amusement parks
Mar 22nd, 2011, 03:39 AM
#21
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Missambitous - it is very ambitious to go to all those parks..and a lot of money on your trip. I would say that getting a park hopper pass (currently 101 for a day) and get to DL early and go to both parks (DL and California Adventure) the fun rides:
Soaring over California, Hollywood Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Toy Story - Toy Story often gets lines that go over one hour so I would hit it first if possible (all these are in California Adventure) California Adventure is under a major construction overhaul making it hard to get around at times...
In DL - Indiana Jones (get a fast pass), Space Mountain (also get a fast pass), Buzz Light Year, Big Thunder Mountain...Mattahorn...and I am sure I will think of more
It might be really fun for your group, since you have a car, to head down on an evening, check into a hotel, hang out at Down Town Disney area, and get up early and head into the parks, at the end of the day- head south to San Diego, check into a hotel - and go to the zoo the next day, - and hang out in the gas lamp that night - and you can head back to LA the next day... or just stay down in San Diego (I love it there!) your guy friends might enjoy going to see a Padre game - it is a fabulous ball park - one of our favorites
Soaring over California, Hollywood Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Toy Story - Toy Story often gets lines that go over one hour so I would hit it first if possible (all these are in California Adventure) California Adventure is under a major construction overhaul making it hard to get around at times...
In DL - Indiana Jones (get a fast pass), Space Mountain (also get a fast pass), Buzz Light Year, Big Thunder Mountain...Mattahorn...and I am sure I will think of more
It might be really fun for your group, since you have a car, to head down on an evening, check into a hotel, hang out at Down Town Disney area, and get up early and head into the parks, at the end of the day- head south to San Diego, check into a hotel - and go to the zoo the next day, - and hang out in the gas lamp that night - and you can head back to LA the next day... or just stay down in San Diego (I love it there!) your guy friends might enjoy going to see a Padre game - it is a fabulous ball park - one of our favorites
Mar 22nd, 2011, 11:06 AM
#22
Tip on pricing:
If you head over to UCLA when their ticket office if open, you can get UCLA student discount tickets to all of the three amusement parks mentioned. You do NOT have to be a UCLA student to get these tickets. AND they can be used when you want to use them. The prices are as follows:
Disneyland -- 1 day Park Hopper: $93
Disneyland -- 1 day 1 park: $73
Magic Mountain -- $27
Universal -- 1 day $55
Universal -- front of the line pass $129
Or you can spend a little more by going to the websites and buying tickets online:
Magic Mountain special ($34.99)
http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountai...ets/index.aspx
Universal (FOTL pass cheaper online than UCLA):
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/tickets.html
Disneyland
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/
The advantage of getting tickets either through UCLA or online is you may get a better deal AND you don't have to wait in line to buy tickets once you get there.
If you head over to UCLA when their ticket office if open, you can get UCLA student discount tickets to all of the three amusement parks mentioned. You do NOT have to be a UCLA student to get these tickets. AND they can be used when you want to use them. The prices are as follows:
Disneyland -- 1 day Park Hopper: $93
Disneyland -- 1 day 1 park: $73
Magic Mountain -- $27
Universal -- 1 day $55
Universal -- front of the line pass $129
Or you can spend a little more by going to the websites and buying tickets online:
Magic Mountain special ($34.99)
http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountai...ets/index.aspx
Universal (FOTL pass cheaper online than UCLA):
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/tickets.html
Disneyland
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/
The advantage of getting tickets either through UCLA or online is you may get a better deal AND you don't have to wait in line to buy tickets once you get there.
Mar 22nd, 2011, 11:21 AM
#23
I have never been on Toy Story..lines are crazy!
Depending on when you are going, check the amusement park websites, especially on the weekends Disney has entertainment (live bands and dance clubs) inside the parks. Watch out for grad nights if going in June.
Downtown Disney is more low key, there is House of Blues and ESPN zone.
