Extra days at Disney-What to do?

We are going to Disneyland!! I'm so super excited lol

So, here's the thing, the day we get there, we should be at the hotel by about 2pm if the planes on time. Then we have a 5 day park hopper pass and a full extra free day while we are there.

So, what do I do with the extra time? Trying to figure out what to do the rest of the first day there and the extra day. We are planning on going to the Pirate Adventure dinner theater on the Saturday night, and if may choose that day as the day we don't go into the park as I assume it will be more busy on a Saturday.

We are staying that Howard Johnson, so we do have the waterpark there, but that's only going to take up a few hours of the day at most.

Ideas? Tips?

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" We are going to Disneyland!! I'm so super excited lol So, here's the thing, the day we get there, ... [snip!] ... Johnson, so we do have the waterpark there, but that's only going to take up a few hours of the day at most. Ideas? Tips?"

I used to work there before DS so I've got tons of tips... but to better help you... what r your kids' ages & genders and do they have a favorite character already? are they (or you) thrill ride people?

Do Downtown Disney. Cool shops and restaurants.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" Do Downtown Disney. Cool shops and restaurants."

I was thinking of going there on the first day, but I'm concerned my oldest (5 with autism) will not be able to calm down once he see's how close we are to the park and won't understand why we can't go in. We will be doing it for sure though! We had our wedding reception at the Rainforest Cafe 10 years ago this March.

You can go to knotts berry farm.list the beautiful beaches of Newport.so much to do in orange county  

Quoting Martha Marshall:" I used to work there before DS so I've got tons of tips... but to better help you... what r your kids' ... [snip!] ... what r your kids' ages & genders and do they have a favorite character already? are they (or you) thrill ride people?"

Two boys, 3 and 5. Favorite characters are pretty much any of them lol but Goofy is a big one and anything Star Wars (boys! lol)

My 5 yr old has autism, I think he's going to have a blast, just not to sure on how the lines/crowd are going to be for him. I'm going to check about the guest assistance pass.

My husband likes thrill rides, but he's on his own lol! The kids and I are more into rides that are like watching a show (like the Alice in Wonderland for example).

Quoting Iyahna :^P:" You can go to knotts berry farm.list the beautiful beaches of Newport.so much to do in orange county  "

We won't be driving, so tour bus type of things that are close are ideal. Knotts Berry is fairly close, isn't it? How is it for little kids?


I was thinking Legoland on the extra day, but I'm worried that 6 full days of theme parks might be to much for the kids.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" I was thinking of going there on the first day, but I'm concerned my oldest (5 with autism) will not ... [snip!] ... can't go in. We will be doing it for sure though! We had our wedding reception at the Rainforest Cafe 10 years ago this March."</blockquote>



Have you ever been to Anaheim Gardenwalk? They have some cool shopping and a pretty neat "underground" bowling alley.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" I was thinking of going there on the ... [snip!] ... Have you ever been to Anaheim Gardenwalk? They have some cool shopping and a pretty neat "underground" bowling alley."

No I haven't. When we got married we literally were just at the hotel or the park for the 4 days we were there - well, and IHOP lol

The kids might like to go bowling   They like to chuck things lol

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" We won't be driving, so tour bus type of things that are close are ideal. Knotts Berry is fairly close, ... [snip!] ... I was thinking Legoland on the extra day, but I'm worried that 6 full days of theme parks might be to much for the kids."</blockquote>




You WILL need 2 FULL days, at each park, to see everything. California Adventure is more geared for adults, in that they allow drinking. It's still fun, just not as much little kid stuff.

I am SO jealous if you are going to the Tiki Room. That is just my favorite. attraction! Oh, and drink a pineapple whip (or 5) for me!

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" We won't be driving, so tour bus ... [snip!] ... if you are going to the Tiki Room. That is just my favorite. attraction! Oh, and drink a pineapple whip (or 5) for me!"

Whats a pineapple whip? If they are that good I just might drink 5 lol

We HAVE to do the Tiki room! I think the kids will love it. I'm not totally heart broken that "It's a small world" will be done for repairs though. As is Splash Mountian (was last time we went until the last day too, not my favorite ride for sure) and the river boat and the grizzly river run and mad tea cups (little upset about that one).

