Disneyland california advice - newbie

[LOU LOU DISNEY]

Originally Posted by 400ixl

Vegas drive is straight forward from Anaheim. I would do Hollywood on the way down from San Fran and then go on to Disney as they are 90 minutes drive apart at times.

If you plan to do Grand Canyon South Rim then you would ideally need to do a stop over there (very worthwhile) otherwise it will be a very long day.

West Rim you can do there and back in a day from Yegas if you want to drive, or can do helicopter rides for example.

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Thanks! Yes it would be the south rim we would be looking to go too, any recommendations on hotels at all? & is Vegas ok for teens & a 9 year old?

Soz OP for jumping on your thread!

[daytonababe]

Originally Posted by LOU LOU DISNEY

Thanks DB, I had looked at the fairfield resort but will look at Desert palms too.
Is it easier to to to Vegas from Anaheim rather going from LA, we don't mind what way round we do it just the handiest/easyist route. Also we want a day at the grand canyon too, do you recommend a stopover? Or can it be don in 1 day.?

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Yes it's easier to get to Vegas from there .

We went to the canyon via helicopter we used Papillon

The west rim is a 2.5 hrs drive each way the south rim about 4 so you can do it in a day but it's a very long day .



I take my kids to Vegas every year this year they are 18 & 14 but they've been going since they were 18mths & 4

Kids are welcome in Vegas but they can't stop on the casino floor and in general you won't find hotels geared up kids .. no slides in the pools etc .
Depends what you want to do if it's drinking and gambling then Vegas isn't great for kids , if you don't want to do those things and we don't then yes it's great .


We stop at South Point now which is just off the main strip but we like it and it's so much cheaper and resort fees half the price
On the strip my kids like Planet Hollywood , NYNY and Tropicana .
Both dislike flamingo , Excalibur and Luxor .

[LOU LOU DISNEY]

Originally Posted by daytonababe

Yes it's easier to get to Vegas from there .

We went to the canyon via helicopter we used Papillon

The west rim is a 2.5 hrs drive each way the south rim about 4 so you can do it in a day but it's a very long day .



I take my kids to Vegas every year this year they are 18 & 14 but they've been going since they were 18mths & 4

Kids are welcome in Vegas but they can't stop on the casino floor and in general you won't find hotels geared up kids .. no slides in the pools etc .
Depends what you want to do if it's drinking and gambling then Vegas isn't great for kids , if you don't want to do those things and we don't then yes it's great .


We stop at South Point now which is just off the main strip but we like it and it's so much cheaper and resort fees half the price
On the strip my kids like Planet Hollywood , NYNY and Tropicana .
Both dislike flamingo , Excalibur and Luxor .

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Defo no drinking or gambling for us! I just want to go saying as we are sort of close by & it's somewhere I've always wanted to see from I was younger! Hubbys not fussed at all, but he defo wants to go to the Grand Canyon so we've compromised to do both! My boys will be 19 & 15 & they can't wait for the vegas part, my dd9 prob won't be fussed as long as she gets to Disney she'll be fine!

[daytonababe]

Originally Posted by LOU LOU DISNEY

Defo no drinking or gambling for us! I just want to go saying as we are sort of close by & it's somewhere I've always wanted to see from I was younger! Hubbys not fussed at all, but he defo wants to go to the Grand Canyon so we've compromised to do both! My boys will be 19 & 15 & they can't wait for the vegas part, my dd9 prob won't be fussed as long as she gets to Disney she'll be fine!

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Its actually quite a frustrating place for older teens , my eldest is 18 now and she's like oh I still can't drink or gamble there lol...

What do your older teens want to do in Vegas?

I didn't realise there were 5 of you, you'll be looking at suites or two hotel rooms (so two lots of resort fees) then as very few rooms will sleep 5 which is a pain.

[LOU LOU DISNEY]

Originally Posted by daytonababe

Its actually quite a frustrating place for older teens , my eldest is 18 now and she's like oh I still can't drink or gamble there lol...

What do your older teens want to do in Vegas?

I didn't realise there were 5 of you, you'll be looking at suites or two hotel rooms (so two lots of resort fees) then as very few rooms will sleep 5 which is a pain.

