This book describes the major attractions and theme parks in Anaheim, California, where the Disneyland Resort is located, in surrounding Orange County, and in neighboring Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. As you'll quickly discover, there's a lot to see and do, enough to provide anyone with a memorable vacation adventure.
Every year, millions of people visit Southern California and have a wonderful time. However, unless you're planning to spend several weeks (and a small fortune), there's no possible way to experience everything this area has to offer. Once you look over all that's available, you'll have to make some tough decisions about what you have time and money to enjoy.
This book is designed to help you make those decisions. It includes descriptions of all the attractions and activities at Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Downtown Disney, Knott's Southern California Resort, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Universal Studios Hollywood, along with other things to do in Orange County and Los Angeles County, plus San Diego's SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, LEGOLAND, and more. You'll also find lots of suggestions and tips for saving time and money while making the most of your vacation.
To help you choose which rides, shows, and attractions are most worth experiencing while visiting the Disneyland resort and California Adventure, this book offers a star-based ratings system. The ratings are based on the age group that will find each attraction most appealing. For each ride, you'll see a chart listing several age groups, plus a one-to three-star rating for that attraction.
These ratings are only recommendations. If you have a mature nine-year-old, he or she may very well enjoy a ride, show, or attraction that's more suitable for an eleven-to fifteen-year-old. As a parent, that's a judgment call you'll need to make based on the information provided within this book and after seeing the ride, show, or attraction for yourself once you get to the theme park.
This book is 100 percent “unofficial,” which means that it is in no way authorized or sanctioned by the Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Southern California Resort, SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, LEGOLAND, or any other theme park, attraction, travel agency, hotel chain, restaurant, or airline. As a result, the author can tell you about things frankly and offer money-saving advice that you may not find in any other travel guide or vacation-planning book.
As you begin planning your Southern California vacation, keep in mind that a little time spent planning can go a long way to improve your enjoyment and save your money. Make your reservations early, plan your time realistically so you know how much you can really do, and make sure everyone gets a say in the schedule. You'll be off to a great start for an even greater vacation.