LMT vs. aRes vs. GAT--where to buy tickets??

[rnewton2]

Anyone have any opinion on which is the best to buy tickets from...???

Last Minute Travel vs. aRes vs. Get Away Today

We are traveling in January...LMT doesn't have their prices published yet for January, aRes is about $5 cheaper than GAT...

 

[skiingfast]

GAT, because my opion is it's unethical for me to use either of the other two.

 

[rnewton2]

Why would it be unethical?

 

[skiingfast]

Why would it be unethical?

It's currently a hot political topic and is not allowed to be discussed on the DIS. You will just need to take my word for it if you are also an ethical person.

 

[rnewton2]

Wow, OK, I am completely in the dark about what the issue is. I guess I am out of the loop!!

 

[rentayenta]

It's currently a hot political topic and is not allowed to be discussed on the DIS. You will just need to take my word for it if you are also an ethical person.

I haven't clue what the controversy is but love the way this is worded. Very parent like.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Well I think I have a vague recollection of the "issue" but not enough to speak on it. I just wanted to say that we have used GAT and aREs, and had absolutely no problems with either. I'm not sure if you have AAA, but this last trip having never considered going through AAA, we were able to get 6 day Passport Plus parkhoppers for $216 which is the least we have ever paid. We initially joined AAA to get the hotel discount, but when we learned about this we were pleasantly surprised. It was well worth the $67 enrollment, and now we have auto coverage too

Just an idea, but again, I have had no trouble with GAT and aRES.

 

[IBLarsen]

I'm clueless about this controversy, however, my experience is that I've used LMT and had no problems with them. They were cheaper than the others which is why I went with them, but have used the others as well with no problems either. So compare pricing I say. (We do not have AAA, so have never compared that). Good luck!

 

[Cinmon Toast & Tacos]

I can't speak to Ares or GAT, but we used Last Minute Travel in October and ran into a wall of problems, stemming from not getting our vouchers to them not being able to FIX the fact that we hadn't received our vouchers. We were able to resolve the problem, but not until after almost 2 hours of precious Disney time on the phone with them, 4 emails with unreadable attachments, 3 faxes, and 3 conversations with the Disney ticket booth/guest relations.

It was a much better price, but I wouldn't go with them again. The wonderful, amazingly helpful woman at Disney who helped us was obviously used to dealing with the same issue from LMT -- she didn't seem at all surprised when we explained what the problems were.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Whoever has the lowest price... I've used LMT *you're really buying them from Tourico Holidays *that may be the trouble people run in to - they go to the ticket booth and say "I bought tickets from LMT" the CM can't find them, if they were to say "I bought tickets from Tourcio Holidays" they'd be found much quicker. We're using them again this Thanksgiving weekend *also used and are using LMT for meal vouchers*

We also booked our hotel through LMT for later this month! Great price *I knew what I was getting using this fantastic tip I've already confirmed my reservation directly with the hotel *714 number.

I've used ARES in the past just fine and GAT *but it's been a while for GAT.

 

[IBLarsen]

That is an awesome tip link DisneyMomma! I used LMT for a hotel 2 years ago in San Diego and got a great deal, but that tip would have been very very useful!

To the OP - If you do use LMT make sure they send you the Voucher. It will say "reservation voucher" on it with all the names of your party that you listed. The first time a couple years ago, I had to call to get it, because I hadn't received it, this time for our trip next week, I got the voucher emailed to me within an hour of placing my order. I had read on here a couple years ago that people didn't realize they needed that Voucher, and just printed their receipt which didn't work. Hope that helps if you do go with them!

 

[DollBabyKG]

Can you explain how to use the tip? I've gone to the link, and then followed that link to Tourico Holiday's website, but I can't find where to input the hotel ID number. What am I missing?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Can you explain how to use the tip? I've gone to the link, and then followed that link to Tourico Holiday's website, but I can't find where to input the hotel ID number. What am I missing?

