Southern California Tourist Advice Please

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trevor_macfee · #1 Post by **trevor_macfee** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:24 am

It looks like I might have to go to the Southern California for a few days. If that occurs, it'll be within the next month. My wife and 11-year old daughter will be coming with me. My suddenly-serious-about school son (he's a junior who is starting to look at colleges and realize that a 3.25 or so isn't going to be good enough for where he wants to go) will stay behind with friends (while I will miss him, I am proud of his decision). It looks like we'll have about two days to explore outside of the business purpose for the trip - one of them will be spent at Disneyland, the other is open.

Any suggestions from those of you who live in/have visited the area? Is it worth it if you only have a day for Disney to get a ticket for Disneyland and California Adventure? What other stuff would be enjoyed, or "should" be seen by an 11-year old (and her parents)? Just FYI, she's very much into drama (acting AND she wrote a short play that she has organized a good portion of her class to put on as a surprise for her teacher) and animals. It's been 20 years since I've been to LA and that was only for a short visit as well. Any and all advice is appreciated!

Thank you!

MarleysGh0st · #2 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:43 am

trevor_macfee wrote:Is it worth it if you only have a day for Disney to get a ticket for Disneyland and California Adventure?

I don't know what premium they're charging for a park-hopper ticket. Although Play It! is no longer there <sigh> California Adventure still has my favorite two remaining rides at Anaheim: Soarin' and Tower of Terror. Their roller coaster is pretty awesome, too. Aside from that, CA doesn't really have enough for a full day just for itself, but it can make an entertaining stop during the Disneyland visit.

Bob Juch · #3 Post by **Bob Juch** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:53 am

I believe they now have a on-day park-hopper ticket (they didn't when I loved there). I'll let the locals confirm that though.

Where would you be staying? On the other day I'd go to Universal Studios if I was staying north of DL or Sea World if I was staying south.

trevor_macfee · #4 Post by **trevor_macfee** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:58 am

Bob Juch wrote: Where would you be staying? On the other day I'd go to Universal Studios if I was staying north of DL or Sea World if I was staying south.

Thanks for the info (and Marley too). We're staying not too far from LAX.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #5 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:00 am

Disney is having a special right now:

If you are a Southern California resident and you have been meaning to visit Disneyland or Disney's California Aventure you're in luck!! For a limited time you can visit either park and come back on another day and visit the other park for free!!

You can take advantage of this offer until April 24. A single day admission ticket is $66 for guests 10 and up and $56 for kids 3-9 - kids 2 and under are free. If you haven't been in a while this is a perfect excuse to visit.

Here are the details on the tickets-* Tickets are valid for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000 to 93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000 to 22999. Proof of residency is required for admission. Admission valid for one day at Disneyland® Park and another day at Disney's California Adventure® Park, but not for both parks on the same day. Tickets are valid 30 days from first use. First use must occur between January 7, 2008 and April 24, 2008. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use. You can purchase up to eight tickets per person per day with valid identification.

If we arrange things in advance, I have no problem going down to the parks and using my driver's license to get cheap tickets for you. I called the park this morning (I was on hold for five minutes, the music was hideous) and they said that I don't have to be with you when you use the ticket, but I have to buy them using my drivers license. (I told them that you are out of state family and I was a passholder.)

They are not parkhopper tickets, you can only visit one park on one day, but still, given the fact that admission is usually $66 per park per day, it's a good deal. Plus, the parks are not very busy right now.

Bob Juch · #6 Post by **Bob Juch** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:04 am

trevor_macfee wrote:
Bob Juch wrote: Where would you be staying? On the other day I'd go to Universal Studios if I was staying north of DL or Sea World if I was staying south.
Thanks for the info (and Marley too). We're staying not too far from LAX.

San Diego is a long trip but doable. Your daughter would probably enjoy Universal more though.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #7 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:06 am

I don't know if it's because we go to Disneyland all of the time, but I was disappointed by Universal. The rides are not that great and the lines are poorly organized.

kusch · #8 Post by **kusch** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:09 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:I don't know if it's because we go to Disneyland all of the time, but I was disappointed by Universal. The rides are not that great and the lines are poorly organized.

