Staying just outside the Maingate - what can we do first night?

[CrabbyPatty]

Hi - we're staying 5 nites in the DL area (very close to the maingate area) and I'm pondering what we should do our first night. The flight gets in around noon, and then it's a matter of getting luggage and everyone to the hotel and settling in.

As we've done with WDW trips, that first night we'll usually try to do something Disneyesque, without going into the parks. Eat dinner at a resort hotel, take the monorail around the Magic Kingdom loop of hotels, go to the Boardwalk area outside Epcot, etc.

For our first DL trip, some thoughts are Downtown Disney, the Gardenwalk area, or it sounds like the Grand Hotel would be great to see, and perhaps grab some food there. We'll like to be able to leave the van at our hotel and just walk around. However, if we don't go into the parks, can we still get to GHC from Downtown Disney? Thanks for info on this or any other tips.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

You can certainly access the Disney hotels and Downtown Disney without entering the parks. If you're staying on Harbor, you will cross through bag check and the esplanade between the two parks to get to Downtown Disney. You can get to the Disney hotels from there as well. If you have young children, they may enjoy the character meal Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. This would not be DH's and my first choice, but our sons would like it. If you're not into character meals, the Storyteller's Buffet in GCH is a nice dinner. Also, there are a number of places to eat in Downtown Disney. We like the Jazz Kitchen. If you want to get some of your browsing/shopping done outside of park time, you could visit World of Disney or Pin Trader's or D Street or something non-Disney.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Yes, you can get to the Grand Californian Hotel from Downtown Disney. There are several restaurants within walking distance -- just ask which ones are where when you check into your hotel.

 

[Lissame]

I would not be able to resist going to DL that first day. But that's just me. Get me close to the gates and I say, "oh, it's not that much more to add another day" LOL.

That said, we were in the area at the end of March before and after our Disney cruise, and we didn't splurge with tickets due to the cost of the cruise. So we satisfied ourselves with wandering around Downtown Disney both days.

 

[MickeyManiac]

This isn't very Disneyesque but we are going to an Anaheim Angels game our first evening. We too land around noon so our plan is to stop at a store for water & snacks, grab a late lunch/early dinner, check into our hotel and then head to the stadium. I'm not sure when you'll be there or if the Angels will be in town, or if you even like baseball. I just wanted to throw out another idea.

My next choice would be DTD of course. I can spend hours there looking around, shopping and just taking in the "Disney Vibe"

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always go to DCA after we get in then head over DTD for some shopping for the girls and then over to DLR and close the parks down.

Jack

 

[Butterfly123]

We decided to go from 5 day passes to 6 day passes for our upcoming trip. It only added $5.00 a ticket. Well worth it, and cheaper than a nice dinner! We
will get to our hotel around 4ish, settle in, then head to the park for our evening fun. We're planning to watch the fireworks.

 

[Butterfly123]

I forgot to mention that I believe going from 4 day passes to 5 day passes is $10.00 each. Still worth it!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I forgot to mention that I believe going from 4 day passes to 5 day passes is $10.00 each. Still worth it!

It is

Jack

 

[ludari]

You can always visit Downtown Disney.

 

[oumagic]

Last year, we went to DTD and ate at ESPN, shopped and then watched fireworks from the promenade area. We had fun and I am sure you would as well. I would caution against that approach, though, if you are doing it to save money. We spent more trying to save that day on the PH because of a few gifts and dinner in DTD. This year we are going to just make sure we have a PH to cover that arrival day. I think we will save money by eating a sandwich or hot dog in the room or at the park and not having a sitdown meal in DTD. We got checked in at the hotel and settled @ 5pm and didn't think it was "worth it" to hit the parks (they were closing at 10pm, IIRC). Even if we only hit 1 ride for my son and one for daughter, it will be worth it to be in the park for fireworks. Anyway, it is just something to think about. We just never really entertained the idea of going to DL after our long drive, but will do it this time.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Great comments - thanks everyone! Now, if Disney would just do that 5 for 3 PH offer, we wouldn't have to worry about this and could just head right into DL upon our arrival!

 

[RedRosie]

At DTD, my DS went crazy for Ridemakers. It's like Build-a-Bear for boys..making cars instead of bears. Very cool. Build-a-bear was there too for DD, so everything was "fair". Watching fireworks in the area between the 2 parks was very good too.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

This isn't very Disneyesque but we are going to an Anaheim Angels game our first evening. We too land around noon so our plan is to stop at a store for water & snacks, grab a late lunch/early dinner, check into our hotel and then head to the stadium. I'm not sure when you'll be there or if the Angels will be in town, or if you even like baseball. I just wanted to throw out another idea.

My next choice would be DTD of course. I can spend hours there looking around, shopping and just taking in the "Disney Vibe"

During our trip last June we hit an Angels game...our hometown Brewer's were playing and they had a deal for seat & soda & hot dog for I think $18 each. Great deal. The stadium was nice and the Brewer's won. I don't know where your seats are, but we were in the outfield and it took a long time for that hot sun to go behind the stadium.

Sarah

 

[CrabbyPatty]

LOl - I think my DH would go crazy for Ridemakers! Sounds like fun ...... and DD and I can go to the Build-A-Bear which is apparently really close by.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

A few trips ago we arrived in the disney area around 5 and decided to just hang out at downtown disney and check out the hotels. I of course wanted to be in the parks asap ..but because it wasn't up to me I had to go along with the plan of no park the first night! It actually turned out to be a lot of fun. I think it's great to have a first day set aside for strolling around and seeing what the resort has to offer in addition to the parks. Most of our vacation we mainly stay inside the parks so having a day to explore is definitely a plus. We didn't have a plan ...we just looked around as we pleased.

 

[kissesbykim]

DTD is so nice! Perfect for a visit on your first evening! I just wanted to let you know (since DTD DL area is very different than DTD WDW) is when you walk across Harbor and come to the area between parks, you have to go through security, walk through the center between the parks then exit security on the other side. I remember the first time I went there after DCA opened, my sister and I visited DTD the first evening also and I wasn't sure if they were going to want to see a park ticket to go through security. They don't. I hope you have so much fun!

 

[dptabrown]

DTD is so nice! Perfect for a visit on your first evening! I just wanted to let you know (since DTD DL area is very different than DTD WDW) is when you walk across Harbor and come to the area between parks, you have to go through security, walk through the center between the parks then exit security on the other side. I remember the first time I went there after DCA opened, my sister and I visited DTD the first evening also and I wasn't sure if they were going to want to see a park ticket to go through security. They don't. I hope you have so much fun!

Great info!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Staying just outside the Maingate - what can we do first night?

I like to do cartwheels in the esplanade!

 

[mamabean]

Our plan is to do DTD when we get into town Monday night. We have the 99cent kids meal coupons for Rainforest Cafe, and we're going to let the kids explore and dream.

One question, where is a good place to see the fireworks from DTD?