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Disneyland California and West Coast Trip Planning Disneyland California and West Coast Holiday Planning Questions, Suggestions and Tips. |
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12 Mar 13, 07:23 PM |
#1
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slightly serious Dibber
Join Date: Aug 09
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1st trip
I would just like a little advice. I have always gone to Florida and would like to try something different, I want 2 weeks in LA and 1 week in Vegas, so which one should I go to 1st ? Do any flights go direct from manchester ? Thanks
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12 Mar 13, 07:46 PM |
#2
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Imagineer
Join Date: Nov 07
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Hi - a daunting prospect in store for you!
First things first - I really wouldn't compare Florida and California/West Coast - there are similarities but, if you go there expecting a 'Florida on the West Caost' I fear you'll be disappointed. Secondly - if you are going to do three weeks (which is good) I would not spend 2 weeks in LA. A week in Las Vegas is plenty enough for some, but I can think of little else I'd like more... Personally - I would split the 21 nights between San Fran/LA/San Diego & Las Vegas. Five nights in each (with a day on the coast between SF & LA) seems a pretty good compromise. Or maybe six in LA, losing a day off of San Diego? You get the idea. I'd fly into San Fran, drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to LA (that is a breathtaking drive - the stopover would give you a chance to really appreciate it), do LA, then San Diego, then Las Vegas. Why leave Las Vegas to last? Because you can't then lose money at the tables/slots that you may need later in the holiday, that way around. And you'll also be starting off in the coldest place and getting gradually warmer (assuming you are going in Spring/Summer or Autumn)? Just my ideas - I'll happily flesh them out for you if you need further explanation. Good luck, by the way!
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Read the Las Vegas 'All You Need To Know' thread: http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=249670 I'm no expert, but I've visited Las Vegas 14 times since 1989 - if you want some advice, feel free to pm me! |
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12 Mar 13, 08:11 PM |
#3
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Imagineer
Join Date: Mar 04
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Two weeks in LA is far too long, as far as I'm concerned. What do you most want to do? Theme parks, beaches, outstanding natural beauty, sightsee?
Start with a trip report or three to give you some ideas. When we had a 3 week trip we did: 4 nights SF 2 nights Yosemite 1 night Bishop (to break up journey through Death Valley) 5 nights Vegas 5 nights beach / LA 4 nights Disneyland We made a conscious decision to do less destinations more thoroughly with R and R built in, rather than do lots of places for only one or two nights, which meant we had to miss out San Diego and PCH. We had a car from leaving SF to checking in at Disneyland (13 days) and we did 2500 miles approx. Again, we could have visited more places but consciously didn't so we didn't feel that we spent too much time in the car.
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13 Mar 13, 12:14 AM |
#4
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Imagineer
Join Date: Jun 09
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Hi Karen
We are ( well, I am , got to convince the wife and kids ) planning a trip over there next August. Have the same concerns re driving , and want to stop a few days at each place. We should have 19/20 nights but it just isn't enough. Was 2500 miles too much in 13 days ? Just done DLP , drove 500 miles there and 500 miles back 6 days later , and while we had a great time , did feel like a lot of driving ( wife wouldn't drive) . If we stopped at 4 places would still be 2000 plus miles , similar to 4 drives of 500 , then there would be extra bits driving around when you are "stopped " On my must do is Vegas, Grand Canyon , Disney , and Yosemite. Would like to do San Fran , but just think it will just be too much. Hoping to drive to Grand Canyon south and stop for 2 nights to take in sunrise and sunset. What are your thoughts ? Kids are girl 14 and boy 9 |
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13 Mar 13, 12:34 AM |
#5
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VIP Dibber
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Buryboy if that is your must do's I would do LV ( do GC from there) then through D Valley to Bishop, through tioga pass to Yosemite and then SF for a couple of nights. Drive down the coast and do LA and Disney.
Janet, I agree with D Dog re their plan, go the route that gets warmer. For both of you please do the coast route it is driving but beautiful!
