Short trip to include Disneyland and Universal Hollywood

Question

My family (me, hub,27, 23 yr olds) I just found out we can do a short trip for Fan Fest. I am trying to plan this out.

Saturday 4/26 fly into BUR since it is closer to Universal. travel day relax/city walk,

Sunday 4/27 Fan Fest/Universal

Monday 4/28 go to DL, hotel and maybe park in the evening

Tuesday 4/29 DL parks

Wed 4/30 head home from LAX

My thoughts are to fly into BUR, stay at one of the hotels close to Universal looking at Hilton or Sheraton. Do the Fan fest with early entry at 2 pm on Sunday or do a full day ticket with express in addition to the the Fan Fest on 4/27.

4/28 do shuttle or private car to DL will stay onsite, maybe park in the afternoon or evening It is our 25th anniversary so I would like to do something nice. 4/29 full day at the parks. Fly home from LAX on Wed 4/30.

Does this make sense? Too much for short trip? We will not have a car and will hire one or do shuttle.

Answer

Your proposed itinerary for a short Los Angeles trip is ambitious but doable, especially since your main focus is on Universal Studios, Fan Fest, and Disneyland. Since you won’t have a car, careful planning for transportation and timing will be key to ensure a smooth trip.

Flying into BUR (Burbank) is a smart choice for proximity to Universal Studios, and staying nearby at a Hilton or Sheraton is convenient. This allows easy access to Universal without long commutes. Your plan to relax with a city walk on arrival day (Saturday 4/26) is sensible and gives you time to adjust after your flight.

Sunday 4/27 is your Fan Fest/Universal day. Here are some considerations:

If your priority is to experience Fan Fest itself, the early entry option at 2 pm could be enough, but be mindful that you may miss some of Universal’s other attractions unless you purchase a full-day ticket.
Adding Express Passes could save significant wait time, especially if you plan to do both Fan Fest activities and park rides. It’s worth considering if you want a full Universal experience without feeling rushed.
Plan breaks and meals carefully, as this will be a long and busy day.

Monday 4/28, traveling to Disneyland, you can use a shuttle or private car. Staying onsite at a Disneyland hotel is ideal for convenience and park access, especially for an anniversary celebration. Arriving in the afternoon or evening allows a relaxed start, maybe a stroll through Downtown Disney or a short evening park visit.

Tuesday 4/29 for a full Disneyland day is well-timed. Staying onsite helps you maximize park hours and take advantage of early entry perks if available. Consider these options for a special anniversary experience:

Dinner at a signature restaurant such as Napa Rose or Carthay Circle for a memorable meal.
Special experiences like a private tour, guided park experience, or dessert package at the fireworks show.
Photo opportunities or booking a character dining experience to create lasting memories.

Wednesday 4/30, departing from LAX, is straightforward. Plan for adequate travel time from Disneyland to the airport, as traffic in Los Angeles can be unpredictable.

Overall, your itinerary is packed but manageable, especially since your group is young and accustomed to walking and theme parks. The key is to keep transportation organized, consider Express Passes at Universal, and prioritize experiences that matter most for your anniversary. Allow for some downtime in the evenings to avoid exhaustion.

Short trip to include Disneyland and Universal Hollywood

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