I agree, I would go to the San Diego Zoo and/or Wild Kingdom again before I would go back to Universal. San Diego however would be a bit of a drive.

trevor_macfee · #9 Post by **trevor_macfee** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:09 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Disney is having a special right now:

Wow, that sounds awesome - it would give us the option of visiting the other park on our other day or if it turns out we have more time on the day I'm committed . . . if we can work it out so you are not to inconvenienced. Look for a PM from me. Thanks!

earendel · #10 Post by **earendel** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:47 am

trevor_macfee wrote:Look for a PM from me. Thanks!

You're sending her a pygmy marmoset? (Note the avatar)

MarleysGh0st · #11 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:18 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Disney is having a special right now:

If you are a Southern California resident and you have been meaning to visit Disneyland or Disney's California Aventure you're in luck!! For a limited time you can visit either park and come back on another day and visit the other park for free!!

Oh, yeah, I remember that deal from my visit to Play It! in January 2003. Pissed me off that locals--who already can take advantage of the annual passes--were getting this break that others, who went to a great deal of effort to come to the park, were denied!

But it'd be nice if you could get it for Trevor.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #12 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:18 am

earendel wrote:
trevor_macfee wrote:Look for a PM from me. Thanks!
You're sending her a pygmy marmoset? (Note the avatar)

Yes, because two cats, a cat who thinks that he's a dog and two rabbits are not enough animals.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #13 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:20 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Disney is having a special right now:

If you are a Southern California resident and you have been meaning to visit Disneyland or Disney's California Aventure you're in luck!! For a limited time you can visit either park and come back on another day and visit the other park for free!!

Oh, yeah, I remember that deal from my visit to Play It! in January 2003. Pissed me off that locals--who already can take advantage of the annual passes--were getting this break that others, who went to a great deal of effort to come to the park, were denied!

But it'd be nice if you could get it for Trevor.

Our annual passes are overpriced, but we still buy the them.

I don't like how Disney gouges families, just because they can. We are fortunate that we can afford our passes.

If anyone else ever wants to take advantage of local prices, send me a message and I will help

MarleysGh0st · #14 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:52 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Our annual passes are overpriced, but we still buy the them.

How many single day tickets are the equivalent to?

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #15 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:51 pm

MarleysGh0st wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Our annual passes are overpriced, but we still buy the them.
How many single day tickets are the equivalent to?

About 5.5, since we get a $20 discount for renewing by mail. We have premium passes which have no blockout dates. The girls also have free parking on their passes, which is silly since they don't drive, but there is no way to price the parking out separately with premium passes.

When their grandparents take their cousins to Disneyland, I usually stick Maddie or Emma in the car so they don't have to pay for parking.

MarleysGh0st · #16 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:07 pm

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Our annual passes are overpriced, but we still buy the them.
How many single day tickets are the equivalent to?
About 5.5, since we get a $20 discount for renewing by mail. We have premium passes which have no blockout dates. The girls also have free parking on their passes, which is silly since they don't drive, but there is no way to price the parking out separately with premium passes.

When their grandparents take their cousins to Disneyland, I usually stick Maddie or Emma in the car so they don't have to pay for parking.

Doesn't sound overpriced to me.

Charging visitors for parking on top of their tickets, now that's gouging!

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #17 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:14 pm

MarleysGh0st wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote: How many single day tickets are the equivalent to?
About 5.5, since we get a $20 discount for renewing by mail. We have premium passes which have no blockout dates. The girls also have free parking on their passes, which is silly since they don't drive, but there is no way to price the parking out separately with premium passes.

When their grandparents take their cousins to Disneyland, I usually stick Maddie or Emma in the car so they don't have to pay for parking.
Doesn't sound overpriced to me.

Charging visitors for parking on top of their tickets, now that's gouging!

It's overpriced when you pay for all of the passes at once, over $1400.

MarleysGh0st · #18 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:29 pm

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote: About 5.5, since we get a $20 discount for renewing by mail. We have premium passes which have no blockout dates. The girls also have free parking on their passes, which is silly since they don't drive, but there is no way to price the parking out separately with premium passes.

