nelsonian

We will be flying into John Wayne airport Sunday 15th April 2007, and staying 5 nights at the Camelot Inn at Anaheim. We plan to get a 3 day park hopper ticket for Disneyland, spend one day at Universal Studios and one day at Sea World. I have read that it will be extremly busy at Disneyland as it's spring break but was just wondering if any of the days would be less busy than the others ie Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday. I guess it will be just as busy at Universal Studios and Sea World no matter what day we decide to go. We don't fly out of LAX until 11pm Friday so not sure how to fill that day, whether it's better to make that one of our Disneyland days and go to the airport around 7pm or so. Hopefully we can store our luggage at Camelot once we have checked out. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

gillybrit

Suggest checking out Ridemax.com. Will give you a detailed itinerary for the park. We used it in July when park was also very busy, and it worked out great. You just have to resist the temptation NOT to follow their recommended schedule. You pay for the software and then load in what you want to see. It then gives you a detailed recommended schedule, including maximizing using the system which gives you a ticket and then you come back at a certain time (brain dead moment - can't think of what that is called)! Also suggest checking out citypass.com for a southern california ticket that will cover the three things that you want to do.

tracys2cents

The 15th is the END of April vacation for many schools so I think you'll be okay. I've never really noticed much difference but they say that Thurs & Fri are traditionally lighter days at Disney. Supposedly people who take the week off do Disney on Sat Sun Mon Tues or the beginning of their week, and it lightens up a bit towards the end of the week as they head to other parks. Depending on what time you arrive at John Wayne, you might want to do Sea World or Universal on Sunday since it's a light traffic day. I'm not sure how late they'll be open that day. Or at least, if you're going to sightsee around Los Angeles, do it on Sunday while you have a few hours of light traffic.

mlgb

I wouldn't say Friday is a lighter day. Tues-Wed-Thurs yes, but Friday no. Just based on experience. Go as early as possible and make use of the Fastpass system. The first priority for a FP in Disneyland should be Space Mountain, since they've changed it up, and then Indiana Jones. Pirates of the Caribbean has been having long lines since they redid it with Jack Sparrow in several scenes. And of course Peter Pan is always impossible, even during the parades.

Barbara

You do realise that Sea World is in San Diego, not LA, don't you? From Anaheim, it will be at least an hour and 45 minute drive. Sunday would be a bad day to go because Sea World would be busier than during the week, and the traffic between San Diego and LA on Sundays is often worse than during the week. However, as you're arriving in Orange County on a Sunday, it wouldn't work anyway. You will need one of your four full days for the Sea World trip, any one would do.

nelsonian

Yes I do realise that it's a long drive to San Diego, we would take a day bus tour from Anaheim. We don't arrive until 5pm Sunday from New York so cannot do very much on that day, probably catch up on some sleep!!!!or a visit to downtown Disney.

nolists

your post never quantified "we" with your family size, ages of kids, etc. the advice would be better if people knew

anyway ...
I would skip Sea World. It's great, but it's not worth the one day travel hassels from Anaheim. If it's a must, spend a night in SD at the beginning (my choice because JW is closer than LAX) or end of your stay and drive direct to/from the airport. You could easliy drop a day at Disney and add more SD time so it's not a dreaded 1-night stay with the pack/unpack overhead.

Also, best days at Disney (IMHO) are Sun/Mon; many weekenders leave on Sunday so the crowd thins as the day progresses.

nelsonian

Hi nolists. There is only myself and husband travelling, so should be able to cope with the day tour to Sea World. Three days may be too long for Disneyland especially as we are not into rollercoaster rides etc but I have had a childhood dream to always go there to see the fireworks, fantasyland, magic kingdom etc and also the parades, and to soak up the atmosphere. We might be overwhelmed by the crowds but with only two of us to worry about we will enjoy the experince I'm sure.

nolists

2 days at disney is plenty (1 day each at d-land and CA)

I would spend a couple nights in SD to see SW and possibly the zoo, possibly your initial days because JW is 75 minutes or so to SD. My suggestions:
S: drive to SD (SD hotel)
M: SW (SD hotel; enjoy evening in SD)
T: leave early for Anaheim / (anaheim hotel and day 1 d-land/ca)
W: day 2 d-land/ca
Th: univ studios (could drive and stay closer but I would hate to change hotels again)
F: leisure, Venice Beach, Hollywood, whatever, etc.

nelsonian

Sounds like a good plan, however we will not have a car and do not want the stress of driving in a different country, you know the other side of the road thing, and lots more traffic than we are used to in Nelson New Zealand. We are okay with doing coach tours to Sea World and Universal Studios from Anaheim. Two days in San Diego does sound good but we would have to get there from John Wayne airport which could be a tad expensive, I imagine. I will look into the options though. Thanks for your advice.