I think we will be spending A LOT of time in Cars land and the Star Tours.

My favorite is the Haunted Mansion but I've heard it's just not the same now that they upgraded it.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" We won't be driving, so tour bus ... [snip!] ... if you are going to the Tiki Room. That is just my favorite. attraction! Oh, and drink a pineapple whip (or 5) for me!"</blockquote>




FYI...Knott's is only about 15-20 up the freeway. Not sure how much it is, but it's way cheaper than D-land.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy ... [snip!] ... FYI...Knott's is only about 15-20 up the freeway. Not sure how much it is, but it's way cheaper than D-land."

I looked at the price for Legoland and almost smurf!! So expensive for one day! Then again, so is Disney - over $100 for one day, $260 for 5 (cause that makes sense lol) and like $600 for a year. There is no sense to those prices at all!

We aren't worried about the money though, just making it an awesome trip for the kids. When my youngest was diagnosed with autism we were given a bunch of money from the govt as back pay on disability tax credits. I put it away and said when he was ready, we were going. He's ready and we are going!   I'm so happy. I'm totally packed.... we fly out Feb 5th lol

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" Two boys, 3 and 5. Favorite characters are pretty much any of them lol but Goofy is a big one and anything ... [snip!] ... on his own lol! The kids and I are more into rides that are like watching a show (like the Alice in Wonderland for example)."

When you get there go to City Hall (on the left hand side of main street when you walk in) you can get a guest assistance card there for your son with autism and you can find out where Goofy will be and when so they definitely see him... if you are willing to spend the little extra cash... brunch or dinner (I prefer brunch) at goofy's kitchen is a must do   it's an all you can eat buffet so it's great to go to the latest seating for brunch then you can do a quick light snack in the morning and a cheaper/ light dinner... it usually works out to the day being about the same price as other dining options.

They also have a Jedi Training Academy (a MUST go for star wars fans within the age range... (4-6 but usually 3 can get away with still doing it) I can't wait til DS is old enough! lol) and the aladdin musical spectacular in DCA is FABULOUS! the genie is HILARIOUS on and off stage..

Haunted Mansion is still great IMO but I am a little biased since my best friend works there.. but it is pretty fun... Jungle Cruise is great for little ones too I have a bunch of friends who work there and they're all so entertaining while touring the jungle  

tip for the dole whip/ tiki room... there are two lines for the dole whip, one inside where the tiki que is another outside where you don't have to sit through tiki... the one in the tiki que move much faster because they're supposed to serve you first   just a nice little tip  

also Cars land gets really busy really fast if you want to go on radiator springs racers the fastpasses are usually out within an hour or two of park opening and the line is usually about an hr and a half to three hours long (and that's on a good day) utilize the rider switch passes if your LOs aren't tall enough that way whoever waits with the kids can go right back through the fastpass que and they don't have to wait an additional 3 hrs  

Also if you wanna save a bit on souvenirs shop at your local disney store or target before hand in park products have a huge mark up

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions...

Quoting Martha Marshall:" When you get there go to City Hall (on the left hand side of main street when you walk in) you can get ... [snip!] ... disney store or target before hand in park products have a huge mark up Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions... "

That was all super helpful   Thanks!

Then I had to google what a dole whip was lol Looks yummy!!

From what I've read online, we are better off going into DCA to get the guest services pass as we stand a better chance of getting the "alternate access" one there rather than just the handicap accessable one. Any idea on that? I know that the pass isn't intended to "skip" lines, but rather put you in another line that may be shorter. My big concern is that he DOES NOT understand waiting, and he can get really physically aggressive if he's being forced to stay in place, especially if he's feeling crowded.

I'm hoping it won't be TO super busy as we will be there mostly during the mid week.

We are planning on doing Goofy's Kitchen - I was told for character meals it was the one to do  

And I've already printed off ALL the times for the Jedi training camp lol Do you think they will let my older son do it? With him having autism, I might have to stand with him, but I know it would make his entire life