New Costco parkhoppers

[nick262]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone has used these yet. I would like to buy one for my mom to use when she gets here in October. I am a So. Cal resident and she is visiting me from Nevada. I was just wondering if they would give her a hard time about using it.

TIA

 

[MAH4546]

It's a no-go.

With these new tickets, to prevent fraud, Disney enforces an ID and name-check everytime it is used. So in addition to showing California ID when you first arrive to transfer it, Disneyland will make the user sign the back of the ticket. The ID will then be checked on every subsequent visit.

 

[bumbershoot]

Are the new Costco parkhoppers for So Cal residents only? Or are they for anyone? That's the big question.

 

[MAH4546]

Are the new Costco parkhoppers for So Cal residents only? Or are they for anyone? That's the big question.

Unless one is a minor, they must product SoCal ID with zip codes 90000-93599 at the turnstile, on every visit.

 

[DizMe]

They are for SoCal residents' purchase only, but it has been stated by several DLR CMs who have been specifically asked about it that those residents can buy them for non-SoCal people as long as they are accompanied by the resident. Am I allowed to link to another board? There is a big discussion about this.

 

[MAH4546]

They are for SoCal residents' purchase only, but it has been stated by several DLR CMs who have been specifically asked about it that those residents can buy them for non-SoCal people as long as they are accompanied by the resident. Am I allowed to link to another board? There is a big discussion about this.

That is simply false. There have been serious issues of misscommunication about these between management and CMs that have allowed people to get away with it.

With the Costco tickets, everybody must present Southern California ID and sign the ticket on first use at the gate. This is to make sure that non-SoCal residents don't use them. In the past, signing was not necessary, and ID could be shown by anybody claiming them at Guest Services.

 

[stacielee]

MAH, I'm not sure what you're basing your information on, but I have 2 of the Costco AP cards and there is nothing on the back of them in the conditions that restricts it to any specific zip codes. Granted, I have the ones that came out before the price went up and have to be used by October 31, but I didn't think the new ones were any different.

 

[tinkermell]

MAH, I'm not sure what you're basing your information on, but I have 2 of the Costco AP cards and there is nothing on the back of them in the conditions that restricts it to any specific zip codes. Granted, I have the ones that came out before the price went up and have to be used by October 31, but I didn't think the new ones were any different.

Stacie, These new tickets are not APs. They are just 4 day park hoppers that can be used all year long. And they are just for So Cal residents, and must have proof of address.


What I am curious about is upgrading them to an AP? I mean how many times will they let you use them before it can be upgraded. I'm thinking of buying one for my DD, for our trip in October. Then I would like her to use it again in December so she can get in on Saturday, and then upgrade. I wonder if that is possible? I know that the ticket does say upgradable, but not sure if it has to be on the first day?

 

[MAH4546]

MAH, I'm not sure what you're basing your information on, but I have 2 of the Costco AP cards and there is nothing on the back of them in the conditions that restricts it to any specific zip codes. Granted, I have the ones that came out before the price went up and have to be used by October 31, but I didn't think the new ones were any different.

Those have been discontinued. They are now replaced by SoCal resident 4-day park hoppers with 365 day window expiration.

What I am curious about is upgrading them to an AP? I mean how many times will they let you use them before it can be upgraded. I'm thinking of buying one for my DD, for our trip in October. Then I would like her to use it again in December so she can get in on Saturday, and then upgrade. I wonder if that is possible? I know that the ticket does say upgradable, but not sure if it has to be on the first day?

They can be upgraded up until the fourth day of use, but the AP will back-date to the first day of use.

 

[stacielee]

Stacie, These new tickets are not APs. They are just 4 day park hoppers that can be used all year long. And they are just for So Cal residents, and must have proof of address.

What I am curious about is upgrading them to an AP? I mean how many times will they let you use them before it can be upgraded. I'm thinking of buying one for my DD, for our trip in October. Then I would like her to use it again in December so she can get in on Saturday, and then upgrade. I wonder if that is possible? I know that the ticket does say upgradable, but not sure if it has to be on the first day?

