Decompressing w/o access to a nearby hotel

[Angrose]

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?

That may have been me that mentioned the sofas by the fireplace in front of Trader Sam's.



I love taking the monorail from Tomorrowland to DTD. It drops you off near the Disneyland Hotel. Trader Sam's and Tangaroa Terrace share a patio seating area that overlook the pools, very tropical and relaxing!

 

[ADLFAN]

I was disappointed on our last visit when I noticed that several benches have been removed from the Animation Building, and now there is like one set of back to back benches in the middle of the room and that's it! That used to be my favorite spot to chill for a bit, but now there's nowhere to sit and relax!

I did see a guy sleeping on a bench upstairs in the Golden Horseshoe while we relaxed and watched a few cycles of their show. It gets a little busy in there, but still a good place to sit still and cool down, with the added bonus of snacks available.

There is a nice outdoor seating area for Trader Sam's and the adjacent Tangaroa Terrace restaurant.

There are a few shady benches around New Orleans Square that make good spots to recharge for a few minutes. It's also a good place to have the group wait while a FP runner grabs FP'S for later at Splash Mt. or Indiana Jones.

I'd definitely suggest a few long relaxed meals. I love the Plaza, it was pretty open and empty in the atrium, as mentioned above. Rancho del Zocalo, though not air-conditioned, is a nice place for a break and usually not very crowded.

Have fun!

 

[pinkprincess30]

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

Golden Horseshoe also has a HUGE piece of chocolate cake for $5 that fed our family of five. Great value and if eaten nice and slow you'll enjoy the show and relax a little while there.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I was also advised that there is a comfortable seating area near Trader Sams?

Tangaroa Terrace is right around the corner from Trader Sam's. If I remember correctly, it's kind of a mix of quick serve and table service -- you place your own order but if I remember correctly a server brings the food? I could be wrong about the ordering, but I know they definitely have outdoor table seating (shaded). It seems like between there and one of the hotel towers there was some outdoor sofa-type seating. Not a lot, though, so you'd have to get lucky to have it unoccupied.

If Trader Sam's was full you could probably get something at Tangaroa. They have the same or very similar menus, although the ambience wouldn't be the same.

 

[Bea1776]

I made two TS reservations, with 3 kids it's easier to have someone wait on you. Worth the extra time and money. I had not considered golden horseshoe, good to know they have good desserts. Feeling better about my family making it from rope drop to PTN. thank you, sounds like there are good choices for places to take a break all over the park.

 

[goofyfan13]

Thanks for the ideas. Was talking with DW about how to slow down without hitting the hotel.

 

[disneymum58]

A place we like to go in DCA is the Animation Academy building. It's quiet and cool in hot weather. Also relaxing with the screens playing animated Disney movies, but not loudly.