Purchase tickets in advance or after CA arrival?

[CPAmomX2]

We will be traveling to CA for our first Disney trip near the end of the month. Am contemplating ordering all of our tickets in advance, anyone with thoughts on this?
We are planning on the following attractions: Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Knotts Berry Farm, SeaWorld, LegoLand, and Medieval Times.

Is is best to be able to just e-print your tickets at home or will there be additional savings available by waiting until we arrive in CA? Would like to feel like I got our family the best prices possible for tickets but also am a little concerned about counting on the hotel printers, computers, etc.

I see that we can certainly get some ticket discounts by ordering online. However, on our last Branson Vacation we went to the visitor center upon our arrival and ordered tickets for all the shows we wished to attend. They were really helpful and we received some better deals then we would have on our own. I also see that our hotel has DL hopper tickets for the same as the online pricing.

Do Medieval Times reservations need to be made in advance? We are uncertain (depending on levels of exhaustion) as to which night we might attend this attraction?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

 

[starry_solo]

I believe Medieval Times needs to be made in advance (but you can make it same day, over the phone, I think).

Do you have AAA? Costco? Have you also considered the Pirate's Dinner Adventure? It's very similar except they have singing and it takes place in pirate's time rather than medieval with horses. At Costco, they have buy 1, get 1 free for Pirate's Dinner Adventure (when I was there on Monday).

Sea World has $20 off if you purchase online so you might want to consider that ($15 if you go in person). I saw that information at the local Subway.

DL tickets - typically you can get a better deal if you order online vs. at the park. But, I think you can also choose "will call" for no fee if you order online.

Legoland - I think I remember seeing an advertisement for 1 kid free per paying adult (on tv). I will see if I can find it.

Knotts - right now, buy online and save $20 (tickets would be $37.99). It looks like you only have to buy 3 days in advance to get that, otherwise, online price is $39.99.

 

[Lisa71]

I would buy in advance and see what savings you can get. It also cuts time in lines.

 

[starry_solo]

Sea World - online you can get $20 off with this code
SWCSubway2012

That's according to the coupon I picked up at Subway last week.

 

[CPAmomX2]

Thanks for the advice and discount codes Think I will look at purchasing the tickets online and printing at home before we leave for CA to save the time/worry of doing it at the hotel.

 

[starry_solo]

I'll go thru our LA Times this weekend - there are usually coupon codes for Medieval Times or Pirate's Dinner Adventure - BOGO free, 30% off, 50% off, stuff like that.

If I find it, I will post (there's usually a $2-3/ticket processing fee too)

 

[starry_solo]

Right now, the LA Times (for Pirate's Dinner Adventure) says to visit their website for discounts.

Medieval Times (there wasn't an ad, odd), but I looked on their website for special offers:
http://www.medievaltimes.com/buenapark/specialoffers/free-royalty-upgrade.aspx

If you're going during someone's birthday week, you can get one free admission (with one full price paid admission) by joining their club:
http://www.medievaltimes.com/buenapark/yourexperience.aspx

It's $57.95 + tax + processing fee (regular price). When are you going? I'll still look in the LA Times this weekend (today's didn't have anything) and post any codes I see.

 

[CPAmomX2]

Right now, the LA Times (for Pirate's Dinner Adventure) says to visit their website for discounts.

Medieval Times (there wasn't an ad, odd), but I looked on their website for special offers:
http://www.medievaltimes.com/buenapark/specialoffers/free-royalty-upgrade.aspx

If you're going during someone's birthday week, you can get one free admission (with one full price paid admission) by joining their club:
http://www.medievaltimes.com/buenapark/yourexperience.aspx

It's $57.95 + tax + processing fee (regular price). When are you going? I'll still look in the LA Times this weekend (today's didn't have anything) and post any codes I see.

Signed up for the birthday club as we will be in CA the week before my big 4-0! Thanks so much for your assistance. Greatly appreciate your taking the time to help us out!

 

[starry_solo]

You're welcome. I will go and see if I can find any coupon codes in this upcoming weekend's LA Times.

 

[justwinnie]

For Legoland, you can try the following coupons:

Go to www.legoland.com/quaker and use code 129902

Go to www.legoland.com/bkcrown and use code 129903

Should be buy 1 adult, get 1 child ticket free. For Legoland California, this is only valid on the combo ticket- legoland/legoland water park or legoland/sealife.

