Other things to do when not in parks?

[petunia]

Anything to do with teens when not in parks (likely not swimming in January)...short 4 day stay, 2 days at parks, first time for DCL (WDW many times)?

 

[Cfiiitz]

We usually add a day trip to Knotts or to Universal Hollywood. If we have extra time we might spend a day in LA or check out an NBA or MLB (not an option in Jan) game since we are sports fans.

 

[Kender]

DCL is Disney Cruise Line. DLR is the shorthand used for Disneyland Resort.

 

[petunia]

DCL is Disney Cruise Line. DLR is the shorthand used for Disneyland Resort.

Yes, my apologies

 

[Kender]

Yes, my apologies

Sorry to nitpick, but the correct terms will help you get the answers you seek more easily

 

[vacay77]

It depends on if you want to just relax or if you want to do sightseeing. If relaxing, I probably would stick around Downtown Disney. There is an AMC theater there and also bowling at Splittsville. If you want to do sightseeing, Universal Studios Hollywood is a lot of fun, or you can take your teens to the Funko pop museum in Hollywood. There are several things I wanted to do in Hollywood during our last visit but we didn’t have time.

 

[gelatoni fan]

It depends on if you want to just relax or if you want to do sightseeing. If relaxing, I probably would stick around Downtown Disney. There is an AMC theater there and also bowling at Splittsville. If you want to do sightseeing, Universal Studios Hollywood is a lot of fun, or you can take your teens to the Funko pop museum in Hollywood. There are several things I wanted to do in Hollywood during our last visit but we didn’t have time.

The AMC has been closed for several years. There isn't much to do in Downtown Disney.
If staying in Orange County, Knotts is probably the thing to do. There's a few museums, a zoo and Huntington Beach as well.
If taking a trip up to Los Angeles, there's a lot more options. Universal Studios, Hollywood, Santa Monica, etc for starters. A trip to LACMA + the La Brea Tar Pits or the Science Center + Natural History Museum could also be a good way to fill a day.

 

[jodeja]

A few years ago, when I went with 2 teens, we did a private tour of LA & Hollywood. The private tour was not very much more money than a big bus tour.
She picked us up at our hotel across the street from Disneyland.
I'd worked out ahead of time via email the main things we wanted to see. It was super relaxing to not have to worry about driving or parking!!
The boys slept during the drive there & back, but really enjoyed the tour.

 

[Dory92130]

Knott's is essentially a theme park like Six Flags --just smaller and cuter with Snoopy and Gang.

If theme park: Universal Hollywood is nice 'up the street'.
If unique LA stuff: Hollywood tours ; tar pits; Santa Monica pier
If broader SoCal: San Diego: Zoo - Safari Park; Seaworld, La Jolla, Coronado (The Del), Palm Springs, Santa Barbara; Solvang. -

Really depends on what your scope and time and preferences are.

 

[CO2CA]

We really enjoy a day at the Santa Monica Beach/Pier. It might be a little chilly in January, but it's one of our favorite places to go. There is so much to do there: restaurants, shopping, arcade games, or just relaxing in the sand. The 3rd Street Promenade is a really close walk and has a lot of shops to pop in and out of. Our favorite restaurant is Pier Burger - so good. The pier is a good place to people watch, too, if you're like us haha!

 

[DizKids2]

When we were last there we did a day at Huntington Beach and really enjoyed it. It was February and we lucked out with perfect weather.

 

[Minniesgal]

We visited USS Iowa at port of LA

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I’d recommend another day at Disneyland.

 

[petunia]

I’d recommend another day at Disneyland.

Thanks I wasnt sure about that...like I said first timers for Cali, but at WDW we typically do each park only once and are happy and can get onto most things we want..youngest is 14 so we get around pretty fast.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Thanks I wasnt sure about that...like I said first timers for Cali, but at WDW we typically do each park only once and are happy and can get onto most things we want..youngest is 14 so we get around pretty fast.

There’s a lot more attractions in Disneyland Park than any of the WDW parks. There’s more rides in the two parks in Anaheim than all the parks at WDW.

 

[petunia]

There’s a lot more attractions in Disneyland Park than any of the WDW parks. There’s more rides in the two parks in Anaheim than all the parks at WDW.

Oh wow..this is good to know! In mid to end January whats the likelihood of hitting all the main attractions (no TS meals) in one day? Thx!

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Oh wow..this is good to know! In mid to end January whats the likelihood of hitting all the main attractions (no TS meals) in one day? Thx!

That would depend on how you define “main”. And whether you’ll have access to early entry. And whether you’re going on a weekend or weekday.

 

[evilmommie]

I would do another day at Disneyland or head south to our local beaches. Huntington, Newport or Laguna. It really depends on what your preferences are…or maybe shopping at South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island.