DLR & Super-Sized Parkhoppers

[TigerlilyAJ]

I'm planning a fall 2012 trip for my family to Disneyland & the whole SoCal area from Ontario, a once-in-a-lifetime trip that could extend up to three weeks. (Not every day would be a Disney day, in other words.)
Has anyone ever purchased giant (meaning more than six days) parkhoppers from Flight Centre, CAA, or anyone else in Canada? I know I can go to the gate at DLR and add days on there, but I was hoping to get it out of the way and maybe get a better deal overall by buying ahead of time.
Any Canadians with DLR experience also welcome to pipe up with tips and suggestions, as the agents with whom I've been dealing frankly seem to have very little direct knowledge with DLR compared to WDW here in Ontario.

AJ

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Haven't ever purchased more than a six day pass, but if you're thinking that you may be in the park for 10 days or so, you should do the math on annual passes and see whether the cost of the pass (combined with the park discounts) makes that a more cost effective option for you.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

i've been looking for Disneyland tickets for July and comparing an 8 day via flightcentre vs a 6 day via Disney ... the flightcentre looks really good. Frankly, they (flightcentre) look very good! I will probably buy in May or so ...

 

[LSmith]

Considering how much Southern California has to offer there is no way I would buy 6 or 8 day passes to Disneyland. You should be able to do both parks in 2 or 3 days, tops. Otherwise, you will be repeating rides over and over. Also, the downtown Disney area is tiny compared to Florida.

We are going to California the first two weeks in March and are getting 3 day hopper passes which will be plenty. I don't even plan to stay most of the 3rd day, maybe half a day at most. My kids are forcing me to go to Six Flags for a day because they love the extreme roller coasters.

We are staying at the Sheraton Park in Anaheim then headed to the Westin Pasadena for 4 nights. Pasadena is one of the most beautiful places we have stayed in California and is a suburb of LA. Gorgeous upscale Spanish town. Afterward we are heading for San Diego for 5 nights and staying at the US Grant in the gas lamp district. Hopefully lots of surfing

Usually we head to SF for at least part of our trip but since we were just there in October we are taking a pass, although I will miss it.

Some very cool attractions in So Cal include Hearst Castle, take a Starline tour around to see the star homes (arrive just before a tour leaves and you will pay no more than half price, maybe less). Spend a day at Huntington Beach, Santa Monica Pier, window shop on Rodeo Drive, go to the farmers market in LA, drive the PCH to Monterey and visit their aquarium, and from there you can keep heading not too far north to beautiful San Francisco where you can visit Alcatraz, for starters.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks, everyone.
I just got some quotes from my local Flight Centre office. The good news is that they can offer a good price on an 8-day PH. Three adults, two children for $1202. [Compare to adult 6-day PH for $251 currently at DLR's site, plus $10 for two added days, or ($261 x 3 = $783) + ($241 x 2 = $482) = $1265]
The less good news is that they can't add anything more on to those PHs. So I would still have to add days at the gate. But I can live with that, esp when they beat other sellers' prices.
We're not concerned about boredomat DLR with children so young (2-7yo). We like the idea of being able to take a leisurely pace, re-do things that delight, and really see things (or least some of us will do things) that short-time visitors probably don't bother with as much, like the animation academy.
Now just six more months or so to wait for the announcement of the MHPs and when Christmas season will begin so I can see if they are just close enough or too far apart to make my "Two Holidays at DLR" dream come true.

Oh, and edited to add that we probably will buy one AP at $380 because we will most likely make up the difference in price for that one AP compared to a PH with the 10% off meals we plan to eat regardless in the park and DTD, not to mention the merchandise for ourselves and friends and family. (Like, I already know I will need an extra, empty bag for getting home.)

AJ

 

[c&m]

Any Canadians with DLR experience also welcome to pipe up with tips and suggestions, as the agents with whom I've been dealing frankly seem to have very little direct knowledge with DLR compared to WDW here in Ontario.

AJ

We go to Anaheim and San Diego every year to visit friends in Carlsbad. IMHO, 8-day parkhoppers is a LOT of days to cover the parks - remember DL/CA is not as expansive as WDW. Maximum 5 days (and that's still a lot!) during busy spring break, summer, or Christmas/New Years seasons. But during off-season in the Fall, 3 days (at a leisure pace) should do it. Just a few tips:

1. If you buy your coffee at the Market House Deli on Main Street USA (near the lockers), keep your receipt to get free refills for the rest of the day.

2. Show your CAA card at Goofy's Kitchen to get 10% off (but you are buying an AP, which would give you 10% off anyways).

3. Eat at Mimi's Cafe (across the street from the main gate). Big menu that you can check out at www.mimiscafe.com, decent prices, and lots of coupon offers if you register for their email. And if you do, sign up closer to when you leave to get a BOGO free breakfast (has a short valid date).

