Should we visit Downtown Disney our 1st Night

[JanetRose]

at Disneyland? We are arriving at Doubletree on Sunday afternoon - We have 5- day passes that we plan to use Monday to Friday. I asked my daughter if she wanted to eat at In 'n Out Burger on Sunday and she doesn't really care.

Should we avoid the Downtown area and visit the parks for our first ever time on Monday morning?

Thanks.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

I don't know when you are going but I think it would be a shame to miss fireworks and fantasmic if you've never seen them before. Definietly check out the disneyland calendar to find out if fanatsmic & Remember fireworks are playing during your visit Mon-Fri. If you'll be missing them (ie flying out early friday evening) see if it's within your budget to upgrade your hoppers to a 6day hopper and enter teh park sunday to see fantasimic & the fireworks. Otherwise, depending on how tired you guys are, I'd say definitely check out downtown disney your first night. Explain to your kids where you are going and that you will not be entering the park Sunday night. Downtown Disney is a fun place to walk through and explore. Have fun.

 

[jemilah]

I would ! It will help to build your excitement even more , there is so much to see and do ! I always have so much fun in the stores and resturaunts . Even if you don't eat there it will be a good place to burn off a little energy so the kids will sleep well after walking around there.

 

[mwehttam]

My DW and I had the same sched as you. We arrived about noon on Sunday and had 5-day passes for Mon-Fri. We spent the afternoon exploring DTD as well as DLH and PPH (we stayed at the GC). Since we flew in from the East coast early (were up at 4AM EST; 1AM PST) we knew we would be going to bed early. We had a nice dinner at Napa Rose at 6 and in bed by 8:30 for a early start Monday.

Enjoy your trip!!

-Matthew

 

[lulubelle]

Just a suggestion, but I might do it differently. I would go to DL on Sunday (especially if the fireworks are displayed) and see all you can that first afternoon/evening. By Wednesday, you will need a "down day" to relax, see a movie in DTD, shop, enjoy the pool or go to the beach. It makes a nice break in the middle of the week. I would be waaaay too excited to walk around DTD and wait until Monday, but that's just me! Good luck whatever you decide and have a great trip

 

[Michelle2]

I would ! It will help to build your excitement even more , there is so much to see and do ! I always have so much fun in the stores and resturaunts . Even if you don't eat there it will be a good place to burn off a little energy so the kids will sleep well after walking around there.

I totally agree. Nothing gets me in the mood more than being at DTD before the park days! We usually have stayed at the GC, so it is not as much of an issue--we are right there anyways!
We always have the tradition of eating at Goofy's kitchen on Sunday night before going M-F to the parks! That way we do not take up any park time during the slower weekdays, and adds to the anticipation!

 

[eryn the pooh]

We have usually driven to vancouver and stayed overnight and then caught an early flight so we could get to the hotel by 2 or 3 and then head straight to the park but this year were flying so were gonna do all our traveling in 1 day. well be at the hotel by 5 so were gonna get our groceries and then go to DD for supper, get our tickets and wander around until bedtime. Im really excited about doing it this way. build up the antisipation by walking bt the parks and seeing all the activity. and also getting to bed early and an early start in the morning. So whatever you choose, choose wisley my son.hehehe have fun!

 

[jakoky]

hi there, we are doing the same as eryn the pooh, except that we are driving into vancouver the night before(as we have a ferry ride in there) and we fly out at 2 and arrive in LA at 5 so we will definately head to DTD for a walk around as soon as we are settled..my kids are 15, 12, and 10 and they will be way too excited to settle down at first, lol, so will i.....have fun

 

[disneysteve]

Not only did we visit DTD on our arrival nite, but for "dinner" we went to Haagen-Dazs. Ok, it wasn't the healthiest dinner but what a fun way to start vacation.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Janet,

The Disneyland Resort is very different from Walt Disney World. Everything is right there within walking distance. It would only take about a 5 minute walk to get you from either park to Downtown Disney.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We always go to Downtown Disney our first night there. We first cash in our ticket vouchers (won't have to do that this year because we have annual passes now) and then go to DTD. We love it. We also stay to watch the fireworks from Downtown Disney by the ESPN Zone.

 

[Chicago526]

You could really go either way with it. Odds are that Fantasmic and the firworks will run at least one day during the week while you are there, so I don't think that is a consideration (but double check the DL calendar to be extra sure!).

Assuming that F! and fireworks are shown during the week, then you can:

1) See DTD on Sunday, maybe even tour the DL hotels

2) Stay at your hotel and hang out at the pool, rest and relax so you're ready to go 1st thing Monday morning. See DTD one evening later in the week after you're done in the parks for the day.

3) As another poster suggested, use one of your days to go to the parks on Sunday, and take a day off later in the week to hang at the hotel pool, and see DTD that night.

Any of these would be a fine plan, it's all in what your personal preferances are.