DVC Benefits for Passes

[Magnod]

Hi All,

We finally got our membership number and have already booked a few vacations at Aulani (close to home) and DL.

We will be visiting DL for the first time in years and the first time ever for our 4 year old son. Since I have never actually planned a vacation at a major theme park, let alone a DVC location, I was wondering what was the best way to go about getting ready.

Some of these questions may be coming in our packet, but since we haven't gotten it yet I thought I'd start asking around so that I can plan ahead.

1. We will be there for four nights (short, but that's all our schedules would allow). What is the best way to get park passes? Through DVC?

2. I think I read that DL has no DVC transportation service from the airport. Does DL in general offer something? And if so can I go through DVC to arrange the services?

3. Are there any other things I should be planning for? Right now its just flights (DVC should partner with an airlines for discounted flights!).

Thanks all and its so exciting to finally have a DVC number.

 

[disneynutz]

I can't get specific about DL because we haven't been there since becoming members. I can tell you that the DVC perks there are limited as is the number of DVC units.

WDW is where DVC has a major presence and always will. IMO once you spend time at WDW, vacationing at DL is no comparison.

A few things will change as you become seasoned DVCers.

You will take longer vacations.
You will spend less time in the parks.
You will eat less at Disney restaurants and cook more in your villa.

Bill

 

[MouseMomx2]

WDW is where DVC has a major presence and always will. IMO once you spend time at WDW, vacationing at DL is no comparison.

While I agree that WDW is where DVC will always have the biggest presence, I completely disagree with your assessment of Disneyland. We have gone to WDW more than 50 times and obviously love it, but Disneyland is special. There are attractions that WDW does not have and many of the classic attractions are far better at DL. We love being able to walk across a plaza to get between parks and their Downtown Disney is equal to, if not better than WDW's, IMO.

As for the OP's questions, we buy our passes in advance directly from the DL website. There is no DVC discount for multi-day tickets, only for Annual Passes...and even then it is only a $20 discount.

There is no Magical Express at DL so you will need to arrange for a shuttle, taxi or rental car.

Have a great time at DL! We're going again soon and can't wait! Oh, and make sure you ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at least once. It has been gone from WDW for years!

 

[tjkraz]

Unless there is value in buying Annual Passes (multiple trips to DL within a year), you can just buy multi-day passes through the DL website. Unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland tickets have ending dates so buy only what you will use before the pass expires.

DVC does not sell tickets or arrange transportation for DL.

If you are flying into LAX or SNA, Gray Line has a shuttle bus that you can use. If you pay for shuttle tickets in advance, you'll save a few dollars. Read the schedule info carefully as it only runs on the hour at certain times of day. If you just miss a bus, you could be left waiting quite some time for another.

Could also consider renting a car. Alamo has a rental desk at Downtown Disney. So you could rent at the airport, pick up a few groceries along the way, and then return the car to DTD after you have gotten settled. Not a bad alternative to the bus. Could also keep the car for your entire trip if you want to do a little sight-seeing around California while there.

 

[DebbieB]

DVC gives you 10% off at most restaurants and counter services at the DL parks & resorts.

I've used both Super Shuttle and Gray Line Disneyland Express to get from the airport. They are not affiliated with DL, you have to make your own arrangements. Or rented a car.

 

[Magnod]

Great.

Thanks for the help.

I do expect us to be staying on longer trips to explore California a little more, especially when my son is a little older. But this trip was more a function of using up some banked points that came with our contract in a small window that both of us had open. We were looking at heading up again in the summer, but I have a work trip to Asia that is going to eat up most of my wife's available time.

Driving to Aulani after work today! Can't wait.

BTW: When is the ideal time to go based on park attendance and weather conditions?

 

[taaren]

Great.

Thanks for the help.

I do expect us to be staying on longer trips to explore California a little more, especially when my son is a little older. But this trip was more a function of using up some banked points that came with our contract in a small window that both of us had open. We were looking at heading up again in the summer, but I have a work trip to Asia that is going to eat up most of my wife's available time.

Driving to Aulani after work today! Can't wait.

BTW: When is the ideal time to go based on park attendance and weather conditions?

