metsno1
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2005
So I've searched the internet for months now, just looking for a place to "talk" about our upcoming trip to the West Coast. Never thought to just look down about a half a page here on the Dis for a thread about our destination!! I shoulda known.....
There will be four of us on this trip: Me (41), DW(39), DD (10), and DD(8). My wife has managed to convince me that there are, in fact, other places to go besides WDW. The kids have reluctantly accepted this fact also. Plus, there's always next year for another trip to Coronado Springs!!
First, our itinerary, and then the questions:
Fly to Vegas August 4 (arriving about 10 AM). Overnight that evening at Excalibur.
Next day, drive to Grand Canyon North Rim for two nights of camping.
Then to Zion for three nights at Watchman.
We then have about a week to kill before we have reservations at Summerdale campground just south of Yosemite for three nights.
On to Lodgepole Campground at Sequoia for three nights.
One night in Death Valley or thereabouts on the way back to Vegas.
Back to Vegas for one night, and then return home on August 23.
My question is about that "middle week" where we don't have any concrete plans (or reservations yet!!). Currently, we're considering leaving Zion, back through Vegas and then down to LA for a couple days. Leave LA, drive the PCH to San Francisco for a night, and then on to Yosemite.
My question is really about making the most of that time. I know that we want to slow things down, definitely want to drive the Coast, and that my daughter's-despite suggestions that it'll be disappointing-really want to see Hollywood. And yes, my wife wants to do one of the cheesy "tour of the stars homes" bus rides!
I'm really struggling with that week. None of us have ever been to the West Coast before, and who knows when we'll go back? So I have to focus on not following my usual instincts, which are to cram as much as I can into that week. The kids will likely have had enough "scenery" by that point, and will want to do more fun stuff.
So I guess my question is this: If you had a week to kill in that part of the world, what would you do????? Since we're camping for the rest of the trip, we can afford to spend a little more on this part, but we'd like hotels to stay under $150 or so per night. We LOVE cool local restaurants that don't usually attract tourists.
And of course, there's always the possibility of DL!!
But the cost of tickets for two days or so seems like it would be prohibitive on this trip-unless someone knows something I don't about making a couple days in the Parks more affordable????!!!
As always, thanks so much!!
There will be four of us on this trip: Me (41), DW(39), DD (10), and DD(8). My wife has managed to convince me that there are, in fact, other places to go besides WDW. The kids have reluctantly accepted this fact also. Plus, there's always next year for another trip to Coronado Springs!!
First, our itinerary, and then the questions:
Fly to Vegas August 4 (arriving about 10 AM). Overnight that evening at Excalibur.
Next day, drive to Grand Canyon North Rim for two nights of camping.
Then to Zion for three nights at Watchman.
We then have about a week to kill before we have reservations at Summerdale campground just south of Yosemite for three nights.
On to Lodgepole Campground at Sequoia for three nights.
One night in Death Valley or thereabouts on the way back to Vegas.
Back to Vegas for one night, and then return home on August 23.
My question is about that "middle week" where we don't have any concrete plans (or reservations yet!!). Currently, we're considering leaving Zion, back through Vegas and then down to LA for a couple days. Leave LA, drive the PCH to San Francisco for a night, and then on to Yosemite.
My question is really about making the most of that time. I know that we want to slow things down, definitely want to drive the Coast, and that my daughter's-despite suggestions that it'll be disappointing-really want to see Hollywood. And yes, my wife wants to do one of the cheesy "tour of the stars homes" bus rides!
I'm really struggling with that week. None of us have ever been to the West Coast before, and who knows when we'll go back? So I have to focus on not following my usual instincts, which are to cram as much as I can into that week. The kids will likely have had enough "scenery" by that point, and will want to do more fun stuff.
So I guess my question is this: If you had a week to kill in that part of the world, what would you do????? Since we're camping for the rest of the trip, we can afford to spend a little more on this part, but we'd like hotels to stay under $150 or so per night. We LOVE cool local restaurants that don't usually attract tourists.
And of course, there's always the possibility of DL!!
But the cost of tickets for two days or so seems like it would be prohibitive on this trip-unless someone knows something I don't about making a couple days in the Parks more affordable????!!!As always, thanks so much!!