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13 Mar 13, 06:44 AM |
#6
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Imagineer
Join Date: Nov 07
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The thing re the Pacific Coast Highway is it is better going north to south (SSF to LA) than the other way around, because you are on the side of the road that really hugs the coastline. I'm not saying don't do it the other way - but it is, generally accepted, better the way I suggested.
Re driving - if you want to do a west coast tour, driving is really part of the 'deal'. The distances are what they are - just to give you an idea of the cities : SF - LA aprox 400 miles (8-9 hours) LA- SD aprox 130 miles (2-3 hours) LA- LV - aprox 280 miles (5-6 hours) SD- LV - aprox 310 miles (5.5 - 6.5 hours) Speed limits being what they are (max 65 on most highways) they take roughly the above to drive sensibly. You have to factor this in - or fly internally, or cut down your travelling. It's an equation none of us can make for you, in reality it's your own personal choice. This, of course, doesn't even factor in Palm Springs, Death Valley, Yosemite, Grand Canyon etc etc. California/West Coast is massive (LA by itself is 90 miles long and 60 miles wide - put that as a square over a map of the UK and you'll begin to understand the distances involved!) - that's why I say you shouldn't really expect a 'Florida on the West Coast'...they are different entities.
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Read the Las Vegas 'All You Need To Know' thread: http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=249670 I'm no expert, but I've visited Las Vegas 14 times since 1989 - if you want some advice, feel free to pm me! Edited at 11:11 AM. |
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13 Mar 13, 09:56 AM |
#7
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Imagineer
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We did 3 weeks flydrive. Felt we could explore when we got there rather than trying to guess what we would like the most.
Landed in LA, went to DisneyLand, SeaWorld, Universal Hollywood, drove around the stars homes, drove down to Mexico, then the pacific coast highway through Malibu to San Fransisco, Went to Alcatraz, see the sea Lions on the wharf. Drove accross the desert to Vagas then back down towards Anaheim ( Disney ) We had 2 kids under 5 then and had a great time. I think 3 weeks is essential as its a 12 hour flight. If you do flydrive you can see what you like best and i can assure you there is PLENTY to do . San Diego have a fab zoo too. I can't understand anyone wanting a week in Vegas But thats me , i dont gamble... |
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13 Mar 13, 02:03 PM |
#8
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Imagineer
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From a flights point of view, VA have twice weekly direct flights MAN - Las Vegas.
However, you should be able to get connecting flights from MAN via New York or Chicago on American Airlines, Washington or Newark on United, or Philadelphia on US Airways. May also be worth seeing if there are any flights via Dublin with Aer Lingus/United Airlines, as you can clear US immigration in Dublin.
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13 Mar 13, 02:07 PM |
#9
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Imagineer
Join Date: Jan 11
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Hi ya, we've been to LA and LV three times each - I would recommend not doing 7 nights in each place, we only ever do 3 nights in LA and 5 nights in LV, you might find a week a bit too much. Sorry not sure about direct Manchester flights and I guess its personal preference which to visit first, your flight choices might dictate which you fly to and fly home from. In LA I can definitely recommend the Andaz West Hollywood and in LV the Venetian, lovely hotel!
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14 Mar 13, 12:04 AM |
#10
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Imagineer
Join Date: Mar 04
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Hi there
I'm later answering than some of the other great advice you've had, but no, we found that amount of driving OK. In practice, we had a 4 days where we drove 250 miles ish, so the balance of driving (2500 minus 1000 = 1500 was over ten days, which was a manageable 150 miles / day. That involved all of our pootling about as well. DH and I took it in turns to drive on our long drives. I'm really not a big fan of driving long distances - accepting all of the good reasons why California lends itself to long drives - so we definitely compromised on what we did to accommodate that. For example we missed San Diego and the PCH, both of which we could have fitted in had we chosen to. It was finding a balance between driving, rest, relaxation that worked for us. Oh! Our kids were 12 and 15, and think more time in the car would have resulted in some complaints
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