What to do at the DLR when you've "done it all"...

[Metalliman98]

So we became APs this year and have been to DLR four times for about a week each. Previously we were "once a year" types, but we took the plunge in August and have been going as often as we can; trips in October and New Year's, along with a pre-AP trip last May.

Since we've been going far more often then we are used to, we've done quite a bit, and so we are wondering what things there are to do that we might be overlooking or just don't know about? It seems like there's not much left to do but I'm sure that's not the case. We are going again in mid-March. Anyone have any suggestions for things that are little known or that are otherwise over looked? Not just attraction wise, but dining, shows, downtown, hotels, etc.

 

[ashley0139]

I enjoy watching the flag ceremony when I have time. I also like seeing the Dapper Dans and the Disneyland band. Do Alice and the Mad Hatter still play musical chairs? You could do/watch that. Trader Sams at the Disneyland Hotel. Animation classes in DCA.

Just off the top of my head.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We try to take the time to enjoy all the live music in the parks. The quality of musicianship at DLR is amazing. There are so many different acts and no show is the exact same twice. The Ellis Island Boys are one of the tightest bands around. The Mariachi Divas are Grammy winners. We easily spend one day following all the bands in DL, then another day doing the same in DCA. The Royal Swing Ball on Saturday nights at PFF is a blast. The band is different every week and the dancing is so much fun. Take time to chat with the CMs. Getting to know CMs and how they came to work at DLR has enriched our visits. Especially when we get to know those CMs and see them on repeat visits. Spend a day making magic for other guests, e.g. giving away FPs, buying another guest's coffee or popcorn, keeping little ones amused in the lines, etc. We've been to DLR about once a week for the last several years and still have never felt that we've done it all, or even come close!

 

[Gisele]

Well if you've "done it all" Then you probably have missed at least one thing.

 

[ludari]

I would recommend trying a tour.

 

[Angrose]

I took the plunge and got an AP last year as well. I'll be on my 5th visit in March. While I am only able to go for a few days at a time, I do try to do some new things on each visit. Here are some things off the top of my head that may be fun for you:

Ride BTMRR during the fireworks
Ride RSR at night and see the neon "sha-boom" moment at dusk in Cars Land
Ask to see the pet cemetery behind the Haunted Mansion (I've never done this and not sure if they still do it)
Eat a Dole Whip while listening to the birdies sing in the Tiki Room
Dine waterside at Blue Bayou
Take the Monorail to DTD (stops close to the DLH) and have a drink at Trader Sam's
Lobster Nachos at Cove Bar
Stay one night onsite if you've never done that before
Give yourself some challenges such as:
Try to ride all the attractions in DL in one day
See how many times in a row you can ride your favorite ride
Meet all the characters you can in one day, get autographs and photos!
Find as many hidden Mickey's as you can (there's a book you can buy for help)
Do all the pressed penny machines (the shops can give you a list) - this is fun, even for grown-ups!

I'm sure there are a lot more things I haven't thought of. Have fun!

 

[firefly87]

Another vote for a tour here. We are planning a last minute adults only girls trip next weekend and are likely booking the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour.

I saw this somewhere a while back, but there is a scavenger hunt you can print out at home and then look for the items while in the parks. Not sure if that is up your alley or not but it might be fun!
http://family.disney.com/activity/disneyland-scavenger-hunt

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Do Alice and the Mad Hatter still play musical chairs? You could do/watch that.

They do! I just watched them last Sunday, and Periscoped so people could watch them live, too. They always make me smile. They had a really competitive little girl this time around. She kept "tying" with the other kids, and I was impressed with how the Mad Hatter and Alice handled the whole game. They were really good.

 

[MrDisneyFan]

Another vote for DCA animation academy, my daughter and I can go in over and over when they're running it. It's great fun! They're always changing the characters being drawn so it changes up. See Lincoln lately? Doing some guided tours is on my to do as well. Grab a small bite and a cocktail in the Carthay lounge. Find hidden Mickey's. Check out the Mad T Party in DCA if you're there on the weekend. Dine at downtown Disney, we really like Tortilla Jo's. I can enjoy just sitting on Mainstreet or walking around with a churro and soaking in the park atmosphere for a while too. It's nice to slow down and people watch.

 

[sherilaine]

sit back and watch all the other people scrambling to get anything done...

 

[Indiana Scott]

I take time to take in all the tiny details from the landscaping (ever notice the palms and grounds of TOT aren't trimmed and are left to look a bit rough?) to the symbols and intricate detail of the architecture. I've been going to the parks for a dozen years and still don't feel like I've done it all.

