Flex Pass Superthread: Disneyland Resort Introduces New Annual Passport that Combines Value and Flexibility

[midnight star]

I had my first visit to DL and DCA with FlexPass yesterday. I downgraded from Signature when my pass was expiring a couple weeks ago. Reservation system worked well. I was very happy about how it all worked out and I was able to enter my husband's pass and my daughter's pass into my account so that I can make their reservations at the same time that I make mine. So smooth.

I thought the new passes would work well because we only visit about 6 - 10 times per year for day visits (my husband much less than that). We tired of building our Pandora bracelets and I don't want to buy anymore Dooney and Bourkes, so I didn't feel the need for the 20% discount.

After my first visit with the new pass I am thinking that I need to rework my math again. It was only one day and actually, only a few hours, but this is how much more I spent yesterday (in a few hours) compared to what I would have spent with a Signature:
Parking: $25
Meals (Carthay Circle and various counter service) with a lesser discount: $7
Merchandise with a lesser discount: $38

Yeah, so in one day, I spent $70. more than if I had a Signature pass.

I don't feel like spending a lot of time on projecting math right now, but ouch. I think I either need to not go to Disneyland, or I need to upgrade to Signature. If I upgrade to Signature, does anyone know if I'd be able to get my parking money back? I saved the receipt just in case.
I realized that we just don't care about the rides that much anymore. We like to buy stuff and walk around. I don't know if I'll be buying dresses whenever I go there, but it seems like we always come away with a bag or two, even if we weren't planning on buying anything.

This is me. I still love doing the rides, but if I am solo or with other passholder friends we at most do 5 rides, and then hang around and do characters, shows, food, etc. I always come home with something too, so having that 20% discount is appealing.

 

[pharmama]

I had my first visit to DL and DCA with FlexPass yesterday. I downgraded from Signature when my pass was expiring a couple weeks ago. Reservation system worked well. I was very happy about how it all worked out and I was able to enter my husband's pass and my daughter's pass into my account so that I can make their reservations at the same time that I make mine. So smooth.

I thought the new passes would work well because we only visit about 6 - 10 times per year for day visits (my husband much less than that). We tired of building our Pandora bracelets and I don't want to buy anymore Dooney and Bourkes, so I didn't feel the need for the 20% discount.

After my first visit with the new pass I am thinking that I need to rework my math again. It was only one day and actually, only a few hours, but this is how much more I spent yesterday (in a few hours) compared to what I would have spent with a Signature:
Parking: $25
Meals (Carthay Circle and various counter service) with a lesser discount: $7
Merchandise with a lesser discount: $38

Yeah, so in one day, I spent $70. more than if I had a Signature pass.

I don't feel like spending a lot of time on projecting math right now, but ouch. I think I either need to not go to Disneyland, or I need to upgrade to Signature. If I upgrade to Signature, does anyone know if I'd be able to get my parking money back? I saved the receipt just in case.
I realized that we just don't care about the rides that much anymore. We like to buy stuff and walk around. I don't know if I'll be buying dresses whenever I go there, but it seems like we always come away with a bag or two, even if we weren't planning on buying anything.

This is exactly the piece that has me hesitating on whether to downgrade my Sig when it expires too... It works fine for DD to have the Flex but I'm thinking I might keep my Sig for discounts and parking. Last time we were in SoCal we didn't even go to the parks but we did go to DTD to get DD8's Evie costume that was sold out online. So without even going in the parks I saved $25 on parking and $15 more with the larger merch discount (because of course we bought a couple other things too) than I would have with the Flex.

 

[bwvBound]

After my first visit with the new pass I am thinking that I need to rework my math again. It was only one day and actually, only a few hours, but this is how much more I spent yesterday (in a few hours) compared to what I would have spent with a Signature:
Parking: $25
Meals (Carthay Circle and various counter service) with a lesser discount: $7
Merchandise with a lesser discount: $38

Is it possible to rework your parking solution?

