Things to do outside the parks

[rangermom]

We will be staying at the DLH Nov 25-30. We are getting 2 day park hoppers and spending 2 days at US. The plan is to arrive mid day on the 25th and leave mid day on the 30th. DH does not want to get 3 day hoppers, so I am trying find ideas of what we can do during the times we are not in the parks, but can enjoy the Disney experience. Preferably something that will not cost to much.

We went WDW this summer and spent a few hours at DTD. Is DTD at DL similar to DTD at WDW. I really liked the Christmas store. Also, what are the Christmas decorations like in the other resort hotels?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am a theme park nut (especially Disney) and I know if I am not in the parks I will go crazy, so I need fun things to do.

 

[CoolPool]

Do you have a car with you?

The Downtown Disney area which you walk through from the DLH to the DLR park is worth a few hours. There is a movie theater, the House of Blues, Rainforest Cafe, many other shops and restaurants. The Legos store is a hit with my son.

The Disneyland Hotel has a great pool with slide and hot tub.

I have to tell you, I live a couple of miles from US and ?? I don't get spending two days there and that drive twice back and forth would not be fun for a nonresident on vacation. That's just my penniless opinion.

Or couse there is always Knotts (yawn) or if you have a little one then there is Adventure City which is a cute place to spend an afternoon dedicated to pint-sized fun.

 

[Vanvmom]

Ditto on the 2 days at US. We went there after Christmas last year. We did everything there was to do, and were done by dinner time.

In the past, PPH didn't have much in the way of Christmas decorations. Not sure about this year. The GCH had a nice tree in the lobby a few years ago. I love how decorated DTD is during the holidays - lights on all the trees, etc. They often have some sort of live entertainment outside the Rainforest Cafe' and a couple of other places, that can be fun to watch. If you like Build a Bear, this one is a big one. I'd spend some time just walking around and seeing the decor & pool areas at DLH and GCH.

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with CoolPool & VanvMom.

5 nights at the DLH & only 2 days at the DLR parks? (That just doesn't make sense to me.)

If you must leave the DLR complex, take a day trip down to Laguna/Newport or Hunnington. (I think i see you live in Big Bend, perhaps the beach & a beach town would be something to see.)

(Is DH a park ranger at Big Bend....beautiful country btw)

Go to Universal in FL on your next trip to DW, or if you must go to Universal in Hollywood, go for a 1 day "day trip"...... but (imo) you need 3 days minimum at the DLR parks....maybe 4 days. (& YOU'RE STAYING AT THE DLH!!!)

Advice before telling Ranger Rick what the new plans are :

- Read all of HydroGuy's threads, but especially the "DLR for WDW Vets" on his sticky at the top of the page.
- Go to DL each of the EE days that it is offered.
- Get (at minimum) a 3 day hopper. (it's only a few dollars more than the 2 day).
- Go Back & read the past 3 - 5 pages here on the DL board. Lots of comments about how long DLR takes to enjoy & how it differs from WDW & how to enjoy EE & FP.
- btw - You'll be walking thru DTD every day. It's great, but it's not a "day event" in itself.
- If you're gonna do a day trip, do it for one day (US, beach, whatever), but give DLR the other 3 days.
- Do a Character Bfast you last morning (if you don't go to the park....or in addition to going to the park).

Have fun at Walt's park.

 

[jenksdj]

You'll probably spend less money on an extra day park hopper than you would if you went shopping, or to another park (like Knotts, US, Sea World, Legoland, etc). I agree with Hound. I wouldn't do less than 3 days at DL/DCA (unless you're a local and go all the time).

 

[BillyFan]

Just my opionions......You definitely need 3 days in the parks. US is a 1-day experience. DTD is not nearly as large and engaging as the one in WDW. BTW, there is no Christmas store in the DLR DTD.

 

[rangermom]

The reason we are going to US for two days is that we got 2 children's tickets and an extra day free with the purchase of two adult tickets. So we only really paid for two adult one day tickets.

We have 3 children (8,4, and 2).

The reason DH doesn't want to buy a 3 day hopper is that we are part of DVC and will be coming back to DL frequently and going to WDW at least once a year. Also with a 8 day/7 night trip in May and buying DVC in July not including this trip we have spent $26,000 at Disney just this year. So I do need to give in a little (though I will keep working on him)

I am the Communication Center Supervisor at Big Bend NP. My husband is a seasonal Park Ranger and wildland firefighter. We have lived in the park for a little over a year and love it. I am thinking about going to the beach out there. I have a BS in Marine Biology and worked a Padre Island National Seashore for five years prior to moving to Big Bend. I really do miss the beach. So that is a big possibility.

I have read Hydoguy's threads and found them very interesting. I went to DL in 1993 with my high school band (and also US). I have never been to DCA. I think I will want to spend more time in DL than DCA. DL and Magic Kingdom are my favorites. My favorite ride is the Matterhorn.

We may go see a movie, since we live 5 hours away from the nearest movie theater. Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming.