4. A Target, Walgreens, and Dollar Store is located at the corner of S. Harbor Blvd. and Chapman. We always frequent this Target to get our bottled water and other snacks/necessities. The Dollar Store is fabulous to buy Disney-themed souvenirs for $1. My DDs, when they were younger, forgot to bring their autograph books with them on the trip. We went to this Dollar Store and found Tinkerbelle notebooks and Disney Fairies pens that they used instead. $1 instead of the $14 autograph books sold in the parks. My DDs also bought Tinkerbelle stuff at the Dollar Store for their friends. Oh there's also a Character Warehouse close to DL. I forget the location, but you can probably google it. We found some nice pins there for $2.

5. The Anaheim Garden Plaza on Katella St. has some other dining options too with CPK, Bubba Gump's, Cheesecake Factory, and P.F. Changs (which I personally don't like since we get real Chinese food here in Vancouver).

6. If you have the time, and weather permits, don't forget to hit Huntington Beach. It's a gorgeous beach that goes on for miles and miles. You can buy buckets and sand shovels at the Dollar Store (identified in Tip #4).

7. If you get a chance, head to San Diego. It's a beautiful city worth wandering. Since your kids are young, you may want to consider going to Legoland in Carlsbad. Our DDs enjoyed it at those exact ages. Also enjoyable is spending the day with boogie boards and a picnic lunch (bought from one of the many Whole Foods or Trader Joe's locations) at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.

Hope that helps!

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks, C&M. I do want to see SD, and was debating a City Pass or picking and choosing what attractions. I think I would like the Zoo (I'm panda mad), but my eldest (7yo) would definitely prefer Legoland. We might do that. We definitely are going to have at least one beach day. I'm hoping for somewhere with tidal pools for the kids to explore.

I love hearing about CAA discounts available anywhere in SoCal and esp DLR! I have a Disney Visa (I'm American-Canadian), so I get some discounts from that, too, so those plus CAA discounts might make it possible to skip out on the extra $100 for an AP for one person. My big question about anything at Goofy's Kitchen and other places that do character meals: Does the AP 10% discount (or the Disney Visa or the CAA discounts) apply to those character meals or only to regular meals there?

AJ

 

[dsneygirl]

We did 5 day park hoppers in DL in Sept and that was plenty of time to see everything and some things 2 or 3 times. I don't think you would need more than that.

 

[c&m]

My big question about anything at Goofy's Kitchen and other places that do character meals: Does the AP 10% discount (or the Disney Visa or the CAA discounts) apply to those character meals or only to regular meals there?

Goofy's Kitchen is a character meal only, and it accepts the CAA 10% discount there, unless it changed recently. I was there in March 2011, and it did accept my CAA.

Mousesavers.com has a good explanation of the discounts for Disney Visa and AP: http://www.mousesavers.com/dlmeals.html#annual

 

[c&m]

Thanks, C&M. I do want to see SD, and was debating a City Pass or picking and choosing what attractions. I think I would like the Zoo (I'm panda mad), but my eldest (7yo) would definitely prefer Legoland. We might do that. We definitely are going to have at least one beach day. I'm hoping for somewhere with tidal pools for the kids to explore.

Then you will LOVE the SD Zoo. It is AMAZING! We went every year when our kids were those younger ages. It is a hit! And since you mentioned you wanted to see SD, don't forget to head to Coronado Beach. Legoland now also has the waterpark too, so worthwhile checking it out.

 

[dsneygirl]

Goofy's Kitchen is a character meal only, and it accepts the CAA 10% discount there, unless it changed recently. I was there in March 2011, and it did accept my CAA.

Mousesavers.com has a good explanation of the discounts for Disney Visa and AP: http://www.mousesavers.com/dlmeals.html#annual

I would skip Goofy's and do Storytellers at the Grand Californian. Storytellers was hands down the best character meal we have ever had. Better than any at WDW in recent years. Goofy's was a big letdown both food wise and atmosphere. Storytellers and the GC are gorgeous. We were really disappointed in Goofy's Kitchen.

 

[c&m]

Yes, I'd skip Goofy's Kitchen too. We went last year out of habit, but I don't think we'd go back again. We also have been to Storyteller's many times. Our last time, we had a bad experience there, so I really can't recommend it.

One place I do recommend is Whitewater Snacks for lunch. It's at the GCH, near Storyteller's.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Have you guys tried Goofy's dinner? That's what I am interested in for a AYCE buffet so DH and my eldest can get their fills. It's the only char meal that is NOT a breakfast, which matters to me in that we will almost certainly stay at a hotel that already gives us breakfast.
But yes, I have good things about Storyteller's, so it has appeal, too. I like Surf's Up breakfast for Stitch and the fun dancing, Minnie's deal at the Plaza for the ton of old-school characters, and Goofy's for dinner because I think collectively the family will get more of its money worth in food. ;-)
People seem to like Storyteller's more for the food and general decor/atmosphere. I don't hear as much about the character experiences, which is what my young kids will like and remember more than the food. But I haven't ruled out anything.

AJ

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Another vote for Minnie's, if you are only going to do one character meal.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Thanks, C&M. I do want to see SD, and was debating a City Pass or picking and choosing what attractions. I think I would like the Zoo (I'm panda mad), but my eldest (7yo) would definitely prefer Legoland. We might do that. We definitely are going to have at least one beach day. I'm hoping for somewhere with tidal pools for the kids to explore.

