Hi, Lindsay! Welcome back to planDisney! We love to see return Guests - makes us feel like our planning tips and tricks are working and sprinkled in pixie dust! You are going to love visiting the Happiest Place on Earth this November!
I'm happy to see you are already getting your Disney ducks in a row to purchase tickets and make theme park reservations. A Disneyland vacation planner at heart ... we love to see it! Whether or not you choose to make your arrival day a park day probably comes down to personal preference, but honestly, you are in a bit of a win-win situation here! Let's take a look at what those options could look like!
If you decide to head into the parks:
As you are a seasoned Disney vacation traveler, you know that even the smallest amount of time in the parks can be filled with magic! If you are looking to have a slower-paced evening, maybe grab a bite to eat and enjoy the park atmosphere, then this is a great option for you. Grab a sweet treat and listen to The Dapper Dans on Main Street, U.S.A., stroll through Fantasyland with your favorite churro, and head over to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to soak in the galaxy far, far, away and be on the lookout for some favorite characters from both the Resistance and the First Order. You can also check the Entertainment Schedule ahead of time to see which Nighttime Spectaculars may have viewings that evening. In terms of attractions, you would probably need to go with the flow depending on wait times, but it sounds like you have a few days ahead of you to strategize your must-sees and dos.
The biggest thing to consider in this scenario is Park Hours and how late the park will be open. Park hours will likely not be released until about 6 weeks ahead of time, and you happen to be going during the week after the Halloween festivities have wrapped up and just as the holidays are arriving, so it's a bit unclear where the park hours will fall on November 4th this year. In 2021, the parks closed at 9 p.m. on November 4th but were open until 11 p.m. for the rest of the week. With November 4th being a Friday this year, you may be looking at a later park closing time than in 2021, but it's not a guarantee. Just something to consider!
If you decide not to go into the parks:
I call this the Rest and Relaxation method. Personally, I LOVE to use my arrival day as a day to rest, explore the hotel, relax by the pool (if it's warm enough!), and simply slow down before that park hustle and bustle takes over. I find that this day is often one of my favorites because it usually takes us somewhere we haven't been. There is still so much to do outside of the parks after a bit of travel recovery. You can head out to Downtown Disney District for dinner, shopping, and entertainment - be sure to check out all the cool artwork at WonderGround Gallery! You can also spend some time exploring the Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Grab dinner at GCH Craftsman Bar, then head over to the Disneyland Hotel for a dose of nostalgia and a DOLE WHIP® from Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill. Be sure to take a photo in the cute tea cup chairs in the lobby!
Lindsay, this could be the most magical dilemma on earth! There will be forever memories waiting for you no matter what you decide. Come back to see us here at planDisney with any more questions!
Tara