4 days near Disney/LA - itinerary advice

Question

Hello all,

We will have 4 days in April staying near disneyland. We want to go to Universal 1 day. Would like to have a day for a movie studio tour (working on which one).

2 adults and 2 kids - 5 yr old and 12 yr old. 12 year old loves Marvel.

Would you all recommend we do Disney 2 days and 1 day drive to Universal? Then take the final day and find a good movie studio tour to do? If so, what tour would you recommend?

Answer

For a 4-day trip with 2 adults and kids aged 5 and 12 staying near Disneyland, a balanced itinerary can help you enjoy both Disney and LA area attractions without feeling rushed. Since your 12-year-old loves Marvel, incorporating Universal Studios makes sense, and a movie studio tour can round out the experience.

Here’s a suggested structure:

Day 1: Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. Consider starting with the park that has more attractions suited for your 5-year-old while also having Marvel-related experiences. Disney California Adventure has Avengers Campus which your older child will enjoy.
Day 2: Disney park hop or continue with the second park. This allows you to pace yourself and revisit favorite rides.
Day 3: Drive to Universal Studios Hollywood. Marvel fans will love the Spider-Man ride and other superhero-themed attractions. The Studio Tour itself is included in the ticket and gives a behind-the-scenes look at movie making.
Day 4: Movie studio tour in LA. Options include:

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood: Offers sets, soundstages, and DC/Marvel properties. Great for fans of superhero movies, interactive and informative.
Paramount Pictures Studio Tour: Classic Hollywood experience, with backlot tour, sets, and a glimpse into current productions. Slightly less Marvel-focused but very cinematic.
Sony Pictures Studio Tour: Not as widely known, but includes interactive elements and some iconic movie sets. Best if your schedule allows for a smaller group experience.

Additional tips:

Traffic in LA can be heavy, so plan at least 45–60 minutes extra travel time between Anaheim and Hollywood.
Consider park hopper tickets if you want flexibility between Disneyland parks. This helps especially with young children who may tire early.
For Universal and studio tours, book tickets in advance. Some tours have limited availability, especially during spring break and weekends in April.
Mixing theme parks and studio tours balances high-energy days with slightly slower-paced sightseeing.

Summary recommendation: 2 days at Disney (one focused on Marvel attractions), 1 day at Universal Studios, and 1 day dedicated to a Warner Bros. or Paramount studio tour. This plan maximizes entertainment for both kids while avoiding overly consecutive high-energy days.