Decompressing w/o access to a nearby hotel

[Bea1776]

We will be staying with family, not at all near DL. Only one day in the park. Where would you go midday when everyone is hot and needs to decompress? I really want to make it to PTN. My kids are 14, 10, and 8 and they really need down time or they "shut down."

 

[tlovesdis]

I'd do a long lunch at a place in DTD then maybe go and hang out in the lobby of the GCH.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Lobby of Grand
Whitewater snacks in the Grand
Carthay Circle Lounge
Napa Rose Lounge after 5p
Steakhouse 55 lounge at DLH
Trader Sams at DLH
Cove Bar at DCA
Hearthstone Lounge at GCH

Tom Sawer Island was a great place to relax but that is closed

 

[Nevada Jen]

First Choice, Carthay Circle for lunch. If you aren't planning on going to DCA then, storytellers at GCH for lunch. It is usually more empty in there at lunch than the GCH lobby.

 

[Aladora]

The Main Street Cinema is dark, cool and has black and white cartoons playing on 6 different screens. It is one of DS's favourite places to go to decompress.

 

[Christina-B-Na]

The GCH lobby is awesome for a break! Last time we were there my oldest son was 2 and in need of a cool, relatively quiet place to nap. We had lunch at Whitwater snacks ( best nachos ) and then found some comfy arm chairs off to the side of the lobby. It was perfect!! Love the ambiance in there!

 

[Bea1776]

Thank you for the ideas, and bonus, we get to peak at the resort hotels! Does Trader Sams allow under 18? Or is it frowned on? Going there was on my wish list.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Trader Sam's allows kids in the afternoon and I've definitely seen kids there before.

If you're going to be at DCA, you could have lunch at a sit-down restaurant then catch a 2:30 show at the Hyperion. But be aware you have to wait in line for the Hyperion even with a FP -- how long depends on how important a particular area of seats is to you.

 

[Niltiac]

Thank you for the ideas, and bonus, we get to peak at the resort hotels! Does Trader Sams allow under 18? Or is it frowned on? Going there was on my wish list.

Kids are allowed in Trader Sam's up to a certain time in the evening. I can't remember the exact cutoff at the moment, but it sounds like you're planning on mid-day, which should be fine.

There's also a movie theater in DTD, if that's the kind of break you're looking for. The main street cinema is nice and relaxing for a mental rest, but if I remember right there's nowhere to sit down, so not ideal for physical rest. The animation building is also a great place to just hang out for a while, and those who are inclined can take a drawing class.

 

[bumbershoot]

But there's not a lot of space in Trader Sam's, so don't absolutely positively expect that you'll be able to find a spot indoors.

 

[jammyjam25]

Kids are allowed in Trader Sam's until 8pm I believe. Also while you're there the DLH lobby in the Fantasy Tower has fun teacup chairs your kids might enjoy relaxing in for awhile. As others have said, the Grand lobby is also a great place for a rest as well.

 

[DLgal]

Go see a movie in Downtown Disney.

 

[Indiana Scott]

TSI is a good place to settle yourself. Also, The Plaza Inn is great for an early dinner. We go about 4:30 and there's hardly anyone else there. We sit in the atrium and watch people come and go on Main Street and enjoy the quiet.
My final suggestion is the Hearth Lounge off to the south east in the Grand Californian's lobby (adults only I think).

 

[lcasa]

Another vote for the lobby at the Grand. They usually have a Disney movie playing near checkin with small chairs for kids - and the big chairs near the fireplace are comfy.

 

[pinkprincess30]

I posted the same question not too long ago and got some great suggestions. We plan to do some low key attractions like the Tiki Room and IASW at DLR & We will also take the Monorail in to Downtown Disney and enjoy a long lunch in a sit down restaurant. If the train wasn't closed I would say take a train ride around the park. On our DCA day we'll see Frozen and visit Animation Academy and Turtle Talk with Crush and then enjoy a long lunch and maybe some people watching. I like the idea of a movie in downtown Disney but not sure I can justify the expense of a movie while at Disneyland! I was also advised that there is a comfortable seating area near Trader Sams?

 

[disneyxica20]

mr. lincoln/the opera house is a nice place to go for a break (though it may not be the most exciting show, haha). they always have cool artwork on display and they usually have the 50th anniversary film playing- i always enjoy watching that.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I like booking a lunch reservation around 1pm or so and taking our time. That gives us about an hour of A/C time. After lunch we take our time and do some shows to fully recharge

 

[theluckyrabbit]

TSI is a good place to settle yourself...

Alas, TSI is closed because of the Star Wars Land construction. Ice cream nachos inside the Golden Horseshoe can be a nice afternoon break.

 

[Happyjenz]

Alas, TSI is closed because of the Star Wars Land construction. Ice cream nachos inside the Golden Horseshoe can be a nice afternoon break.

Ice cream nachos??!?!?! Yum

 

[arichau]

I love all of these ideas. If you are looking for a quick place to take a break in DCA try the Redwood Forest Challenge. It's usually not too busy (if it's filled with kids, not so calming!) and has some shade and places to sit down. I have just walked around in there when I needed a quick break from crowds.