You should purchase 1 adult and 1 child ticket in each order. I tried to order 2 Adult and 2 children, and the coupon didn't work correctly. But you can do separate orders and it'll work.

 

[poohj80]

We are WDW vets who will be brining DD to CA for first time in Oct. plan to do San Diego (my home town) and DL. No longer qualify for resident discounts so trying to figure out all options. Would anyone recommend Southern CA City Pass? Really would like to spend 4 days at DL but not finding any deals on 4 day passes.

Thanks for any help you may provide!

 

[starry_solo]

We are WDW vets who will be brining DD to CA for first time in Oct. plan to do San Diego (my home town) and DL. No longer qualify for resident discounts so trying to figure out all options. Would anyone recommend Southern CA City Pass? Really would like to spend 4 days at DL but not finding any deals on 4 day passes.

Thanks for any help you may provide!

Yes, as long as you don't lose them. I was behind a person in line at Guest Relations who had lost their City pass and DL said they couldn't replace them. You might be able to add a day to your 3-day DL Pass (that you get with the So Cal City pass). I've heard it can be anywhere from $5-15 per ticket to add a day.

I can keep an eye out on Sea World/San Diego zoo deals too

 

[poohj80]

Thanks for the help! Wasn't aware we could add a day to 3 day hoppers that come with city pass.

I have been watching for Sea World deals but so far all I have found are for residents only. Also liking to go to SD Zoo which is not included in City Pass.

 

[starry_solo]

Thanks for the help! Wasn't aware we could add a day to 3 day hoppers that come with city pass.

I have been watching for Sea World deals but so far all I have found are for residents only. Also liking to go to SD Zoo which is not included in City Pass.

I'm pretty sure you can add a day. I just don't know how much it is to add a day (as in, does Disney value the 3-day hopper at a certain value for the City Pass and charge the difference between the 3-day and 4-day?) No idea (maybe Disneyland California board might know).

Oh yeah, San Diego Zoo. They have a great deal for residents (membership into the zoological society for 2 + 2 guest passes, etc.). Too bad it's a 2+ hour drive away. LOL.

 

[starry_solo]

Don't forget to check Costco too!

 

[poohj80]

Don't forget to check Costco too!

Our COSTCO doesn't carry them because we're too far away.

 

[starry_solo]

Our COSTCO doesn't carry them because we're too far away.

Ah, okay.

I checked today's LA Times. No discount coupons/codes for Medieval Times. I'll see if I can get to Grand Californian tomorrow - I usually cut through there on the way out and see if I can find any codes/coupons.

 

[starry_solo]

Okay, my main suggestion would be to go to any of the DL hotels (or any Anaheim hotel) and pick up their magazines called "Visitors Guide" and "101 Things to Do in Orange County"

The Visitors Guide says to check The Cleaver Brothers Discount Tickets & Tours (you can do a google search to find their website since I'm not sure I can post the link) but it says you can save $20 on Medieval Times, $20-25 off of Legoland CA, $30 off Knott's, etc.

They have two locations. Ramada Maingate and Anaheim Gardenwalk.

Or send a PM.

 

[CityPASS]

Hi,
This is a bit delayed, but in regards to upgrading the Park Hopper that comes with CityPASS, you get a credit of $214 for adults and $198 for ages 3-9 towards an upgrade to another (more expensive) ticket.

Also, the San Diego Zoo is not included in the 2012 Southern California CityPASS, but we do offer an option to add the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park at a 31% savings. That option is only available at our website: http://www.citypass.com/california/san-diego-zoo

Hope that helps!

 

[poohj80]

Hi,
This is a bit delayed, but in regards to upgrading the Park Hopper that comes with CityPASS, you get a credit of $214 for adults and $198 for ages 3-9 towards an upgrade to another (more expensive) ticket.

Also, the San Diego Zoo is not included in the 2012 Southern California CityPASS, but we do offer an option to add the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park at a 31% savings. That option is only available at our website: http://www.citypass.com/california/san-diego-zoo

Hope that helps!

Thanks so muich for the info! I was aware of the two City Pass offers with or without the zoo, but the DL ticket price is exactly what I was looking for!