Disneyland vacation

[raj]

Planning a trip to LA to vist freinds. Any suggestions on where to take 5 year old - Disneyland/legoland/universal etc. Best resources for tips/ticket deals etc? Thanks for your suggestions!

[writermama]

We recently went to LA with a 5 year old and an 8 year old.

We decided to skip Universal after reading the ride descriptions (most of the attractions are geared toward older kids).

We didn't go to Legoland, but if your child loves Legos, it's a good bet.

Our kids loved the following:
Disneyland -- we spent two full days at Disneyland and California Adventure, though we could have easily stayed longer.

La Brea Tar Pits -- a few hours between the outdoor tar pits and the Page Museum

Santa Monica -- we had fun walking the pier (though we skipped the rides because we were going to Disneyland) and the beach, and getting corndogs at Hot Dog (on a) Stick

Magicopolis - a family-friendly magic show with matinees on weekends in Santa Monica ( http://www.magicopolis.com/ )

Angel's Attic -- a private collection of amazing antique dollhouses, housed in a meticulously restored Victorian house, great for girls between 5 - 8, the museum is non-profit (all proceeds go to autism charities), if you contact them ahead of time they can arrange a fancy tea party http://www.angelsattic.com/

On edit:

We spent 4 hours at the Getty Center and could easily have spent an entire day between the exhibits and the gardens. For a worldclass fine art museum, it is amazingly kid-friendly. There are several guided programs for families throughout the day, two audio tours for kids, and a scavenger hunt.

http://www.getty.edu/education/kids_families/index.html

I hoped to but didn't get to go to the Gene Autry Museum of Western Life, but hope to on our next visit to LA
http://theautry.org/education/kids-and-famiies

I found a few books at my local library and that were full of ideas.

[lalasmama]

DD was turning 8 when we went to Disneyland. We were there for 6 days, which was "just about right" LOL... but, I'm a Disney freak, so that may be a wee bit too much for others

At 5yo, unless your DC is a real shorty, s/he should be able to go on most rides (I'd guess maybe 5-8 would be off limits due to height). Definitely get a park hopper. There's multiple specials going on right now depending on when you are going, and for how long.

I always try to recommend a trip over to the disboards (do a google search). They can help you plan for a Disney trip, as well as anything else in the area

[Tondi G]

Not sure when you are planning to go to Disneyland but wanted to mention that on June 15th they are opening the new CARS LAND at Disney's California Adventure .... so it is going to be very crowded that weekend for sure!

[TwinFoxes]

Originally Posted by Tondi G

Not sure when you are planning to go to Disneyland but wanted to mention that on June 15th they are opening the new CARS LAND at Disney's California Adventure .... so it is going to be very crowded that weekend for sure!

Very good point. I think this whole summer will be crowded because of Cars Land. I'd avoid those first couple of weeks, and try to do the Disney days mid-week.

Unless you don't mind tons of driving, you might want to decide if you want to spend you non-Disney days in San Diego, or in Los Angles (Disney is in Orange County, not LA, and a lot of attractions are a good drive from Anaheim). You can get a hotel in whichever you decide. Or, depending how long you're there you could do LA a couple of days, Disney mid-week, and drive to SD and do the zoo, beaches etc.

[raj]

Thanks for your responses. We are planning to be in Orange county June 1-4. We have family there so not staying at any hotel. Any tips on ticket purchases. Any discounts to look for. SHould we do both disneyland and adventure park or just disney land is good enough. Plan to spend 1 day at the park and then 1 day at the beach, 1 day at legoland, 1 day with family.

[TwinFoxes]

If you're just spending one day at DLR, I'd only go to the Magic Kingdom (what everyone calls "Disneyland")and save California Adventure for another time. If you're staying with family and they belong to Costco there are usually discounted tickets at Costco. They will probably know of any other bargains that are open to SoCal residents.

[BayGirl2]

Unlike Walt Disney World, its really easy to go back and forth between DisneyLand (park) and California Adventure, they are about 100 yards apart. (Disneyland Resort is the term for the entire complex, the Disneyland is one of two parks, which is sort of equivalent to the Magic Kingdom at WDW in terms of rides and attractions.)

A common strategy is to start early in the morning at DL then go over to DCA in the afternoon when DL gets crowded, then back to Dl for the evening for the shows and fireworks. There are several things at CA that could be fun so I'd just get a Park Hopper ticket and plan to hit the parts that interest you in each park. Do some research, DISBoards is great, and plan to go back and forth.