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I don't think anything in particular just the fact that they are there! They love coasters & gaming etc
Yes it's always a nightmare when there's 5 so yes we'll probably out or a suite if we can, we're only gonna be there 3 nights & 1night for the GC. Thanks so much for all the info, you are so knowledgeable, I'm well out of my comfort zone!

[Guest]

Disneyland - I'd recommend 3 to 4 days to do it thoroughly.

What gives you the idea that California Adventure is for kids? It has Grizzly River Run which is like Khali River Rapids. You'll get soaked. There is Soarin', Tower of Terror (think that might be undergoing the Marvel refurb, California Screamin' - a fantastic roller coaster, Cars land which is like Test Track on steroids - don't miss Radiator Springs at night when all the neon comes on - and much, much more. Then don't forget World of Color show in the evening. I haven't even started on Disneyland park itself. It has more rides than Magic Kingdom - TRUE!
Disneyland is located in Anaheim about a 40 minute drive south east of downtown LA and even longer in rush hour.
Yes, Disneyland does have fireworks most nights. However, if the wind is in the wrong direction they have to cancel by law as smoke would drift onto the I5 freeway.

[daytonababe]

If they like gaming there is Gameworks which is at Town Square , Its arcade type games . There is also some kind of new interactive arcade at the MGM opening soon but I don't know if its for over 21's only.

Re coasters there's the one at NYNY, & the big rides on the top of the Stratosphere. There is the adventuredrome at Circus Circus but its a bit rubbish really, more side shows than rides and the rides aren't that great. I can't think of any other rides.

If your there in the summer months there are two water parks Wet & Wild and Cowabunga Bay but neither are on the strip.

[400ixl]

One option for your daughter is to take her horse back trekking in Red Rock Canyon.

bonniesprings/activities/horseback-riding/

If they watch any of the US based TV prgrammes such as Pawn Stars, Rick's Restorations, Kounts Customs then you can go and visit those.

You have things like the Shelby Museum, Neon Museum, Atomic Museum and many other things to do.

Some go to a gun range as something different.

There is a huge amount to do off the strip as well as on it.

[daytonababe]

To add Gameworks is almost always on Groupon... its $20 for a all day pass, I bought my two one each last year and they had a few hours fun so have just bought another for this year.

[babekel]

Originally Posted by geoffa

Disneyland - I'd recommend 3 to 4 days to do it thoroughly.

What gives you the idea that California Adventure is for kids? It has Grizzly River Run which is like Khali River Rapids. You'll get soaked. There is Soarin', Tower of Terror (think that might be undergoing the Marvel refurb, California Screamin' - a fantastic roller coaster, Cars land which is like Test Track on steroids - don't midss Radiator Springs at night when all the neon comes on - and much, much more. Then don't forget World of Color show in the evening. I haven't even started on Disneyland park itself. It has more rides than Magic Kingdom - TRUE!
Disneyland is located in Anaheim about a 40 minute drive south east of downtown LA and even longer in rush hour.
Yes, Disneyland does have fireworks most nights. However, if the wind is in the wrong direction they have to cancel by law as smoke would drift onto the I5 freeway.

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Hi Geoffa,

I am an avid Disneyworld visitor but never done Disneyland CA. When I was on the website and looking at what rides/ attractions were in California Adenture, it felt like this was more for small children but I am of course wrong.

We are going to LA for my Dads 60th and we are all massive movie fans (I also work in the industry) but on reflection, after already booking our hotel etc, we thought as a family it would be the icing on the holiday to visit Disney as we all haven't been to this park and would be all experiencing it for the first time. With this we have decided to defiantly do Disney but not sure if we should do 1 park or both? We are undecided on how many days so want to ask advice (baring in mind we have lots planned in the Hollywood area)? If we could only do 1 park on 1 day, which park would you suggest? The original Disneyland? (We love the history around this park, as it was the first etc)

Also, we are going in November. Is this 'off-peak season'? Or is it still really busy? Do you still suggest avoiding it of a weekend? Is Nov still hot over there?

Thank you again!