What to do nonpark day

[lucysmom]

My DD (14), DS (29), and I will arrive around 3PM on the 18th of December. We will not have a hopper pass for that day. We are staying at the Grand Californian. I am trying to figure out what to do that day. I know that at 9:00 we can see the fireworks in the CL lounge, so we will do that. I am guessing it will not be warm enough to swim, but maybe we can hottub. I was thinking about seeing Santa in the lobby. I booked Storyteller's for dinner, but maybe it will be more fun to eat at Goofy's Kitchen. What do you think? We have only been to DL one time and only for a day. This is a grand adventure for us to visit DL at Christmas time. I just don't know how to spend that first day. I was hoping to ice skate at the Downtown Disney ice rink, but after seeing the pictures, it is nothing special. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Susie63]

The pools are heated at the hotel.Just take a coverup as the air can be cool when you are out of the water.
You can also view WOC from the roof deck of the GCH.I have not done this but I have read that it is a cool view and they do pipe the music in.You might want to search WOC from GCH for a little more info.

 

[lucysmom]

Really? You think we can swim? That would be so much fun!!! How do you get to the roof top to see the WOC show?

 

[bcla]

If you've got a car, I'd recommend going to the California Science Center in LA and seeing the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Tickets are technically free, but they'll probably need to be reserved. The vendor that operates their reservation system charges $2.50 per person.

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/PlanningYourVisit/Hours/endeavour/endeavour.php

I understand that transporting it from LAX to downtown LA was a bit crazy.

 

[disney4cam]

When we have non-Disney days, we hang out in Downtown Disney.

Go to bed a little early so you can get a very early start.

 

[DharmaLou]

I'd head up to LA for the day - check out Santa Monica beach (and pier), and drive down Santa Monica Blvd all the way back to the 101 - maybe skip over to Hollywood Blvd to see the stars and the theaters.

We are sports fans and while I had already been to all the stadiums, I took DH to see the Rose Bowl, Coliseum, Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium.

San Diego is only about 1hr down the 5 also.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

OP isn't arriving at the resort until 3 PM so rather than driving off anywhere else, I would suggest enjoying the hotels and Downtown Disney. If your family is into characters, then Goofy's for dinner is your only outside the park choice. If you would like a nice non-character meal, you might want to take a look at the menus for Steakhouse 55 in the DLH, Storyteller's Cafe at GCH, or Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen or Catal (haven't tried this one but heard good things) in DtD. Since the pools are heated, swimming is certainly possible; my family enjoys the opportunity to swim when on vacation since we don't have a pool at home. The hotels will be decorated for Christmas, so you can definitely spend time checking out the lobby of the GCH and the other Disney hotels, and you can also take some time in DtD to shop or scout out your shopping. For a 3 PM arrival, there will probably be plenty of things to do before viewing WoC and/or fireworks from your hotel.

 

[nikkislaght]

Yup, just to add my 2 cents. Downtown is where we head. plus the grocery store (Vons) and swim..

Early dinner , roof top fireworks and then bed... ready for the fun the next day..


Have a great time....

 

[PoohsFan1]

This is something I have been thinking about too. We will be there in June and on our arrival day we are not planning on going to any of the parks (not sure when we will be arriving since we don't have the airfare yet, but would like to get there early in the day). We also will be there for 8 nights, staying at VGC, and will be going to the parks for 5 days. That will leave us with a couple of full non park days, and since we are not planning on renting a car (we may rent one for a day to go to San Diego), I wasn't sure what we could do. We are used to going to WDW where there are a ton of things to do if you are not in the parks. Thank you to all for offering great suggestions.

P.S. I had no idea you can view the fireworks and WOC at the top of the resort . Something else to put on our list of things to do while there.

 

[NewbieMouse]

If you've got a car, I'd recommend going to the California Science Center in LA and seeing the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Tickets are technically free, but they'll probably need to be reserved. The vendor that operates their reservation system charges $2.50 per person.

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/PlanningYourVisit/Hours/endeavour/endeavour.php

I understand that transporting it from LAX to downtown LA was a bit crazy.

Thank you for that tip, bcla! We've now got tickets to do that on Monday.

 

[luulu1999]

I too am looking into the endeavor thing that would be awesome!!!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Not only is seeing the Endeavor free, seeing the permanent exhibits of the California Science Center is also free. Seeing the Cleopatra exhibit that they have, or any IMAX showings, however, is not free. I watched the shuttle move through the streets, it was very exciting! And I can't wait to see her in her new home DBF and I will try to see her on Dec 11 before the drive home.

 

[ILUVALASKA]

Walk across the entrance plaza to Harbor Blvd and Katella and explore Garden Walk. LOts of shops, restaurants and things to do without a car.

 

[starry_solo]

I would just check in and relax!

 

[Eeee-va]

There is a viewing area of DCA in the Grand Californian that should be open to all GCH guests (it was during our trip). It's not an ideal place to watch World of Color (especially not for your first experience!), but you could. Even if you don't see World of Color from there, I would definitely go up there to just look out at Paradise Pier at night. It's gorgeous and should help get you even more excited to see the park the next day!

I don't know how limited your time is. Last time, we did a bit of shopping in Downtown Disney so we wouldn't have to spend much time shopping in the parks. Otherwise I would take it easy, swim if you want, and turn in early.

If you are not too excited to sleep.