| # | Author | Message |
1
| uchylisa
Tue 5/26/2009 9:04p | Hi everyone. We are planning a trip for 5 nights in Aug with my 3 year old and 11 year old. I'd like to take one day to do Sea World, but someone told me that the 2 hr bus ride might be unbearable for my 3 year old. I know last time we went (prior to my younger child's arival) the bus ride to Universal in late Aug was hot and LONG. Anyone have any thoughts as to if this is a CRAZY idea? I'd really like to do one outside of disney thing in our 6 days there but maybe SeaWorld is not the right choice for us.
Thanks for your help. |
2
| MomluvsDisney
Wed 5/27/2009 7:29a | I would take my almost three year old to Sea World before I would take her to Universal Studios (and have done..~~grin~~) mainly because she gets a much bigger kick out of the fish and mammals then the studio tour. Plus San Diego will ususally be cooler then the edge of the San Fernando Valley...
The trip might be longer, but maybe if you brought one or two very special toys that occupy your 3 year old for the trip plus maybe a coloring book or two, it might not be too bad. My daughter is always so excited to go because she loves seeing the fishys and the dolphins. |
3
| ImNotAllThereMyself
Wed 5/27/2009 9:29a | It will likely be an almost three hour bus ride. . HOWEVER. the train has a station in anaheim, and one in downtown San diego. then you could take SD public trans, or a cab to Sea World.
the train experience might be unique enough that the kids wouldn't even notice the 2 hours.
Here is a link for the trip ( i did it from anaheim, to Sea world transit center. What you will do is the train to downtowns SD, and then a bus up to Sea world)
http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak
I love Sea WOrld, and I agree with the pp Sea world Over Universal studios. US is not really little kid friendly. your 11 year old might enjoy stuff, but probably not the 3 year old. Meanwhile my 18 month old loves sea world.
|
4
| Mickeysbestfan
Wed 5/27/2009 10:12a | Why not rent a car for the day? |
5
| uchylisa
Wed 5/27/2009 10:02p | Thanks for the advice. I had no idea it was so far. I was not even contaplating taking my 3 year old to Universal because of the distance, and lack of activities for younger tikes. So I guess Sea World is out. I'm bummed cause I know she'd love it, but we'd be NUTS after 6 hours total on a bus with my terrible three year old (love her but must speak the truth). Is there anyplace that would be a shorter drive. I'm feeling like 6 days and 5 nights is ALOT for just disneyland and California adventure. But maybe not with a 3 year old...
My husband isn't comfortable renting a car and driving in the Las Angeles Area. |
6
| Mickeysbestfan
Wed 5/27/2009 10:06p | I only suggested the car because you can pick one up for the day right near the park - Trip to Sea World is a straight shot down hwy 5 away from LA. It's a very easy drive.
I think there is a childrens museum in the area - Those are usually interactive for any age. |
7
| MomluvsDisney
Thu 5/28/2009 6:20a | The San Diego Zoo is a wonderful place as well..we used to be pass holders and went at least twice a month last year. Both the zoo and museums are located in Balboa Park. If you wanted to go, I would rent a car, since you have small children (If it were just you and the hubby you could take the public transportation without issue). Do not let So Cal freeways intmidate you...if you plan out the trip, it would be very smooth and enjoyable! If you are a AAA member you could get a trip tik that would give you step by step directions for any side trip you wish to make.
Another thought is that there are many companies that offer side trips to places like Sea World. By doing that, all you have to do is show up and enjoy, while they take care of getting you down there and such. |
8
| dlkozy
Thu 5/28/2009 8:08a | ^^^But there is still the 3 hour 1 direction bus ride with the companies that would offer a side trip to Sea World.
If it were me-with a 3 year old that is right now not the best traveler, I would cut the trip a bit shorter and just enjoy DL and DCA.
There will be lots of years ahead when she/he will get to enjoy Sea World and waiting a bit longer might make it a fun memory for everyone in the family.
JMHO |
9
| Dalia3001
Thu 5/28/2009 8:42a | We just did 6 nights, 5 days at DL and DCA with my three year old niece. We also had jet-lagged adults and a six month old with us, but we really enjoyed having lots of time to do whatever we wanted to. For the most part my niece only went to the park in the mornings. We were able to get her up early each day and be there by opening, then did what she wanted in the morning hours, avoiding the bulk of the lines and the crowds and collecting FP's for later use. Then we went back to the hotel for a break, and one of the adults stayed in the room in the evening so that the kids could keep an early bedtime. The rest of the adults went back to the parks in the late afternoon and evenings and made use of FP's collected in the morning, had adult dinners in DtD or whatever.
This worked out really well for us, and didn't over tax our young niece and nephew with too many hours in the park in a row, and everyone ended up feeling like they had time to do what they wanted. |
10
| ImNotAllThereMyself
Fri 5/29/2009 10:54a | If you have decided to try and cut out the sea world trip, adn you are worried that you and the kids will get bored on days4-6 of the trip... try some of these.
they have great little autograph/photo books, so the kids can get sutographs and then you have a place to put the pic next to it.
you could get a doodle bear ( like $15 at Toys R Us) and use sharpies, and use that as an autograph bear.
You could order one of the MANY disney trivia books, adn spend a day looking for disney trivia stuff, and hunting for hidden mickey's. the 11 year old might dig that.
you could order a bunch of pins off ebay, adn get them started on pin trading. They can walk up to ANY CAST MEMBER with a pin lanyard and make a trade. The turquoise lanyards are specifically for kids.
Ask to ride with the driver on the monorail.
Ask for the kids to be able to ride with the Captain on the Mark Twain.
Take the Canoe ride... it really is pretty fun, especially on a hot day. |