You can also find the hotel information when using Last Minute Travel by using their mobile web site. When I search on a computer, I see 2.5 Star Hotel for $50 and 4 Star hotel for $85. When I search using my mobile browser, I see Quality Inn for $50 and Hilton for $85. -- Suzanne

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I need to see if LMT's Citypass deal must be used at Disneyland first. This is the case with GAT, and it really bums me out. I was all set to buy their Citypass at a small discount, but we are going to SD first - and Sea World before DL.

Edit: Yup LMT is the same way - there goes $120 down the tube

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I need to see if LMT's Citypass deal must be used at Disneyland first. This is the case with GAT, and it really bums me out. I was all set to buy their Citypass at a small discount, but we are going to SD first - and Sea World before DL.

Edit: Yup LMT is the same way - there goes $120 down the tube

It's the Citipass rule. Doesn't matter who you buy it from.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

It's the Citipass rule. Doesn't matter who you buy it from.

No, actually if you pay full price on the Citypass site, they will mail them to you and you can start at any park. I was just trying to save money.

Quote from their site FAQ:

5.If I purchase Southern California CityPASS from a website that offers e-tickets, do I have to start at Disneyland?

If you purchase your Southern California CityPASS from CityPASS.com, you will receive your Southern California CityPASS card in the mail and can visit the attractions in any order you choose. However, if you purchase the Southern California CityPASS from other websites and print an e-ticket, you may be required to pick up your admission card from a specific attraction.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

No, actually if you pay full price on the Citypass site, they will mail them to you and you can start at any park. I was just trying to save money.

Quote from their site FAQ:

5.If I purchase Southern California CityPASS from a website that offers e-tickets, do I have to start at Disneyland?

If you purchase your Southern California CityPASS from CityPASS.com, you will receive your Southern California CityPASS card in the mail and can visit the attractions in any order you choose. However, if you purchase the Southern California CityPASS from other websites and print an e-ticket, you may be required to pick up your admission card from a specific attraction.

Interesting.

 

[Ariel224]

I have used all 3 companies in the past couple of years, with absolutely no issues. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them, since no one can/will enlighten us on the "controversy". Search for the best price.

Ironically, the one major ticket problem I have recently had occurred when I purchased my father a ticket directly through disneyland.com. I never received the email containing the voucher. They refused to resend it to my secondary email account, instead putting it in will-call status under Dad's name. But, when Dad went to pick up the ticket at the ticket booth, they insisted on my being present and showing my ID. From then on, that ticket was obviously flagged in the computer system, as my dad had to show ID or answer some question about his usage pattern for the ticket on several occasions going through the turnstiles. It became a running joke every time we prepared to enter a park.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Interesting.

Yeah it is - I would soooo much rather save the money than use citypass.com and pay full price. But we have to start at Seaworld, so I guess we have no choice.

 

[Ptrleblanc]

We're planning a trip for January, and I have been looking at the prices on the various sites - LMT, GAT, aRes, DisneyLand.

We purchased an Entertainment book yesterday, and I went online to see what their prices were.

For a 3-day park hopper ticket, for example, the cost is 169.99 plus 10.99 tax. (179.98). That seems to be the best price I can see. No shipping charge, it is a electronic ticket to exchange at Disneyland gate.

The only glitch, these tickets are redeemable until the end of this year. We'll wait to see when they load the 2012 tickets.

Here is the fine print from the website.

Ages 10 and older

Bonus: Receive one Magic Morning early entry admission per ticket!

Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Tickets entitle Guests to admittance to both Disneyland® park and Disney's California Adventure® park over 3 days, guest may visit both theme parks per day. Each day of use of a Disneyland® Resort Ticket constitutes one full day of use.

- *Ticket will only be valid for pick up and use 30 days before and up to 60 days after Guest Arrival Date selected at checkout or the ticket expiration date, whichever comes first. All Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2012, whichever occurs first. First use must occur by December 31, 2011.
- *Parking fees are not included in the price of the ticket.
- The guest whose name appears on the Order will be required to present personal identification with picture satisfactory to Disney and the name on such identification MUST match a name on the Order.

Print and exchange your order confirmation email at any Main Entrance Ticket Window to receive your admission tickets. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. VOID IF ALTERED. Disneyland® park and Disney’s California Adventure™ park hours vary and are subject to change without notice. Unused tickets are not refundable.