Even to the most prepared people, Disneyland can be exhausting! Sometimes all you want to do is just relax for a little while, but you're still surrounded by a large crowd and probably still have a bunch of kids trying to get you to move faster to the next ride. If you've reached the end of your day and feel like you need a chance to unwind, try some of these activities and attractions anytime from late afternoon to the evening. |
Disneyland Park
- GREAT MOMENTS WITH MR. LINCOLN (Main Street, USA) - This classic show is still very interesting to watch and marvel at and can give you a nice quiet and less crowded area to just sit for a while. Another perk? The seats in the Main Street Opera House are among the most comfortable in the entire resort!
- MAIN STREET CINEMA (Main Street, USA) - Not many people actually take a look inside the Main Street Cinema, but there you can watch about a half dozen old Mickey Mouse cartoons on several screen at once. There are a few places to sit down and relax for a bit and, as I mentioned before, not many people go inside so it's never very crowded. The kids can stay entertained, too, by walking around and watching each cartoon from start to finish. It adds a little nostalgia to the trip!
- ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM (Adventureland) - If you have kids with you, this is a great option. The waiting area can keep them entertained before you go inside and the show itself is something that everyone can enjoy. Add a little more tranquility to the show by getting a Dole Whip or pineapple juice in the waiting area and enjoy it during the show. Ahh, paradise! If just for 15 minutes . . .
- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (New Orleans Square) - If you or your family really want to keep the rides rolling, Pirates is a great option. The line moves fairly quickly, it's an overwhelming crowd favorite, and the (mostly) tranquil boat ride lasts almost 20 minutes so you can take a load off your aching feet for a bit.
- "it's a small world" (Fantasyland) - Similar to Pirates, "it's a small world" is an even more serene boat ride around the world that I personally love. Granted, some people have very strong opinions about it, but I think it's always a great idea! Plus, the line moves really fast!
- GOOFY'S PLAYHOUSE (Mickey's Toontown) - Yes, this is only for little kids, but here they get to run around and be crazy while you just sit by and watch. Operative word: sit! Mickey's Toontown does tend to close earlier than the rest of the park, so this option works best in the late afternoons and early evenings.
- DISNEYLAND RAILROAD (Main Street, USA/New Orleans Square/Mickey's Toontown/Tomorrowland) - Sometimes there's a bit of a line, but taking a "grande circle tour of Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom" is certainly a fantastic option to unwind for a bit. Besides, it's only onboard the DLRR you can see the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas (for little ones who love dinosaurs, of course!).
Disney California Adventure
- RED CAR TROLLEY (Buena Vista Street/Hollywood Land) - They may not go very fast, but I love this little addition to DCA! Hop on board and take a slow ride along Buena Vista Street toward Sunset Boulevard. The conductors give some bits of trivia and history along the way and it also gets you off your feet for a bit.
- DISNEY ANIMATION (Hollywood Land) - There are tons of benches and seats inside the Disney Animation pavilion and some room for kids to run around (a little bit). From there you can also enjoy attractions such as Turtle Talk with Crush or the Animation Academy where you can learn to draw a Disney character.
- PRINCESS DOT'S PUDDLE PARK ("a bug's land") - This only applies to late summertime afternoons, but let your little ones run around and play in this splash pad amid Flik's Fun Fair while you get to simply sit and watch.
- DINE BY THE WHARF (Pacific Wharf) - Pacific Wharf is one of my favourite places to eat! The restaurants there are all delicious and the atmosphere is captivating. There's no shortage of chairs and tables around, either, so you can sit and enjoy everything around you as long as you'd like - or until all the kids have finished eating, whichever comes first.
- REDWOOD CREEK CHALLENGE TRAIL (Grizzly Peak) - Also a great place to sit and let your kids run around, but this simple ropes course has challenges for little ones as well as teenagers (and adults, if you decide to join in). The trail closes earlier than the rest of the park every night, so check with the CMs before you enter to see how late they'll stay open.
- MICKEY'S FUN WHEEL (Paradise Pier) - Lovers of ferris wheels love this rendition (this does not include me). For a somewhat short wait you can take about a 15 minute ride or longer in either a stationary or free-rolling gondola above Paradise Bay. Like most attractions in Paradise Pier, the Fun Wheel closes early for World of Color performances.
Outside the Parks
I'm an advocate for the idea of leaving the parks for a bit in the afternoons. There are several more options to help you recharge your batteries or just get a break from all the people.
These are just a few ideas. What do you like to do to wind down the night at Disneyland?
- CHILL AT THE POOL (Disneyland Resort Hotels) - This does go for any hotel, but if it's warm outside then take your family to the pool. They can splash around for a bit while you chill poolside. For those staying at Disneyland Resort Hotels, each pool also features waterslides for extra fun during the day. A few considerations:
- Paradise Pier Hotel - The pool area is somewhat smaller and, though on a rooftop for cool views, cannot hold many people in the pool itself at once.
- Grand Californian Hotel - The pools are large, but the lounging areas are not and fill up quickly. The pools also close the earliest of the three Resort Hotels.
- Disneyland Hotel - There is plenty of lounging space and large pools, but if you're sensitive to salt water keep in mind that the E-ticket pool is half fresh/half salt water. The pools are open late.
- Paradise Pier Hotel - The pool area is somewhat smaller and, though on a rooftop for cool views, cannot hold many people in the pool itself at once.
- WATCH A MOVIE (Downtown Disney) - Just steps away from the Disneyland Hotel and the Downtown Disney monorail station is the AMC Theatres. If you have a couple of hours, go catch a movie and sit down for a while! Afterwards you can either hop back on the monorail to the parks or head back to your hotel.
- WATCH A MOVIE (Disneyland Resort Hotels) - Guests at Resort Hotels are often treated to movie nights at one of the three hotels. See the front desk for scheduling and details, but all DLR Hotel guests are welcome at all movie nights. That way you're never too far away from your nice, warm bed!
- HAVE A SPA NIGHT (Grand Californian Hotel) - Schedule a relaxing retreat to the Mandara Spa inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. After a long day through the parks, settle in for a massage, other treatment or simply wander through the spa itself. Yes, it's a splurge, but nothing says "chillax" more than some time to yourself at the spa!
- NAPTIME (Any Hotel) - There is absolutely nothing wrong with going back to your hotel for a bit and taking a nap or turning in early altogether. I do that fairly frequently! A power nap in the afternoon can get you recharged for the rest of the night or an early bedtime can get you ready for another fun day early the next morning. If you think your kids won't be up for it, you may be surprised. Sometimes they just need a moment to lie down to discover they're just as tired as you are!
These are just a few ideas. What do you like to do to wind down the night at Disneyland?