Buying tickets

[teacherlisa1978]

We're planning a trip for December 5th-9th as a belated 30th b-day celebration for me. (As a teacher with a Labor Day birthday it's not exactly convenient to head to Disneyland the first week of school-but I wish it was!).

We'll arrive at LGB airport around 9:30 that night and head straight to the hotel. Just wondering about our tickets-last time we went we purchased through GAT and I believe we had to exchange a voucher for tickets at the ticket booth. I'd like to avoid that if possible and already have our hard tickets in hand when we get to the gate Sat. morning. (I need to read up on this again but I assume we'll be eligible for 1 early entry morning with a 4 day parkhopper? We are not staying on site.) So, what's the best way to get a ticket that doesn't have to be purchased or exchanged that morning? Or, do the ticket booths open extra early so we could still take advantage of MM?

I just want to "get the magic started" as quickly as possible and keep the lines to a minimum that morning.

Thanks much-I am an infrequent poster but know that I have learned a TON from all of you!

 

[Sy-]

There should be 3 MM's while you are there 3 MM's on the 6th, 7th, and 9th. The passes from getaway today will get you 2 MM's and I don't know what time the ticket offices open on the 6th but I'm thinking it will not be until after the MM has started so you will have to use your MM's on the 7th and 9th. Unless you can get to the ticket office before they close on the 5th!

 

[bumbershoot]

As you know, the GAT tickets are picked up at the ticket booth, so that's incompatible with MM.

But if you buy them from disneyland.com, you only get one day of MM, but you take your voucher that you print out right up to the gates, and they give you a ticket right there, no waiting at the ticket booths.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

Thank you Bumbershoot! That's what we'll plan to do then-buy directly from Disney. Even though I'm up for MM as often as I can my plan is to make this a more relaxed trip for my DH who I ran so ragged at WDW last August that he got physically ill on our last day and had to bail out. So 1 MM should be fine.

I figure this is my chance to show him my 'relaxed' Disney side or risk not getting him to go to the parks again for a long time! Let's hope I can handle it! (I tend to be one of those people with a touring plan, running from attraction to attraction at warp speed...)

 

[bumbershoot]

...my plan is to make this a more relaxed trip for my DH who I ran so ragged at WDW last August that he got physically ill on our last day and had to bail out. So 1 MM should be fine.

I figure this is my chance to show him my 'relaxed' Disney side or risk not getting him to go to the parks again for a long time! Let's hope I can handle it! (I tend to be one of those people with a touring plan, running from attraction to attraction at warp speed...)

We should meet up. Maybe take a trip together, with families left at home! Would be fun to rush from place to place, having fun together without complaining, LOL.

Have you read my solo trip report? Had to take that solo trip b/c I drove my son and husband nuts by my "go go go" touring style, and they drove ME nuts by slowing me down! Had to go for under 48 hours for me to just do whatever I wanted, however fast I wanted to do it.

And then for our May trip, I was already planning on being more relaxed, then the night before we went to the parks, I hobbled myself by wearing stupid cute shoes walking from HoJo to Paradise Pier, and got so many blisters during that walk that I couldn't hurry for the rest of our trip if I tried. I still wonder if I did it subconsciously on purpose, to make SURE that I didn't ruin their trip again.

And I'm planning to go on the Dis "ladies only" trip in March.

 

[Jozymouse]

Hi,

I also have a question about the vouchers from GAT. It seems that I will arrive 4 days prior to my sister to Disney. Since our hopper tickets were bought together (GAT), will I be able to get both my sister's and my ticket at the booth or she will have to get hers once she gets there? Do they ask for ID, is your name on the ticket, do you need to sign the ticket? Thanks alot!!!!

 

[Brady's Mom]

You need ID at the ticket booth to pick up your tickets. For instance, if you put the tickets under your name, you need to have your ID and you pick up the tickets - I always do it for everybody.

If your sister's tickets are under her name, she needs to be present and show ID, otherwise they won't give them to her. They are very particular about this.

The first time I used GAT I went to pick up the tickets at the ticket booth, while my DH waited with the kiddies, but I forgot that I put the tickets in his name so I didn't have to carry my purse with me. SO, it was a little bit of a snafu the first morning, but easily straightened out, since he always carries his ID in his wallet.

 

[Jozymouse]

Thanks Brady's Mom! I made one order under my name for both tickets so from what I understand, I'll be able to pick up both tickets! Thats perfect! Thank you!

 

[teacherlisa1978]

We should meet up. Maybe take a trip together, with families left at home! Would be fun to rush from place to place, having fun together without complaining, LOL.

Have you read my solo trip report? Had to take that solo trip b/c I drove my son and husband nuts by my "go go go" touring style, and they drove ME nuts by slowing me down! Had to go for under 48 hours for me to just do whatever I wanted, however fast I wanted to do it.

And then for our May trip, I was already planning on being more relaxed, then the night before we went to the parks, I hobbled myself by wearing stupid cute shoes walking from HoJo to Paradise Pier, and got so many blisters during that walk that I couldn't hurry for the rest of our trip if I tried. I still wonder if I did it subconsciously on purpose, to make SURE that I didn't ruin their trip again.

And I'm planning to go on the Dis "ladies only" trip in March.

