Arrival day suggestions for two 30/50-something women?

[Soupermom]

Hello! My friend and I are making our first trip to DL in early November, arriving on Saturday the 1st. We will have three days in the parks Sunday-Tuesday. Coming from Illinois and taking an Uber from the airport, I'm wondering what suggestions the locals have for what to do on our arrival day in the afternoon/early evening. We arrive around noon and with the time difference and wanting to hit ropedrop, I'm sure we will want to be in bed early. Would it be too much a hassle to head to the beach? Are their any vintage shops nearby or casual restaurants?
Thank you for any suggestions you can give!

 

[megankj]

Assuming you're staying close to Disneyland, it's hard to get to the beach or any non-Disney-adjacent attractions without a car, unfortunately. The easiest thing to do would be to visit Downtown Disney or Gardenwalk, depending on which is most convenient to your hotel. You could also check out Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel if you're willing to take your chances with the walk-up waitlist!

 

[woodys_girl]

Not a local, but on our last visit we went to the Anaheim Packing House on our arrival day. We rented a car from the airport so we drove, but it's very close. Several interesting restaurants to try and there was live music when we went in the evening.

 

[Louis63]

I would recommend staying in Downtown Disney, have a nice dinner at either Din Tai Fung or Centrico then check out the shops. The Grand Californian is nice to wander around, take the elevators up and look over the lobby, look at the elevator vestibules there are bird statues that represent where the nest from the ocean to the tree tops. The DL towers have neat stuff in their 1st fl. lobbies as well

 

[joseph821]

Hello! My friend and I are making our first trip to DL in early November, arriving on Saturday the 1st. We will have three days in the parks Sunday-Tuesday. Coming from Illinois and taking an Uber from the airport, I'm wondering what suggestions the locals have for what to do on our arrival day in the afternoon/early evening. We arrive around noon and with the time difference and wanting to hit ropedrop, I'm sure we will want to be in bed early. Would it be too much a hassle to head to the beach? Are their any vintage shops nearby or casual restaurants?
Thank you for any suggestions you can give!

I would go to Downtown Disney for that time. Walk around.....there are plenty of things to do. Make a reservation maybe Napoli. Many good restaurants there then head back and get some rest and sleep.

 

[irlandaise]

I would go to Downtown Disney for that time. Walk around.....there are plenty of things to do. Make a reservation maybe Napoli. Many good restaurants there then head back and get some rest and sleep.

Yeah, their internal time clocks are going to be a couple hours off. Best to have a relaxed evening and go to bed early so they can have a wonderful first day in the parks!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Not a local, but I second Trader Sam's! I've had good luck getting in as a walk-up there with 2 people in the evening, or you might even still be able to get reservations between now and then if you keep checking often. Where are you staying?

 

[cruisehopeful]

I agree with the others that you are probably better off doing things in Downtown Disney and visiting the grounds of the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel. The only issue is that I find most of the stuff to do involves eating and drinking. There is some shopping, but if you are planning on spending a few hours, you'll end up getting very full, very fast. I'm not sure what activities other than bowling is available at this point. There often is live music in the evening.

 

[Pluto468]

I'd stay in Downtown Disney and also check out the other resort hotels. You can shop, have dinner, go see the other hotel lobbies. It can also be nice to just relax in your room after a long travel day. Unpack, have a nap or watch tv.