These prices were during the week at weekends it very busy and prices double or even triple

At Anaheim we went for a budget hotel as long it's got a bed and it clean i'm happy and the Anaheim Plaza had both and a large pool.Booking direct $69 via expedia $50.My mum and dad stayed at Park inn.
If you have any hotels in mined i'll tell you how far they are to walk to disney.

that took me 30 minutes to type that lot

nyck

[simon]

great info!

[tajainaz]

Simon, if you're considering including Las Vegas in your itinerary, hotels usually are less expensive Sunday night through Thursday night--with exceptions for heavy convention periods.

Just a thought to keep in mind as you begin planning!


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[AlisonFromUK]

We keep changing our mind what to do next year. Have a timeshare and spotted a couple of places we could (possibly) stay two blocks from DL, if they have space for us. Now we'd go for 2 weeks and also not drive.

Is it best to use a tour company to take you to universal (how many days would we need there?).

Also maybe a sight seeing trip in LA? Is this possible?

What could we do (realistically) in the area without a car.

Not being into beaches and relaxing we'd like some places to go, trips etc. I assume tour companies do lots around there. (Although seaworld would be too far for a day trip - am I right?).

OR of course could we use buses (or is that just a nightmare to arrange). Dont want to get too stressed - its a holiday after all !!

Appreciate your help. I know nothing about California at all. Only ever been to DW in Florida :wacko:

[Cinderella]

Alison, if you don't have a car there isn't much to do in the DL area.

LA is about one hour away as is Universal. San Diego is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on traffic away. There are many towns in the area. You can go to just to look around. If you are into artsy towns Laguna is very nice and about one hour away.

[tajainaz]

As Cinderella said, a personal vehicle is almost essential in southern California. All of the theme parks developed independently of one another (unlike Orlando, where WDW led the pack) and are pretty far apart. Public transportation is very weak and not cohesive. In other words, it's difficult to get from point A to point B using public transportation.

You might want to PM nyck, who posted some information about a fairly recent trip. I'm sure there are tour coaches available, but I don't really know much about them. :shrug: I'm a former Angeleno (Los Angeles resident) who always drove everywhere! :hehe:

Depending on your budget, there are options in addition to going to Disneyland. A tour of the Bay Area (San Francisco--which has pretty decent public transportation) and the wine country (Napa-Sonoma-Medocino counties) might be possible. You probably would want to fly from southern California to the Bay Area, although a coach tour might be interesting, particularly on Highway 1! Again, I'm not sure what tours are available, but there should at least a few of the wine country. San Francisco proper could keep you busy for two weeks on its own! :)

San Francisco is very expensive, but the exchange rate is in your favor, so it could be a possibility!


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[JuniorMickey]

san fransisco is soooooo wonderful

[Lanmon]

We live in San Diego and are premier annual pass holders to Disney...and Universal...and SeaWorld. Universal is about 40 miles north of Disneyland...take Freeway 5 north to 101 to Lankershim (there are lots of signs for directions). Universal is on the other side of downtown LA, near Beverly Hills and Hollywood. SeaWorld is in San Diego is about 90 miles south on Freeway 5 on SeaWorld Drive, near the San Diego Airport. Best directions for both attractions is via mapquest.com. Have a great time enjoying southern California!