What To Do On Arrival Day?

[djmeredith]

We are scheduled to arrive at SNA around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, but we can't get into our condo until 4:00. I need ideas for how to spend the hours in between. We need something sort of low key that doesn't require a lot of walking because my mom will not have her rental scooter yet, and we will have been up since 5 a.m. home time. It is me, my parents, and my 4 young nephews.

I was thinking maybe Santa Monica Pier, or Downtown Disney for lunch and maybe a movie. Any other suggestions? I'm hoping maybe some of you locals will have some ideas that a tourist wouldn't think of. Thanks in advance!

 

[SMD]

If you want to go to SM pier for rides, consider Newport Beach Pier/Balboa Island. It's less than 10 miles from SNA vs. 50+ miles to SM. I wouldn't consider either to be low key without a lot of walking. The parking at SM will be especially far away. I don't know the current parking situation at Newport.

 

[DDhunter]

The Downtown Disney lunch and movie idea sounds the most relaxing. We have gone to movies in Downtown Disney before and it was nice (and mostly empty). Also, depending on how old the kids are, the Lego store in DTD is always a fun place, they even have a big round counter set up outside with Legos for kids to build stuff.

You could always hit Huntington Beach as well. It is only about 1/2 hour or so away and if I remember correctly the parking isn't too horrific (though I haven't been for a few years).

 

[BayGirl22]

We've done the movie and lego store in downtown Disney and it won't be too much walking if you park in the Disney lot, but it could be a little ways to walk.

I've been to Huntington Beach a couple times recently around that time and had no problem finding parking in a garage. There are a lot of restaurants and touristy shops and you cross the street to get to the beach. On Friday there's a big outdoor market/craft fair kind of thing going on (not sure what other days). So if you want to do something non-Disney that would be my choice.

 

[momrek06]

Don't head to Santa Monica on a travel day. It's too far away. And the parking is not friendly at all. It would be difficult for your Mom w/o her scooter.

Newport Beach has lovely beaches BUT there are NO rides. It's just beach.
Editing....the poster mentioning rides means Balboa Island...that's fun but it's like one ride maybe two and they have an arcade.

I think your best bet is go directly to your hotel and drop off all your luggage and head right over to DTD! Grab lunch, check out the stores and maybe take in a movie!

Before you know it your room will be ready!

Have a fabulous time in Disneyland!!!

 

[rentayenta]

Santa Monica would require a lot of walking plus its far.

I like the DTD idea. You could eat at Storyteller's Cafe at the GCH and then if you wanted to shop and walk versus seeing a movie at the AMC, your mom could easily relax in the lobby of the GCH.

You could also do Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH for a fun character lunch and that would get the kids in the Disney mood.

Not sure how young young is as far as a movie goes or if they'd want to shop.

 

[tarheelalum]

You might consider going to knotts berry farm and eat at the restaurant in front of the amusement park. The food is great and it will burn up a fair amount of time.

Or drive down to the Pacific coast highway and eat some place down there. The Crystal Cove shake shack in Laguna Beach is cheap and fantastic. Incredible views of the pacfic. I'd suggest you drive down the PCH in OC and eat just cause it will eat up a fair amount of time and its low stress driving on the pch. Beautiful views all the way without the horrible LA traffic. If you go to the shake shack, get a pineapple shake.

 

[djmeredith]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'm going to rule out Santa Monica because of the distance. I like the PCH drive idea. And the Downtown Disney idea is still a good option as well, especially since I hadn't thought about Mom being able to relax in the GCH lobby.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Personally, I would go with DTD. (Actually, that is what we plan to do on our arrival evening.)

 

[bcla]

I usually recommend a trip to the California Science Center to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour. There's not a whole lot of walking, and they might be able to provide a wheelchair (not sure on that).

It's only $2 per person for a timed ticket for the shuttle. The rest of the museum is free.

 

[kazbar]

How about the Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach?

 

[Barry Browning]

I would vote for Tortilla Joes, get the tableside guacamole.Sit on the patio.Enjoy sunny and cool.We are 100 here in Texas today.

 

[djmeredith]

I would vote for Tortilla Joes, get the tableside guacamole.Sit on the patio.Enjoy sunny and cool.We are 100 here in Texas today.

It was 93 today here in KY so I was hoping for cooler weather for our trip. I just checked the forecast and Anaheim is supposed to be around 90 for the next few days. Oh well, I'd rather be hot at Disneyland than at home!

The more I think about it, the more I think DTD is the best choice. We can eat, shop around, relax in the GCH lobby, and best of all start absorbing the Disney Magic!