Disneyland annual pass question....

[freediverdude]

Hey everyone. I'm considering a trip to Disneyland CA for next year's 50th anniversary thing. I've never ever been there before, but I live near Disney World in Florida and am an annual passholder there. I was thinking it might save me enough money on the resorts at Disneyland to make it worth it to get a Disneyland annual pass, since those aren't as expensive as Disney World passes. But, I think it says something on Mousesavers about having to have the pass to make the reservations, is this true? If so, what would be the best way for me to obtain a Disneyland pass in Florida? Oh, and also I'm wavering between the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel, so if anyone has their suggestion on which Disneyland resort, that would help too. Thanks!

 

[year2late]

One time they asked for my pass in advance another they did not. I had it ready at check in but neither time did they ask for it.

FYI, the last time I stayed at DLH I got a better rate through expedia (they had a low rate plus a 4th night free deal)

We won't be getting the Premium AP as the price went up to almost $300. The deluxe suits our family's needs and is a great deal.

 

[disneydenisel]

We just returned from four days at the DLR and stayed at the GC. I bought an annual pass through WDTC over the phone, and they sent it to me before our trip. I made my AP reservation at the GC, then I called the front desk and explained to them that I might not have time to activitate it before checking in, since we were driving for 7 hours. They put a note in my reservation and I had to show my AP voucher to check-in for the AP rate. It was easy!

We enjoyed the GC (our second time there) for the convenience. If we forgot anything in the room or needed to go back to the room with a sleeping child, it was really really convenient!

 

[freediverdude]

Oooh! Replies already! Yes, I was thinking about the deluxe pass instead of the premium, as I probably won't be visiting during the extra 40 or so blackout days that the premium would be good for, and I won't need the parking structure pass either as I won't have a car. That's a good idea about making the reservation and then calling the resort, thanks. I think what I was worried about was having to have the actual activated pass while on the phone making the reservation. I know for the WDW passholder rates you don't have to have the actual pass until checkin, but I was worried this might be different, and that they wouldn't make the reservation without a pass number or something. Yes, I keep leaning toward one resort and then the other. I know the monorail stops near the Disneyland Hotel, and then stops over by Tomorrowland, right? I was wondering if the Grand Californian also has monorail service, or whether it's just so close that monorail service isn't even needed or what. I guess I'll end up buying one of those guidebooks....

 

[Firefly777]

Your right. GCH is so close to either park that a monorail service isn't needed. It has its own private entrance into DCA and is just a short walk to DL. I would definitely recommend staying at the GCH. It is very convenient and the best themed hotel at the resort. It is what you would expect from a deluxe WDW hotel on a slightly smaller scale, since there isn't as much space available.

 

[disneydenisel]

The monorail is located in Downtown Disney, a short walk from the DLH and a short walk away from the parks from the GC. It's a nice option if you want to end up in Tomorrowland and possibly avoid some longer bag check lines. BUT, if you stay at the GC, it is SO easy to enter DCA and then walk right over to DL, except if you want to go to DL when it opens and DCA isn't open yet (can't cut through an unopened park). Then you have a short walk through Downtown Disney to get there.

We had 2 adjoining rooms with theme park views, both with the AP rate of $159/night. I bought a premium pass for the 10% merchandise discount and other extra dining discounts, but I purchased before the price increase. I'd probably buy a deluxe now if I had to.

 

[cats mom]

We had to have a pass number in order to hold our reservation at the AP rate - this was for the week between Christmas and New Years - so maybe they are more relaxed about it less busy times.

 

[Blackunicorn]

You should also be able to purchase Annual Passes at a Disney Store. I asked about a week ago, and they said that they sell the voucher that you would activate at the park.

 

[freediverdude]

Hmm, thanks for all the replies! I will probably ask at the Disney store, although the ticket kiosks there just sell Disney World vouchers, maybe because it's Florida. Maybe they can order them or something. I wonder if there's any advantage to purchasing them online vs. in the Disney Store. Hmm, now I'm really torn. I would like to ride the monorail, but the GCH sounds like it's themed better.... decisions, decisions. Well if I could get an annual pass rate like DisneyDenisel got, I could probably afford to stay either place, so money wouldn't be the deciding factor. Oh well....more research.....

 

[Firefly777]

You can still ride the monorail if you stay at the GCH, if you want to. The station isn't too far away.

 

[disneydenisel]

The rate was $159 Sun-Thurs and $199 Friday-Saturday at the GC...DLH was $119. I don't know what the AP rates will be after May 31. We almost stayed at the DLH too. Why don't you split your stay at both hotels if you want to experience and compare both? Just a thought...logistically, packing is a pain, but if you don't have a lot of things, it might be an option.

 

[Xendancer]

Hey, FreeDiverDude, we just stayed at the Californian. It is very nice, and the theming is very much geared to the Arts and Crafts movement in California. So, IMO, it is quite subtle. I haven't stayed at the DLH, but I hear the theming there is more "fun"- like Tinkerbell borders, if I recall correctly.

We like Paradise Pier best. We stayed there last month, and it was a bargain compared to the Californian. With the pass, you can get rooms for $79 a night vs. $159 a night- and both hotels have a private entrance to California Adventure. The theme at Paradise Pier is Mickey, and the art on the walls in our room were all Mickey, which my toddler loved.

 

[Firefly777]

Delete

 

[scanmom]

We went to DLR March 14-19, 2004, and I reserved a room at PPH with the AP code found on mousesavers. I was not asked if I already had the AP. When we got to the hotel, the check in clerk asked to see the AP, and I told her that I had not purchased it yet, that I was going over to do that as soon as we had completed our check in. She said that was fine, to just bring the AP to the front desk and show it sometime before check out. I did that as soon as I had the pass, and had NO problems. They were very nice. That being said, unless I got a super rate like this time, I would not stay at PPH again. We had some other problems that were not dealt with the way I felt they should have been, and it is quite a hike to the parks, even with the private entrance to CA. The problem is that CA opens later and closes earlier than DL, so the private entrance can only be used for hotel breaks. We had a renovated room, and they are nice, but still not ALOT of Disney themeing. I think if I got an AP rate at GCH, that is where I would be. Don't forget, you can use the Neverland pool at DLH if you stay at ANY of the onsite resorts. It is more convienient to stay at an offsite hotel on Harbor than to stay at PPH, and you could probably save $$ even over the AP rates.