Ok back again! Thanks for your responses!
We are booking fares today.. Got great deal on Qantas flights ...1277 Aud ..from Syd thru lax and then New York and out to la again( will also have seven nights in Banff Canada after New York)

We have 25 days altogether to see New York, ski round Banff and then explore la and beyond.
The good news for us is that husband has decided to join us fro the whole leg in La so
Janis...we will have a car!
Yay!
Problem solved getting round la and getting to Disney!
I think we might play it by ear as to where we go...I'm glad you're assuring us that we can easily drive to the grand canyon in winter..so we will check weather reports and head either to San fran...we have about five days and then we will still have three days in la proper to visit Disney ( kids want to compare it) universal and one day to fit in the rest lol...or...we go west to the desert

So now we need a condo or family suite somewhere for the three days in la
I think we will have to wing it if we head up the coastal route....
Do you think that's risky? As in not booking ahead in winter?
I'll have to research but I'd imagine if we decide on the Coast trip..daughter is keen to see San Fran more than she is Vegas and Grand Canyon and we are happy to go either way...so I'll have to line up some places
Anyone know of good accommodation along the coast? I'm guessing we will take two days up then two days in San Fran and then drive down to la in one day again via the coast cos it's nice to be on that side of the road for the views...I've done that road in summer but family hasn't
Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

>>Janis...we will have a car!
Yay!<<

YAY!! :D

As for winging it in the coast. What are your dates? There are a couple of 3-day weekends in Jan/Feb when some areas will book up. But in general there are so many options along the coast that you should be fine.

Two things to consider - • even when they aren't full up, many properties on the coast require a 2-night stay over weekends, and • if it is stormy, driving through Big Sur can be a problem so just watch the weather reports/road conditions. You can always detour inland if the road washes out.

>>then drive down to la in one day again via the coast<<

Not a great plan. The views won't be that much different and the coast road is just too far/slow to drive in one day. Take Hwy 1 one direction and I-5 (the VERY fast route) or 101 the other.

Even I-5 will take at least 6 hours w/o a stop, and likely more. The coast road is 10+ hours

We've just secured cheap fares with Qantas this arvo!1277 aud each leaving Syd for New York on 13 jan 2015 ...will be in New York same day at 5 pm
We have eight full days in New York
Then flying to Calgary on the 22 jan ( cheap fares aren't out yet so will wait a while) meet husband , drive to Banff ..stay seven nights
Then fly to LA , grab a car and have fromjan29 to feb 6 ( flying to sydney at 10 pm)... Seven and half days to play with
My idea is to get a hotel close to Disney as suggested. For the first night we come in from Calgary.. Visit Disney the next day which is a Saturday , stay another night near Disney then head off up the coast to San fran
Or given that it is a Saturday ..maybe we leave Disney til we come back from whatever loop we do in the car...that would then be a week day.. Might be better?
I've been looking at suggestions here and might settle in Santa monica for the las bit of our stay in that case so we have easy access to sights

Back to research !

>>Or given that it is a Saturday ..maybe we leave Disney til we come back from whatever loop we do in the car...that would then be a week day.. Might be better?<<

If you can, it is always better to do Disney on weekdays.

oops -- didn't finish . . . If you can, it is always better to do Disney on weekdays, especially during the school year like when you are visiting.

Yes ...thought so...there were lots of kids chucking a sickie at eurodisney las January though:) midweek I guess local parents want to avoid crowds too

There will be kids for sure -- just not armies of them.

I was at Disneyland for 3 days in late January and it was crowded with more children than one would expect but very manageable. The difference between Sunday and Mon/Tues was enormous.

If you were planning on seeing World of Color, Fireworks, Fantasmic, or doing particular rides be sure to check the entertainment calendar. Mid to Late January is when a lot of the rides with seasonal overlays (such as Haunted Mansion) are closed, as well as there may be shorter hours during the week with no fireworks, etc. except on weekends. Since the upcoming year is the 60th anniversary it will likely be busier than ever.

>>Since the upcoming year is the 60th anniversary<<

Actually <i>this</i> year is the 60th

Several areas/rides were down during my visit in Jan being refurbed to get ready for the big celebrations this summer.