First timer to Disneyland! Have some questions!

[Nicole786]

Hi

Im a FL resident and a Walt Disney World veteran, but this is uncharted territory! We've decided to take a trip to Disneyland and narrowed it down to staying 2 nights at the Disneyland Hotel with 2 day park hopper tickets!

But since we're so used to Disney World and the way things work over there, I'm confused about just a couple of things I was hoping maybe someone could help??

1. Are there any perks to booking a package with tickets vs a room only? In Disney World there are certain rules that apply -- but you also receive a booklet of coupons and vouchers, luggage tags, everything on the room key etc

2. Right now there is an offer through March and we are going in May, do they traditionally release discounts for this time period? I feel like Disney World constantly has discounts released but I'm not sure about Disneyland.

3. Regarding discounts, we have a WDW Cast Member in the family, someone with a dependent military ID, and a AAA member. Does anyone know which discount is going to be the best? Can we use the Dependent Military ID?

4. Does anyone staying on property get the morning EMH? Or do you need a certain ticket to participate. And whats the difference between EMH and Magical Morning?

Sorry for all the questions, this is just so completely new!

Thanks

 

[StyledSugar]

Hi

Im a FL resident and a Walt Disney World veteran, but this is uncharted territory! We've decided to take a trip to Disneyland and narrowed it down to staying 2 nights at the Disneyland Hotel with 2 day park hopper tickets!

But since we're so used to Disney World and the way things work over there, I'm confused about just a couple of things I was hoping maybe someone could help??

1. Are there any perks to booking a package with tickets vs a room only? In Disney World there are certain rules that apply -- but you also receive a booklet of coupons and vouchers, luggage tags, everything on the room key etc Can't really help with this one. I've heard of luggage tags with packages but I'm not sure if they still do that.

2. Right now there is an offer through March and we are going in May, do they traditionally release discounts for this time period? I feel like Disney World constantly has discounts released but I'm not sure about Disneyland. The 60th starts in May so I don't think any discounts will be available.

3. Regarding discounts, we have a WDW Cast Member in the family, someone with a dependent military ID, and a AAA member. Does anyone know which discount is going to be the best? Can we use the Dependent Military ID? Can't help with this one either lol

4. Does anyone staying on property get the morning EMH? Or do you need a certain ticket to participate. And whats the difference between EMH and Magical Morning? Yes, if you are staying on site then you get into the parks an hour early. No special ticket required, just your room key.

Sorry for all the questions, this is just so completely new!

Thanks

See my responses above. Wish I could help more!

 

[figment_jii]

But since we're so used to Disney World and the way things work over there, I'm confused about just a couple of things I was hoping maybe someone could help??

I highly recommend you take a look at HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

1. Are there any perks to booking a package with tickets vs a room only? In Disney World there are certain rules that apply -- but you also receive a booklet of coupons and vouchers, luggage tags, everything on the room key etc

I think there are perks if you book your package through the Walt Disney Travel Company.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/

2. Right now there is an offer through March and we are going in May, do they traditionally release discounts for this time period? I feel like Disney World constantly has discounts released but I'm not sure about Disneyland.

Disneyland doesn't seem to offer as many discounts as WDW. I would expect to see May discounts (if any) appearing sometime in March (probably around the time when the current discount ends).

3. Regarding discounts, we have a WDW Cast Member in the family, someone with a dependent military ID, and a AAA member. Does anyone know which discount is going to be the best? Can we use the Dependent Military ID?

I know they do offer discounts on tickets for military. I think AAA does offer a modest discount on tickets, but I don't think it's anywhere as good as the military discount. Sorry, but I don't know how the Dependent Military ID works.

4. Does anyone staying on property get the morning EMH? Or do you need a certain ticket to participate. And whats the difference between EMH and Magical Morning?

Magic Morning (only in DL) is for guests with certain types of tickets (pre-purchased, 3-day or longer tickets). Extra Magic Hours (occurs in both DL and DCA, alternating mornings normally) is a perk of staying on-site and it does not matter what type of ticket you purchase.

 

[lalasmama]

Not an expert on military tickets, but we've used them three times now. The military ID person needs to show ID to buy the tickets, and needs to be there when going through the gates. I've been carded a few times using them. The discount is significant--I can't remember exact dollars, but the Salute tickets are about 50% of the full price. They say only 6 tickets can be bought per promotional period. And the tickets are only 3-day Park Hoppers, without an early entry built in. (Of course, if you stay on-site, you'll be eligible for early entry because of that.)

 

[Nicole786]

Thanks for the tips everyone -- and the guide is great, thanks for linking that!!

 

[Nicole786]

Not an expert on military tickets, but we've used them three times now. The military ID person needs to show ID to buy the tickets, and needs to be there when going through the gates. I've been carded a few times using them. The discount is significant--I can't remember exact dollars, but the Salute tickets are about 50% of the full price. They say only 6 tickets can be bought per promotional period. And the tickets are only 3-day Park Hoppers, without an early entry built in. (Of course, if you stay on-site, you'll be eligible for early entry because of that.)

We called about this earlier, and they told us they sell the tickets on the military base..we're hoping to buy them in advance....do they ask for military ID at the turnstile? That shouldn't be a problem as my friend has a military ID, but would each of us have to show it?

 

[sharonabe]

We called about this earlier, and they told us they sell the tickets on the military base..we're hoping to buy them in advance....do they ask for military ID at the turnstile? That shouldn't be a problem as my friend has a military ID, but would each of us have to show it?

A dependent military ID will not be enough for the deeply discounted Salute tickets. You have to be THE military person or their spouse in order to activate these. Children of military cannot activate the tickets.

There are some discounted military tickets you can use, but they are a small discount. Better than paying at the gate at Disney, but not nearly as good as the Salute tickets.

 

[lalasmama]

We called about this earlier, and they told us they sell the tickets on the military base..we're hoping to buy them in advance....do they ask for military ID at the turnstile? That shouldn't be a problem as my friend has a military ID, but would each of us have to show it?

Whomever has the military ID will need to purchase the tickets (either at the local MWR or at the ticket booth). Then as you go through the turnstiles each day, you will want to go through as a group, with that person with you. And all the tickets will have that person's name on them (they will say "John Doe Party" or something like that). We've been asked for the military ID different times on each trip--always with the initial use of the e-ticket, and then differing times--sometimes never again, sometimes each time until our picture is taken, and, last year, I think we were asked just about every time!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You can check the AAA discount prices on park hoppers by calling AAA or by checking the website. Multi-day hoppers purchased from AAA come with parking included. If you plan to stay off site, the free parking at M&F or TS saves you $17 per day.