So we zipped up to LA for an overnighter. We had seriously considered taking the kids to Disneyland, but we have sort of a love hate relationship with the park. We love how excited our kids get, we love the atmosphere and some of the rides, but we definitely hate the high price tag and the crowds, crowds, crowds.
There is nothing like paying nearly a hundred dollars (per person, for the cheap tickets) and realizing that we paid it to stand in lines for hours. Total bummer. So while everyone else was trying to get in a last fling before school starts, we decided to try Knotts Berry Farm. We'd never been (having always favored Disney), but the late day discount beckoned us. At 4pm, tickets are discounted to $20 per paying person. Better yet, the park is starting to cool from its blistering heat, and the crowds are all headed the other direction. The kids loved the rides, and there were a lot of rides, especially in Camp Snoopy that were just their size that they didn't mind that there were still many rides they were too short to go on.
What really surprised me was that Knotts has a big emphasis on the American Old West with trains, coaches, Pony Express history and geode (a type of rock) lessons that made it a little more of an educational experience than I had expected. A nice surprise. Next time we'll read a book about the Old West first, and then go and get a little of an Old West experience at Knotts Berry Farm.
A word of warning though, although there are at least two drinking fountains located around the park, we couldn't find one when we really needed one and had to pay $4 for a small bottle of water. To prevent this, just bring your own bottles and refill when you see the fountains.
The park right now is open until 10pm, but we didn't even make it that long before my feet were hurting and our tummies were groaning for a late dinner. Of course there are plenty of dining options within the park, but my wallet refuses to part with that much money for a meal (unless we're in Europe and have no other option). This is definitely a place we'll go again.
We stayed at the Hilton Suites in Anaheim, just off Hwy 5. Which has extra large rooms with a sitting area, kitchenette and desk area, and a separate sleeping room with with king sized beds and another TV, and a large bathroom with separate tub and shower. I would give it good marks overall, as the rooms were nice, clean and comfortable (but not amazing) pools were good (an indoor, a large outdoor and a hot tub), there was a free internet computer in the lobby, and the staff were helpful, but busy. I wasn't a big fan of the decorative green metal railings with gaps that ran around the large open space on every floor and overlooked the first floor dining area. Every time my littlest one went near it I imagined her trying to stick her head through (followed closely by her body). I didn't actually test the width of the railing gaps to see if her head would fit, so this may be the dark imaginings of an active and paranoid parent, but we were on the sixth floor and I didn't have an actual desire to see if I was right or not. Also, as with any "nice" hotel, they charge crazy expensive prices for parking ($11 per night) and for breakfast in the hotel ($15.50 per person). We didn't need laundry services this time or I'm sure I would have been outraged by those prices too. Needless to say we went elsewhere for breakfast, but did end up parking at the hotel.
Overall, a great fast trip. Nothing like a little at-home tourism to spice life up a little. As if the kids didn't do THAT often enough.
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