Stuff off the beaten path?

[chanchiluv]

OK, we're headed to Disneyland Park in Anaheim for a week in April. Anyone who's knowledgable about the parks, give me a hand!

Since we're going to be there for longer than usual (we usually do only 3-4 days), I'd really like to get recommendations on things to do in the parks (DLR & DCA) that most people don't have time to do. You know, like places in the parks that are cool, but off the beaten path? Or things to do that most people overlook due to lack of time?

Any suggestions? I'm sooooo into the planning stage for this trip. I just bought a bunch of Disney apparel off of Ebay for the kids to wear while we're there.

I CAN"T WAIT!!!

xo Linda

 

[UtahMama]

I am leaving next week,and I will keep my eyes out for "different" cool stuff to see and do for ya!

Nice to meet you by the way! I'm usually on the WISH thread or WDW TR's. I Just barely finished a LONG TR just in time to do my DL TR next week
I'm SO excited!!! We are going with only a few plans and a couple meal reservations! Usually I have each day well researced and planned, so this'll be different! We have 3 whole days to take in everything and do all the classics

 

[HydroGuy]

If you go to the VMK area in Tomorrowland, they will give you "quests" where you have to answer questions about DL. If you do not know the answer, you have to go look. We only did this partly, but I remember one of the questions (by way of example) was what the license plate number was on the vehicle sitting in front of the Indy ride. It is kind of like Trivial Pursuit for DL.

 

[staley7580]

If you go to the VMK area in Tomorrowland, they will give you "quests" where you have to answer questions about DL. If you do not know the answer, you have to go look. We only did this partly, but I remember one of the questions (by way of example) was what the license plate number was on the vehicle sitting in front of the Indy ride. It is kind of like Trivial Pursuit for DL.

That sounds kinda neat!

 

[chanchiluv]

Hi Wendy! Nice to meet you too. Thanks for the offer. We'll be there for 6 solid days, and I would love to find some cool stuff to do besides rides and such (if my kids will let me. LOL!). I just love this planning stage. It makes the trip seem longer to me!

xo Linda

 

[vernfonzndrian]

Make sure to go into the innoventions section, it's got enough stuff in there to entertain ya guys for awhile.

 

[Kitsune]

Just a couple that can take up a lot of time when you aren't in a rush:

DCA's Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
My son can easily spend an hour or more here. Us older folks might not be up to chasing them around this area , so be prepared.

DL's Innoventions
Another place to burn off the clock. The computer program that shows what you'd look like 10-15 years from now and the "Talk to Stitch" exhibits are a couple of my favorites .

 

[chanchiluv]

That "Talk to Stitch" exhibit sounds cool! Tell me more! Both my kids are crazy about him. We're already planning on doing the Lilo & Stitch breakfast at PPH.

xo Linda

 

[AZMickeyfans]

If you go to the VMK area in Tomorrowland, they will give you "quests" where you have to answer questions about DL. If you do not know the answer, you have to go look. We only did this partly, but I remember one of the questions (by way of example) was what the license plate number was on the vehicle sitting in front of the Indy ride. It is kind of like Trivial Pursuit for DL.

Thanks for explaining this. I always was curious but didnt think it was worth the time to see what that booth was. Now I feel like I have been missing something fun. Sounds pretty cool.

I'll have to stop by in June and check it out!

 

[Kitsune]

That "Talk to Stitch" exhibit sounds cool! Tell me more! Both my kids are crazy about him. We're already planning on doing the Lilo & Stitch breakfast at PPH.

xo Linda

It's similar to the Turtle Talk with Crush over at DCA but more of a one on one experience. You start by signing up on a waiting list if you are interested in talking to Stitch. The wait will vary depending on how crowded it is but each 'visit' runs about 5 minutes each. When it is your turn, you are led to the area that is set up with a large 'video phone' system that allows you to talk to Stitch directly. Stitch is shown on the vid-screen while conversing with your party and it is completely different each time you do it. Stitch's conversations are completely improvised (by whoever is operating him) and directly dependent by what you ask, say, are wearing, etc. It's very entertaining.

Some quotes that we got during our last visit (as best as I can remember):
Stitch: "Wow! Is your Dad wearing a Stitch shirt? That's so cool...although Stitch looks all scribbly and angry...and that's a lot of guns. Yep, that's when Stitch was in his Bad Place..."

Son: "Do you know how to surf?"
Stitch: "Yes, Stitch knows how to surf...but only with adult supervision."

At the end of your visit, Stitch asks to take your picture and you get a souvenir card with a website/password to retrieve your pictures later (Stitch keeps a copy for himself).

Easily one of my favorite things to do when visiting.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

If you go to the VMK area in Tomorrowland, they will give you "quests" where you have to answer questions about DL. If you do not know the answer, you have to go look. We only did this partly, but I remember one of the questions (by way of example) was what the license plate number was on the vehicle sitting in front of the Indy ride. It is kind of like Trivial Pursuit for DL.

