Planning a trip to Disney world and Universal studios (California) this summer/fall?

Question

I am planning a family vacation for a week to California, mainly for Disney and universal studios(CA).
Need suggestions on planning the trip like how much time to spend at each place,where to stay etc., and also any other attractions i should visit when I am there... I am from North east of US and this would be my first visit to west...any suggestions are welcome....

Answer 1

If doing this in the summer, then allow 3 days for Disneyland, one for Universal. If in the fall, you only really need two days for Disneyland.



There are literally hundreds of things to do here. Here is my list of “must sees”, (that can fit in this limited space). Visit as many as you have time for:



Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can’t be wrong. #1 Destination.

Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. #2 Destination.

Even if you don’t visit Disneyland or Universal Studios Tour, Downtown Disney District and Universal City Walk are very fun places to visit for shopping and eating. And they’re free to visit. If you’re adventurous, try the indoor skydiving (www.iflyhollywood.com). It’s a blast!



Hollywood: Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. The Hollywood & Highland complex has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater. The El Capitan Theater, right across the street, is where Disney shows their movies. And the Hollywood Bowl is a GREAT place to listen to concerts outdoors.



Other theme parks include Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which are both more geared towards the fast-ride teen crowd.



Olvera Street/Union Station: Olvera Street is the birthplace of LA, and it emphasizes our Mexican heritage. In addition to the Avila Adobe (oldest building in LA), you can eat at some pretty good Mexican Restaurants, do a little shopping, and taste a churro.



Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.



Venice Beach: Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste.



Santa Monica: Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.



Sunset Boulevard began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way.



Farmers Market and The Grove - A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, It is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right".



Griffith Park - Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.



Getty Museum - The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art, architecture, or view better, the Getty is sure to please. Free.



Attend a TV taping - You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show.



Places to eat:

In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.

Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.

Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.

Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.

Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street.

Tito’s Taco’s: Voted best tacos in LA, even though it’s in Culver City. King Taco is a good alternate if you can deal with East LA.

The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close GREAT steak and eggs.

Medieval Times and/or Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: Dinner and an adventure show, both are on Beach Blvd in Buena Park, you get to eat with your hands.



Places to Stay:

Since LA is so spread out, there is no single place that is close to EVERYTHING. Most people who come here tend to stay in Hollywood, Santa Monica, or Anaheim. In Hollywood, I recommend the Orchid Suites, Hollywood Celebrity Hotel, or Hollywood Heights (formerly Holiday Inn Walk of Fame), all near Hollywood and Highland. In Santa Monica, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica is close to the pier and reasonably priced. In Anaheim, I recommend the Howard Johnson (HoJo) Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. There is also a nice place in Burbank called the Best Western Media Center, very close to Warner, NBC, and Universal Studios.



Places to Shop:

Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica

The Grove, Los Angeles

Americana @ Brand, Glendale

Beverly Center, Los Angeles

Citadel Outlets, Commerce

Brea Mall, Brea

The Block at Orange, Orange

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa

Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Santee Alley, Los Angeles

Answer 2

Motels Near Universal Studios Ca

Answer 3

I would suggest that you head over to your nearest (or call) a AAA Travel agency. AAA gets the best deals on Disney packages and with the package they can put the whole thing together in a way that will allow you to get away without even having a car. You could stay at an Anaheim hotel (or one of the Disney properties depending on your budget). Assuming you have a week this is how I would break it down



Sunday - Fly to Orange County, SNA (OR LAX), and take a shuttle to your hotel

spend the first night hanging out at Downtown Disney, eat shop take pics and if you stay long enough you can see fireworks.

Monday - First day in the Disney parks trust me you will spend ALLLLLLLL day

Tuesday - Go to Universal Studios (buy the ticket that includes transportation)

Wednesday - Disney again back and forth between Disney and California Adventure

Thursday - Do something beachy like the Orange County Beach bus or a Catalina Island trip

Friday - Last day do Disney again! Don't forget the really cool looked over things like the World of Color Show at California Adventure

Saturday - Check out of hotel and take shuttle back to airport to fly home



So your package should include



Roundtrip Air

Roundtrip airport shuttle

6 nights hotel

3 day Disneyland Parkhopper

3 day Dine in the Magic Meal Plan (optional but definately worth it)

1 Day Universal Studios with roundtrip transport from hotel

1 Day OC Beach Bus (or Catalina Island Tour)

Answer 4

Great choice in hotel. It's my favorite. My hubby, myself and our two kids are going in November. You will need to set aside a park for each day. The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM and Universal are huge! We always start out early and come home late on the days we go to the parks and sometimes that isnt enough time to see everything so you may choose to go back to a particular park if you have a 4 or 5 day hopper. I am not sure about the Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party because I have never gone in December but anything put on by Disney at the park is going to be awesome. They have the best shows and events. Its such a wonderful experience. I cant even describe it. It really is Magical. I also recommend you go to Sea World. The shows, the shark encounter, and all the other attractions are so neat. Have a great time and email me if you have any questions!

Answer 5

I would suggest you spend a couple days at Disney (both Disneyland and California Adventure) and a day at Universal. There are plenty of cheap hotels in Anaheim, as well as near Universal in Hollywood. Other theme parks in the area are Knotts Berry Farm (if you like roller coasters) or water parks like Wild Rivers and Soak City in the summer. Sea World is in San Diego.

Answer 6

for Disneyland i say make a day of it ~like eat breakfast in line to get into the parkand such (i know from experience). if you want to hit all the major rides there you'll need to be there all day because lines can get pretty crazy. btw if you get there just as the park opens i suggest you go straight to Pirates of the Carribean and Indiana Jones -their lines are always the longest



For Universal, make a half day of it. lines aren't as bad as Disneyland and there are less rides. Also on the way to Universal Studios there's a shopping walk-through as you're walking to the park. i strongly suggest you stop off at this one store The Sock Market. It's a store that selling nothing but socks (and sometimes shoelaces) it's really fun.



As for where to stay, i've no real suggestions because i LIVE in the area.



if you and your family like rollar coasters you may like to go to 6 Flags. Tons of coasters and has the whole carnival effect going on.



one other thing:

if you come down here in the summer and can make it down to Del Mar, I strongly suggest you go to the Del Mar Fair. There are rides, and a market, and farm animals, and amazing concerts (some concerts are free). it's a blast. my family & i go every year and it seriously never gets old.



-have a great trip!!!!!!

Answer 7

See a superstar; glass a mixture on a roof club at sunset; slip on a pair of custom sneakers in a ultra-luxurious store in Beverly Hills; play at Universal Studios Hollywood concept park, examine world-class museums, or dance the night time out in a starlet-filled club…..this are only someof the things you will dsicover in Los Angeles, discover this town with hotelbye . Los Angeles may be the California's liveliest city; could be the entertainment capital of America, with megastar wattage and nonstop activities. Hollywood may be the most-see attractions in Los Angeles. That place draws millions of guests each year who travel there to cover honor to their beloved stars and perhaps even get a glimpse of a couple of popular personalities. And occasionally they're lucky!