I'm laughing out loud, Bumbershoot, I think we're of the kindred Disney commando spirit type. I read your trip report-I would LOVE to take a solo trip someday and get it out of my system, as you said, but my husband thinks I'm nuts. Seriously, I can't wait until we have kids to take with us because we've already got it worked out-hubby can go back in the afternoons for naps and arcade time and I can go wild...which is what I did on our last day in WDW last summer. DH got physically ill from the heat, the dining plan, and just the constant activity, and bailed out on me. In 3 hours I rode Splash twice with our fast passes, rode Pirates, had a dole whip, hopped to Epcot, explored the entire world showcase with lunch and a couple snacks (nothing like eating around the World!) and made it back to the hotel in time to swim before heading to the airport. Poor guy. There's just no way he could keep up with me! I'm happy that this next Disneyland trip will be in December with much more acceptable weather for Seattle residents. I hope we can really enjoy this one.

 

[trodrigue]

And don't forget, you can go to the Alderwood Mall Disney Store and pick up your Park Hoppers right there!

Tracey
Another Seattle commando gal, whose family can't keep up, also a Sept. B-day and also going to Ladies only weekend in March!

 

[dizneekrazee]

You can get your tickets at your local Disney Store, that is if you still have one after all the closures last month. The tickets sold in the stores do not need to be traded in for another ticket once you get there, and the 4day PHs are also about $30 cheaper per person compared to purchasing at the gates, although online price should be the same as at the stores.

The tickets sold in the stores are also plastic, kinda like a credit card, and not flimsy paper like DLR gives out sometimes. I love the ones from the stores. The 4 day hoppers have Peter Pan on the child tickets, and Hook on the adult tickets. Very cute!!

 

[teacherlisa1978]

And don't forget, you can go to the Alderwood Mall Disney Store and pick up your Park Hoppers right there!

Tracey
Another Seattle commando gal, whose family can't keep up, also a Sept. B-day and also going to Ladies only weekend in March!

That's perfect! I hadn't thought of that-thanks so much!

 

[avalon451]

Tracey
Another Seattle commando gal, whose family can't keep up, also a Sept. B-day and also going to Ladies only weekend in March!

--another one right here Seattle commando woman, September birthday (Virgos rock the planning phase!) but so far not doing the ladies' only trip. Would love to do a solo!

 

[bumbershoot]

Ach, Virgos. Libra here, with a Virgo mom...get yourselves and your cleaning supplies away from me!

Avalon, seriously, you gotta get down to the no-boys trip. I still have NO clue how we'll get me down there, but hubby is 100% in favor of it (it's possible I should worry about that, ha ha) and we'll make it work.

You could even do it as a solo trip WHILE the ladies only trip is happening, and drop in every so often. I did that for the gumball rally (micechat) during my solo trip. Somehow knowing that there were people I knew, all around, made it a little bit easier.

By the way, you lucky people, having a store that isn't a huge journey to get to, thppppptht. The Tacoma store closed so long ago I don't even KNOW how long ago it closed! So I have Alderwood or Portland, basically, to choose from.

 

[trodrigue]

By the way, you lucky people, having a store that isn't a huge journey to get to, thppppptht. The Tacoma store closed so long ago I don't even KNOW how long ago it closed! So I have Alderwood or Portland, basically, to choose from.

Not sure if it is a blessing or a curse, as I drive by the exit to the store twice everyday, and have to exhibit an extraordinary amount of self control to not stop by and see what they have. Because if I do...well, let me just say, my stash corner is full! I personally think their sales are incredible and even full price the prices are not bad. They have a darling Mickey sweatshirt with a zipper (they also had buzz and pirates too), that is just a wonderful quality and only $20. But, I passed on it, because my 5 year old already has a clubhouse jacket, several other sweatshirts, etc. He doesn't need it at all. But it calls my name every day!

 

[teacherlisa1978]

Hmmm, trodrigue I think you might be on to something...when I told my DH that we could purchase our tickets from the Disney Store at Alderwood he immediately volunteered to go and do that one night after work. He works in Kirkland we live near SeaTac, so his 60 mile round trip commute wouldn't be stretched terribly by heading to Alderwood. At the time, I thought, what a nice guy to save me a trip...but now I wonder if it's merely to protect our bank balance from pre-trip souveneir shopping....

They used to have a Disney Store in Southcenter when I was a kid-that's where I entered a contest to win a trip to Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney back then) in 1993 and I won!!! So the Disney Store will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

[trodrigue]

Hmmm, trodrigue I think you might be on to something...when I told my DH that we could purchase our tickets from the Disney Store at Alderwood he immediately volunteered to go and do that one night after work. He works in Kirkland we live near SeaTac, so his 60 mile round trip commute wouldn't be stretched terribly by heading to Alderwood. At the time, I thought, what a nice guy to save me a trip...but now I wonder if it's merely to protect our bank balance from pre-trip souveneir shopping....

They used to have a Disney Store in Southcenter when I was a kid-that's where I entered a contest to win a trip to Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney back then) in 1993 and I won!!! So the Disney Store will always hold a special place in my heart.

Oh my gosh, you lucky girl! I don't know, I think you better keep an eye on your husband's stash corner. Don't know if you saw the post, but the store has Disney Dollars back in stock if you want to get a supply for your trip. Have a wonderful time!