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How do you compare the sea world/universal studio/disneyland in Florida vs LA/SanDiego? Which ones are better?

I have two family vacation planned; South California in October and Orlando in December. Now both of these locations have Sea World, Universal Studios and Disneyland. Any suggestion on choosing ones in California vs Orlando? I have a 2 yr old son. My trip plan have 2 days in San Diego & 2 days in LA to compare with 2 days in Orlando (part of Florida trip). I want to explore other things in san Diego and LA also than these theme parks only. For orlando I guess nothing else is there.

Public Comments

1. Universal is better in L.A. Both Sea Worlds are equally fun. MGM is better in Florida. Disney World is nicer than Disneyland, however, Disneyland is much smaller and might be easier with a 2-year old. Disney World has two great water parks. San Diego had an awesome zoo your son would love. Long Beach (between L.A. and S.D.) has a cool aquarium. Don't forget beaches and water parks in CA... Search L.A. or S.D. beaches and you will find answers to previous questions about the best beaches, etc. Have fun! edit: Anebrich is soooooo right about Legoland. I don't know how I forgot it. I would make that a priority for your son.
2. You can easily explore the SD Sea World in a half day if you're in a hurry. My family and I went there a couple of years ago and spent one full day there and by the end of the day we had easily seen everything in the park; somethings we even went to twice. We swam with the dolphins and went to the Shamoo show also. It's worth it, but like I said, if you have other things to do just get there when they open and only plan 3-4 hours and you'll be happy. Edit because I missed the part about the two year old. With a two year old you have to go to Lego Land! On our trip we did about the same (2 days in SD and 2 days in LA) but didn't leave time for that and I regret it. Other things to do are the San Diego Zoo and Knotts Berry Farm; plan some time at the ocean as well if you don't already live by one. My kids are a little older so we went to Tijuana and did some shopping (which my wife hated the area but loved the shopping); we also went to a baseball game. Good luck and enjoy!
3. You should definately save the theme parks for Florida b/c you are right, there is nothing else worth seeing in Orlando besides all those theme parks. There is so much more to LA and San Diego besides the theme parks. I have never been to Universal or SeaWorld in FL but from what I hear Universal in Fl is much bigger and better, which does not surprise me b/c the one in LA is small and overpriced, although it does have really nice views of the valley b/c it's on a hill. The lines are long and it's kind of ghetto in my opinion. Disneyworld is WAY better than Disneyland b/c it is so much bigger; the parking lot at the Magic Kingdom park can fit all of Disneyland in it. If you go to Disneyland go to the CA Adventure park b/c they do not have that in FL and the actualy Disneyland park is nearly identical to the Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld. But even then CA Adventure is not that great. So overall I would avoid the theme parks in SoCal if you only have 4 days to explore, maybe check out Legoland, it's a cool park for boys since many love Lego's, as did I as a kid. There are so many better things to explore in SoCal besides theme parks and since FL pretty much has all the same ones and there is nothing else in Orlando I would save it for that trip instead.
4. Yes