I’ve learned to park far off-site and take a city/county bus to the park. I found an express commuter line roughly half-way between home and the parks. The parking is free at the bus station and the ride is $3.50 each direction with a pleasant hour, or so, to relax. Works well!

 

[socaldisneylover]

Is it possible to rework your parking solution?

I’ve learned to park far off-site and take a city/county bus to the park. I found an express commuter line roughly half-way between home and the parks. The parking is free at the bus station and the ride is $3.50 each direction with a pleasant hour, or so, to relax. Works well!

I have done the route that goes from Laguna Hills to Disneyland. It's about 10 minutes from my house, costs $2 each way, and takes around 1 hour unless you go during rush hour. I save on parking, gas, and energy dealing with the freeway and traffic. Other times I have parked near an ART stop, and bought a $6 Day Pass, and another I parked and took a Lyft for about $6 one-way after tip. I have not paid for parking since I bought the FP several months ago, it's a giant waste IMO.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Is it possible to rework your parking solution?

Other times I have parked near an ART stop, and bought a $6 Day Pass, and another I parked and took a Lyft for about $6 one-way after tip.

I will have to look into options like those. I am usually in a big hurry to get to the parks, so I have the illusion that parking there is quicker, but with the car line going in, it always takes longer than I expect it to.

One of my daughters kept her Signature and I visit with her about half of the time that I go. So, I am covered for parking with her. I really don't think I will buy dresses every time that I visit or that I will eat at Carthay Circle every time. So, whenever I get around to really crunching my numbers again, parking away and taking a bus or Lyft might be a good choice for me.

 

[jewdmeister]

I had my first visit to DL and DCA with FlexPass yesterday. I downgraded from Signature when my pass was expiring a couple weeks ago. Reservation system worked well. I was very happy about how it all worked out and I was able to enter my husband's pass and my daughter's pass into my account so that I can make their reservations at the same time that I make mine. So smooth.

I haven't had a chance to read every post on this forum yet, so I'm not sure if this was already brought up... but did you renew your pass online?

I have the Signature pass and I'm up for renewal this month. My friend had mentioned that if you renew before your pass online before it lapses, it gives you the option of choosing any of the passes with the option of adding on MaxPass and/or parking. If you renew via the customer service line or in the parks, it doesn't give the cast member the option. I checked for myself just now and it gives me the option.

I know my biggest deal-breaker was the parking because I go sometimes 2-4 times a month and parking adds up quickly. Once I saw that you could include it onto one of the lower passes, it sold me on the Flex. I bring this up to you because if you weren't given the option and it's something that would benefit you, I'd try to get it changed.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I bring this up to you because if you weren't given the option and it's something that would benefit you, I'd try to get it changed.

I did renew online and I was given the option, but I don't visit enough to break even on the overall cost of adding parking. I'd have to visit at least 10 times (which is unlikely).

I just seem to spend a lot of money of food and merchandise. So, the reduced discount added to the cost of parking is a lot to take when I've been so used the discounts for so long.

 

[jewdmeister]

I did renew online and I was given the option, but I don't visit enough to break even on the overall cost of adding parking. I'd have to visit at least 10 times (which is unlikely).

I just seem to spend a lot of money of food and merchandise. So, the reduced discount added to the cost of parking is a lot to take when I've been so used the discounts for so long.

I definitely see where you're coming from. I contemplated the reduction in the discount as well but I figured I wouldn't spend enough to justify the almost double price of sticking with the Signature. It's all about what works for you and your individual needs. These price hikes every year are getting to be a little nuts...but I say the same thing every year and eventually give in!

