General Questions for a day at Disneyland

[jbobst]

My wife and I are looking to spend the day at Disneyland this coming Monday (Feb 9th). It's been a couple years since I've been there and had a few questions.

First, the hours next Monday say 9am to 9pm. Do they open up main street prior to 9am and then have the rope drop right at 9am for the rest of the park? What time will they open up the gate to get into main street?

Since it's a Monday, will they have any night time shows like fireworks or Fantasmic?

We were thinking of just buying tickets at the gate...single day, single park ticket. Are there legal ways of getting discount tickets or park hopper tickets that are unused? If not, do some of you purchase tickets in your home town before you go so you don't have to wait in line at the ticket booth? I think our local AAA office sells them...

I see that the list of rides that will be out of commission (refurbishment) is a little long, but I guess that's what you get when you go in February. It just won't be the same without the train going around the park! And, is the Matterhorn ride ever open??? I swear it has been closed for the past 30+ years! (I've only gone to Disneyland probably 10-15 times over the past 30 years, but I guess it's just bad timing on my part).

We will be driving over from Arizona on Sunday night...we are looking for a cheap (but not trashy) hotel close by to crash for the Sunday night only. Since it's a Sunday night, hopefully there will be plenty of availability. Any recommendations? Priceline? "HotelTonight" maybe?

Thanks!

 

[ten6mom]

I live in Phoenix too!

Cannot answer all your questions but I definitely do recommend getting your tickets in advance (whether online thru Disneyland.com or any other venues such as way.com or getawaytoday (I have not used either of these). Check to see if either of your employers is part of The Employee Network... sometimes they have a slight discount depending on ticket type. Regardless of which you buy, I am pretty sure most of them send you an e-ticket which you take with you to the turnstiles (not the ticket booths) and there they give you a smaller credit card size paper ticket.

There will be lots to see even though many things are closed.

I personally have stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn which is as close as you can get, and the Anaheim Plaza which is slightly farther down the street (Harbor Blvd). Many other folks on these boards have lots of favorites. I prefer to stay on Harbor and walk to the parks (as opposed to trying for shuttles or ART).

Sorry I can't answer everything but there is a lot of expert advice on these boards! Someone will have all your answers.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I would probably buy my ticket in advance just so I can skip one line... If you haven't been lately, is there a reason you don't want to see DCA? I know it is a lot to do in one day, but if you have the whole day, you could hop back and forth and see the awesome cars land and maybe it wouldn't feel like so much is closed? I would think the calendar would show if fantasmic is playing that night by now, but I have a feeling you will be out of luck with nighttime entertainment... Another bummer about going on a weekday during the slow/refurb season.

 

[jbobst]

I would actually love to see the new cars land (they were building it last time I was there). But with only one day, I figured we've save the money and just do Disneyland. I'll check the price difference on doing a park hopper, but even with a bunch of rides closed, I think we are just going to do a relaxing day at Disneyland (seeing shows, checking out all the main street shops, and such). But I'll check the price difference for a 1 day park hopper.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I would buy the park hopper BECAUSE you're limited on time. What it does by having it is it gives you the flexibility to leave one park if you notice shorter lines at the other or if you notice a couple rides going down at the park you're in.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

AAA does sell discounted DLR tickets. At my local office in CA, they only sell park hoppers. The Anaheim Plaza is a solid, inexpensive hotel for what you want. Also the Super 8, either on Katella or on Disneyland Dr. I would look online, but also call the hotels directly to see if they can offer you a better deal. If you choose not to purchase your tickets ahead online or at AAA, you should be able to purchase them at your hotel. You will save a lot of time by already having your tickets when you go to the parks. The DLR calendar (check the DLR website) has F! showing once at 7:30pm on 2/09. F! viewing is almost all FP now (dining packages, a dessert package, free FP, and some standby standing). If you haven't already, read the F! super thread to get caught up on all the changes. Oh, and if you didn't already know, FP return times are now enforced (I don't think they were at the time of your last visit), so be careful about returning within your window.

 

[lindyv321]

I bought tickets on getawaytoday and they do send you a voucher to print out. Saves some time at the turnstiles for sure! There should be both fireworks and Fantasmic on Sunday night! During our 2013 trip we arrived to the parks about 30-45 minutes before the posted opening time and were let in to Main St about 15-30 minutes before rope drop. I too agree with the park hopper tickets. We didn't get them the last time we went and regretted it.

 

[figment_jii]

First, the hours next Monday say 9am to 9pm. Do they open up main street prior to 9am and then have the rope drop right at 9am for the rest of the park? What time will they open up the gate to get into main street?

My experience is that the ticket gates open anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes before the park open and most of Main Street is open. They hold everyone at the end of MS, just before it widens out to the rest of the park.

Since it's a Monday, will they have any night time shows like fireworks or Fantasmic?

Fantasmic is running nightly right now because WoC is down. It's unlikely there will be fireworks (which is usually only on Fri to Sun during the non-peak season). You can see the entertainment schedule here:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/day/2015-02-09/