A Multi-City Journey of Theme Parks, Scenic Cruises, and Family Fun

Day 1: Arrival in Los Angeles & Universal Citywalk

The adventure began with a flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, marking the start of an epic multi-city trip combining Disneyland and an Alaska cruise. With six family members, finding the right hotel was key, and Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City proved to be an excellent choice—offering confirmed connecting rooms and easy access to Universal Studios Hollywood via a free shuttle.

The first evening was spent exploring Universal Citywalk, with Toothsome Chocolate Emporium becoming an instant hit, especially for the kids.

Day 2: VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood

With only one day at Universal Studios Hollywood, the VIP Experience was the best option. It provided park tickets, a guided tour, express passes, exclusive experiences, and a private buffet lunch—all making for a seamless day without the usual crowds.

Day 3: Arrival at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort

A midwilshuttle transfer made the cross-town journey easier, avoiding the unpredictability of LA traffic. Disney’s Grand Californian Resort became the perfect home base, with private access to California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and a spacious 2-bedroom villa. As Disney Vacation Club members, the full kitchen and in-suite washer/dryer were invaluable on this long trip, and the three bathrooms made things much smoother for a large family!

The day was spent exploring Disneyland Park, prioritizing rides not found in Orlando to make the most of the unique West Coast attractions.

Day 4: California Adventure & Bowling at Splitsville

After a morning at California Adventure, the afternoon was for poolside relaxation before heading to Splitsville Lanes for bowling and sushi, one of the kids’ favorite dining experiences.

Day 5: Princess Breakfast & Departure to Seattle

The morning started with Napa Rose’s Princess Breakfast, where multiple Disney princesses made appearances—an expensive but worthwhile experience at least once!

Departing John Wayne Airport (a much calmer option than LAX), the family flew to Seattle aboard a Disney-themed plane, greeted by Rex before takeoff.

Seattle’s Charter Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton provided confirmed connecting rooms and proximity to Pike Place Market. The evening included classic Seattle highlights:

• Watching fish throwers at Pike Place.
• Enjoying fresh cheese at Beecher’s.
• Seeing the first Starbucks store (but skipping the long line).
• Wrapping up with dinner and relaxation before embarking on the Alaska cruise.

Day 6: Boarding Ovation of the Seas for the Alaska Cruise

Embarkation day aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas went smoothly, with a key strategy: booking a sit-down lunch at Jamie’s Italian rather than dealing with the crowded buffet.

A balcony cabin was essential for this Alaska cruise, providing spectacular views throughout the journey. The rest of the day was spent exploring the Quantum-class ship, getting familiar with its unique layout.

Day 7: First Sea Day & Alaskan Scenery

Unlike Caribbean cruises where sea days are filled with endless ocean, Alaska’s coastline kept landscapes in view. The day was packed with onboard adventures:

• Rock climbing, bumper cars, and Flowrider thrills.
• Lots of great food (as expected on a cruise!).
• A surprise encounter with a Yeti, adding some playful Alaskan-themed fun to the day.

Day 8: Exploring Juneau – Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Watching

The first port day of the Alaska cruise took you to Juneau, where you embarked on an excursion to Mendenhall Glacier followed by whale watching. Plenty of whale sightings added to the excitement, though, as always, the best sightings seemed impossible to capture on camera!

The weather turned out to be surprisingly mild, with the jacket getting minimal use, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Day 9: Scenic Rail Ride & Local Eats in Skagway

The Skagway port day featured the highly recommended White Pass Rail, a stunning mountain train ride that even crosses into Canada. While wildlife sightings were sparse, the breathtaking landscapes made up for it.

After the train journey, the family explored Skagway town, stopping at Skagway Brewing Company for a beer flight (where Spruce Tip Ale stood out) and an unforgettable meal:

• A fish sandwich so good it converted a non-fish fan!
• Alaskan king crab legs, indulgent in both size and price, thoroughly enjoyed.

The afternoon wrapped up with souvenir shopping, including a visit to Del Sol, a familiar brand from Caribbean destinations. And, of course, the inevitable purchase of another duffel bag—because travel shopping always gets out of hand!

Day 10: Glacier Viewing & Ship Activities

This sea day featured an off-the-coast glacier viewing experience, with the ship carefully navigating based on safety and weather conditions. Crew members provided hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and warm blankets, ensuring a cozy outdoor viewing for those taking in the spectacular scenery.

The rest of the day was filled with onboard activities, including:

• North Star observation capsule, offering panoramic views from high above the ship.
• iFly indoor skydiving, a thrill that family members loved.
• Jewelry-making and rose crafting classes, giving the girls a creative experience.

Day 11: Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada

The final port stop was Victoria, Canada, with an excursion to the Butchart Gardens, a breathtaking destination featuring beautifully curated gardens and an afternoon tea-style lunch.

The night wrapped up with packing and a dinner at Izumi, the ship’s sushi restaurant, where some family members had earlier taken a sushi-making class—a tradition they enjoy repeating on every cruise.

Day 12: Seattle & An Early Return Home

Disembarkation day began with plans to spend two extra nights in Seattle, checking into Hyatt House Seattle. The day included visits to:

• Space Needle (yes, touristy, but still fun!).
• MoPop Museum, featuring fascinating pop culture exhibits.
• Chihuly Glass Garden, a mesmerizing display of artistic glasswork.

After completing the sightseeing checklist, the family decided to cut the trip short—having seen everything they wanted to see. With flights booked on points, a quick call to American Airlines secured a red-eye flight home that night, ending the adventure just right.

Final Thoughts

Alaska was originally supposed to be a once-and-done destination, but after this trip, the family keeps talking about going back—next time possibly on a smaller ship from Vancouver for a different itinerary.

This multi-city adventure seamlessly combined theme park thrills, Alaskan wilderness, and unforgettable family experiences.