Rest Day Magic: 20 Things To Do On Your Disneyland Rest Day!

Are you looking for a few things to do on your Disneyland rest day? Having a rest day from the Disney parks is a great way to relax and rejuvenate. The Disneyland theme parks can really wear you out. If you’re visiting for more than 3 days, I recommend adding a Disneyland rest day to your touring plan. This is a great chance to sleep in and have a slower-paced day. I’ve come up with 20 things to do on your Disneyland rest day. Of course, after your busy day at Disneyland, you want this day to be restful, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have a little bit of fun!

I always recommend adding a rest day to your Disneyland vacation if you can squeeze it in. Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, but after a full day or two of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, you’ll be ready for some time off. A rest day is the best way to make your Disneyland trip feel more like a Disneyland vacation. Disney park days are filled with early mornings, late nights, and lots of walking. A Disneyland rest day is a great way to rejuvenate and have some downtime.

This list of ideas for your Disneyland rest day is in no particular order. Southern California has some great options located right near Disneyland. I’m sure you’ll easily find the best place for your rest day in this list of options.

I’ve got an episode on my podcast about what to do on your rest/arrival day on your Disneyland Resort vacation. Check it out!

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Disneyland Planning Help

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Make sure you check out my downloadable touring plans if you’d like a step-by-step guide to the parks! 

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20 things to do on your Rest day at Disneyland

These are in no particular order. I’ve included a variety of different options, so you’ll be able to find something that’s perfect for your family!

1. Disney Character Dining

Character dining is a great way to spend some time on a rest day! You could have a late breakfast at Storytellers Cafe or dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen. This is a fun way to keep the fun and magic going on your Disney vacation without being in the parks. You can find more info about Character dining at Disneyland here.

2. Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney has so many great things to offer! There’s tons of great dining, fun shops, and even a bowling alley! You can easily spend a few hours here enjoying the sites and sounds. Downtown Disney is just a short walk from Disneyland and is always a great idea! Make sure you take a minute to pop into Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel Lobby. It is beautiful and always worth a visit. There’s an entrance into the Grand Californian right from Downtown Disney.

3. Anaheim Packing House

Just a few minutes from Disneyland, you’ll find the Anaheim Packing House! This place may be my favorite thing about a Disneyland rest day! This is a great place to explore. Make sure you bring your appetite! The Anaheim Packing House is like a huge food court filled with all kinds of incredible food. It’s so fun to hop around and try a bunch of different things. There’s an awesome vibe and sometimes in the evenings, they have live music! If you don’t want to drive or rideshare to the Packing House, the ART shuttle can take you!

4. Beach Day

A beach day is a great way to unwind and relax on a Disneyland rest day! Luckily, there are a few close beaches to choose from. Huntington Beach is the closest. It will take you about 30 minutes to drive there from Disneyland. This beach is incredibly popular with Disneyland Park guests and has a cool 1,800-foot pier!

5. Pool Day

Hanging around the resort pool and relaxing is one of my favorite ways to spend a rest day at Disneyland. If your kids are anything like mine, they are happy for hours just swimming! If you’re planning a pool day, you might want to consider a hotel with an awesome pool. All of the Disney Resorts have great pools! If you’re staying on property at the Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier, or Grand Californian, I recommend scheduling a Disneyland rest day just so you can hang out at their fun pools!

The Disneyland resort hotel pools are great, but there are a few good neighbor hotels nearby Disneyland that have great pools too. Some even have small water parks! Check out the Howard Johnson Anaheim or Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance just across the street from Disneyland for hotels nearby with great pools for the kids.

Cambria Hotel & Suites is a little farther out but has a great pool, waterslides, and a fun splash pad. You’re always going to have a good time at the pool!

6. Angel Game

If you’re a baseball fan, you’ll want to check out a game at Angel Stadium! It’s America’s favorite past-time! Located 10 minutes from Disneyland, you can easily take in a game during a rest day at Disneyland. They also offer Ballpark tours where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at this amazing stadium!

7. Big Air

Located 10 minutes from Disneyland, Big Air is a cool trampoline park your whole family will enjoy! There are so many fun things to do here. It’s great for families with kids of any age. Jumping surfaces include trampoline dodgeball courts, slam dunk courts, ninja-warrior courses, launch pads, foam pits, a massive freestyle court, a climbing wall & much more!

