California holiday and regrets??

[spendleb]

Hi all, I am going on holiday to Southern California in 20 days time (Newport Beach & San Diego) but can't stop thinking about Orlando and wishing we were going there instead! I know this holiday will be completely different and I am excited in respect of going on holiday to America again and seeing the original Disneyland etc but I just keep seeing myself at MGM and walking down I Drive and IOA and the wonderful heat (will miss this a lot although I believe it will be in the 70's down the west coast), also the only Disneyland forum I have been able to find is predominately used by Americans, a lot of whom are local to the area and talk about gang violence and extreme traffic (don't travel during the hours of 8am and 11am & 2pm and 10pm etc, errrr how are we going to get anywhere!), it all just seems so unsafe & strange compared to Orlando!

Am I just being stupid or just an Orlandoaholic!!!

[tiggermeister]

You are just a Orlandoaholic.
:D

Newport beach is lovely and San Diego is awsome especially if you go near the naval base....Massive aircraft carriers

Having lived in Long Beach Claifornia for a few years know that It was generally safe as it is in Orlando and both Florida and California are not without their own problems, but I suppose you could say the same thing about London, Manchester and Sheffield

The same thing applies Common sense and being aware of your surroundings.

We have since been back to California twice and whilst we have to be biased and say Orlando everytime!

You will enjoy it!:D

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've been to So Cal twice and loved it both times. We're planning to go by to California August 2006 and hope to spend a few days around LA. We didn't feel at all threatened in any of the areas we visited (Disneyland, Hollywood, Universal City, Newport/Laguna Beach).

Don't forget, Orlando will still be there when you next want to visit!

Regards

Rob

[spendleb]

Thanks, told u I was being stupid, I will most doubt love it!

[WFC]

We have been to California a couple of times over the last few years, and this year we are back in Florida for the first time in three years.

I love both areas, but they are totally different. We decided that we needed to start breaking up visits to Orlando to allow for new rides and so we appreciate it more.

You will have a great time. In a way, I wish I was going back to California/Arizona/Nevada this year - so it works both ways.

[LargerBaloo]

You will love it. We went and took in Anaheim, San Diego, Hollywood, Beverley Hills, Santa Monica etc etc. So much to see and do.

As stated above we never felt threatened anywhere other than when we went to Tijuana and I nearly came to blows with a rather rude Mexican.

Our hotel in Anahein was right opposite disney and the place really reminded me of Orlando, very similar feel to the place.

As for missing Orlando you can still get your theme park fix here if you so desire. You have 2 disney parks, Universal, San Diego has a sea world and then if you dont mind an hours drive you should check out Six Flags. Six flags has some Awesome rollercoasters including the BEST one i have ever been on ANYWHERE (and i have been on coasters the world over) called X, the worlds first 4D rollercoaster. You also have a STAND UP rollercoaster :-)

We are going to Orlando at Christmas time this year but next year I will probabaly head back to the west coast and do Cali again.

[spendleb]

Thanks all I am now a lot more excited!!

LargerBaloo, we are planning on a trip to Magic Mountain as I am a massive coaster fan and this place has always been on my list to visit since I was a kid :-)

[LargerBaloo]

You will love it then. I got off X and could feel the GRIN plastered across my face. Have you seen X on the TV at all?

[WFC]

Never took the time to go to Six Flags - but always wished we had. Maybe next time.

I hadnt heard about X so just had a look on the net about it. It looks fantastic.

[spendleb]

I've seen a few photos of it, looks amazing, also seen the Superman Escape ride which also looks fantastic! Heard the queues are something else though? We are going on the 5th May which is the day Disneyland starts it's 50th celebrations so hoping that might take the queues away!

[LargerBaloo]

X is AWESOME. My only regret was I only went on once as I had people wating for me who did not ride!!!!

Its hard to explain but the seats hang either side of the track and can therefore rotate 360 degrees as the coaster travels around the trACK :-)

You do the initial climb in a slightly reclined sitting position with your back to the track so you cant see where you are going etc but you KNOW the first drop is VERTICAL as you can see it whilst in the line :-)

Whoever thought of this coaster was a genius!!

[spendleb]

Fantastic!!! Sounds great, also fancy Xcelerator @ Knotts.

[Claire_L]

You will love it as it is so different but familiar, if you know what I mean!
Claire :wink

[Rio]

You will be fine in California, we have been twice and never had any problem at all, I too was a bit worried when we first went as we were flying into LA, but we were fine, just woudln't venture into a couple of areas of downtown LA.
Xcelerator at Knotts looks really good, but I didn't have the guts to try it. Did Ghostrider a few times and the water one, can't remember what its called, but its one hell of a splash!!!!
Love Rio

[nala]

We went to california in feb combining san francisco and anaheim,we stayed in anaheim and only done the disney parks we really enjoyed it although there are many differences i think you will enjoy,
we are very lucky as we are going to orlando in sep too so will get to experience both in the same year:D
as i said we are very fortunate this year.:cool:

Angela:)

[spendleb]

The tickets have just arrived, now I am officially EXCITED !!!!!

[Claire_L]

Originally posted by spendleb
The tickets have just arrived, now I am officially EXCITED !!!!!

Wooooooooo Hoooooooooo not long to go now :D

Claire :wink

[Claire_L]

Are you out there in LA on May 4th/5th by any chance?
Claire :wink

[tiggermeister]

:jump: :jump: :jump: :jump: :jump: :jump: :jump: :jump: :jump:

Im all excited for you...I really am

[spendleb]

Claire, we arrive on the 28th April and leave the LA area (for San Diego) on the 7th May so we plan to visit Disneyland on the 30th April to hopefully get on as many rides as possible then will go back on the 6th to enjoy the 50th celebrations and take in the new parades etc :-)

[Claire_L]

Originally posted by spendleb
Claire, we arrive on the 28th April and leave the LA area (for San Diego) on the 7th May so we plan to visit Disneyland on the 30th April to hopefully get on as many rides as possible then will go back on the 6th to enjoy the 50th celebrations and take in the new parades etc :-)

Oh thats sounds great to be able to see the 50th celebrations at the place it all started :D

Claire :wink

[spendleb]

Yeah, had no idea when we booked so that's a bonus (apart from the crowds!), least it's not school holidays although the guide we have (american) actively encourages parents to take the kids out of school!

[Hellie]

You are so lucky, it will be fantastic.

San Diego is one of my all time favourite places to visit in America. If I could live anywhere it would be here, it is perfect.

Have fun

[spendleb]

Must admit I've heard loads of good things about San Diego, we are staying in a hotel (Humphreys Half Moon) sat on a small island in the harbour, supposed to overlook the skyline which at night is beautiful.

[Hellie]

Humphreys is a gorgeous hotel you won't be disappointed.

I'm so jealous now, think I'll go and nag Gary to see if we can go sometime soon:wink

[spendleb]

Hi Silver, what were the rooms/grounds like, was it easy to get to places to eat etc?