What to do with a partial 1st day?

[mickeysgal]

We're arriving at DL early afternoon. We don't want to waste a full day on our tickets, so what else can we do for a partial day? Any tours worth doing that someone can recommend? I don't want all of us to sit at the hotel and look at the park for the remainder of the day. I want to keep everyone busy. Any suggestions?

 

[munchkinsmom]

We're arriving at DL early afternoon. We don't want to waste a full day on our tickets, so what else can we do for a partial day? Any tours worth doing that someone can recommend? I don't want all of us to sit at the hotel and look at the park for the remainder of the day. I want to keep everyone busy. Any suggestions?

There's SO much to do without having to enter the parks. You'll find that there's a lot of action as you walk through Downtown Disney and shop (especially at the World of Disney). You can also check out each of the Disney resort hotels. There's even a free tour at the Grand Californian called "The Art of the Craft" where they talk about the design of the hotel, provide interesting info about the hotel and reveal where some hidden Mickeys are located. I think they offer it twice daily (AM and PM), but if you're interested, you might want to contact the DGC's guest services to make sure.

There's also a movie theater at DTD if shopping and sightseeing aren't enough.

Have a great time!

 

[RangerPooh]

If you are interested in doing a park you can check out Knott's. They have an after 4pm rate that's discounted admission.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We are in the same boat for our upcoming trip. I thought we might use that day to:
1. Enter the park through the main gates, which is apparently a must-do; otherwise we'll probably enter via the Monorail, or the Grand Californian Hotel.
2. Orient ourselves in the park, maybe see a show. Take pictures!!!
3. See how our small children do with all the walking/stroller time and crowds.
4. Maybe watch a parade in the evening, and watch fireworks (our first night is a Sunday)
5. OH! And buy Mr. Potato Head parts! We're bringing two empty heads (ha ha, I mean POTATO heads), and we'll buy Disney parts - This will give the boys something new to play with during our stay.

That may all be completely unrealistic given the two small boys and their moods, so we'll just have to do what they are willing to do, and postpone what they won't. Can't wait!!!

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Our first day is a half day and we plan on checking out DownTown Disney and just hanging out at the pool and having a meal at one of the DL resort hotels that day.

 

[Albertan mom]

You could plan to have a character supper. Good way to see characters on the first day and get the kids all excited!!

On our first day, we went to Downtown Disney. We did Build a Bear, which takes about 1.5 hours (very busy at night). We ate at ESPN zone, and played games there (be sure to join at ESPNzone.com and become a member for free tokens and a free gift!). We wandered around the stores too. Parking at the DTD parking lot is free for the first 3 hours (I think its 3). We then went to the big CALIFORNIA letters and took pictures on there. Then watched fireworks from the entry plaza. It was a good 5 hours we spent there, it was lots of fun, got us all excited about getting there early the next day and getting started!!

You could also go to the Rainforest Cafe, or go to LibbyLu if you have girls!

 

[CindyH]

We'll be arriving around 3pm. I plan to check in and unpack. Walk over to DL (yes, you'll still have to go through security) then exchange our voucher for tickets for the next day. Then walk around DTD, till our PS for dinner at Goofy's Kitchen.

 

[rsjj]

We are in the same boat for our upcoming trip. I thought we might use that day to:
1. Enter the park through the main gates, which is apparently a must-do; otherwise we'll probably enter via the Monorail, or the Grand Californian Hotel.
2. Orient ourselves in the park, maybe see a show. Take pictures!!!
3. See how our small children do with all the walking/stroller time and crowds.
4. Maybe watch a parade in the evening, and watch fireworks (our first night is a Sunday)
5. OH! And buy Mr. Potato Head parts! We're bringing two empty heads (ha ha, I mean POTATO heads), and we'll buy Disney parts - This will give the boys something new to play with during our stay.

That may all be completely unrealistic given the two small boys and their moods, so we'll just have to do what they are willing to do, and postpone what they won't. Can't wait!!!

can you tell me where you can purchase disney mr. potato head parts? our DS4 loves mr. potato head!! i didn't even realize they had disney parts for it!! thanx!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

A cut & paste from the Shopping Questions thread dated 2/15/06:
"Mr. Potato Head at Enginears Toys in California Adventures. It is $18 to fill a box and you do not have to buy a body. The best thing to do is ask a Cast Member to fill the box to capacity, some of those people are experts and can get almost everything in. "

On the WDW side of this site someone listed all the Disney parts you can get; it's quite an extensive list! Sorry, I don't remember that thread name. My two boys love Mr. Potato Head, so we'll be getting at least 1 box on our upcoming trip.

 

[Rapunsel]

FYI...

Not all cast memebers know how to pack a box.. I was doing better than they did. Remember that you must get the arms.. There is a right and left arm. They will hold the disney parts.. You can put a mickey bar into a suitcase.. put in the bigh stuff and then stuff the little things around it..

They aslo sell pre packed parts. my DS4 got a santa outfit for his. they have darth vader. Tinkerbell, Ariel. Pirate eye. Crowns, sunglasses with mickey ears. A 50th golden mickey ears.. Mickey bar, autograph book..

We also only found them at DCA. At the Engine Ears shop.

 

[lntsmom]

I'll warn you that my suggestions are based on having boys!

I would walk to DTD...go to the Lego store first. They have tables where the kids can build with Legos...and the monorail runs right outside the window. My boys would be good for nearly an hour! Then, let the kids get the little tubs that they can fill with Lego bits that you can only get at Lego stores. A hint...get more wheels and axels than you ever think you'll need. They are super cheap this way. Take the kids' pictures with Darth Vader while you're there.

Go to ESPN Zone for dinner. I don't know if your they're still offering points on the tickets, but between the points we got that way and the points from joining their MVP Club, my boys played for well over an hour at no extra cost to me! They have mini-bowling, skateboards, skidoos, etc. Lots of cool interactive video stuff we've never seen at home. And, of course, they had the old favorites like air hockey. They have a climbing wall, too. My older son was majorly bummed that it was closed the day we visited.

Do the picture thing with the DCA letters. When we were they had Herbie out, too...maybe they'll have something fun in the plaza area when you're there, too.

Then I'd head back to my hotel for a swim. You should be able to see bits of the fireworks from the pool if you're staying at a nearby hotel.

We left home at 5 am our time...the kids had been up since 4:30. We got there mid-morning and spent the day at the beach. My kids were more than ready for bed by 8...which would have been 10 our time.

I'd suggest that whatever you do, if you have kids, pick activities that let them run and play. Traveling is very boring and sedentary. They won't want to do a quiet walking tour after a day of travel!

On the other hand, if you're traveling with adults, I'd say try the DTD activities geared for adults. There are bars that have entertainment...and the movies someone mentioned.

Just be sure that whatever you do, you get to bed early so you aren't tired for your first day in the parks!

BTW...we stayed at HoJos. I was expecting tv enterainment similar to what you get at WDW (Cartoon Disney and the Disney Channel) and was disappointed they weren't offered, but my kids were thrilled with the channel that previews events and rides at the park. They ended up being more enthusiastic about it than my older son had been about the cartoon channels at WDW! If you have kids they might enjoy 30 minutes or so of "coming events" before they head to bed!