Our family of four (two boys 10 %26amp; 11 )is going to Anaheim in May for 1 week. We plan on getting full use out of our 5-day park hopper passes to Disney but want to do another excursion. What is recommended - a day at Universal Studios or a trip to San Diego to Sea World? Any advice or pros/cons would be appreciated!
Day trip to Universal Studios or Sea World?
Well, it depends on what your family likes. Universal has more theme park rides and a lot of movie/tv lots and tours. Sometimes you might even catch one filming. Sea World offers more shows. They are both neat to see, so it just depends on what you are in the mood for.
Day trip to Universal Studios or Sea World?
We loved our day at SeaWorld, there are entertaining shows, (3 different ones) first-class exhibits and a few rides. The Journey to Atlantis is a fun one and the sky ride over Mission Bay (additional fee) were both great. Have fun in Southern CA! :)
If it were me, I%26#39;d limit my exposure to DL to no more than 3 days and spend 2 days in SD (including an overnight so that you can visit the San Diego Zoo), a couple of days in the CITY OF LOS ANGELES (!)-- we are the 2nd largest city in the U.S. Pleases visit Los Angeles!! Universal is largely designed for teenagers and older. I hope you will have a car since getting to Seaworld by public transit is somewhat time-consuming.
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THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
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Have fun!
I would choose San Diego. However, for one day in San Diego, I would skip Sea World (which is on Mission Bay) and take a drive along San Diego Bay. You will see more and explore more, instead of being stuck in another ';park';.
To explore the San Diego Bay:
First, head for the Maritime Museums. The ships there include the sailing ship Star of India, the California (which was in the film Master and Commander and usually has ';pirates'; hanging out near it), and the huge old ferry Berekely (with lots of interesting exhibits and a store that features books about pirates, ships, and the ocean, among other sea worthy goodies).
Then, just a very short drive to the USS Midway and naval memorials. The giagantic ship is impressive without even going inside. The boys will enjoy just seeing this aircraft carrier and the planes on the flight deck as they get out and take a look. The memorial statues in the park-like area surrounding the ship are impressive as well.
Then, on to Seaport Village, just about a block away. A great place to have lunch and take walk along the bay, just enjoy the day. There are little shops and a variety of restaurants, including Mexican and Greek or just burgers and sandwiches. Also, Ben and Jerry%26#39;s ice cream. Yum. There is even a grassy lawn where you can fly a kite. Two hours free parking (with validation).
Last by not least, take a short drive over Coronado Bridge and take a walk on a beautiful beach on Coronado Island. Maybe take a look in the historic and beautiful Hotel Del Coronado. A good place for mom and dad to get a drink. ; )
I think you can do all this for less than a day at Sea World or Universal.
Sometimes in May it does get gray along the coast and bays, so if you do this it may be good to have a back up plan of going to the San Diego Zoo, which is further inland and will most likely give you more sun. You could do the Maritime Museums in the morning and then head over to the zoo if you feel it is too overcast near the bay for you.
If you want to just to go to another large attraction, though, I would choose the San Diego Zoo over Sea World or Universal. The price of admision is more reasonable (get the Best Value tickets) and I think it is more enjoyable for kids your age.
We have just returned from a 2 week holiday in California %26amp; spent 3 days at DL, and 1 at SD Zoo, SD Seaworld, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm %26amp; Lego land. Our daughters are 4, 9 %26amp; 10 and if the older 2 were given the choice between Seaworld and Universal they would choose Universal. The backlot tour was great, the rides were unreal and there were lots of characters to get photoes with (Spongebob, Frankenstein, Shrek etc).
That being said though we had a fantastic day at Seaworld but I think because we have a fabulous Seaworld in Australia which we have visited many times, it may not have had the element of sometihing new to them even though we had a fantastic day there too.
Hope that helps and if you want an opinion on any of the other parks we went to just ask!Happy holidaying
I vote for Universal. Boys generally enjoy TV %26amp; movies, and will get a kick out of all shows and behind-the-scenes stuff.
We%26#39;re doing both in October, and I did both 13 years ago. but if I had to choose only one.....easy - Universal!
T
Hi
I have to agree with aussiefamily we preferred universal to seaworld. My kids are 10 (DD) and 12 (DS). There are only 2 ';rides'; at universal and the rest are shows that are really interesting- they both loved the terminator, the special effects show and the other 3%26amp;4 D shows. I think the Simpson ride opens in May. It is only a 1 hour drive so you can be home by 7-7.30 making it a shorter day.
Seaworld also only has 2 rides with whale, dolphin and sealion shows which are great on a hot day as they are about getting soaked. The drive to Seaworld is just under 2 hours so it is a longer day back after 8 pm.
I would look at each site and decide what you would enjoy.
M
We just completed a Disney trip. You probably don%26#39;t need five days at Disneyland (DWorld-yes). Your kids are the same ages as ours. We did an overnight in San Diego and did both Sea World and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I highly recommend San Diego and would have loved to stay there longer. Sea World was pretty disappointing. It was a beautiful, clean park, but no one was wowed by it. The kids LOVED the wild animal park. If you stay over in San Diego, take a stroll down through the gas lamp quarter when you get hungry for dinner. There are some wonderful restaurants all beckoning you inside. You will love it! We also did Universal Studios and my kids really enjoyed it too. If was headed back I would rather hang out in San Diego than LA, I guess that is what my decision would come down too. Happy planning.
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