 

[MikeRx]

We agree with all of the above. Do one or both of the hotel tours. The one at the DLH is a fun look at the history of the hotel and the GC is an Arts and Crafts tour. We did the DLH in June and it was a lot of fun and informative...and free. Check the hotel for days and times. Drink a glass of wine while watching the Pixar Play parade. Slow down and look up...Windows, interiors of the stores and ride lines and entrances, Disney is in the details. Have a late breakfast at the Carnation Cafe and get the gazebo table. The Daper Dans will likely stop across the street and sing a few songs. Ask to meet Oscar if he is there, he's an amazing DL original cast member. We do all of the above as we go 2-3 times a year and love it each time for different things. If the train were running...ride in the Lilly Bell and take a tender ride on the train...but that will have to wait for 2017.
Mike

 

[Disneyluvr2]

I take time to take in all the tiny details from the landscaping (ever notice the palms and grounds of TOT aren't trimmed and are left to look a bit rough?) to the symbols and intricate detail of the architecture. I've been going to the parks for a dozen years and still don't feel like I've done it all.

I totally agree with this! I've had an annual pass for at least 10 years and I never feel like I've done it all. There is always something new to discover! Google hidden secrets at Disneyland, make a list and go find them. There are tons of things to find! There's so much more to Disneyland than riding the rides.

 

[arcadiandj]

We try to take the time to enjoy all the live music in the parks. The quality of musicianship at DLR is amazing. There are so many different acts and no show is the exact same twice. The Ellis Island Boys are one of the tightest bands around. The Mariachi Divas are Grammy winners. We easily spend one day following all the bands in DL, then another day doing the same in DCA. The Royal Swing Ball on Saturday nights at PFF is a blast. The band is different every week and the dancing is so much fun. Take time to chat with the CMs. Getting to know CMs and how they came to work at DLR has enriched our visits. Especially when we get to know those CMs and see them on repeat visits. Spend a day making magic for other guests, e.g. giving away FPs, buying another guest's coffee or popcorn, keeping little ones amused in the lines, etc. We've been to DLR about once a week for the last several years and still have never felt that we've done it all, or even come close!

What a wonderful post! Thank you for that

 

[dotfurio]

We become AP holders for the first time last year. Before that we only went about every 1-2 years. Then it was always go go go so we could cram in as many rides as possible.

Having APs has allowed us to relax and enjoy the other things Disney has to offer. One thing we've done is tried out lots of different foods and restaurants. Breakfast at Carnation Cafe, drinks at Carthay Circle Lounge, etc. We used to get something quick and keep moving, but we've loved having sit down meals or drinks at the different places. Another thing we've taken time for is the shows. I had never seen WOC or Fantasmic before because those were good times to hop on rides, and then there's all the smaller shows like Frozen, Mad Tea Party, etc. My youngest also started an autograph book so we've spent time seeking out signatures. We've also had fun seeking out quirky things, like the little man of DL's house. I found a lot of tips about those things here! My family might disagree, but I've personally loved being able to browse all the shops without being rushed. That's been an expensive venture, though

 

[calilou]

Exactly why we love having APs - to get to stop and smell the roses every time we go. We enjoy all the details that make Disneyland the magical place it is. We love not having to have an exact plan. Rather we have our must do's then are able to go with the flow and see where Walt takes us the rest of the time. I also recommend doing tours if possible. I also recommend asking CMs what their favorites are. We also love to ride the different horse drawn carriages, etc along Main Street. The conductors usually have little tidbits to share. Same goes for the trolley car in DCA.

Our goal is to try something new every day. We haven't ran out yet!

 

[gottalovepluto]

We did the DLH tour as well, highly recommended! I had never been to DLH before. They only run certain days so plan ahead of time and I think I saw something about a 60th anniversary version of the tour? I SO don't remember the details but I'm 95% sure I saw something about it, maybe in my GCH paperwork from Dec but I just threw that out sorry The DLH tour ran an hour.

There is a tour of the Carthay Restaurant run each morning, it is supposed to run about 15 mins. I wanted to do but just haven't gotten around to it.

APs sometimes get hotel discounts for staying onsite if that's something you're interested in. We got 25% off GCH with ours on our mid-Dec trip booked one week out. Availability can be a bit tricky because the inventory for AP rooms is separate from the hotel inventory (rooms available at the hotel but not at the AP rate and visa-versa). You can check on the website and by phone call for current rates.