1 day in LA -wwyd?

[Katie]

We're planning a day in LA after about 11days in Hawaii and before flying to AKL. We = me, Mr Katie & Little Miss 5. It's looking like we'll arrive at around 5-6am from an overnight flight & fly out at 23:40.

I'm thinking we'll check into a LAX hotel, have a nap for a bit, then grab a car and go somewhere. I'd originally thought we'd go visit Disneyland, but might stay abit closer.

So, if you had a day in LA with a 5yo, what would you do? I'm looking for ideas we can research. Oh, and this would be in late April.

 

[harvyk]

Yeah I had this problem a little while back, 1 day in LA which I needed to kill time before my flight out that night.

The two things I did was

Start off with Santa Monica pier, apart from the fact it's been used in countless movies, it's also got the fun fair there which'll give your 5yo something to do... Plus it's kinda nice walking along the pier eating an ice cream cone...

Drive to Hollywood walk of fame, see the sign, I'm not sure what day you'll actually be there (I was there on a Sunday) but around Manns chinese theater \ (now ex) Kodac theater there are street performers all the way along, often dressed up as characters from movies. You know your 5yo really wants a photo with Darth Vader... (Bring some $1 notes for tips)

I have to admit at this point I was pretty tired and then went to LAX and crashed in the lounge, however I'm sure someone else can give you some more idea's.

 

[Blackadder]

Disneyland is definitely a option (or Knotts Berry Farm), the drive down to Anaheim isn't that long, or closer to Los Angeles Universal Studios/City Walk

 

[Homer]

I'm a theme-park fan so I'd do either Disneyland or Universal Studios and, in my experience with a five year old at both, your little miss will enjoy the former more as there are more rides for younger children at Disneyland. Having said that, it's a pretty big day but then you have a lot of time and it's open late.

 

[Paddy55]

For proximity to LAX Universal Studios might be easier than Disneyland. If you've spare time and the inclination, Griffith Park Observatory with it's views of LA is pretty hard to beat.

 

[AVC]

For a 5yo, I would recommend Disney, Knotts Berry is a bit extreme, and I think Universal, or Hollywood, would go over a 5yo's head.

+1 to what harvey said though. It's also a lot closer to LAX.

The advantage is you'll be going against the traffic. (You don't want to be heading inbound to LA in the morning from Anaheim. The 110 is a carpark.)

 

[UP4014]

Universal would easy and fun and take up the best part of the day.
Shot form the end of Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica Pier | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Out on the pier Santa Monica | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I would consider Disneyland in spite of the traffic, it is great fun.

Matt

 

[Bundy Bear]

Universal would be an easier day, but I think a 5 year old would have more fun at Disneyland.
I arrived into LA from Sydney years ago and went to Universal then drove to some accommodation near Disneyland, before doing Disney for 2 days.

 

[Katie]

Thanks all! We did 3 days at Disneyland in 2010, though Little Miss would happily go back. I might wait to see what the opening time is going to be for that day (Thursday) when it's finally on the Disney site. Our overnight flight is a short one (from HNL or KOA), so I'm expecting we'll definitely want to sleep some more after arriving. And there's probably not many places open at 6:30am that we'd want to go to. :/