Newbie ? re:DLH & Park Hopper Tickets

[hearingaidmom]

My family is going to DLR for the first time on June 12. Our documents package just arrived! However, I was really surprised that our park hopper tickets were included in the documents. When we have gone to WDW in the past, we never got our park tickets until checkin. Our tickets were combined on cards w/room keys. We could use these cards to charge items to our room account also in all of the parks, restaurants, hotels, etc. I guess it doesn't work the same way at DLR. Do you get another room key card at checkin? If so, does this card carry charging privileges? We are staying at DLH if it matters. Thanks for help you can give me.

 

[hlbtimes2]

You will get another card at check in, it will just be your room key. They will give you a slip of paper that has your info coded on it. You can use it as your room charge, priority boarding on the monorail, and to get your extra early entry days. They have not really caught up with techonology at DL.

 

[hearingaidmom]

Thanks Linda. Seems like a lot to keep up with!

 

[minniebeth]

Another DL newbie here...can you tell me more about the priority boarding on the monorail? We will also be staying at the DL Hotel... thanks!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We just returned from our first DL trip a last week. I was very surprised at the lack of technology at DL.

We had park tickets, a room key, and a piece of paper that we could use for charging, early entry, and monorail access.

I found using my room charge to be a pain, everytime you want to use it, the cashier has to punch the numbers in, no swiping. The only reason to use it would be to keep the transaction level on your card low during your visit, instead of a ton of little charges all day you have just one big charge when you leave. I had a Disney Visa that I used for discounts, and even when I used that card the numbers still had to be punched in, no swiping. There was confusion among cast members on whether I had to use the Disney Visa to get the discounts or if I just had to show the card, "I had the Disney Visa linked to my room and I wanted the charges on my room and not directly on the card". My husband was on a golf trip in Tennessee using the Disney Visa and I was concerned that we would both have trouble using it at the same time from 2 distant locations. It was not a problem.

Early entry and monorail access. The piece of paper can be used to get in the resort guest line at the monorail Tommorrowland station, you are given priority boarding over other guests. You can also get on the monorail at the Downtown Disney station before park opening. Also if you are a resort guest you can show the piece of paper and get early entry everyday that it is offered during your stay.

The room keys at DLH had to be inserted in the door multiple times for them to work and sometimes still didn't work.

No biometrics at the park gates, so pretty much anyone can use anyone else's tickets.

Counter service in the parks is very slow compared to WDW. Be prepared to wait a long time to order, pay, and get your food.

Food options at DLH were very limited. After a day in the parks you're only fast food choice was cheeseburgers and chicken fingers by the pool which was very crowded and took over an hour to get my order. We really didn't feel like sitting in a steakhouse in our shorts after being in the parks all day. Room service was also available but didn't see a menu in our room. At WDW every hotel has a food court with a wide variety of choices and a casual eatery.

I found it frustrating to keep up with all the different pieces of media. At WDW you have one card, that can be used for charging, park admission, fastpass, transportation, and room key.

Also, no Fastpass for Matterhorn and Peter Pan two very popular rides.

I bought my tickets from the Disney Store here in Louisiana before leaving on my trip. I'm glad I did. The tickets were on a hard plastic card. Tickets that you get from Disneyland are on paper.

Disneyland is a wonderful place, we had a great time and our family will visit again, I guess I was a little spoiled and expected it to be as technologically advanced as WDW. I don't want to discourage anyone from visiting we had a really great time, Disneyland has advantages over WDW, esp. how close everything is. At Disneyland everything is a short walk away, your hotel, Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. No buses! So I don't want anyone to think that I'm ripping DL.

 

[minniebeth]

Thanks so much Sleeping Becca! This info is really valuable to me. I know all the ins and outs of WDW and have good trips because I feel like we are well prepared. DLR will be a new experience for us and I feel like I don't want to be inefficient there because it may be very different in many ways. All this will help to know what to expect. If there are any other tips you may think are good to know, please tell!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

At WDW the monorail is a major method of transportation, the monorails are large and hold a lot of people and come very frequently.

At DLR the monorail was much smaller, and had no airconditioning, it was more of a ride than a method of transportation kind of like the WDW Railroad. It also stops running at park closing time.

I can't tell you enough, how close everything is! It is really amazing. We were in the Sierra Tower at DLH, we stepped out of the tower and were in Downtown Disney, a brief walk through DTD and you are at the entrance plaza to the parks! There is a line of security screening posts, after you get screened you are in the plaza on the right is CA and on the left is DL. For DL vets this is the status quo but for WDW vets this is mindblowing!

We used ridemax and were very satisfied, it is a great little tool.

Weather. California has the best weather. I can see why so many people want to live there. After many many many trips to Orlando in the heat of spring and summer, California was a welcome change. It was mild during the day and chilly at night. I did not sweat once my entire trip! My aunts family visited WDW at the same time we were at DL. In their pictures and video everyone is hot and sweaty, in our pictures we are wearing sweatshirts.

We were able to experience many more rides and attractions than my aunts family. I think it was due to the proximity of everything and the weather at DL.

You will have a great time at DL.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I have never been to WDW, and only once to DL. Still, I was surprised we had to carry so many different items: room card, white paper, tickets, plus we had Disney dollars, regular cash, credit cards, etc. I'm hoping DL will catch up on the latest technology.

Still, I think it's better to know beforehand what to expect, that way you don't get taken by surprise and frustrated.

I had read before our trip about the option to have park purchases charged to your room; however, it's a huge hassle and takes longer than if you just use your CC. I also read that you could have items sent to your room; however, it won't show up until the next day, so if your purchase is something to occupy the kids, that may not be a good idea. Just make your purchase as you exit the park, especially if you head back to the hotel for the afternoon. Better to be prepared, and plan accordingly.

 

[ArielAdventurer]

However, I was really surprised that our park hopper tickets were included in the documents. When we have gone to WDW in the past, we never got our park tickets until checkin.

I went to WDW for the first time last spring and I got my park hopper tickets in the mail with my package ...The only thing I did like better was one card worked everything.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

However, I was really surprised that our park hopper tickets were included in the documents. When we have gone to WDW in the past, we never got our park tickets until checkin.

I went to WDW for the first time last spring and I got my park hopper tickets in the mail with my package ...The only thing I did like better was one card worked everything.

What kind of package did you get? I have never heard of park tickets being mailed with a WDW package, the tickets are put on your reservation and coded to your room key. The only thing you would have gotten in the mail is your magical express luggage straps and luggage tags along with your package information.

 

[ArielAdventurer]

I don't know what kind of package I got..I just paid over the phone like I usually do at DL...It was the first time I had ever been to WDW...I didn't even know what they were at first..because at that time DL had paper ones

 

[RMH]

Thanks so much Sleeping Becca! This info is really valuable to me. I know all the ins and outs of WDW and have good trips because I feel like we are well prepared. DLR will be a new experience for us and I feel like I don't want to be inefficient there because it may be very different in many ways. All this will help to know what to expect. If there are any other tips you may think are good to know, please tell!

This is a really good post if you are familiar with WDW but will be going to DLR for the first time: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599&referrerid=&highlight=WDW+Vets

 

[hearingaidmom]

Thanks for all the info everyone! It will be a lot to keep up with, but at least I know what to expect.