For other types of entertainment, get copies of LA Weekly and OC Weekly or view them online.
If you're here in summer,,,http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/
Depending on when you are going, check the amusement park websites, especially on the weekends Disney has entertainment (live bands and dance clubs) inside the parks. Watch out for grad nights if going in June.
Downtown Disney is more low key, there is House of Blues and ESPN zone.
For other types of entertainment, get copies of LA Weekly and OC Weekly or view them online.
If you're here in summer,,,http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/
Mar 22nd, 2011, 12:07 PM
#24
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I agree with the assessments of Disneyland appealing to the kid-at-heart......just walking through the gates onto Main Street still excites me a little like seeing Santa at the mall...
I found California Adventure to be more suited for the thrillseeker, while Disneyland can't be topped for animation.
I found California Adventure to be more suited for the thrillseeker, while Disneyland can't be topped for animation.
Mar 22nd, 2011, 04:51 PM
#26
Gosh I forgot nearly the most important thing..go to Town Hall or the equivalent in Cal Adventure, get a birthday button. Then go to the Tortilla factory in Cal Adventure and they'll give you a package of fresh tortillas!
Mar 22nd, 2011, 04:53 PM
#27
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I heard about the lines @ Toy Story. I did read a book that provided some itineraries on how to navigate Disneyland. I can't remember the title though. That's how I originally began planning this trip, but I wanted to get opinions outside of books.
@surfergirl
I'll make sure to check out that UCLA discount.
@mlgb
I'm gonna check out LA Weekly. I also plan on going on to Disneyland during the weekday.
@tenthumbs
I'm definitely getting some Mickey Mouse ears.
Btw, I need some second opinions on the dining @ Disneyland. I've been getting some serious mixed reviews. As a matter of fact, I'm open to all dining tips for these amusement parks. I really appreciate your help
@surfergirl
I'll make sure to check out that UCLA discount.
@mlgb
I'm gonna check out LA Weekly. I also plan on going on to Disneyland during the weekday.
@tenthumbs
I'm definitely getting some Mickey Mouse ears.
Btw, I need some second opinions on the dining @ Disneyland. I've been getting some serious mixed reviews. As a matter of fact, I'm open to all dining tips for these amusement parks. I really appreciate your help
Mar 22nd, 2011, 05:42 PM
#28
What kind of food and what kind of money?
I sort of like the BBQ lunch in Disney that is all you can eat, and they'll let you take the leftovers with you.
Everything is pretty good there except the ribs have that baked first flavor.
Rancho del Zocalo maybe for fast serve Mexican.
On the Cal Adventure side if you want a sit down meal I think Wine Country Trattoria is good. Also look into buying a package that gets you the good seating for World of Color.
If you are going on a weekday look at the schedule as some days can be very short, and not all entertainment plays every week. I think Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are worth switching the schedule around to catch, as well as Aladdin.
I sort of like the BBQ lunch in Disney that is all you can eat, and they'll let you take the leftovers with you.
Everything is pretty good there except the ribs have that baked first flavor.
Rancho del Zocalo maybe for fast serve Mexican.
On the Cal Adventure side if you want a sit down meal I think Wine Country Trattoria is good. Also look into buying a package that gets you the good seating for World of Color.
If you are going on a weekday look at the schedule as some days can be very short, and not all entertainment plays every week. I think Billy Hill and the Hillbillies are worth switching the schedule around to catch, as well as Aladdin.
Mar 22nd, 2011, 07:49 PM
#29
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Well mlgb, you answered one of my questions. I wanted an opinion on Wine Country Trattoria. I recently found out about their World of Color package, so I definitely appreciate the feedback. I'm certainly looking forward to the Aladdin show. Jasmine is my fave Disney princess.
I have a couple other restaurants that I was interested in. They are Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Blue Bayou, Ariel's Grotto & ESPN Zone. Any thoughts?
