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getbak · 03-18-2012, 10:46 PM

I'd look at going immediately after US Thanksgiving.

They have their holiday decorations and special stuff running in time for the large crowds over the Thanksgiving weekend, but once it's over, the crowds disappear. If you go in early November, you risk having things closed in preparation for the holiday season.

The first two weeks of December are traditionally their slowest time of the year. Things get a little busier on the weekend, so plan on doing the rides and things during the week and you won't really have to worry about long lines.

If you've never been to Disneyland, and want to see everything in both parks, you'll want at least a 3 Day Park Hopper ticket. A 5 day is only about $40 more, so it might be worth it and you won't have to rush through anything.

Universal is a working tv and movie studio and you can take the tram around the backlot, but it's primarily a theme park now.

If you want a better Studio Tour, go to Warner Bros. It's in Burbank (close to NBC, and you can take their tour too), and you ride around on what are basically large golf carts, and you get to actually walk around the backlot and sound stages.

About 5 miles from Disneyland is Knott's Berry Farm, another theme park (it also has a water park, but I don't know if it's open at that time of year). It has a lot of good rides and is totally dead during the week.

You can get buses from Anaheim to Universal and Knott's but they run on their own schedules, so you have more flexibility with a rental car (there's a National/Alamo location just outside Disneyland if you only want a car for part of the time you're there).

Two weeks will be more than enough time to see everything in Southern California. 5 days at Disneyland/California Adventure, 1 day at Knott's, 1 day at Magic Mountain, 1 day at Universal, 1 day at Warner Bros, 1 day at the coast/beach, 1 day in Hollywood (Chinese Theater/Walk of Fame), and that would leave 3 or 4 days for San Diego (Sea World, Zoo) too.

The Burbank/Hollywood/Universal area things are quite a long drive from Anaheim (especially during rush hour), so I'd consider grouping those days together and staying somewhere closer.

If you're coaster freaks, my order of preference would be: Magic Mountain, Knott's, Disneyland/DCA, and Universal.

The best place to get your park tickets is either AMA or online directly from the parks.

03-18-2012, 10:46 PM	#6
getbak Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	I'd look at going immediately after US Thanksgiving. They have their holiday decorations and special stuff running in time for the large crowds over the Thanksgiving weekend, but once it's over, the crowds disappear. If you go in early November, you risk having things closed in preparation for the holiday season. The first two weeks of December are traditionally their slowest time of the year. Things get a little busier on the weekend, so plan on doing the rides and things during the week and you won't really have to worry about long lines. If you've never been to Disneyland, and want to see everything in both parks, you'll want at least a 3 Day Park Hopper ticket. A 5 day is only about $40 more, so it might be worth it and you won't have to rush through anything. Universal is a working tv and movie studio and you can take the tram around the backlot, but it's primarily a theme park now. If you want a better Studio Tour, go to Warner Bros. It's in Burbank (close to NBC, and you can take their tour too), and you ride around on what are basically large golf carts, and you get to actually walk around the backlot and sound stages. About 5 miles from Disneyland is Knott's Berry Farm, another theme park (it also has a water park, but I don't know if it's open at that time of year). It has a lot of good rides and is totally dead during the week. You can get buses from Anaheim to Universal and Knott's but they run on their own schedules, so you have more flexibility with a rental car (there's a National/Alamo location just outside Disneyland if you only want a car for part of the time you're there). Two weeks will be more than enough time to see everything in Southern California. 5 days at Disneyland/California Adventure, 1 day at Knott's, 1 day at Magic Mountain, 1 day at Universal, 1 day at Warner Bros, 1 day at the coast/beach, 1 day in Hollywood (Chinese Theater/Walk of Fame), and that would leave 3 or 4 days for San Diego (Sea World, Zoo) too. The Burbank/Hollywood/Universal area things are quite a long drive from Anaheim (especially during rush hour), so I'd consider grouping those days together and staying somewhere closer. If you're coaster freaks, my order of preference would be: Magic Mountain, Knott's, Disneyland/DCA, and Universal. The best place to get your park tickets is either AMA or online directly from the parks. __________________ Turn up the good, turn down the suck!