Disneyland off the beaten path

[dweitzel0]

My wife and I have been to Disneyland several dozen times over the last eight years. We are planning another trip this Fall and are looking for things that are a little off the beaten path. Does anyone have any ideas for activities that aren't the typical rides; such as special tours, secret spots, etc. We did get a book from the information booth which showed all the landscaping used in the park and how they change it for the differenmt seasons.

We do have two daughters 4 and 2 so kid friendly is perfered. Thanks for the help.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Here are a few things I've read about that I hope we have time to check out:
Snow White's Grotto & wishing well
Mission Tortilla Factory tour
Nestle cookie baking (for kids, @ bakery on Main St.)
Tarzan's Treehouse
Donald Duck's boat
Redwood Creek Challenge & trail

 

[hlbtimes2]

I've heard good things about the discover the magic tour. Its geared more toward children.

Other things:
Ask to go in the wheel house on the Mark Twain. They'll let you ring the bell and give you a captain certificate. Only one family per trip, so you might have to wait a couple trips to get a turn

Watch the flag retreat ceremony in the evening.

Watch the sword in the stone ceremony- maybe one of your kids will get picked! Both of my have pulled it out.

Ask for a special request from the Disneyland band, or better yet ask if you or one of the kids can direct them. My husband had them play the theme from Indiana Jones while I my dd directed them.

Spend a day watching parades, and and shows. Be sure to catch Push the talking trash can and the trash can band in tomorrowland. Both are great!

Spend some time in the art gallery. There is even a nice place to sit up there.

Be sure to take the kids to see Turtle talk with Crush in DCA. And Play house Disney.

There is a whole Animation themed area in DCA- you can take a quick drawing lesson, meet some characters, etc.

 

[dweitzel0]

This is exactly the type of thing I was looking for, thanks. If anyone has anything else I'd love more suggestions.

 

[Harmony]

Definitely hit the animation theatres in DCA! My kids and I learned how to draw Goofy! And my 11y/o loved talking to Crush! It was my favorite part of the Hollywood Backlot in DCA!

 

[MateasMom]

Animation building, Tortilla Factory, and Bread tour are probably our favorite 'less popular' attractions.

My favorite 'hiding spot' with little ones. If your eating at any of the eateries by the bread/tortilla factory there is a little slightly more private eating area behind the forever closed Fortune Cookie. It's just 2 tables, but it's almost completely 'blocked in' by the building and railings so you can let the little ones get up and walk around when they're done eating and not constantly chase them back to the table.

 

[PrincessMira]

Here are a few things I've read about that I hope we have time to check out:
Snow White's Grotto & wishing well
Mission Tortilla Factory tour
Nestle cookie baking (for kids, @ bakery on Main St.)
Tarzan's Treehouse
Donald Duck's boat
Redwood Creek Challenge & trail

Can someone give me more info on the Nestle cookie baking? seems like something my little one would love to do that is different.

 

[eduk8r26]

Usually starts about 11 AM. Runs every hour till 3 or 4. They have about 8-10 kids or so, give them all a paper chef hat, and each one gets to add something to the mix. Then they each get two cookies to take home (pre-baked thanks to Disney magic. LOL)

 

[ter-moo]

I second the art gallery. It's above Pirates of the Caribbean and it has a lovely courtyard to sit in.

I also like to take time to explore the back corners of New Orleans Square, read all the gravestones at the Haunted Mansion and look really closely at all of the shops on Main Street. There are nice little touches if you stop and look.

Another fun thing to do is go to the Disney hotels and check out the grounds, lobbies, etc. The lobby at the Grand Californian is spectacular, and the grounds at the Disneyland Hotel are lovely. There's even a couple of times a day when they feed the koi in the ponds there and let observing guests help.

Spend a little time in the Animations building at DCA, too. There are some fun things to do in there, and it's nice and cool!!!