Suggestions for arrival day/evening?

[Dale-n-Chip]

We'll be arriving in Anaheim early afternoon next Monday before a three-day whirlwind tour of the parks Tues/Wed/Thurs. We're staying off-site (Desert Inn & Suites on Harbor), but very close. Any suggestions for how to spend our time Monday afternoon and evening? Two grandparents, two thirty-somethings, one five year old boy. I'm ESPECIALLY interested in anything that burns energy for a five year-old who has been cooped up in a car for six hours!

I've got a 5 pm reservation at Rainforest Cafe, but that's it.

Doing the single-digit-we'll-be-there-NEXT-WEEK dance!

Dale-n-Chip

 

[Amy&Dan]

There is a Build a Bear in DTD. That might be fun. You could also explore the onsite hotels and their Christmas decorations. Grand Californian is especially pretty that time of year. Just walking up DTD is a lot of fun. And since there is no car traffic you can let your little one walk ahead a little and not worry as long as you can see them. And Rainforest Cafe is perfect for dinner, we love that place!

 

[DisneylandGuy22]

Build a bear in DTD, Head for the hot tub at the hotel if there is one, Walk around DTD. There are the boats the 5 year old can drive over at the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[shellncesar]

There is a big AMC theater in DTD. Also, there is a fantasy water show at the Disneyland Hotel in the evening. I believe it is at nine o'clock. There is also a koi fish pond in that same area. there is scheduled feedings. also, there is a boat game by the lost bar that would be fun for the five year old. There is also arcades in the hotels that im sure they wouldnt mind you playing in. That should keep you busy until bed time. Go to sleep early so you can wake up fresh for the parks !!!

 

[Rivergallery]

WE have almost two extra days since we are arriving in CA about 8am and are on the road to leave about 3pm.
On the Monday I planned to hit the outlet store in Fullerton, Go to Newport Beach.. We are going to have two kids with us 7 and 3, and three adults 2 near thirtys and one 50 something. We are going to eat at Ruby's on the pier. Also going to go grocery shopping .. When we hit our hotel for check in.
We'll go swimming or hit DTD for Libby Lu or Build a Bear.
We have reservations at Rainforest Cafe also. For that night I am hoping that Narina is showing at the AMC still, other ideas are hiting the ESPN zone with our discounts! If still up at fireworks time I wrote down the best places to have a view of them in DTD.

The last day we scheduled a Lilo & Stitch Character Breakfast at PPH in the AM...for 8:30 so we could sleep in a bit. Then take one last swim in the pool before checkout time. Then do any last minute shopping at DTD, and eat lunch either finish up food that we bought or do something there at DTD... And head out of the area about 3 to be ready for our flight out.

Hope that helps.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Also, there is a fantasy water show at the Disneyland Hotel in the evening. I believe it is at nine o'clock. There is also a koi fish pond in that same area. there is scheduled feedings. also, there is a boat game by the lost bar that would be fun for the five year old. There is also arcades in the hotels that im sure they wouldnt mind you playing in. That should keep you busy until bed time. Go to sleep early so you can wake up fresh for the parks !!!

I am almost positive the Fantasy Waters show at the Disneyland Hotel is gone. We have stayed there several times and haven't seen it since 2003. I think I read its been permanently removed. So if anybody wants to do that, you might want to double check on that one.

 

[laura&fam]

Downtown Disney has a lego store with lego tables the kids can play at. We had a group similar to your and DTD worked very well for us that first afternoon. We split up for the afternoon and everyone was able to do what they wanted. There are many different stores for different interests and it gets some of your shopping out of the way so you don't have to worry about it at the park.

Also Desert Inn and suites has a pool. Not that you can't swim at home, but kids love it and it will burn energy.

We really enjoyed our recent stay at the Desert Inn and suites, but realize that the breakfast probably won't fill you up. PM me if you have any specific questions about the hotel.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I have a 5yr old and all she wanted to do is swim in the hotel pool
that might help

 

[spazzyjazzy]

we usually relax in the room for a little bit, catch a swim and then go eat dinner. We then go to Downtown Disney and look around and also turn in our vouchers to get our tickets for the next day.