It's similar to the Turtle Talk with Crush over at DCA but more of a one on one experience. You start by signing up on a waiting list if you are interested in talking to Stitch. The wait will vary depending on how crowded it is but each 'visit' runs about 5 minutes each. When it is your turn, you are led to the area that is set up with a large 'video phone' system that allows you to talk to Stitch directly. Stitch is shown on the vid-screen while conversing with your party and it is completely different each time you do it. Stitch's conversations are completely improvised (by whoever is operating him) and directly dependent by what you ask, say, are wearing, etc. It's very entertaining.

Some quotes that we got during our last visit (as best as I can remember):
Stitch: "Wow! Is your Dad wearing a Stitch shirt? That's so cool...although Stitch looks all scribbly and angry...and that's a lot of guns. Yep, that's when Stitch was in his Bad Place..."

Son: "Do you know how to surf?"
Stitch: "Yes, Stitch knows how to surf...but only with adult supervision."

At the end of your visit, Stitch asks to take your picture and you get a souvenir card with a website/password to retrieve your pictures later (Stitch keeps a copy for himself).

Easily one of my favorite things to do when visiting.

This IS a great one because it's just one family at a time. Or at least when we have been there. My kids loved it but got shy and didnt talk so I had to do all the talking to stitch! Very cute though and a must do for an out of the way experience.

 

[XTinabell]

Wow, thanks for posting this question. We're going for a nine day trip in November and I never really thought of doing things you wouldn't normally be able to do on a quick trip. I was just looking foward to being able to slow down for once at disneyland, but those things sound awesome.

Especially the "quest" thingy. Note to self, write down the license plate number on the indiana jones ride.

 

[HydroGuy]

Especially the "quest" thingy. Note to self, write down the license plate number on the indiana jones ride.

For those of you who got worked up about the Indy comment, the question was multiple choice. I think all of the questions were multiple choice. Even then, we had to go look at the Indy ride because we could not remember.

 

[TwingleMum]

If you go to the VMK area in Tomorrowland, they will give you "quests" where you have to answer questions about DL. If you do not know the answer, you have to go look. We only did this partly, but I remember one of the questions (by way of example) was what the license plate number was on the vehicle sitting in front of the Indy ride. It is kind of like Trivial Pursuit for DL.

I think I read somewhere that you have to print your quset from home beforeyou go to DL. Can anyone verify this??

 

[TwingleMum]

This IS a great one because it's just one family at a time. Or at least when we have been there. My kids loved it but got shy and didnt talk so I had to do all the talking to stitch! Very cute though and a must do for an out of the way experience.

This must have been really hard for you because we all know how shy and retiring you are Thank God it wasn't Handy Manny or no one else would have been allowed to talk to him.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

For those of you who got worked up about the Indy comment, the question was multiple choice. I think all of the questions were multiple choice. Even then, we had to go look at the Indy ride because we could not remember.

Multiple choice. I was explaining this to DH and he asked how have we missed this? I'm so excited to try it out. Thanks again!

 

[ter-moo]

Here are the things I do when I have extra time:

1. Take the train ALL the way around the park.

2. Go to the Disney Gallery up above Pirates of the Caribbean. It's a beautiful quiet little place. Make sure you go out on the back patio, too.

3. Take time to REALLY look at all the windows and LISTEN closely as you go down Main St. If the rocking chairs on the front porch of the house halfway down on the right side (as you go toward the castle) are vacant, go sit for a while and watch people.

4. Wander around New Orleans Square, or sit on a bench there and watch people.

5. Take a little walk around Tom Sawyer's Island (if it's open)

6. Go to see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon.

7. Make sure you take one of the ships around the rivers of America. (I prefer the paddleboat)

8. Get a print-out from one of the many hidden Mickey's websites and look for some of them.

9. Go to Snow White's Grotto and watch the little "show." Make sure you listen by the well at the end.

10. Take some time to walk around the grounds at the Disneyland Hotel and through the lobby at the Grand Californian.

Have a great time!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

All Great suggestions ter-moo! Sometimes I forget the special things about DL as my kids race to the next ride.

 

[Pixieshouse]

We did the VMK scavenger hunt last year, are the questions different this year than last? We had fun looking for different things.

 

[UtahMama]

Just a couple that can take up a lot of time when you aren't in a rush:

DCA's Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
My son can easily spend an hour or more here. Us older folks might not be up to chasing them around this area , so be prepared.

DL's Innoventions
Another place to burn off the clock. The computer program that shows what you'd look like 10-15 years from now and the "Talk to Stitch" exhibits are a couple of my favorites .

EEEK! I dont want to know what I'll look like 10-15 years from now!!!

But that sounds interesting to do with my kids!

LOTS of great ideas!!! Thanks Linda for starting this thread!