LA-Thanksgiving
 

We want to go to LA for Thanksgiving.
We are a family of four 2A/2T.
One day, we are going to MAgic Mountain and then we have to decide what to do for the other 2 days.
Is Knotts Berry Farm for teens who like rollar coasters?

What kind of weather shoudl we expect?

What area should we stay in?
thanks
melissa

I would say Magic Mountain is more for teens who like roller coasters, more so than Knotts. Knotts has grown in the rollercoaster field in the last few years, but without a doubt your teens will enjoy Magic Mountain more it is an incredible rollercoaster amusement park! Must ride "X"!!!!!!! Weather in Valenica (Magic Mountain) in November can be warm during the day and chilly at night, same with Anaheim area. Check weather.com for averages. This is my theory with So. Cal. about weather though, I always pack everything everytime we go, no matter when we go. So if it is January or July I still take shorts, jeans, tank-tops, t-shirts and yes sweatshirts (even in July)!

Thanks for the advice about Knotts Berry Farm.
If we have been to WDW, is there any reason to got DL?

Also, what area should we stay in?
Melissa

Probably no reason to go to DL if you want rollercoaster rides and have been to WDW.
There is also Universal Studios if you want another theme park.
In November there is usually beautiful weather (70's) although rain is possible. You won't need to plan for extreme cold but should bring a fleece jacket or sweater for layers.
Although everyone likes to mention Santa Monica as a place to stay, I think it is overrated for what they charge because its on a beach.
You might look into Glendale/Pasadena for a night or two, which is closer to Magic Mountain.

While you've been to WDW, DL is a bit different (brand-new Pirates of the Caribbean!). Also, California Adventure is right next door (lots of teen rides) and Downtown Disney offers plenty of options for teens. Trust me--just chaperoned seven teens there in June!

Should I stay in two different areas?wednesday and thursday stay in glendale and then closer to DL friday and saturday?
How far are the two parks away from each other?

I've heard that Magic Mountain may be closing down. The owner may sell to developers.

I know that it might be closing;that is why we are going this year.

melissa

Disneyland and Magic Mountain are roughly <b>60 miles</b> from each other. Knott's would be only about 4 miles closer to Magic Mountain.

Glendale would be a pretty good centerpoint. Pasadena is even nicer.

November weather could be lovely, could be nippy (for locals), could offer a sweltering Santa Ana. Kinda up in the air.

TrvlMaven, didn't Disney World also change to the new format for Pirates of the Carribean? Just curious.

When you went to Disney World , did you go to Universal, too? If not I would pick Universal as the 2nd park for teenagers. Are they interested in seeing anything else that LA has to offer, or just the parks/rides? How about a drive through Beverly Hills, out to Malibu beach etc? The L.A. Zoo is nice and you can see the zoo, tour Hollywood/Bev Hills and then see the Getty or hit Venice Beach all in one day.

If you do decide to do Disney then I would move to stay nearby. It is worthwhile to stay late and see the fireworks if they are on during your stay, which they should be over the holidays. Being able to go back to your room midday is a bonus, Disneyland is usually open til midnight in peak season. The California Adventure Park has a few more thrill rides (the coaster is good, Tower of Terror which is also in Florida) but it's stil not a coaster park. Disneyland is more about the theming than the rides.

If it were me, I would stay in 2 different areas, because Magic Mountain is about an hour away from Anaheim (but I would choose a different park than Disney, especially if never been to Universal). In Valencia there are several hotels choices, a Hilton just outside the gates of Magic Mountain, a fairly new Holiday Inn Express just across the freeway, and a Best Western next door to that. I have stayed at all 3 over the years and the Holiday Inn is great. I agree with other posters, I would really do Universal Studies if you are looking for another park, it is TERRIFIC!! Plenty of hotels to stay closer to it as well. If you want a beach for a day I recommend Santa Monica (even though soemone else suggested against it because of prices), we just went 3 weeks ago and stayed right on the beach and had a GREAT time. Newport or Huntington Beaches are both very nice as well.

This is the first I have heard about Magic Mountain possible closing...so sad. I have been going there for about 20 years now! I have family that live in Valencia with season passes...what will they do? :) Guess I'll have to make a quick trip with the DH just in case.

Neopolitan--I would imagine WDW changed Pirates, too--just haven't heard as much &quot;hype&quot; as we have here in Cal.

I am thinking that we will fly into LA on Wednesday night and spend that night at a hotel near magic Mountain. After spending thursday at Magic Mountain, we will then drive to anaheim for three nights.Is anaheim a good location if we want to go into LA?
One day , we are going to Disney land and the other day is up in the air.

melissa

If it's convenient and affordable from your home city...fly into Burbank instead of LAX and fly home from SNA down near Disneyland, getting a one-way car rental.

On Thanksgiving morning, or on Wednesday...AVOID LAX AT ALL COSTS! It will be even worse this year with one runway shut down.

Thursday afternoon won't be QUITE as bad...but on Sunday, even if it means having to take a connecting flight as opposed to a nonstop LAX flight, BY ALL MEANS FLY HOME FROM SNA or BURBANK!

Anaheim to central LA is alright as long as you do not need to travel during the rush hour. From Disneyland to Universal Studios is about 35 miles and freeway all the way. Forty minutes in nonpeak hours and twice that during rush hour.
If you are thinking of doing Magic Mountain and Universal it would probably be better to do those two first (either stay Burbank-Glendale-Studio City) which puts you WEST of downtown, and then move to Anaheim. I wouldn't do Pasadena as rjw suggests because you are on the wrong side of downtown LA.

mlgb's got a strong grasp of the geography and traffic around downtown LA, so I would take her advice very seriously. I was only thinking that you could hop the 210 freeway north in Pasadena and avoid the hassle of the 101 or the 405 through the Valley.... And Pasadena is a lovely city.

Still, the other cities do get you closer to Valencia, and with all the traffic in that part of the LA area, that's a good thing.