What to do durring AP Blockout day?

[Mickey Buffet]

Hi all!

Made my plans a few months ago once the Hojo rates surfaced to hit DL again just before our AP's run out in May.. ..

Well at that time I recall checkin to make sure that the Saturday April 30 wasn't blocked ... but go figure now it is DOH!

Think I heard it was $50 to get essentailly a singleday parkhopper for each of us with AP's ..is that correct? Is it any cheaper for my 5yo's AP?

Also does any one have any good ideas for alternatives to going to DL that day? Considering it might be a tough sell for the two boys 5yo & 2yo, so might have to bite $150 the bullit anyway.

Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

Go to knots or maybe take th 5yo to Legoland.

 

[HydroGuy]

Well, if you can manage the offday in the middle of your trip you can use it as a down day. Hit the parks hard for a few days before the block, then take a day off to sleep in. See a movie in DTD and eat at the DTD restaurants or one of the hotel restaurants. Or do as SF said and go somewhere else. If it is Knott's or LL then you are spending money anyways so not sure that solves anything. The beach is free and can be nice in May.

 

[momtoatink]

When we went last year we took a couple of days and went to the LA Zoo and the Aquarium that is near by. My daughter was 5 years old at the time and LOVED both. It was a great break!

 

[PinkBudgie]

You can use it to sleep in a little and then shop at DTD. If your kids like the Lego store like mine did, that place can take awhile. The past few trips we just haven't had the time to look around DTD very much. That can be your day to pick out a souvenier in WOD. Also, maybe swim in the afternoon if it is warm enough.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We always try to put in a free day on a vacation (not a short weekend trip). We usually sleep in, then head to Goofy's kitchen for brunch. Shop DTD, then head back to the hotel for a swim/nap. We usually head back to DTD or Gardenwalk for a nice dinner. We usually have watched the fireworks from our balcony in the evening. It makes for a nice day without the hassle of traveling.

 

[helenb]

Try Universal Studios Hollywood. There are a lot of fun things to do there, and nice play areas for your 5 year old.

 

[Shimmer]

My kids really enjoyed having a down day. We slept in, watched TV, and then spent most of the day at Hojo's pool. They had so much fun they didn't want to leave to eat. We ended up ordering pizza to be delivered and ate it pool-side. We finally wandered up to DTD later that evening.

That day was really a favorite with my kids and they want to do it again next time.

 

[carebee21]

This is what we did on our blockout day last year: Goofy's character breakfast, walk through Downtown Disney and did all of our shopping and let our son make a car at Ridez, which he absolutely loved, play at the HOJO pool/water play area, went to garden walk and walked through the shops and ate dinner and dessert at Cheesecake factory and then walked down harbor blvd and went in the little cheap gift shops.

 

[DahliaRW]

I think a down day is well worth it. We build one in and it was sooooooo nice. Some water play if the weather allows, a character meal, and checking out DTD and such will easily fill a day. And maybe you'll be able to watch the fireworks from your room or nearby.

 

[marciemouse]

Pool, movie (or Build-A-Bear or Ride-Makerz) at DTD, maybe a character meal. If your kids like pressed pennies, you could go to the 3 Disney hotels to collect some from each hotel. And I'd want to make a quick trip to the Disney Character outlet!

 

[pixiewings71]

We did the pool on our black out days, it was a great way to unwind and relax during the trip. And yes, the black out passes are up to $50 now.

 

[Mickey Buffet]

Hey cool ...Thanks for all the reply's !

Down day sounds good to me ! Bummer is we arrive Wednesday and have to drive back to Norcal on Sunday (have only limited work vacation time )
Too bad the blockout wasn't on Friday to break stuff up more evenly. Sunday usually only can stay til about noon before driving home.

Haven't been to knots or LL before so maybe it will be a chance to give em a shot....

Thanks again!!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Hey cool ...Thanks for all the reply's !

Down day sounds good to me ! Bummer is we arrive Wednesday and have to drive back to Norcal on Sunday (have only limited work vacation time )
Too bad the blockout wasn't on Friday to break stuff up more evenly. Sunday usually only can stay til about noon before driving home.

Haven't been to knots or LL before so maybe it will be a chance to give em a shot....

Thanks again!!

There is nothing wrong with trying something new. To my mind, a whole day at the hotel might be kind of tough with a 5 and 2 year old, especially when they know Disneyland is right across the street. There might be some confusion and frustration about not being able to go. We have done LL several times, and my boys always enjoyed it. Your 5 year old is a great age for it, but I hear the 2 year old may be a little young for many of the attractions. Still, it is a nice family park. Haven't done Knotts, so can't comment on that. If you're not sure about the alternative attractions or don't want the extra driving (a factor for LL at least), then you may just want to consider buying the block out tickets and continuing to enjoy Disneyland if you know that's what your family enjoys and you want to end the trip on a high note. When it comes down to it, you'll probably spend at least as much money by driving to an alternative theme park, paying for parking, and buying the tickets. If you're truly interested in trying something new though, a block out day is the best day to do it since you know mentally that you're not exactly giving up a Disneyland day since it's blocked out for your pass.