What to do on arrival day?

[cdnKari]

We arrive at SNA on Saturday July 9th at 11:49 am and then we have to pick up the rental car and drive to Crowne Plaza hotel in Garden Grove. We also want to pick up water/snacks before we go to the hotel as the check in is later in the afternoon. Would it be worth it to go to either DL or DCA in the early evening after dinner. If so which park would your pick? Or I was thinking about just doing DTD that day. Any suggestions on what to do would be appreciated. We haven't been to DLR for five years.

Thanks for any help/suggestions.
Kari

 

[sonnyjane]

Have you already purchased your tickets? If not, I'd absolutely include your arrival day as a park day and buy tickets accordingly.

 

[cdnKari]

We have bought the Southern California Citypass from Costco. I plan to add an additional 3 days onto it, so we have a total of 6 days to go.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Well, we are driving and will get there around 2pm. We relax for a few minutes and wash up, then head over to the parks. We have APs though, so it isn't like using up one of our ticket days.

Since we won't have FPs for any rides, we plan to head to Mermaid first. I was also thinking it might be a good day to watch the Soundsational parade in DL.

You would need to check how much it would cost to add an extra day to your tickets and decide if that is worth it to you and your family. DTD is a nice option though and I like strolling through in the evening. It might be a good chance to relax and do a little shopping.

 

[jernysgirl]

I would totally plan on going into the parks that day, it is absolutely worth it. I would say head to DL first to get you "in the mood", but don't be afraid to hop to DCA. Try to get in a nighttime show if you can (WOC, F!, or fireworks).

And you can always head to DTD, like you said, if the crowds are too heavy. Getting snacks/groceries before heading in would be smart, so that you have breakfast items and snacks ready to go the next day. And while you're out and about you could also visit the Disney outlet store too, to pick up a few less-expensive souvenirs. (That's what we always do! ).

If it were me, I would say plan on being in DLR between 3-4pm or so, after you get your errands done and settled in the hotel. Take a quick stroll through DTD and head for dinner. After dinner, maybe hop on a couple of rides, catch a show and do a little shopping before heading back to the hotel.

 

[Aliciaash]

We flew in in the morning and went to Huntington beach for a while and had a blast before check in. We rented a bike for 4 and rode for an hour, had a little snack and then the kids played in the sand and got in the water for alittle bit. After check in we went to DTD put our name on the list for the rainforest cafe and walked around. DTD was popping and we enjoyed going in the shops. After dinner we went back to th hotel, got a good nights sleep and hit Disneyland first thing in the morning.

 

[iKristin]

I usually arrive at HoJo around 10:30 in the morning; since my flight is always early, then I relax for about 30 minutes while I get my luggage and all set in the hotel. Get my baggallini packed up for the park then head over to DL!!

 

[PirateFish989]

I personally like going to DTD on arrival day. We usually don't get there until about 4:00 in the afternoon and I know if I decided to go into the parks I would want to do absolutely everything right then and feel rushed. I like wandering around DTD and into all the stores, having dinner at one of the restaurants, people watching, and just getting in the Disney mood. I say have a relaxing evening before a fun-filled 3+ days in the parks.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always head to the parks after checkin on arrival day. DCA, shopping for the girls and then Disneyland.

Jack

 

[iKristin]

see I don't have patience to wait lol, I see Disneyland and I must enter!!

 

[Caseystigger]

Definitely hit the parks! DL first then sometimes dinner somewhere in DTD.

 

[AustinTink]

We flew in in the morning and went to Huntington beach for a while and had a blast before check in. We rented a bike for 4 and rode for an hour, had a little snack and then the kids played in the sand and got in the water for alittle bit. After check in we went to DTD put our name on the list for the rainforest cafe and walked around. DTD was popping and we enjoyed going in the shops. After dinner we went back to th hotel, got a good nights sleep and hit Disneyland first thing in the morning.

How far is Huntington Beach from Anaheim?

 

[Luv Bunnies]

If you have an extra day on your ticket, it would be worth it to go to a park, do a few rides, have dinner, maybe see one of the nighttime shows.

We are driving to Anaheim from Glendale in a few weeks after the Universal portion of our trip. I blocked out an entire day just to transfer to the Park Vue, check in, relax, etc. We'll head over to DTD for a little shopping, then to Gardenwalk to meet some friends from Long Beach for an early dinner. We'll get to sleep early so we can get up for early entry the next day. We have 3-day passes and don't want to use a day when we arrive. We'll take it easy the first day and be ready to go the next day. We will have already spent a day and a half at Universal, so I figured we could use a slow day to rest up for our DL adventures to come!

 

[yngsj]

We always go to DTD on our check in day. We find that because we are tired from traveling it's best to wait until our 1st full day to enter the parks. DTD is kind of the tease that leads to the excitement for us. Whatever you choose to do will be enjoyable!

 

[AndyLL]

If you don't want to use a day of your hopper you could always have a character meal at Goofy's and shop and spend time in DTD.

That will still give you some of the 'Disney' feel.

We can never wait so even with hoppers we'd be in the park.

 

[pattyduke34]

We usually get in late afternoon...We love to go to DTD and just stroll around, eat dinner, do a little shopping. Relaxing and getting ready to be up bright and early and ready to roll the next morning!

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

We like to spend the first day in DTD and feel the anticipation of the parks building up. We usually rest in the afternoon, if our rooms not ready they will still let you use the pool so then we wait for the weather to cool down and hit DTD.

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies go to Disneyland and ride Pirates. Then, we do whatever. This is also a good day to scope out the shops for possible souvenier harvesting later in the week.

 

[gokdog]

We are driving in this Friday, fairly late, so we literally just book the cheapest Hilton hotel in the area, then get up the next day and start our vacation, then check into whatever hotel we booked. Sometimes they are the same, but it just does not feel right staying on property that first night when we literally just check in and sleep.

Our December trip is going to be different for us, since we will be flying in and early, intentionally to hit the park!

 

[Brer Cameron]

Yeah, there's no way I could be in the area while it is still open, and not go in on my first day.