What would you do with 1 day - no ticket?

[foolish-mortal]

7 of us will be heading to DLR in several months. We'll have 4 adults and 3 older teens/young adults. We've been once and my sister's family has never been there. We're staying at the DL hotel (club level). Our first day there we will not have park tickets (we'll have them the next 3 days). What would you do with almost one full day and no park ticket? Definitely looking to only do things on-site. We'll likely use the pool and explore the hotel. Any favorite places in DD to try? Love the idea of Trader Sam's (I think that's at DL hotel??) but it also sounds tricky to get into.

I'm actually super excited to have a day without a ticket. We stayed at DLH one other time and feel like we barely saw it since we are big park people.

Thanks for any recommendations!

 

[DisneylandFan22]

Is it your arrival day? If so, what time will you arrive? What month will it be?

 

[BrianL]

Trader Sam's is fun for sure. I think they take walk-ups but there may be a wait. There is plenty to see and shop for at Downtown Disney. I like to grab an Earl of Sandwich, though I think they are only at a temporary location now and the menu may be limited. There is also Splitsville bowling if you are interested in such.

 

[foolish-mortal]

Is it your arrival day? If so, what time will you arrive? What month will it be?

June and we will likely get there mid to late morning.

 

[ParkHopper1]

...add a day...while it can be a nice break there is noting in DTD that warrants missing out on park time IMO, then you cam mix in DTD stops throughout the four days.

 

[foolish-mortal]

...add a day...while it can be a nice break there is noting in DTD that warrants missing out on park time IMO, then you cam mix in DTD stops throughout the four days.

We're definitely sticking with our plan for 3 park days and not getting a ticket our first day there. We want to enjoy CL, pool, the hotel, and Downtown Disney.

 

[Porsche4]

For our upcoming December trip we have 7 days in the park and two non park days. One day we are going to play mini golf and go visit the nearby chain outlets. The other day we are heading to the antique stores in old Orange town. With so many days in the parks we plan on slower days with some pool time even though the weather will be cooler. We come from the highlands in Victoria Australia where at the moment the temperature hovers around 10 degrees celsius all day so even though it will be winter in LA it will feel like summer to us. Can't wait.

 

[Wesley815]

...add a day...while it can be a nice break there is noting in DTD that warrants missing out on park time IMO, then you cam mix in DTD stops throughout the four days.

Everyone is different, after a travel day I personally enjoy relaxing at hotel without rushing into a crowded park.

Local to Disneyland here but was so happy to have a couple hotel days mixed in with park days on a week long trip to Walt Disney World made things very relaxing after miles of walking- but to each his own.

 

[carriep]

So I plan to stay at gch next year with my first day not in the park. Planning on renting a pool cabana and hanging there all day long

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Trader Sams
The Disney art Gallery Store
Lego and Star Wars Store

 

[irlandaise]

There are tours at both the DLH and GCH, movie nights, and limited-time special events and exhibits:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/recreation/hotel-activities/

I think you'll have a relaxing and enjoyable day around the resort before you plunge into the parks.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

We usually arrive around the same time you will and don’t go to the parks on the first day. We go to the pool, explore Downtown Disney and the hotel areas, get something to eat, watch the fireworks, and try to relax and rest up for the next day in the parks.

If you can get reservations at Trader Sam’s it is a lot of fun. I haven’t had luck for our next trip.

We also don’t like to leave on a park day so we try to stay an extra night and in the morning we will finish our trip eating at Storyteller’s Cafe.

 

[Pluto468]

There's so much you can do. Walk around DTD, use the DLH pool, check out the Grand and Pixar Place, get a nice dinner ADR.

 

[cruisehopeful]

You'll have lots of choices! A lot of it revolves around food/drinks and you'll be full. There's bowling. Sephora has makeup lessons. There will likely be live music. If you can't get Trader Sam's, there's a walk-up window right next to it and you can get all the same stuff. You can rent a cabana for a half day by the pool. If they have fireworks that night, you can watch from the E ticket lounge. You probably won't be able to do everything that you want to do.

Check with the hotel a week or so before you arrive for the current activities. Tenaya spa might also have activities, but I think those are all in the morning.

 

[Original Goofy]

So I plan to stay at gch next year with my first day not in the park. Planning on renting a pool cabana and hanging there all day long

This is what we did last year. It worked out great. A nice relaxing start to our visit.

 

[carriep]

Yay! That is so great to hear

 

[fly girl]

I think everyone has given the same advice I would. Chill at the hotel, go to the pool, enjoy the E Ticket Club, and just meander around DTD shopping. Fun, relaxing day where it isn't go go go.

 

[EricaatthePark]

We are MK holders where Saturdays are often blocked out. We like to fly in and out on Saturdays when we are blocked out. Our flight usually arrives around 9-10am and we just head to the hotel and have them hold our bags.
When we stay at a GCH, we like to relax at the pool for the morning and early afternoon. And then we go over to the DLH to go to Tangaroa Terrace and the walk-up bar there in the evening when they have the live music. My kiddo likes the kids meal there, so it is a nice little spot to grab food for us and we love listening to the music. We then wander back and get ready for bed pretty early so we can rope drop the next day! Maybe grab an ice cream at Salt and Straw.

 

[twodogs]

Everyone has had great suggestions. Here are a few more: You can rent a cabana at the DLH pool for a half or full day. Nice shade and service!

You can also watch the fireworks (if they are happening that night) from the Club Level lounge (I think?!?).

 

[twodogs]

For Trader Sam’s, you will need to reserve right at 6am (and try even earlier in the middle of the night based on wonky release of reservation slots for onsite guests, at times) PST, exactly 60 days prior. Practice for a few days before to make sure of the process and also to make sure you have the right date! You can walk up and get on a wait list, but with a party that size, it might be a challenge. I definitely think Trader Sam’s is worth doing!

If you have some beer drinkers in the group, Ballast Point Brewing is in DTD, and they have a really nice upstairs patio that overlooks it. They also serve food and non-alcoholic things for others in your group. It is nice in the early evening when it cools off.