Advice on Blackout Day

[Halloweenqueen]

I decided to take my daughters on a quick 3 day trip to DL, thanks to Allegiant having crazy low fares that weekend. We have deluxe APs. Unfortunately the Saturday of our trip is blocked.

I was going to buy blackout passes (around $60 each) for the 4 of us, but then I started thinking that we could just do a "free" day. We have reservations at the Park Vue, but I could switch to Paradise Pier to be closer to DD and have a pool with a waterslide.

This would leave us with 2 days in the parks. We have NEVER done a free day at DL. I've often planned free days while at WDW, but that's during long vacations.

We have an August DL trip planned for 5-6 park days, btw.

Is there enough to do to fill a free day at DL? Any suggestions on things to do? Or should I just buy the blackout passes? TIA

 

[MissSlimskys]

A day to relax on vacation is great! I haven't stayed at PP but I love the pools at DLH and GC. We've spent an entire afternoon there.

I say, sleep in, have a lovely breakfast at Goofy's or Steakhouse 55, walk around the grounds at DLH to check out the renovation, visit the lobbies of all the towers (they have models of some of the rides in each of the lands), walk around GC and search out the hidden mickeys. Visit Trader Sam's, a great new tiki bar that even my 6 year old loved.

Of course, there's plenty of window shopping at DD. The Lego store has these cool new play tables and computer terminals with games. Don't forget the movie theatre. It may be a waste to see a movie you can see at home but sometimes its fun because we never seem to have enough time at home...

You get the point... There isn't as much extra-park stuff at DL as there is at WDW but if you are in the mood to explore, you can have a great free day!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I'm one of those people who has a really hard time being so close to Disneyland and not being able to go in. We eliminated that problem for me a couple years ago by upgrading our deluxe passes to premiums and not worrying about it anymore.
Sometimes we take a day off from Disney anyway during our trips, but that's usually to do an entirely different activity elsewhere. I guess in your case I would consider a couple of things. Will your family enjoy having a day to just relax and do some other things, or will you all longingly be talking about Disneyland all day? Will you be able to value whatever other activities you choose to do? Will you end up spending as much or more money filling the day up with other activities than if you just bought the block out tickets? Upgrading to the Paradise Pier, going to Goofy's Kitchen, going to a movie, buying something at a DtD store you might not otherwise have bought... If these things are going to be fun for you and your family and going to be appreciated as a good change of pace, then great. If they're just time killers while waiting to be able to have access to the parks, then you may as well have just gotten the block out tickets and gone.

 

[Huff]

Only 2 days in the parks is short but I assume you've been there many times so not everything is must-do? We visit often and 2 days at DLR is plenty for us.

Will you have a car? We like to take 1 day and visit the beach in the morning, maybe go to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, have lunch at Knotts Chicken diner or Farrel's in Brea and catch a movie in DTD.

 

[pixiewings71]

Just relax, if you have time go to a beach. Spend some time at the pool, sleep in late, veg and relax.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

We don't have APs but we're also trying to figure out what to do for our "rest" day. We're thinking we might hit up Knott's Berry Farm or do a Aquarium of the Pacific/Queen Mary combo. Otherwise, we'll spend time in DTD, relax in the hotels, and check out Garden Walk.

Since I'm such a foodie, I'm thinking we'll spend a bit of time (and a bit of money) trying to get one small food item from all of the food places in DTD and the hotels, BUT that might be a bit much.

 

[jham]

We have APs and have 3 trips planned in the next 5 months. One trip is a short one with our first day APs being blocked out and then 2 park days. I am pretty sure we will go to the beach and maybe the hotel pool on our free day. I always plan more but we end up doing less. DTD is always good for several hours of entertainment, especially in the evening with the live music.

 

[MotoWifey185]

We don't have AP's but we had our first non-park day ever when we went on our last trip. We checked out the 3 onsite hotels, ate dinner at DTD, shopped, and watched a movie in the hotel. It was a very short 2 day trip but it was one of the best we've ever had! We felt relaxed after traveling for the next day to be spent in the park. I used to feel very different and couldn't be near DL without going in, but now it feels nice to slow down and relax on vacation. I think by switching to the PPH you will definitely have a fun time in the pool and just being there and having fun. You could also go to the beach!

 

[starry_solo]

If you feel up to it, do a tour of a DVC villa. You get fed (snacks & drinks) and you get 2 free fastpasses per person (not sure if there's already this perk for staying on property). It's only an hour of time, in a cool place and fastpasses (for use for any FP ride, I think, except Star Tours).

They have soft drinks (canned), bottled juice, milk, chips, etc.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Thanks, everyone! I've been looking into conceirge at PP with a theme park view. We could watch WOC from our room in the evening. I'll have to do a search for reviews.

Our flight doesn't get in unless midnight the day before. Sleeping in and soaking up the atmosphere sounds good. It will be difficult not to be in the parks, but I think we might stick to our free day idea.

 

[christinaspring]

I agree with others, id definitely take the down day. You'll avoid the busy Saturday crowds, you'll save money, you can sleep in, and have a relaxing down day to enjoy everything else a Disney vacation has to offer you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

I could switch to Paradise Pier to be closer to DD and have a pool with a waterslide.

Unless they changed things hugely with the pool refurb the other month, the slide at PPH does not go into the pool. It's a slide that gently ends in a trough of water. That's what allows littler kids to use it, unlike we've found at the other pools at DLR.

I'm not saying not to change; I love PPH! But I want to make sure you know that, in case you didn't.


(off to check out Allegiant....)

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Are you renting a car? You may want to take a trip to Hollywood to the Disney Soda Fountain or maybe Mel's Diner. It wouldn't eat up a whole day, though. I would shop DTD, play in the pool at the PPH, then take the drive to Hollywood for the early evening and come back to watch WOC from your room

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Never thought of the beach. Which beach is close to Anaheim?

 

[MissSlimskys]

Depending on traffic, you're about 30-45 minutes away from Newport Beach which is very nice. A few minutes up the coast you can go to Huntington Beach where all the surfers hang out. Just be sure to check the weather. If you are there in June, it can be hot and sunny in Anaheim but cool and cloudy at the shore (we call it June Gloom) until late afternoon.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Just returned from our long weekend and wanted to give an update.

We planned for a free day last Saturday, but decided to go to the park anyway. I was floored to find blackout passes have increased to $70 each! I was worried that I was going to regret buying them, but I'm so happy I did.

Saturday was by far the most manageable day for crowds. Sunday was insane and Monday wasn't much lighter.

We had a good trip over all, but realize how spoiled we from our off season trips. We are even reconsidering our August trip. I think we might postpone it until the fall.

Thanks again to everyone for their advice!