We're going to Disneyland!!!

[bbbom]

The family is heading to LA for Christmas Break. We'll be in Indio to visit Karl's parents for a couple days then head to LA to play. So far we are planning one day at Disney's California Adventure because we did Disneyland a couple years ago. 2 Days at Knott's Berry Farms and at least one day at the ocean.

So, where is THE place to be for New Years Eve with 3 kids 9 yo - 12 yo? We head back home on Jan 2nd so we want to do something fun for the big night.

Any suggestions? Disneyland, Knotts, Hollyweird, stay at the hotel hot tub?

We won't be bringing the bikes and plan on just being tourists & hanging out.

 

[kdx200chick]

Don't do the Knotts thing. The element of visitors isn't as great compared to Disney (generally much dirtier and the people...well, I wouldn't go there). I think the kids would definately like Disney/California Adventure better however the adults would probably prefer the hotel hot tub...
Goodluck!

 

[bsmith]

My kids Love Seaworld! It's not that bad of drive from DisneyLand Area. If you power walk it you can make all the shows and exhibits in a day. No outside food or drinks are allowed!

Universal Studios wasn't something the kids liked, and weve never been to Knotts Berry Farms or Six flags.

Disneyland California Adventure is pretty fun. The rollor coasters is pretty good, Soaring over Cali is great, Bugs life is good, the Water ride gets you soaked, so make sure you have a rain slick and spare pair of pants! The new Hollywood Terror might be opened.
I think my kids stll prefer good old Disney land however. Disneyland and DGC lets you bring your own drinks and snacks. I did learn that when you pack for the day, after the first hour the drinks got warm, snacks smushed or melted and I was the only one eating or drinking them :ohmy:
Your two way radios will have 8 pairs of idiots on every channel, so I found them not very effective.

Have fun!

 

[bbbom]

Thanks for the input!

The 2 way radios have at least a couple idiots on channels even on Mica so it isn't surprising that the numbers increase down south!!!

We usually stick together at the parks - kids think they are big enough to venture out on their own but we don't agree so we just follow along!

California Adventure was under construction when we were down there last time so they are excited to get to see it this time.

 

[dirt bike dave]

The California Screamin' roller coaster is great! Another good ride (but more mellow) is California Soarin'.

The premium hotel at Disneyland resort is the Grand Californian - if the budget permits, stay there! I am sure it is all decked out for the holidays and would have something going on New Year's Eve. The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier are nice, too, but Grand Californian is a cut above and has the best park access. They will let hotel guest access the park early.

Paradise Pier has a big pool and a water slide (maybe 40' high), but it might be a bit chilly in late December.

Since you were last there, they probably completed the Downtown Disney shopping mall between the park and the Disneyland hotel. Lots of restaurants and stuff there outside the park.

I would recommend staying at one of the 3 resort hotels and getting passes allowing you to go back and forth at will between Disneyland and California Adventure. The best service, convenience and lack of hassles at the 3 resort hotels justify the price over nearby non-Disney hotels, IMO.

 

[zero_it]

Hey Bbbom,

Have a great trip to LA. Looks like Tom & I will be headed to either Juniper Dunes or Moses Lake Dunes for some Christmas riding. He got a new WR 450 and I got a new 200 EXC a few weeks ago, so we MUST go ride them. There's also the fact that pounding the sand sounds like a much better option than doing the beep & creep down through Seattle traffic for a nice family dinner!

Holly-weird and the Sunset Strip are always good entertainment. Randi & Pat would surely get a little culture there that's just not available in Mica!

Happy Holidays!

 

[bbbom]

Thanks for the tips Dave!

Congrats on the new bikes zero_it - I wouldn't recommend Juniper, the road to the first parking lot is CLOSED. More landowner problems for the BLM and last I heard it will be closed until they can work out an easement or land swap.

PANTRA is going to Mattawa January 15 - 16th. Not sure if we'll make it or not but possibly, will see how it looks when we get back home on the 2nd.

I don't know if the kids will notice the different culture much, Mica has it's very own homegrown culture and it's pretty amazing!

 

[Farmer John]

Purely my personal opinion.
Forget Knoxberry Farms!
If you have little kids, a little farther south, Carlsbad, is Lego Land. I swear I'm gonna go back without the kids. Too much fun.
If your kids are too big/cool for Lego Land, there is Magic Mountian. :cool:

As far as New Years Eve, Disneyland will probably have one of the bigger celebrations.

 

[thumbs]

Let me know where you decide to go if you want to save a few bucks. I can get discounts (I think it's $10 or 15 off each ticket) on tickets for all the amusement parks. I can mail tickets to you or have them dropped off depending on where you are staying. I work in downtown LA and live 10 minutes from the happiest place on earth.

 

[bbbom]

They are too big/cool for Legoland FJ. 9, 11 & 12 yo and they want to spend a day at Knott's Berry Farms.

I forgot about Magic Mountain.

Thanks for the offer Thumbs! I'll get with the kids tonight and see which places they really want to go. I'm thinking Disneyland is the place to be for New Years Eve. We are flying out Dec. 25th from Spokane so if you want to pm me your phone number, I'll give you a call this weekend and figure out if we can take you up on the offer for discounts. Do you take VISA?!! :cool:

 

[thumbs]

I just checked with my connection and supply is limited. We have to give back unsued tickets at the end of each year and we get new ones for 05'.

As of last week this is what we had:

Aquarium of the Pacific - 12 tickets
Disney - 8 tickets left (This is iffy. Someone has claimed them but has not paid)
Knotts - none
Legoland - plenty
Six Flags - none
Raging waters - none
Sea World - ??
Universal Studios - plenty - but sucks for kids
San Diego Zoo - returned

Tony Santero
Cell 213-216-7566

 

[bbbom]

Got your message Thumbs - thanks for trying.

Looks like we'll be doing a day at Knotts, a day at Magic Mountain and then two days (New Years Eve included) at Disneyland/CA Adventures. Hard to believe it but my kids love roller coasters & adrenaline rush rides!!! :cool:

Gotta fit a day in at the beach somewhere in between!

Woohoo, only 3.5 more days till we go!!!

 

[gospeedracer]

Well??? How was it?! :)

Did you like Magic Mountain? I love that place! :) Hope you guys had a good time.

 

[bbbom]

Finally back and able to type a bit!

Got back home Sunday and had to head to Oregon to look at a job Monday, home Tuesday and was supposed to head to Seattle today but I played hooky!

We had a blast, the rain helped thin out the crowds! We hit Knott's Berry Farm on Wednesday and had very short waiting times on any rides. We hit Magic Mountain on Thursday and there were more people there. Those rides are awesome!!! Kids loved it but we didn't feel like driving back up there so went to Disneyland/CA Adventures for Friday & Saturday.

We did New Year's Eve at Disney - that was fun. We came out of Pirates of the Caribean to do "5, 4, 3, 2, 1!!!!" Then we ran over to Indiana Jones to be first in line! We snuck back in line after the first ride and jumped in a rig for a second go around. We went back & did some of the other kiddy rides on Saturday and took th 8am flight out Sunday!

Glad we brought a couple sweatshirts & long pants cause it was COLD!!!! Came home & had just a skiff of snow but it's snowing & blowing now.