Those have been discontinued. They are now replaced by SoCal resident 4-day park hoppers with 365 day window expiration.

They can be upgraded up until the fourth day of use, but the AP will back-date to the first day of use.

Ah, now I see... Mel, it sounds like it would work just the same as any other park hopper. At least they don't have to be used within 13 days.

 

[tinkermell]

So in October, my DD will be using 3 of those days up. In December we could use her last day to get in on Saturday and then upgrade. That would be sweet!!

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

So a so. cal resident can't buy this new pass for non-residents, correct? Or yes as long as the person is present?

I am planning to live it up in October and stay onsite with cousins who are So. Cal residents, the new Costco hoppers were part of our plan.

So what will happen if I for any reason I want to go to our room really quick for anything (forgot something or the dreaded bathroom emergency!) and I'm by myself, will I be asked for ID and given a hard time since I'm Nor Cal? - to the bone!

 

[tinkermell]

So a so. cal resident can't buy this new pass for non-residents, correct? Or yes as long as the person is present?

I am planning to live it up in October and stay onsite with cousins who are So. Cal residents, the new Costco hoppers were part of our plan.

So what will happen if I for any reason I want to go to our room really quick for anything (forgot something or the dreaded bathroom emergency!) and I'm by myself, will I be asked for ID and given a hard time since I'm Nor Cal? - to the bone!

There is a really long discussion over on MousePlanet about all of this. Go check it out and see if it helps.

 

[DizMe]

There is a really long discussion over on MousePlanet about all of this. Go check it out and see if it helps.

Yep, that's the one I was talking about! http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=131109&highlight=costco+hopper

MAH, I don't know where your information comes from but perhaps you have more recent news than what was on this other thread. Could you let us know your source? Are you a CM? Thanks!

 

[nick262]

Hello All,

Thank you for your replies. I just got of the phone with DL ticketing. I called twice to make sure I got the same answer. Both were dead on sure that a So Cal resident could purchase the Costco tickets for an out of area guest as long as the So Cal resident was going to be with the guest in the park and can show their proof of residency. For me this will be no problem as my mom would not go to DL without us.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

In August we bought my sister the SoCal fun pass...they didn't have any issues with it. The CM selling it to us just wanted to see my husbands ID. Then they didn't even look twice at the turnstyle. I probably wouldn't risk it...but at the same time they aren't usually as strict as they claim.

 

[MAH4546]

Yep, that's the one I was talking about! http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=131109&highlight=costco+hopper

MAH, I don't know where your information comes from but perhaps you have more recent news than what was on this other thread. Could you let us know your source? Are you a CM? Thanks!

It's wrong, I promise you.

Disneyland has instituted new ID checking policies as of this fall, which are explained on that exact website.

The Costco Web site states in three different places - including a bold, bright red headline - that visitors "Must reside within ZIP codes 90000-93599" and that "Proof of residency required upon redemption." The ticket you purchase at Costco is a valid admission ticket, and you can take it directly to a main entrance gate to use it. We've been told that, to prevent the unauthorized "transfer" of tickets between visitors (ie, you use the first two days of the ticket and give it to a friend to use the second two days), visitors will be required to write their name on the ticket when it is first used for admission, and to show ID with that same name upon subsequent admissions. Obviously minor children will be exempt from the ID requirement, but will also be required to write their name on the ticket when it is first used. Adults should plan to have ID with them to use the ticket.

The days of using SoCal tickets for non-SoCal residents are done with. To many people have cheated in the past, and CMs have let it slid. Ticket CMs received a company-wide email about it a few weeks ago. And any CM that says otherwise is simply out of the loop. Disneyland had too many cheaters with the Funpass over the summer that these new policies are being integrated short-term until some sort of biometrics can be installed like at WDW and the Universal parks. In the past, it has become an issue of customer service. The rules are blatantly clear that you must be a SoCal resident to purchase and use, but often times Disney has employed a "the customer is always right, we'll let it slide" policy. Although Disneyland did do a significant number of random ID checks at the turnstiles this summer, and plenty of people were turned away using the Funpass.

