What to do on non-park day... no car

[J. Galt]

My family will be going to DL in early Nov. We are coming along with my husband on a business trip. I will have one non-park day with the kids, and no car. The kids are 7 and 3 (girls). I was kind of thinking I might schedule a later breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen... then poke around Downtown Disney... then swim at the hotel. Any other thoughts? What else could be reached either by walking, resort transit or cab? I don't think I want to rent another car just for the day.

Thanks for your help!

 

[LavenderPeach]

The GardenWalk shopping center is close enough to walk to. I think there might be a shuttle that goes there too but not sure about that. They have lots of restaurants, some stores, a movie theater (with IMAX too) and I think there's a bowling alley.

I think your plan sounds good though. And of course there's a movie theater at DTD if you needed something else to occupy your time. And there is the koi pond area at the DLH to look around.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Take some time to walk around the 3 disneyland property hotels.

I agree a meal at Goofys is a great idea

 

[J. Galt]

I'm wondering about some of the stores in DD... namely Build a Bear vs. Studio 365. I'm thinking Build a Bear might be a better option for us... didn't I read somewhere that they have special Disney stuff there? I know my 7 year old would LOVE Studio 365 but I really don't want her looking like a tart. Anyone have any experiences there?

Also... what about the Pirate Dinner Theater I've read about? Could I take a cab there?

 

[pixiewings71]

I would just do DTD, that's such a neat place to go. They also have a movie theater there. Or you could go to the Garden Walk, it's a nice outdoor mall.

 

[ykmom]

The lego store in DTD is great too.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We had a blockout day while we were there. We walked over to Garden Walk- they have some places to eat, a movie theater, and bowling alley. The stores are mostly clothing and not very interesting, but they did have a candy shop.

We then walked from there to DTD. I think with the kids, it would be safe to skip Garden Walk. There isn't much there for kids. The Lego store is great! Do you know I have Lego ice cube trays?

When we were there in June the line for Build a Bear was VERY long! It was outside and seemed hot. Just be aware you might have a long wait.

 

[NVDisMom]

I think DTD after brunch at Goofy's kitchen, maybe followed by a movie will be perfect. My girls love to dedicate an afternoon to wandering around the hotels (we stilll haven't seen Paradise Pier) and DTD. They love the World of Dsney Store and Lego Store. I know the LIbby Lu is no longer there, but maybe the new place will be open and they'd like a makeover? Break it up with an ice cream or a visit to the candy store and you are set!

 

[J. Galt]

Thanks for all the input guys! I think if we just take the morning slow... sleep in a little.. maybe do a little homework if we have some to bring along... then wander over to DD... maybe do Build a Bear... then lunch/brunch at Goofy's .... a little more shopping... check out the hotels... then head back to the hotel to swim... then maybe a movie and dinner out that night. Any other suggestions?

 

[PinkBudgie]

Oh, in the DLH there is a huge collection of Disney Toys and other items on the wall. Very interesting to look at. You should be sure to look for it.

 

[teatime]

Thanks for all the input guys! I think if we just take the morning slow... sleep in a little.. maybe do a little homework if we have some to bring along... then wander over to DD... maybe do Build a Bear... then lunch/brunch at Goofy's .... a little more shopping... check out the hotels... then head back to the hotel to swim... then maybe a movie and dinner out that night. Any other suggestions?

Sounds like a busy day already. I say go to bed early to get up early to have a nice breakfast and then head to the park.

 

[J. Galt]

LOL! I don't know if we will actually get this all done in one day... I just want to know my options in case the weather is yucky, there isn't a kid appropriate movie playing, etc.......

 

[teatime]

down at the garden walk they have a bowling alley, my kids love to bowl. Also
from Darkbeers weekly post.

How about a Meal AND a show for $25....


http://ocresort.freedomblogging.com/...ch-blvd/12975/

This is the best deal I have ever seen.....
This info comes from the local Newspaper (Orange County Register). Both offers are for $25 tickets... That is Dinner and a Show for just $25, can't beat that! Offers only good for the California locations. Both Theaters are on Beach Boulevard in Buena Park, just North of Knott's Berry Farm.

Medieval Times Valid ALL Shows - Discount code "OCR25", you can book this online or by calling 1-888-935-6878.

Of course, not valid for prior reservations, and some restrictions may apply.
Offer Expires September 7th, 2009 www.medievaltimes.com


Pirates Dinner Adventure For this offer, you must call (no online booking) 1-866-439-2469 and mention the code "OCR-25W". Valid for all shows, up to 10 tickets can be bought at the same time. Some restrictions apply.
Offer expires August 13th, 2009.

 

[J. Galt]

Bummer... we aren't going until Nov so that code won't help us.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for all the input guys! I think if we just take the morning slow... sleep in a little.. maybe do a little homework if we have some to bring along... then wander over to DD... maybe do Build a Bear... then lunch/brunch at Goofy's .... a little more shopping... check out the hotels... then head back to the hotel to swim... then maybe a movie and dinner out that night. Any other suggestions?

I would do Goofy's for a late breakfast before Build-a-Bear. Since BAB is a long, involved process, you don't want to risk missing characters at Goofy's. Depending on the day, sometimes during peak seasons or busy weekends, Goofy's is open until 2:00 p.m. (which means people are allowed to stay and finish eating by 2:00 p.m., but the characters may leave before that and the food may stop being put out), and sometimes they close earlier than that (conflicting reports say they close at either noon - which is what happened when we were there last year - OR 1:00 p.m., but either way, it just means that people can stay and eat until then, but characters may leave well before that). I personally wouldn't want to plan a meal at Goofy's for any later than 11:00 a.m., just in case. Then hit DTD and BAB and World of Disney and all that good stuff after that, which will take up some time, then come back to the hotel and swim/relax or do homework if there is homework to do, and then possibly a movie and dinner later. In fact, if you don't want to eat in DTD you could walk across the street to the PPH and eat dinner at PCH Grill or mosey to the GCH and eat dinner at Storytellers. Your day will fly by with all of that activity.

 

[J. Galt]

Oh thank you, thank you! I will aim for 11:00 a.m. for Goofy's so that I don't miss the characters! This is why I love the dis