We are taking our 10 and 11 year old girls soccer team to LA for a tournament in January (over MLK weekend). Most are staying Monday and we plan to go to either Disney or Universal for the day (might go on Sunday as well depending on when the finals are). I tend to want to go to Disney as I think it is more age appropriate but others are inclined to Universal for the cost factor (already spending $$$ for the weekend and tournament). What do you all think?

Universal is more apropriate to 10 and 11 year olds, the Anaheim Disney is not as good as the Florida one and is geared more to younger children. Universal is amazing.

What would your kids prefer? Have they been to D-land before and would like to see Universal?

Both are great for them. There is plenty at both parks for kids in their age range.

Universal, hands down!

"Universal is more apropriate to 10 and 11 year olds, the Anaheim Disney is not as good as the Florida one and is geared more to younger children."

That is silly - Disneyland is not "geared" to younger children. SOME of Disneyland is for young ones, but most of it if for anyone of any age. Disneyland is great - FL DW fans do try to convince otherwise.

I would normally recommend Disneyland. But honestly - my decision would be more geared to where we were staying. If up north - I'd go to Universal. If South LA/Orange County - I'd go to Disney.

Both are fun.

I'm trying to understand the recommendation for Universal. We took our mid-late teens kids to both parks last year, and after Disneyland, Universal was a complete let down. What do they have there, maybe a dozen attractions (rides and shows)? Even City Walk, which years ago was great fun, has lost most of its appeal.

Go with Disneyland.

DISNEYLAND all the way- no thought needed!!

If I'm not mistaken they are about 40 miles apart. You might want to factor in where you'll be staying in relation to either place.

My vote would be for Disneyland with California Adventure thrown in.

Disneyland.

Disney offers a ton more to do for kids and adults.

I can't believe there is a quandary: Disneyland.

We went to DL this August with our 15 and 12 year old daughters. We didn't buy the park hopper as it would have added too much to the cost of the ticket. We were there from 10am to 11pm - there was so much to do. We all loved it even though we had been to WDW 4 times before.

Another option to consider is Knotts Berry Farm. There were crazy roller coasters galore but tamer entertainment too. About the same price as Universal and a lot of bang for your buck. Not sure about the hours in Janaury.

I know it wasn't one of your original options, but I second the suggestion of Knott's. At $23/ticket for up to age 11, it is a fraction of the price of the two other parks. It has great rides, and since the lines are usually much shorter, you get more action for that money.

My kids (now 13 & 15) have always preferred Knott's over all of the Southern Cal. theme parks. www.knotts.com/park/guest/ticket.shtml It has something for all ages. Our German houseguests did both Universal and Knott's last month and gave Knott's much higher grades.

My daughter went to DL with friends last weekend and said she couldn't shake the feeling of being "ripped off" (of course it may be because Mom made her pay for 1/2 of her $69 ticket out of her own earnings. )

If you have your heart set on one of the two brand names, then I would have to go with Disneyland for your kids' age group.

Disneyland...you will be let down by Universal for sure! Spend the $$ on Disney

Hill
www.edufire.com

I think it's an issue of quality, from the architecture to the landscaping to the attractions. You just won't find the depth and complexity of "Indiana Jones" or"Pirates" at Universal.
For real film and TV buffs, Universal offers more with it's backlot tours,
Disneyland has a certain magic about it for all ages. When you through in California Adventure ther is no contest.

If you "throw in" California Adventure, you are talking $96 per person. The OP's group was concerned about the cost factor.

value factor

I definitely vote for Disney. I'm from L.A. area and have been going since the late 50s when I was a very small child and I still love to go. It's for ALL ages. And it's great to go to the original one. I haven't been to the Florida one, but was at the opening for the one in Paris back in the 90s and it wasn't Anaheim. Smiles! Happy Travels!

Disneyland, for sure. Quite a few of the rides at Universal are scary...maybe too intense for 10 year olds. Plus, when we were at Universal at a not busy time (so no long lines) we truly ran out of things to do. There is a LOT of walking at the CA location and just not a lot of attractions.