I have a couple other restaurants that I was interested in. They are Redd Rockett's Pizza Port, Blue Bayou, Ariel's Grotto & ESPN Zone. Any thoughts?
Mar 22nd, 2011, 10:29 PM
#30
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We had lunch at the Wine Country Trattoria in October. I found the food to be fairly good and surprisingly moderately priced, considering we were in a theme park. We had dinner at the ESPN zone. We got a pager (that only works INSIDE their establishment) and waited an hour to be seated. The hamburgers we had were good, but I found them to be pretty pricey, more in tune with what one would expect from a theme park eatery.
The wait to see the World of Color was tedious, but I found the wait worth it. The show was spectacular.
The wait to see the World of Color was tedious, but I found the wait worth it. The show was spectacular.
Mar 23rd, 2011, 03:50 AM
#31
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The Aladdin show is amazing! I have seen it so many times - and was sad when I heard they were canceling and then I guess they extended it. Be sure to arrive early enough to get in line for good seats. Well worth the wait.
Mar 23rd, 2011, 05:52 AM
#32
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I kind of feel sorry for those who can't enjoy theme or amusement parks or who don't find them thrilling. (I wonder if those who put them down have even been to a "modern" one which is a far cry from the old tacky amusement parks). While I've bungy jumped in New Zealand, hiked through gorges in Europe, trekked across glaciers, ridden an elephant through Thai Rainforests, and rafted some wild rivers for a starter, nothing is any more fun that spending a day with friends at a really good theme park packed with various adventures plus some fun entertainment. And I am about 53 years past being 12!!!! I hope I never get old.
Mar 23rd, 2011, 06:34 AM
#34
The Matterhorn is more fun at night than during the day, and if you could be on the ride as the fireworks go off, it's that much more fun!
Having said that, it may conflict with World of Color (which I haven't seen) or Fantasmic (which I have seen) -- both on opposite sides of the two parks! The schedule should be up soon.
Having said that, it may conflict with World of Color (which I haven't seen) or Fantasmic (which I have seen) -- both on opposite sides of the two parks! The schedule should be up soon.
Mar 23rd, 2011, 08:14 AM
#35
Redd Rocketts Pizza..well most people don't like it, but if you get a fresh piece I think it's okay. They also have salads and pastas. Not bad, really.
Blue Bayou is expensive even at lunch and the food often arrives cold since they carry it from a distance (and it's chilly inside the room). But it's very pretty. If you wanted to try the Monte Cristo sandwich you can now get that at Cafe Orleans nearby. Haven't done Ariel's. There are a few snacks that are crowd favorites, ie the corndog, Dole Whip from Tiki Room, and smoked turkey leg.
The following website is a good one for looking over menus as well as ratings. There is also a star rating under Restaurants at a Glance, which I think is pretty much accurate.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/dining.htm
Blue Bayou is expensive even at lunch and the food often arrives cold since they carry it from a distance (and it's chilly inside the room). But it's very pretty. If you wanted to try the Monte Cristo sandwich you can now get that at Cafe Orleans nearby. Haven't done Ariel's. There are a few snacks that are crowd favorites, ie the corndog, Dole Whip from Tiki Room, and smoked turkey leg.
The following website is a good one for looking over menus as well as ratings. There is also a star rating under Restaurants at a Glance, which I think is pretty much accurate.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/dining.htm
Mar 23rd, 2011, 02:05 PM
#38
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Patrick, I was thinking about you the other day and wondering why you never post anymore But, then I reminded myself that the only forum I visit regularly is the Lounge, and that you may still be here but just not THERE. And that's completely understandable. : )
I'm not a big fan of wild rides because I get motion-sick so easily, but I certainly don't begrudge anyone enjoying amusement parks, whatever their age.
I'm not a big fan of wild rides because I get motion-sick so easily, but I certainly don't begrudge anyone enjoying amusement parks, whatever their age.
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