[Glenda]

Hi,

I carried out a search and read various posts on Los Angeles, and we feel that it would be great to have a three day stopover there. :yes

The problem is that with four kids - two want to go to Universal Studios and the younger two to Disneyland. They are both some distance from each other and from the airport, has anyone else here done the two? I wonder whether a hotel not too far from the airport with excursions to these places would probably be best - anyone else done that?

Another worry is the baggage. We will probably take a max. of 40kg each rather than the 64kg, basically because the coach we will use to get to Heathrow has at limit of 40kg per person and also because we do not want to have to hire two vehicles to carry the load when we get to Auckland. Will we have to take it all to the hotel with us? :eek In Sydney we could keep it all in a store at the airport but in Los Angeles I can only find out that they have are electronic lockers which are not in operation at the moment. We will probably have 12 cases!

Any help from you good folks would be appreciated. :yes

:?

[cloudboy99]

I've been to both and can say that Universal Studios is good for a day trip but you'll need 3-4 days to see all of Disneyland (and that was BEFORE they build Disney's California Adventure). It may be a once in a lifetime trip so I wouldn't put Disney out of the picture, but it will be more expensive. Then again, since you are converting GBP to USD, you might be able to rent out the entire park for the day for about 5 quid!

It would also depend on when you are coming through. Presently the LA area is the victim of massive mudslides and rain aplenty thanks to the El Nino weather pattern (same thing that caused summer in Welly to be freezing).

[clg]

First off, on the bags. Because of terrorism you can't leave bags at LAX anymore, you are going to get stuck with them. You can get a luggage trolley when you get your bags of the conveyor belt and all you have to do is wheel it to the street (right outside immigration) you can then get a shutttle to your car rental company, all of the major rental compaines have shuttles. You will have to lug things around some but it will not be too bad, no long walks. I would suggest that when you leave, drop off the bags and most of the people at the airport. If you want, a porter will help you get the bags out of your car into the terminal they expect a couple of dollars a bag. Then return the car. It will not be fun but you will manage.

LAX is about one hour (not at rush hour though!) from either disneyland or universal studios. The area aroud LAX is fairly boring. What I would suggest is staying by disneyland (more there) and then just drive over to universal studios. Traffic will be a problem unless you leave after about 9:30 or go on the weekend.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.

Chris

[clg]

Just saw the comments about rain/mudslides. This will not be an issue for you, the mudslides are in more of the outlying areas or in the hills. Right now it is almost 80 here and I have been wearing shorts. We are supposed to have more of the same for the rest of the week.

Disney is not all that cheap to get into but with the $ where it is you will probably be happy with hotels. Since you are with a largish group see if you can find an Embassy Suites. You get a suite, with breakfast and evening cocktails for about 150-200 US (plus about 15% tax) a night.

Chris

[Glenda]

Hi again,

Thanks for your replies. We were thinking of going late June. I expect both parks will be busy as I understand kids in the US break up in June.

I think we will use a hotel shuttle and take a bus tour to both attractions rather than hire a car. We will probably arrive in the evening and we just have not got the mettle to drive around an unfamiliar city. :? Just hope they take 12 cases. :roll: Well ... perhaps we will get that number down to 9 or 10.

We have just got to decide where our hotel should be based. Presuming it could be 9.30-10pm before we leave the airport, it will have to be near the airport or one the the beaches (Manhattan or Rodondo). If anyone has any recommendations ... not too expensive, though, as we would need two rooms!

Then again ... presuming a shuttle will pick up from the airport we could get a hotel nearer Disneyland and maybe a bus tour from there to Universal. Urrghh ... decisions. :roll:

:laugh

[toesonthenose]

I take my 3 kids from Hawaii to Disneyland about once per year, and I used to live in LA. I usually stay at one of the hotels right at disneyland, in a package deal, they are more expensive but you get a break on ticket prices and it saves you the hassel of driving into disneyland and parking and driving back out each day. It makes the visit considerably more restful, wake when you want and stay late. If your kids are old enough you could just let them go, and rest in your room! I haven't done that yet, my kids are 8,6,&4, all boys and they actually like Legoland in San Diego more than Disneyland. If going through LA is a once in a lifetime experience for you, consider more than 3-4 days there, it is a truely amazing place. Good Luck

[leslie]

we are stopping in LA too - did disney ages back - hideously busy (brother lived there - if you know a local you can use their card to get in 50% reduction). you must take a wander along coast - venice beach etc. ab fab. i got my younger brother into the famous 'worlds gym' by fluttering lashes and pretending i wanted a membership. that in itself is an experience - humanity in an entirely new form. your kids would be stunned. think the centre has been upgraded too...

[markkellaway]

Personally I found LA a bit of a dump, although I've only been there on business so maybe missed the nice places. Hollywood (Chinese Theatre etc.) is worth a visit just to see the real thing and realise what a dive the area really is, and to get that surreal feeling when you drive into Beverly Hills, squalor to decadence in a couple of blocks!! :no

Mark. :P

[markkellaway]

BTW, if anyone has suggestions for a nice place to stay near LA we are thinking of stopping over there to meet friends when we eventually leave.

Mark. :P