Paradise Theater and Characters at GC

[mydisneyobsession]

Hi to all!

I'm looking to plan a "no-park" day during our February trip that won't require transportation out of the area. We'll probably do a Character Meal at one of the resorts, and spend some time at DTD. But I found a mention of Movies at the Paradise Theater at Paradise Pier. Has anyone done this? Any idea if it's still going on and what the schedule might be?

Also, are there still characters in the Grand Californian lobby at select times?

Thanks in advance, Disneyland experts!

 

[kailuagirl]

We were at the GCH last week and never once saw a character other than Santa It would have been great to have seen one once in awhile.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

The only time I've seen characters at the Grand is when it is raining.

I could be wrong, but I think the Paradise Theater is the little area off of the lobby at Paradise Pier where they have chairs and a tv playing old Disney cartoons. If that is the case, it wouldn't be something you would want to do for a day.

Not sure what movies are coming out, but maybe you could catch a movie at the movie theater in Downtown Disney.

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Thanks so much for the replies!

I'm a frequent WDW visitor, and it's very easy to plan a no-park day there. It looks like I'll need to be a bit more resourceful on this trip!

Thanks to Hydroguy for his comparison between the World and the Land! It's really helping me to prepare for what will be a very different kind of trip!

Thanks again to all for your help!

 

[ter-moo]

There are characters in all three hotels, IF you do a character meal. I've noticed Goofy walking around by the pool/lobby area once in a while at the Disneyland Hotel, too.

With DTD so close, you can do a non-park day with swimming, DTD, a meal in one of the hotels and one of the activities the hotels sponsor. I know the Grand CA has a guided tour, a scavenger hunt and a storytelling time by the fire, just to name a few. It used to be fun to spend some time walking around the Disneyland Hotel grounds, exploring the waterfalls, playing with the remote-controlled boats, and watching the workers feed the koi in the pond. However, much of that has become a casualty of the remodel. There's still stuff to see, though, and you could probably while away an hour or so just walking the grounds of the DLH and the GCH and then riding the glass elevator and looking at the view from the top floors of the PPH.

There's also an outdoor mall (Anaheim Garden Walk) that is not that far from the resort (maybe about a mile from the Disney hotels...) that you could spend time at, if you like shopping. I believe the ART bus goes there, if you don't want to walk.

 

[RedRosePrincess]

I could be wrong, but I think the Paradise Theater is the little area off of the lobby at Paradise Pier where they have chairs and a tv playing old Disney cartoons. If that is the case, it wouldn't be something you would want to do for a day.

Yes, this is correct. Its really just something to keep kids entertained for a little bit.

There's also bowling at the Garden Walk which is an idea. You do that and have lunch or dinner at a restaurant there.