Disneyland’s annual passports are a great deal but if you own the Select Passport you are now blacked out for the holiday at Disneyland and California Adventures from Dec. 21, 2012 to January 6, 2013. Even the regular passports are blacked out through January 5, 2013. Ouch!
Don’t dismay however. You can still have fun at the Disneyland resort even during the holiday blackout! Here are the top ten ways to have fun at the Disneyland Resort while we wait for the holiday blackout to end:
- Ralph Brenan’s Jazz Kitchen is somewhat pricey but they have a small to go restaurant, with a few out door tables, that sells hot, fresh beignets and coffee, plus a few inexpensive meals including soup bowls and hamburgers. They are located at Downtown Disney, where you can park for up to three hours for free! On these cold nights those beignets are delicious! Think of them as cajun doughnuts…if you are in the mood for something grander try the Gospel Brunch at the Downtown Disney House of Blues!
- In 1762, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, came up with the idea of layering bread, meat and bread. Today, the current 11th Earl and the rest of the Sandwich family bring those 250 years of sandwich making experience to their popular Earl of Sandwich restaurant – for breakfast, lunch or dinner, at Downtown Disney.
- Free Holiday carolers at Downtown Disney! Click here to see the daily enternainment schedule at the Disneyland Resort (scroll down to the bottom).
- Goofy’s Kitchen, at the Disneyland Hotel. Gawrsh! Enjoy a fun-filled breakfast or dinner like no other. Your host, Goofy, welcomes you to the eatery where boisterous fun is the order of the day. Enjoy all you care to eat while snapping memorable photos with Goofy and the gang. Pricey at $36 a head – try the next item below for a better deal. Be sure to call ahead for reservations at (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463.
- The Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel. Join the lively Chip ‘n Dale Critter Breakfast for an unforgettable experience filled with music and lots of interactive fun. Order from the menu or select from the Farmer’s Market buffet that serves up Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles, fresh fruit and made-to-order omelets. Lunch and Dinner too, but be sure to call ahead for reservations at (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463.
- Disney’s PCH Grill, at the Paradise Pier Hotel. The Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey & Friends is a lively Character breakfast that features a bountiful buffet. Feast on family favorites from the omelet station, Mickey waffles and pancakes — or let your kids create their own breakfasts! Character Dining at Disney’s PCH Grill is only available for breakfast. But they serve dinner too! Be sure to call ahead for reservations at (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463.
- Trader Sam’s – Enchanted Tiki Bar, located at the Disneyland Hotel. For Guests over the age of 21, Trader Sam’s serves beer, wine and a boatload of inventive cocktails in kitschy, tiki-inspired glassware. Be careful what you order, as there could be consequences!
- Tangaroa Terrace – Casual Island Dining, located at the Disneyland Hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at a quick service retreat complete with lit torches and music from the South Seas. Named for the most magical of gods from the Enchanted Tiki Room, the restaurant is located between the Monorail Pool and D-Ticket pools. Dine inside or al fresco to nightly live music. You have to try their fried oatmeal!
- Pin trading at Downtown Disney! Jump into the trading frenzy and visit the Downtown Disney hub for buying and trading the hottest collectibles around! Mingle with other pin traders, chat up a Cast Member and swap pins. With over 60,000 pin styles available, there are treasures to find! Note: you can trade with cast members throughout Downtown Disney. Try the Disney Vacations kiosk – and also the second floor guest service desk at the Grand Californian hotel!
- Take a long walk at the Disneyland Hotels and Downtown Disney! There are beautiful gardens at the Disneyland hotel, an outdoor fireplace at the Grand Californian Hotel and lots to see at Downtown Disney. Park the car for free at Downtown Disney and go for a long, free walk! Then go see a movie at the Downtown Disney’s AMC Theater. Don’t forget to have them validate your parking stub…
- Bonus! Go to the Disney Charachter Warehouse Outlet store in Fullerton. Open to the public. Featuring first quality merchandise from the Disneyland® Resort at incredible savings! Disney® T-shirts, sweatshirts, watches, hats, toys and much, much more. Located three miles North of the Disneyland® Resort at the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Orangethorpe in Fullerton. Be forwarned – a lot of their stuff is out of date, according to Yelp, but the prices are cheap.
OC Disney Blog 