What to do on our arrival, non-DL day??

[ValpoCory]

It's been a few years since I've been and we didn't spend a lot of time in DD - is there much to do over there besides shopping? We don't want to spend our souvenier money before we even get to DL! We have small kids - would they enjoy it? Any other suggestions on what to do with an entire afternoon and no car?

I second the earlier poster that mentioned eating at Goofy's Kitchen. Exploring the DLR resorts and all the cool Disney stores in them and at DTD is a great way to get into the Disney spirit. It's the next best thing to walking down Main Street, U.S.A.

 

[ang6980]

If you are staying off site can you still go to Goofys Kitchen and explore the DL resort hotels?

 

[hootey]

Goofy's kitchen is open to the public, as are the common areas of the disney hotels. StoryTellers Cafe, WhiteWater Snacks, gift shops, and historical displays are open to the public as well....

 

[ValpoCory]

Goofy's kitchen is open to the public, as are the common areas of the disney hotels. StoryTellers Cafe, WhiteWater Snacks, gift shops, and historical displays are open to the public as well....

Yep. Each hotel has a character breakfast, but the OP was asking about later in the day, where only Goofy's Kitchen has character dining outside of the parks.

 

[DLRfan31]

Wouldnt a character meal cost as much or more than adding a day to parkhoppers? just curious....

 

[Rubygoose]

Wouldnt a character meal cost as much or more than adding a day to parkhoppers? just curious....

Yes, but you've still gotta eat somewhere, right? For our family the cost is just about the same but we would be spending more if we did 4 day hoppers plus eating dinner in the park. Also, we want to get the kids to bed early after a long flight from Vancouver and get then up bring and early to spend a whole day in the park the next day. We wanted to do Goofy's Kitchen some time during our trip anyway, and this was the perfect day to do it. My kids aren't big breakfast eaters, and we didn't want to have to leave the park for dinner.

 

[ValpoCory]

Yes, but you've still gotta eat somewhere, right? For our family the cost is just about the same but we would be spending more if we did 4 day hoppers plus eating dinner in the park. Also, we want to get the kids to bed early after a long flight from Vancouver and get then up bring and early to spend a whole day in the park the next day. We wanted to do Goofy's Kitchen some time during our trip anyway, and this was the perfect day to do it. My kids aren't big breakfast eaters, and we didn't want to have to leave the park for dinner.

Yep, and as long as DLR refuses to sell guests 6-, 7-, or 8-day passes like they used it, many folks are going to be doing the Goofy's Kitchen dinner option on their arrival date, if they are staying 6 nights or longer.

 

[RavenRequiem]

We're driving in on Saturday but won't be hitting the parks until Sunday. We're not going near Disneyland until then as we're surprising my nephew (5). We plan on hitting San Juan Capistrano and maybe the beach plus grocery shopping. Oh yeah, and catch up on sleep from the long overnight drive.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I am a little worried that the kids might not quite "get" why we can't go to DL the first day, especially if we spend time in DTD - so close yet so far away. But they're old enough (two 7 yr olds, 9 & 10) that they should understand.

Thanks for the ideas!

yeah i was thinking your kids are 5 and under or something..by 7 yo they should definitely be able to understand....but I am in agreement with ValpoCory about the tix prices....have you bought your tix yet??? if not you should look because like they said 4 day ph pass is only $25 more per person which would be only $150 for 6 people at the most

Yep, and as long as DLR refuses to sell guests 6-, 7-, or 8-day passes like they used it, many folks are going to be doing the Goofy's Kitchen dinner option on their arrival date, if they are staying 6 nights or longer.

somehow i dont think disney will care...whether someone goes and pays to get in the park or else they go and eat at GF or anywhere on property..they are still getting the money

 

[Shellandscott]

Keep in mind that you can use the Gay Days discount for a 10/08 arrival. It saves alot of money, you may not want to wait til 10/9. Especially since DL closes early on 10/9 for the halloween party. 10/8 park hours are 8am-11pm for DL and 8am-10pm for DCA. So with a noon arrival you still have alot of day left at the parks. Just a thought. Here is the link. http://mydisneymeetings.com/gcgj12a/879f70543fda6210vgnvcm100000d864a8c0rcrd

 

[ValpoCory]

somehow i dont think disney will care...whether someone goes and pays to get in the park or else they go and eat at GF or anywhere on property..they are still getting the money

That's the thing. Most won't eat at Goofy's. The ones that do will end up spending a lot less, since they are only spending $40/$20 per person for Goofy's instead of $125/$119 or $87/$81 per person for park admission, plus food in the park.

 

[smithfamilyof7]

3 day PH passes are $250 for adults and $235 for kids (or less if you buy ahead of time at certain websites or through a 10% corporate discount). 4 day PH passes are $275 for adults and $255 for kids (or less). So at most, $25 per adult and $20 per kid. So buying you all another day would be at most $150, not $500.

We've already bought our tickets so I assumed I would just have to buy a one day park ticket. Can you add an extra day to a 3 day park hopper for less? (And if so, how?)

Keep in mind that you can use the Gay Days discount for a 10/08 arrival. It saves alot of money, you may not want to wait til 10/9. Especially since DL closes early on 10/9 for the halloween party. 10/8 park hours are 8am-11pm for DL and 8am-10pm for DCA. So with a noon arrival you still have alot of day left at the parks. Just a thought. Here is the link. http://mydisneymeetings.com/gcgj12a/879f70543fda6210vgnvcm100000d864a8c0rcrd

I'm definitely going to check this out. Thanks!

 

[funkymom]

We've already bought our tickets so I assumed I would just have to buy a one day park ticket. Can you add an extra day to a 3 day park hopper for less? (And if so, how?)



I'm definitely going to check this out. Thanks!

We added a day to our 3 day park hopper and for our family of 5(2 adults and 6,9, 12 year olds), it will be $135 additional. We were told to head to a Guest Services location to add the day.

We will be arriving at DLH Sunday the 23rd and had planned to hit DTD, swim, relax etc..But we checked out the calendar and realized Fantasmic and fireworks aren't done on the weekdays and the park is open till 11pm.. Made the decision to hit the park on arrival day much easier :LOL

 

[ValpoCory]

We've already bought our tickets so I assumed I would just have to buy a one day park ticket. Can you add an extra day to a 3 day park hopper for less? (And if so, how?)

Yes, you can add a day up to 5 days without any problems. Just go to any ticket purchasing kiosk.

 

[jenksdj]

Edit. Oops!