8. AMC Anaheim Garden Walk Movie Theater

If you’re looking to catch a movie on your Disneyland rest day, the AMC Anaheim Garden Walk theater is just a 5-minute drive from Disneyland. There’s nothing like relaxing at the movies. Make sure you eat some popcorn for me!

9. Mission Escape Games

Just a 5-minute drive from Disneyland, Mission Escape Games are so much fun! Choose your adventure room and then you’ll have one hour to solve the clues and puzzles! This is a great, interactive activity that will get you talking and problem-solving with your family or group. Although children of all ages are welcome, I don’t recommend this activity for little kids. Ages 10 and up will enjoy this activity the most.

10. Medieval Times

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is very popular with guests visiting Disneyland! Enjoy a feast fit for royalty while you watch Knights battle to win the honor of protecting the throne! Your whole family will love this royal adventure. Make sure you book your tickets well in advance because this popular event will sell out.

11. Knott’s Berry Farm

Just because you’re having a Disneyland rest day doesn’t mean you have to skip out on amusement parks! Knott’s Berry Farm is located just 15 minutes from Disneyland and is California’s original theme park! There’s so much to see and do here! Knott’s Berry Farm has attractions for all ages, but I feel like older kids and teenagers will enjoy it the most. Check ticket prices here.

12. Universal Studios Hollywood

If you have a Harry Potter fan in your family, you might consider visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. Located about 90 minutes from Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood has some great attractions and shows! Including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I love the Studio Tour and the new Jurassic World ride is pretty amazing! At Universal Studios Hollywood most attractions have height restrictions and this park is not a great choice for those with young kids. If you have older kids or teens, they will love it! Check prices here.

13. Flightdeck

Get ready to unleash your inner top gun pilot! At Flightdeck you’ll experience the thrill of aerial maneuvers at 600 knots and air-to-air combat in an authentic military flight simulator. No experience is necessary for this thrilling experience. You do need to be at least 10 years old, so this activity isn’t right for young children. Flightdeck is a great way to spend a rest day at Disneyland and it’s located just 5 minutes from the parks!

14. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum is a great way to spend a rest day at Disneyland! Located just 20 minutes from Disneyland, this place is pretty cool! You will learn so many things and you’re kids will get some history along the way too. Plan on spending at least 3-4 hours exploring this great location!

15. Anaheim Garden Walk

The Anaheim Garden Walk is a large outdoor mall filled with lots of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s a fun place to browse around and do a little shopping or grab a bite of something yummy to eat. Just a 3-minute drive from Disneyland, this is a great place to hang out and relax on a rest day at Disneyland.

16. Pirate Dinner Adventure

Located about 10 minutes from Disneyland, Pirate Dinner Adventure is a pretty spectacular way to spend an evening! Enjoy a 3-course dinner while watching a spectacular pirate-themed show! The action takes place aboard a fully rigged 18th-century Spanish Galleon adrift in a 250,000-gallon lagoon. It’s action-packed and lots of fun!

17. Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center

Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center is a great place to spend some time. Located about 5 minutes from Disneyland, this location is a great way to spend a couple of hours on a rest day at Disneyland. Muzeo is a local museum where people gather to share culture, make art, and lift the community. Exhibits change often, so there’s always something new to see!

18. K1 Speed

If you have the need for speed, you’ll love go-kart racing at K1 Speed Anaheim! This indoor track will have you racing at speeds up to 45 miles per hour! You must be 48 inches tall to race, so this activity is best for groups with older kids. Located about 15 minutes from Disneyland.

19. Honda Center

The Honda Center is an indoor arena just 10 minutes from Disneyland. The arena is home to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. Not only can you catch a hockey game there, but they also have all kinds of concerts and sometimes Disney on Ice! Check out the schedule to see what’s going on there on your visit. There might be something perfect for your family to do there on your rest day at Disneyland!

20. Discovery Cube

The Discovery Cube is a cool hands-on discovery center designed just for kids! They have lots of hands-on exhibits and so many fun things to explore! Your kids will learn all kinds of awesome things through hands-on play. Plan on at least 3 hours to enjoy this fun location filled with interactive exhibits. It’s located just 10 minutes from Disneyland.

There’s so much to see and do around the Disneyland Resort area! These are just a few of my favorite places. With a little research, you’re sure to find something perfect to enjoy on a rest day on your Disneyland visit. You’re going to have a great time! If you’ve never done a rest day at Disneyland, consider adding one to your next trip. It’s an easy way to make your Disney park days a little more fun because your whole family will be more rested.

Make sure to check out my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram for more Disney tips and lots of Disney fun!