I love hearing about CAA discounts available anywhere in SoCal and esp DLR! I have a Disney Visa (I'm American-Canadian), so I get some discounts from that, too, so those plus CAA discounts might make it possible to skip out on the extra $100 for an AP for one person. My big question about anything at Goofy's Kitchen and other places that do character meals: Does the AP 10% discount (or the Disney Visa or the CAA discounts) apply to those character meals or only to regular meals there?

AJ

Just a couple of tips first off only get the city pass if you plan to go to at least 60 - 70 % if not all of the attractions. Another thing keep checking the Disneyland website for tickets they frequently put out deals that can be cheaper then other places. Unlike WDW they can only be used in a specific window of time.

 

[dsneygirl]

Have you guys tried Goofy's dinner? That's what I am interested in for a AYCE buffet so DH and my eldest can get their fills. It's the only char meal that is NOT a breakfast, which matters to me in that we will almost certainly stay at a hotel that already gives us breakfast.
But yes, I have good things about Storyteller's, so it has appeal, too. I like Surf's Up breakfast for Stitch and the fun dancing, Minnie's deal at the Plaza for the ton of old-school characters, and Goofy's for dinner because I think collectively the family will get more of its money worth in food. ;-)
People seem to like Storyteller's more for the food and general decor/atmosphere. I don't hear as much about the character experiences, which is what my young kids will like and remember more than the food. But I haven't ruled out anything.

AJ

We had great character experiences at Storytellers. I think it helped we were there early. But both food and character, service and atmosphere were better than at Goofy's.

If you want an all you can eat dinner to fill up your guys have you considered Big thunder Ranch BBQ?

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/big-thunder-ranch-bbq/

This was my DHs pic and I was really skeptical but it was amazing! The food was hot, fresh and delicious. Woody and Jessie were there to meet and then also have entertainment on the stage. It's kind of a scaled down Hoop Dee Doo but the food was even better. I think it might only be open at certain times of the year though.

 

[Carina]

I always find it so strange when people say 3 days is enough to do both parks. Sure, MAYBE if you only want to do each thing once and skip things....

We first went when the kids were 7, 8 & 10, We went in May and it was so quiet there were a few times in both parks that we were allowed to re-ride a ride without getting off, and several more times where all we had to do was get off walk from the exit to the entrance and we could re-ride right away.

We had 5 day hoppers and we went to the park 4 1/2 days ( one day the naps - for all 5 of us - went too long and we slept clear through till dinner)

It was no where near too long and there were still a few things that we meant to do that we never made it back around to.

We were anything but bored!

I would have sat through any one of the parades a second time ( didn't get the opportunity, quiet time of year) but we did see fireworks, ELP, fantasmic, and both parks daytime parades.

After spending all that money I wanted my moneys worth, not to skim through each park seeing the highlights

( Exact opposite of my DW plans next year... wait THIS year... whoohoo)

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I've gone 4 times to DLR and all the trips were for 4 days or more there are still things I haven't done mostly because of referbs or closers.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks for all the tips and input, everyone!
Yes, we have seen the AYCE ranch, and plan on dining there. Again, that's a place where my eldest DS and my DH will ensure that we'll get our money's worth for whatever they charge our group. Quite the carnivores. ;-)
Hmm, I will have to put Storyteller's back on the Maybe list. Minnie's deal at the Plaza is the only set char meal. The rest are up for grabs. We're most likely staying at the Park Vue Inn (3 Queens room), so we already have hot breakfasts available to us, but I do want some special stuff, too.

I am grateful for all the input on "how long," but I am really not worried that we'll tire of it all with an 8-day PH. First, it costs SO little to upgrade from 6 to 8 days, so it seems silly to spend thousands upon thousands on food, transport, and hotel, and then not spend $50 more to give us the option of some more park days while we're in the area anyway. Then, it's the very first DLR trip for five out of the six people in our group--and I have not been since 1996. The three kids will have two young enough to tire and need naps in the afternoon, and all three present possibilities of melt downs that could cut some day short. Our days are not going to be wholly in the park from rope drop to closing.
But just as important as these logistical issues is the fact that the goal of the trip, should the date of the Christmas start be early enough in Nov, is to go and enjoy the two big holiday seasons, Halloween and Christmas. So a few days at H'ween, including an MHP, with one set of decorations, and then another few days maybe 10 days later getting to see the change to Christmas, with plenty of photo ops for my photog DH, a different IASW, different parades and fireworks to see if we're lucky and things get running. I think we'll be glad to have the chance to try out everything we might want to see OR to revisit. If my kids want to go on Star Tours 10 times, I want to try to get it in. ;-) I want more than one weekend to try for Fantasmic and WOC, not feeling pressured to get them both in one night or being crushed if one is cancelled some night. "Once in a lifetime" trip means we need more chances to make sure we get to do and see all we want, to make sure we don't feel like we missed our chance.
OH! And I totally forgot that we might be fighting crazy crowds to see Carsland, the whole reason we're going to DLR instead of WDW, and why we're going NOW before the eldest grows out of what has been a "Cars" love affair since opening weekend of the first film when he was 18 months old. :-D