 

[KatieJoy]

My son and I are are planning to go down Friday to meet up with family. I’m worried because we upgraded last month to flex passes, and have reservations for Friday and Saturday. What if traffic gets horrible and we don’t make it into the parks Friday on time? We’re staying close by on Harbour, but in the event of unforeseen circumstances, will we be punished for not going on Friday, which we already reserved?
I’m just worried that the 101 will throw something unexpected into the mix-

 

[cruisehopeful]

What if traffic gets horrible and we don’t make it into the parks Friday on time? We’re staying close by on Harbour, but in the event of unforeseen circumstances, will we be punished for not going on Friday, which we already reserved?

You'll be fine. Here are the no show guidelines:
No-Shows

Passholders who are a “no show” for 3 reservations in a 90-day window will be unable to make new reservations for 30 days. However, they can still enter a park on a “Good to Go” date, subject to capacity.

• The 30-day period begins the day after the third “no-show.”
• If you enter the park for which you have a reservation at any time before closing on the day of the reservation, you will not be considered a “no-show.”
• If the reservation is for both parks, you only need to enter one to avoid being a “no-show.”
• If you timely cancel a reservation, you will also not be considered a “no-show.”

You'd need to no show 3 different times in a 90 day period to lose your ability to make a reservation for 30 days.

 

[socaldisneylover]

My son and I are are planning to go down Friday to meet up with family. I’m worried because we upgraded last month to flex passes, and have reservations for Friday and Saturday. What if traffic gets horrible and we don’t make it into the parks Friday on time? We’re staying close by on Harbour, but in the event of unforeseen circumstances, will we be punished for not going on Friday, which we already reserved?
I’m just worried that the 101 will throw something unexpected into the mix-

If you reserved Both Parks, then all you need to do is walk through the Disneyland gates. I'm assuming they're open until midnight on Friday, so if you're really concerned, so long as you can get there just before closing, you can just walk in and then leave, or just hang out on main street until that also closes.

 

[Aurora0427]

Why is Monday October 7 currently showing as booked for reservations? 10/14 is Columbus Day. What am I missing?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Why is Monday October 7 currently showing as booked for reservations? 10/14 is Columbus Day. What am I missing?

It’s been discussed that it must be some kind of glitch - DCA is good to go that day, and DL is available to reserve. But if you go to both parks, it says unavailable.

 

[Aurora0427]

It’s been discussed that it must be some kind of glitch - DCA is good to go that day, and DL is available to reserve. But if you go to both parks, it says unavailable.

I should’ve read the thread! I just went it and saw what you posted and came back to edit! Now I know to always check both parks individually! Thanks!

 

[moreisgood]

It’s been discussed that it must be some kind of glitch - DCA is good to go that day, and DL is available to reserve. But if you go to both parks, it says unavailable.

But, why is DL unavailable on Monday, the 7th? Is it some special celebration day?

 

[clb79]

But, why is DL unavailable on Monday, the 7th? Is it some special celebration day?

It is available on Monday the 7th still (as of this post) you just have to select Disneyland instead of Both Parks (that is the glitch), CA is good to go without a reservation so you can get in to both parks still. Usually if one is good to go and the other is open for reservations it will reflect the same on the Both Parks option as choosing the individual park option.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

But, why is DL unavailable on Monday, the 7th? Is it some special celebration day?

I think you misread. It’s available. Not unavailable.

 

[twodogs]

I think you misread. It’s available. Not unavailable.

Maybe the question should have been why does DL require a reservation on that random Monday in October, versus every other Monday in October which does not require a reservation for DL? I would have expected Monday 10/14 to perhaps require reservations since it is a holiday, but it is “good to go” for both parks.

 

[clb79]

Maybe the question should have been why does DL require a reservation on that random Monday in October, versus every other Monday in October which does not require a reservation for DL? I would have expected Monday 10/14 to perhaps require reservations since it is a holiday, but it it “good to go” for both parks.

If that is what they meant that is a great question!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

I know to do this on my last day/leaving the park.

I understand the basics of price bridging for tickets, but what is the reasoning behind waiting until your last day to upgrade? Wouldn't you miss out on using the AP discounts for your whole trip?