When their grandparents take their cousins to Disneyland, I usually stick Maddie or Emma in the car so they don't have to pay for parking.
Doesn't sound overpriced to me.

Charging visitors for parking on top of their tickets, now that's gouging!
It's overpriced when you pay for all of the passes at once, over $1400.

Certainly, it's a lot of money. You're buying unlimited 365-day access for four people to one of most popular attractions in the world.

What would be your estimate of a reasonable price for that? (Please show your work and compare that figure to the price for a family of four to spend just one day at Disney, including paying for parking.)

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #19 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:47 pm

I think that $250 per person, plus an additional $50 for parking for the family would be reasonable.

When we go to the parks we eat and buy things, we aren't just going on the rides. We also usually go for a few hours, when it's not busy, then leave.

Seaworld charges $59 for admission and you get unlimited visits throughout the year. Universal Studios has a similar deal.

Appa23 · #20 Post by **Appa23** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:51 pm

MarleysGh0st wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
MarleysGh0st wrote: Doesn't sound overpriced to me.

Charging visitors for parking on top of their tickets, now that's gouging!
It's overpriced when you pay for all of the passes at once, over $1400.
Certainly, it's a lot of money. You're buying unlimited 365-day access for four people to one of most popular attractions in the world.

What would be your estimate of a reasonable price for that? (Please show your work and compare that figure to the price for a family of four to spend just one day at Disney, including paying for parking.)

Looks like Cedarpoint is about $105.00 (plus tax) per person for 4 people. With parking, maybe Disneyland would be worth $650-700, maximum.

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/admiss ... prices.cfm

The heightened value of Disney (World or Land) is based on the "once in a lifetime" that one gets to visit it. It seems to me that is the reason why it is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations. With a season pass, the magical atmosphere disappears, and you are left with the rides. CedarPoint looks like it has way better rides.

More so than with other amusement parks, Disney is worth a great deal for the single visit, but each subsequent seasonal visit would be worth considerably less.

[For example, Disney holds very little attraction to me, other than the looks on my kids' faces when they are there.]

As always, YMMV.

MarleysGh0st · #21 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:55 pm

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:I think that $250 per person, plus an additional $50 for parking for the family would be reasonable.

So 69 cents per day is a good value, but 96 cents a day is not?

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:When we go to the parks we eat and buy things, we aren't just going on the rides. We also usually go for a few hours, when it's not busy, then leave.

Yes, the shops and restaurants are separate profit centers for Disney. While you may only visit during your off hour, you're not buying a restricted pass.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Seaworld charges $59 for admission and you get unlimited visits throughout the year. Universal Studios has a similar deal.

Really? I guess Seaworld has determined that people quickly get their fill of seeing Shamu do its tricks.

MarleysGh0st · #22 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:57 pm

Appa23 wrote: [For example, Disney holds very little attraction to me, other than the looks on my kids' faces when they are there.]

And you're already on record saying you'll pay for that look only once in their lives.

Appa23 · #23 Post by **Appa23** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:02 pm

MarleysGh0st wrote:
Appa23 wrote: [For example, Disney holds very little attraction to me, other than the looks on my kids' faces when they are there.]
And you're already on record saying you'll pay for that look only once in their lives.

My kids know that we will only make one Disney trip, and it likely will be to Florida. It also will not occur until our youngest is old enough to enjoy things. (I am guessing 2-3 years from now, so that the other two kids still will enjoy things.)

Otherwise, they will get a trip to South Korea in about 9-10 years.

LotteWorld will be involved.

MarleysGh0st · #24 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:06 pm

Appa23 wrote: LotteWorld will be involved.

Is that a South Korean amusement park?

Appa23 · #25 Post by **Appa23** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:25 pm

MarleysGh0st wrote:
Appa23 wrote: LotteWorld will be involved.
Is that a South Korean amusement park?

The short answer is yes.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/As ... -BR-1.html

The long answer involves an explanation of the bizarrely funny experience of having Korean teens, with multi-colored hair, wanting to practice their English by talking to you, and asking about Michael Jackson, Madonna, and other American musical acts.

WWTBAM Bored

Southern California Tourist Advice Please

Southern California Tourist Advice Please

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