AAA Unlimited Fastpass Rocks!

[jmatias]

We just returned from a 6 night stay at the GCH and had the 4 day pass booked through AAA.

Our usual plan was to enter the park at opening to hit Fantasyland first. Once that was done we would go around and start collecting fastpass at all the rides. We never waited in a regular line at all. Our kids loved being able to just walk right in. We we able to sit back and relax a bit more since we didn't have to rush.

Booking through AAA is more expensive than booking separately but the unlimited feature is an awesome perk. Everyday we even had extra passes that we didn't use since we went on the rides several times so we gave them away to other families...it was a great feeling to see them so happy

This was our first stay at GCH and we loved it! Beautiful hotel and so convenient to go to DCA or to leave the park for a break and return in the evening.

We did character meals at Ariel's Grotto which was a lot of fun for the kids and had a ton of characters: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Chip & Dale, and Max. The kids meals came with a toy bucket and shovel. And you got cotton candy at the end of the meal.

We also enjoyed Storyteller's Cafe and the characters were: Chip & Dale, Koda, Meeko, Turk.

A wonderful trip was had by all

 

[damo]

Were you allowed more than one early entry because you were staying at the GC?

 

[Michelle2]

Thanks for the post jmatias! You have made me so excited. We are doing the exact same thing in a little over a month, (6 days at GC..I LOVE it there too, and 5 day tickets) and I always like hearing that it was worth it. We really didn't pay any difference for booking through AAA. It was only 4 dollars, so we are excited to see how this perk works out for us...I was getting a little concerned about the crowds, but now it seems like I have no reason to be regardless.

Thanks again!

 

[Gupsmom]

Do you only get this if you book a package? or does it apply if you buy your resort and tix seperately..through AAA.

Jess

 

[Vanvmom]

I believe it has to be a package. If you buy the tickets by themselves, they do not include this perk.

 

[jmatias]

We booked the package through AAA to get the perks.

There is only 1 day for early entry and we used it on a Saturday. The other mornings the park opened at 8:00 and we went right at 8:00 and walked straight onto Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc.

By lunch time DL was very crowded with rides lines from 1-2 hours but since we had the fastpass and baby swap passes since we have a 1 year old we had no problem with lines...though the food lines were long. The best thing we did towards the end of our trip was to eat lunch at Storytellers Cafe...it was cool, no lines, food was good, and gave us a chance to unwind from the crowds.

Forgot to mention to not miss the fireworks show at DL....it was awesome...you get a nice view from anywhere along Main street but if you can get anywhere on the road right in front of the castle thats the best place. We got there about 8:30 for the 9:25 show, I held the spot while DH took the kids on Buzz ( save the fastpass from earlier in the day) be sure to get some thing for the kids to snack/drink during the wait. Well worth the effort and time.

HTH. If I can answer anything else just let me know.

 

[Vanvmom]

We've been to DL many times, and I can't remember where the storyteller's cafe is?

 

[Michelle2]

Storyteller's cafe is in the Grand Californian Hotel. We love it there too...Never tried lunch, but had dinner. Sounds like a great escape that is close by...I will remember that!

 

[doncaruana]

Can someone explain what you mean by unlimited fastpass? I booked through AAA and I thought the tickets were the same as what you got if you bought directly from Disney (like off the website).

Thanks,
Don

 

[BrerMama]

Don, if you booked a package through AAA and are staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel (i.e. not a good neighbor hotel), you will be able to hold fastpasses for more than one ride at a time. So theoretically, you could go through the park gathering fastpasses, then when the return window came up on those, you could get more. There's no designation on the park hopper, but if you meet those conditions, you should have "enchanted" fastpass.