older teens in Anaheim area

[waltdisneymama]

Hello,
I'm thinking that my older teens (they'll be 15 and almost 18) may tire of Disneyland before my small children, as we will have many days there, and am wondering what my teens could safely do for part of the day if this happens. We are going in August. I have read that Anaheim Gardenwalk is within walking distance of Disneyland resort (we are staying onsite or across the street), so I'm thinking that this could be an option (?) I wonder about taking a bus to Huntington or Newport Beach; would this be easy and feel safe? If anyone could tell me what they have felt comfortable with their older teens doing on their own a little ways away from Disneyland, if anything, I would appreciate it!! Thanks!

 

[blackjackdelta]

My two youngest 17,19 love Disney and would not think of doing anything different. Both have jobs and college to keep them busy so they look forward to our yearly trip, so I am not much help. Have fun.

Jack

 

[LuLusApple]

Not trying to offend any "Anaheimians" that sounds funny. But I wouldn't send my teens or my twentysomethings for that matter out and about on their own. Anaheim can be a bit rough. Certainly I wouldn't be spnding $ on tickets
and send them to the beach. Lol
With that said my kids of all ages are more than entertained at DL DCA and DTD if they want a vacay from the vacay they can swim
or they came with the wrong person. Lol

 

[AmericanItGirl]

The area immediately surrounding Disneyland is fairly safe, but compared to other parts of Orange County, the majority of Anaheim isn't the safest (although it's not South Central). Newport Beach is very safe (although it's mostly residential, primarily gated communities) and Huntington Beach isn't bad (there's more stuff for teens to do there). I can't speak to the efficiency of their public transportation, but so long as your kids are very comfortable taking public transportation (as in they do so on a regular basis at home), and you trust them, then go for it, but wait to see what's within walking distance (since there always seem to be teens hanging out at DTD).

 

[Tommy_B]

Hello,
I'm thinking that my older teens (they'll be 15 and almost 18) may tire of Disneyland before my small children, as we will have many days there, and am wondering what my teens could safely do for part of the day if this happens. We are going in August. I have read that Anaheim Gardenwalk is within walking distance of Disneyland resort (we are staying onsite or across the street), so I'm thinking that this could be an option (?) I wonder about taking a bus to Huntington or Newport Beach; would this be easy and feel safe? If anyone could tell me what they have felt comfortable with their older teens doing on their own a little ways away from Disneyland, if anything, I would appreciate it!! Thanks!

I think they would be bored at the Garden Walk, it is just another mall.

If they are into skating, the Block at Orange has a Vans Skate Park that is cool.

The bus to Newport Beach is very easy and very safe.

The same bus that goes to the Block at Orange goes to the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach to the Beach, Route 47, that you pick up on Anaheim Blvd. They can also take Route 43 down Harbor Blvd and then transfer to 47 at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, that is faster.

 

[wvnative]

My kid (19) and her friends are more than entertained by DLR and never ask to go offsite either. We were originally planning to do a day as USH, but they opted out of the extra ticket cost an the extra driving.

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thank you all for your thoughts on this! Maybe they'll be quite content to spend extra time at DTD and the hotel pool and such and I won't have to worry about it It's just that we're there for two weeks, with only four days planned for other parks/beaches, and even three of these days may involve a few hours at Disneyland (I'm leaning towards APs), so I just wanted to be prepared for possible boredom on their part. I'm sure that my little ones and I will be very, very happy to spend every minute at DL, but I'm not totally sure about the older kids, especially with their recent comment that I am "Disney-obsessed" (which is totally true, lol - I'm so excited to go again!!)

 

[jlmarr]

Gardenwalk has a bowling alley and a movie theater including Imax. DTD has a movie theater. The Anaheim Angels play down the street (generally night games during the week). Just some options.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

dtd had alot to keep then entertained I wouldn't go out of the Disney area. in less we all were going some where else. Im 25 an very paranoid. I wouldn't be trying to leave the saft zones.

 

[pdxJolene]

The first time I went to disneyland without a parent I was 18, and so was the girl I went with. No big deal. We did a dinner show one night, and had a lot of fun. We did mideval times, I hear the pirate show is good too! Plus it was only a 10-15 minute cab ride from dl. That may be an option