 

[CoolPool]

Oh darn, Adventure City is only open on the 25th. It closes seasonally. The 4 year old and the 2 year old would have found it fun I think for an afternoon.

I went to college in San Antonio and drove out in the old camaro to Big Bend one weekend back in the mid 1980s. We were driving around and there were thousands of deer. I have never been so scared of hitting an animal in my life. They seemed to be standing around waiting to run in front of the car. EEK. That was nerve-wracking. Thought I'd share. LoL.

Anyhow, do you find coming to DL advantageous using DVC points? I'm sitting on the fence about whether to join or not...

 

[victorandbellasmom]

Just wanted to chime in on doing Universal Studios for 2 days. We got a similar deal(2 days for the price of one and kids free) in Feb and initially planned doing 2 days at US. The kids were 8, 5 & 4(niece was with us). We enjoyed our visit to US, but didn't end up using our 2nd day. The traffic to and from was horrible (we went on a weekday). The lines themselves weren't bad, but the 2 little kids couldn't go on many of the rides. So dh & I took turns taking our 8yo on the big rides. At the end of day 1 at US, we took a family vote and the kids voted to stay at DL rather than going back to US.

 

[Hound 109]

The reason we are going to US for two days is that we got 2 children's tickets and an extra day free with the purchase of two adult tickets. So we only really paid for two adult one day tickets.

We have 3 children (8,4, and 2).

The reason DH doesn't want to buy a 3 day hopper is that we are part of DVC and will be coming back to DL frequently and going to WDW at least once a year. Also with a 8 day/7 night trip in May and buying DVC in July not including this trip we have spent $26,000 at Disney just this year. So I do need to give in a little (though I will keep working on him)

I am the Communication Center Supervisor at Big Bend NP. My husband is a seasonal Park Ranger and wildland firefighter. We have lived in the park for a little over a year and love it. I am thinking about going to the beach out there. I have a BS in Marine Biology and worked a Padre Island National Seashore for five years prior to moving to Big Bend. I really do miss the beach. So that is a big possibility.

I have read Hydoguy's threads and found them very interesting. I went to DL in 1993 with my high school band (and also US). I have never been to DCA. I think I will want to spend more time in DL than DCA. DL and Magic Kingdom are my favorites. My favorite ride is the Matterhorn.

We may go see a movie, since we live 5 hours away from the nearest movie theater. Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming.

Thanks for sharing the additional info. What cool career paths you all pursued. 5 hours to drive to a movie....wow....thank goodness for netflix.

If you'll be coming to DL, often I can see why you don't see the need to give DLR more than 2 days. (I'll be coming myself for just a 2 day trip in Dec. & justify it because i'll be visiting 2-4 times a year for the next few years....& we know the "DLR" drill pretty well.)

Living in TX, driving 40-50 miles each way isn't a big deal, (heck, you probably have to drive that to get the kids to school ) But the drive from OC to N. Hollywood can be brutal. When i drive from the west valley to DLR we try to do it early on Sunday. I've done LA drive time twice & won't do it again.

If you plan on doing US for 2 days, you might want to have a back up plan in case you want to bail on that second day. (again, the beach or a nice movie theatre would be a treat). Newport has a huge ritsy mall & a cool pier with rides & carnival type area. Huntington has a great promenade. I'll let the locals provide better info though.

There are lots of neat old theatres in SoCal....I would post again and ask if there is one near DL. Also a previous poster mentioned the holiday decorations in the Hotels. I could spend an hour just walking around the GCA. (& i think i read a trip report where kiddos can take a cooking class or something.)

....then again, you could always add another day to your 2 day hopper. (and you could decide this while you are there. )

Have fun.

 

[grizbuzz]

I know this is the opposite direction that your husband was leaning, but have you considered getting a Deluxe AP? If you're coming back to DL within the year, this might be the way to go. We just joined DVC this year and got a 3 day park hopper and then traded it in for an annual pass. You get $20 off the APs with the DVC discount (We got the Deluxe APs for $219/person - not sure if they've gone up to $239 with AP increase). If you come back within the year, you will save money in the long run. Just something to consider

 

[rangermom]

Anyhow, do you find coming to DL advantageous using DVC points? I'm sitting on the fence about whether to join or not...

I know that it is a better deal use our points on on DVC resorts, but my husband and I want use DVC to visit several places. We may not always stay on property at DL, but it is a nice break for us right now. When deciding on which park to go to, it seemed right to go to DL. As said we went to WDW in May/June and we have another trip planned next Oct to AKV. We also have enough points to take another trip this use year, but due to our schedules for the spring and summer, we are probably going to bank them in Feb. My opinion we have 50 years of vacations a head of us so we want to enjoy them many different ones.

With Christmas coming up and other commitments it is nice to plan a vacation and not have to worry about paying for a place to stay. Buying DVC was one of the best things we have done. Even my cheap DH came back from WDW ready to buy (and he thought he was going on a once and lifetime trip ). The process was easy and painless. So good luck.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I spoke with DH last night over dinner and we are working on a backup plan if we chose not to use the 2nd day at US. Thanks so much!