Southern California Itinerary over Christmas Question
 

My husband ,2 sons, 20 and 23 , and I will be arriving at the John Wayne Airport at 10am. on December 24th. We will be renting a car and heading over to stay at the Red Lion in Anaheim. I have booked it for 5 days,and then leaving on Saturday morning the 29th. and heading to Carlsbad to stay at La Costa Resort and Spa for 3 nights and leaving Tuesday morning to head towards Newport Beach to finish out our vacation, we fly home Jan. 4th.We wanted to go to Disneyland, California Adventure and to Universal Studios, and then Sea World in San Diego and possibly a drive to La Jolla while were staying at La Costa. My question is this, " Are we spending too much time in Anaheim? Should I cut the stay at the Red Lion and stay longer in Carlsbad/ San Diego area at the resort? We have never been to Southern California area. Thanks for any input you may have.

It's generally easier/less congested to get around San Diego than Anaheim/Orange County, and I would reverse the stays - with 3 days in Anaheim and 5 in La Costa.

At La Costa (a very beautiful place/resort/spa) - you are only about five minutes from the I-5 Freeway - and then say 15 minutes to Del Mar, 20 to La Jolla/Sea World, yet still only about an hour from Anaheim/Disneyland and John Wayne airport.

Thanks, I guess when we get into Anaheim on Christmas Eve day, we could go over to Disneyland. Then on Tuesday, Christmas Day go to Universal and spend the day. Then On Wednesday visit California Adventure all day and then leave towards San Diego on Thursday morning. Would that be enough time to spend at Disney? I'm hoping the lines would be shorter because it's Christmas Eve. I wonder if they sell then a two day hopper pass? I was debating on the city pass, but can't see spending 3 days at Disney etc.

Just be aware that Disneyland is super crowded at Christmas including CHristmas Eve & Chritmas Day. Usually hits capacity.

Yes, and sometimes they actually stop letting new visitors into the park (sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently for the day.) I was there last year and this happened, though luckily after we'd already arrived. It was very crowded, and they also stopped giving out fast passes for many of the popular rides. Having said all that, I loved seeing all the lights and decorations in the park. I'm tempted to drive down for a day this year as well. :)

Fast Passes run out during busy times so I would count on that being the case.

California Adventure only reached capacity once and that was due to a promotion they were doing that day. At least you won't miss out on that. Carsland is very difficult to get onto. The fast pass line takes at least an hour to get thru unitl they run out of them. Think about waiting in the single rider line which will be less time than staying all together.

Be at the park when the rope drops and head to the rides you want to make sure to get on. Pack a bunch of patience.

Wow, Thanks. Good tips. I was hoping that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day wouldn't of been as busy. Guess not. Since we don't arrive until 10am on Christmas Eve Day and won't get over to Disneyland until probably noonish, we might want to stay an extra day then and leave for San Diego on Friday. Any other tips just let me know. Thanks a bunch!

The old rule was go first to the ride you want to do the most - and then - try to get to the most popular rides after that - the earlier in the day the better.

You might be able to knock off a couple good rides when you arrive on Xmas day - all depends on the crowd, where they are going, etc. I haven't been in years but my wife ans sister and niece went a few years ago and isn't there now a wait-time for rides - posted around the park?

I'm trying to think how you could spend an entire day at California Adventure. In my opinion, there's just not that much to do there. Soaring Over California and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror are fun, but after that I find the park pretty boring. I guess they opened something called Cars Land, but even with that addition, after a few hours at California Adventure my bet is you'll want to go somewhere else.

((H))

Maybe you want to do California Adventure on the arrival day and Disneyland on another day so you can get there first thing in the morning.

Don't really know anything about the California Adventure, but would agree to get an early start for your Disneyland day - if you want to get on the most rides.