Hello, Bud!
Welcome to planDisney! I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to your question before your group arrived in California. I hope you were able to enjoy some warmer weather, it's cold here in Utah!
Unfortunately busy weekends like this last one (there was a runDisney event at the resort) do sometimes see
theme park reservations sell out. Sometimes people do change their plans and reservations will become available, but my best advice is to try to plan at least a few weeks before making a trip to the resort. You can
modify park reservations after you make them, so it's always safer to make one in advance even if you think you might have to change it later!
On trips when I haven't had time to go to the parks or I didn't know I'd be there in time to get park reservations I love wandering in the
Downtown Disney District. There's lots of great Disney shopping (the
WonderGround Gallery is my favorite) and you can find many of the same items from the theme parks. There is also some amazing food, like unique ice cream from
Salt & Straw or you can wander over to
Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill at the Disneyland Hotel for some DOLE Whip!
I hope your family was able to enjoy your vacation, whether that included the parks or not, Bud! Safe travels!
Keep moving forward!
Amanda