Disneyland/LegoLand/Knotts Berry Farm/etc... for a 2 year old? (Long Beach: amusement park, camp)

[readymade]

My daughter is turning 2 next week and we want to do something extra special/fun with her. I was thinking Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm. We're not throwing her a party because, quite frankly, we don't want to deal with that and she really doesn't care, anyway.

Any suggestions on where the most fun can be had with a 2 year old? She's 36" tall.

I've been to Disneyland (before I ever had/wanted a kid so I didn't really have an eye out for that), and I had a lot of fun. I figure Universal Studios (which I also love) is too old for her. I've never been to Knotts or Lego Land.

She's been to the LA Zoo a couple of times and finds it only mildly interesting. She can't really see over the bushes to the animals.

[steel7]

Lego land would be great for a 2 yr old kid. Have fun.

[sll3454]

An amusement park outing is a long, overwhelming day. Crowds, long lines, junk food (expensive junk food), scary characters, parents who would be having more fun without Little One, . . . She's really not old enough to do any of the fun stuff.

Wait until at least next year or the year after for Disneyland, longer for Knotts. She'd have more fun running around at the park. Just give her a cupcake, some ice cream, and a present, sing Happy Birthday, and tell her it's a special day because she's two whole years old. That's enough.

[Ceece]

My personal opinion is that D'land is for adults. Probably because I don't enjoy strollers getting in my way and bumping into me

Honestly, my kids didn't really get much from it until they were 10. They went before that but have no memories of it. WHen they were little they liked the zoo...closer and cheaper!

[bhcompy]

Legoland might work, but keep in mind that it's not a huge park and it is a bit of a hike to get to. It is very well laid out and is pretty fun, though. Definitely the cleanest and most well laid out park I've been to.

And I'd say Knotts over Disneyland. It's cheaper, less crowded, and Camp Snoopy is great for young children in my opinion.

[DewDropInn]

I'd definitely pick Knotts and concentrate on Camp Snoopy. It's geared for little kids. Everything is smaller and "tamer" and with all the mature trees and plantings it's got a great woodsy vibe. Plus you can get a Knotts chicken dinner.

[readymade]

Thanks guys,
I'd love to go to LegoLand, but my god! a 2+ hour drive! There's just no way.
I'll think about the other places. I'm aware that she's not going to remember going, but that's not really a reason not to do something.
We might do Knotts, since I THINK it's cheaper. Or we might try the LA Zoo again (since we already have a membership). Or we might just do what we did last year and go to Malibu and check out the ocean, heh.
Anyway, I appreciate all the comments!

[saybanana]

Always the Aquarium. I think there is one in Long Beach.

[ferretkona]

Knott's is way more reasonable and has a bunch of roller coasters just for toddlers. You can get a AAA club discount at the gate. A year pass costs $65 usually, goes down at Xmas and different times of thr year. Check at human resourses if you are working and see if they offer discounts. Your 2 year old is free at Knott's.

[bhcompy]

Indeed, the Long Beach Aquarium is fun and they have(or had?) an area where you can touch some of the sea creatures, which is fun for kids.

Also look at:
-Discovery Science Center near Disneyland
-La Brea Tar Pits(may be too young, though, hard to say)
-Zimmer Children's Museum and Kidspace Children's Museum (LA Children's Museum is still closed, something like 12 years later.. I've never been to either of these, but they have nice reviews)
-maybe Griffith Park?