Hi neighbor (both in the islands and at DLR). There's a lot of answers to your questions over on the Disneyland Resort board ... Hydroguy has some great threads on park attendance and weather conditions, and there's a lot of stuff comparing various transportation ideas too. Will come back and add some threads later if I remember. But check it out, we're friends at that board too!

 

[Magnod]

Hi neighbor (both in the islands and at DLR). There's a lot of answers to your questions over on the Disneyland Resort board ... Hydroguy has some great threads on park attendance and weather conditions, and there's a lot of stuff comparing various transportation ideas too. Will come back and add some threads later if I remember. But check it out, we're friends at that board too!

Thanks!

I just got back from Aulani today and enjoyed it alot (except the unusually high winds).

I always google this site and find the member services forum. I didn't realize there was a different thread for DL.

I'll spend some time checking for sure.

 

[Magnod]

On a side note.

I'm loving being a DVC member. Just came back from Aulani and already made another reservation for next month. Add to that 5 days at DL early next year. This is so exciting.

 

[ckpoodge]

We got back from DL in June for our honeymoon. We booked the Disneyland hotel with our DVC points because GC was booked up.

We ordered our park tickets through the Disneyland hotel's front desk. It was very convenient for us.

We ran into transportation problems though. We booked a shuttle through the Disneyland Resort. Our flight ended up coming in late, and we were waiting for our bags to come when I looked outside to see the Disneyland bus there. They would not wait, and since it was late at night, that was the last shuttle of the night.

They didn't send anyone else around, and it took around a month to get a refund processed, even though I called that night and the next day.

I would advise you to really look at the Disneyland Shuttle's timetable to make sure you can actually make your pickup time, or book some other mode of transit.

We did find a shuttle curbside, but it took an extra hour. After flying all the way from Florida, that seemed like a very long time. We did get there eventually, and it didn't spoil our fun.

When we go again, I am going to insist on booking a car through Priceline or Hotwire.

Have fun.

 

[DebbieB]

We got back from DL in June for our honeymoon. We booked the Disneyland hotel with our DVC points because GC was booked up.

We ordered our park tickets through the Disneyland hotel's front desk. It was very convenient for us.

We ran into transportation problems though. We booked a shuttle through the Disneyland Resort. Our flight ended up coming in late, and we were waiting for our bags to come when I looked outside to see the Disneyland bus there. They would not wait, and since it was late at night, that was the last shuttle of the night.

They didn't send anyone else around, and it took around a month to get a refund processed, even though I called that night and the next day.

I would advise you to really look at the Disneyland Shuttle's timetable to make sure you can actually make your pickup time, or book some other mode of transit.

We did find a shuttle curbside, but it took an extra hour. After flying all the way from Florida, that seemed like a very long time. We did get there eventually, and it didn't spoil our fun.

When we go again, I am going to insist on booking a car through Priceline or Hotwire.

Have fun.

Was this at LAX or SNA? Disneyland Express (Grey Line)? If it's LAX, they have to make stops at each terminal so that's why they didn't want to wait. If SNA, there's really no excuse since it's only 1 stop.

 

[Magnod]

Was this at LAX or SNA? Disneyland Express (Grey Line)? If it's LAX, they have to make stops at each terminal so that's why they didn't want to wait. If SNA, there's really no excuse since it's only 1 stop.

We haven't decided yet. Is one better than the other?

I was going to call member services tomorrow and see what they thought. Maybe they'll give me some ideas on discounts or how to maximize the DVC usage.

 

[supernova]

I can't get specific about DL because we haven't been there since becoming members. I can tell you that the DVC perks there are limited as is the number of DVC units.

WDW is where DVC has a major presence and always will. IMO once you spend time at WDW, vacationing at DL is no comparison.

A few things will change as you become seasoned DVCers.

You will take longer vacations.
You will spend less time in the parks.
You will eat less at Disney restaurants and cook more in your villa.

Bill

I'd say that just about sums it up. No need for a dining plan when you can cook up a great roast chicken and sides in your room. Healthier... and MUCH cheaper! I know we have breakfast every single morning in the room. Eggs, toast, cereal, whatever. I'm not paying upwards of $15 or more per person on breakfast for what I can do for a fraction of the cost in my room.