 

[DizMe]

Well, here are two quotes from the linked thread above that pretty well sum it up. This person called and spoke to Guest Services about it and was told the same thing as the OP.

If and of course this is the biggie, IF they enforce this promo like the other so cal ones, a so cal resident can buy tickets for friends and family if they are all going to the park as a group. So based on past promos grandma or uncle can totally host their adorable granddaughters/nieces. The way it looks on the Costco website anyone can purchase the vouchers and then gift them to whomever but then the redemption needs a person eligible.
...According to the CM they are going to be strictly enforcing the ticket belongs to the person using it but that grandmas or friends or other extended family can in fact purchase these tickets for their guests.

And...

Well as we have seen in all the so cal only promotions...what the paperwork says and what the CM's tell us and what happens at the turnstile is all a big crapshoot.

 

[MAH4546]

Well, here are two quotes from the linked thread above that pretty well sum it up. This person called and spoke to Guest Services about it and was told the same thing as the OP.

If and of course this is the biggie, IF they enforce this promo like the other so cal ones, a so cal resident can buy tickets for friends and family if they are all going to the park as a group. So based on past promos grandma or uncle can totally host their adorable granddaughters/nieces. The way it looks on the Costco website anyone can purchase the vouchers and then gift them to whomever but then the redemption needs a person eligible.
...According to the CM they are going to be strictly enforcing the ticket belongs to the person using it but that grandmas or friends or other extended family can in fact purchase these tickets for their guests.

And...

Well as we have seen in all the so cal only promotions...what the paperwork says and what the CM's tell us and what happens at the turnstile is all a big crapshoot.

Well, I just made a quick phone call, and the person on the line told me that each adult in the party must have a SoCal ID, regardless of the purchaser. I bet if I called again in five minutes, I'd get told the opposite.

The fact is, rules are rules. It's pretty clear what they are. If one wants to cheat and lie to break them, and make tickets more expensive for everybody else by your cheating, go ahead. Some CMs will enforce the rules, some won't. And if too many CMs decide to be lazy about - a huge problem at DL - ticket prices will go up more and more.

Calling an ignorant CM to make yourself feel better about breaking the rules isn't an excuse for willful ignorance. Disney even made the SoCal terms on these Costco passes much more visible and put them in very bold red ink. I guess customers still won't be honest about it. It's really sad.

 

[nick262]

Well, I just made a quick phone call, and the person on the line told me that each adult in the party must have a SoCal ID, regardless of the purchaser. I bet if I called again in five minutes, I'd get told the opposite.

The fact is, rules are rules. It's pretty clear what they are. If one wants to cheat and lie to break them, and make tickets more expensive for everybody else by your cheating, go ahead. Some CMs will enforce the rules, some won't. And if too many CMs decide to be lazy about - a huge problem at DL - ticket prices will go up more and more.

Calling an ignorant CM to make yourself feel better about breaking the rules isn't an excuse for willful ignorance. Disney even made the SoCal terms on these Costco passes much more visible and put them in very bold red ink. I guess customers still won't be honest about it. It's really sad.

I just called for a third time. I spoke with a supervisor in ticketing who I asked to call the lead at the turnstyles and she was told by the lead at the turnstyles that as long as there is a So Cal resident with the person they can use the 4 day park hopper from Costco and that Disney would not deny access. You are more than welcome to call the same number it is 714-781-4400. This is 3 out of 3 for me on this topic. So unless you are a CM with inside knowledge and can go to your lead to change the answers from those who are "outside of the loop" then you need to stop with the attitude and accusations against all of us who are asking so that we all can follow the rules. Since I have been told by 3 DIFFERENT CAST MEMBERS INCLUDING ONE SUPERVISOR, I am going to go ahead and purchase this ticket for my mother and we shall see who is correct after the 16th of October.