Newbie to everything Disneyland :)

[amylia403]

We are very much hoping to take the kids to Disneyland in 2012, either January or February. None of us have ever been to DIsneyland (or even on a plane for that matter!)...lol When I look at the website they are only selling tickets that expire at the end of this year (2011).

1. Is there somewhere we can get tickets that don't expire at the end of 2011? (We were hoping to get things together with the tax refund in case we don't have the money later)

2. I believe I read that LAX is where we would fly in. I've seen that there are several options for transportation to the Disney hotels. Any suggestions on the easiest for a family of 5?

3. Do you suggest the dining plan? We have used it at WDW, but Im not sure if it is exactly the same in Disneyland

I'm sure I'll have 5 million more questions later, but I really appreciate the help! You guys are just the best!

 

[skiingfast]

Questions 2 and 3, suggest you should do some back ground research to get in the DLR mindset.

This link is to Hydroguy's guide to DLR for WDW vets. After you read it you will have really good planning questions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[21yankees]

We are very much hoping to take the kids to Disneyland in 2012, either January or February. None of us have ever been to DIsneyland (or even on a plane for that matter!)...lol When I look at the website they are only selling tickets that expire at the end of this year (2011).

1. Is there somewhere we can get tickets that don't expire at the end of 2011? (We were hoping to get things together with the tax refund in case we don't have the money later)

2. I believe I read that LAX is where we would fly in. I've seen that there are several options for transportation to the Disney hotels. Any suggestions on the easiest for a family of 5?

3. Do you suggest the dining plan? We have used it at WDW, but Im not sure if it is exactly the same in Disneyland

I'm sure I'll have 5 million more questions later, but I really appreciate the help! You guys are just the best!

1. I believe all DL tickets have some type of expiration date, they don't offer a non-expiration date option like WDW.

2. I'm local so I'll leave this for the more experienced board members in this area answer.

3. I do not suggest the dining plan. It is totally different. You get vouchers. Ex. for your snack: if you're using a voucher for an ice cream and it costs $4.00 and your voucher is $5, you won't receive change. Most people on this board will not recommend it.

Welcome to the DL board. You'll find a lot of information and helpful people.

Steph

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

On question 1, I think the answer is no. If you need some help to force yourself to save, there are other options. You can put the money into some "inaccessible" account with your bank or credit union like a short-term CD or a "Santa Saver" type account and even earn a tiny bit of interest. If that doesn't suit you, you can use your tax return to purchase Disney gift cards and save those for purchasing your tickets. I don't think the tickets that expire Jan. 2013 will be out until at least fall 2011.

 

[amylia403]

This info is awesome! I am loving the guide to DL for WDW vets too Amazing info, Thank you!!!! This will be a once in a lifetime trip for us, so I really want to gather as much knowledge as I can so we don't miss anything

 

[skiingfast]

This info is awesome! I am loving the guide to DL for WDW vets too Amazing info, Thank you!!!! This will be a once in a lifetime trip for us, so I really want to gather as much knowledge as I can so we don't miss anything

I'm glad you are enjoying that thread. It's really helpful to people with a WDW mindset of how to plan for DLR.


There is a way to buy non expire tickets for DLR. Will it work for ever and is it worthwhile is a good question.

DLR accepts WDW unused tickets.
So for comparison sake you could buy a 5 day WDW PH with the nonexpire option, $386. Of course today to buy a 5 day DLR PH is only $251 at the gates. So that really doesn't help, but it's an option.

Best bet is to wait until Thanksgiving and check DL.com every few weeks and see if they run a fall ticket special. Ticket offers for DL are very common.

 

[DahliaRW]

I wouldn't buy tickets, because a promotion might come out later and you'll probably pay more if you buy unexpireable ones now (if they even have them). Instead I would put the money on a disney gift card you can use for tickets later when you're ready to buy them.

 

[mystic_path]

We are very much hoping to take the kids to Disneyland in 2012, either January or February. None of us have ever been to DIsneyland (or even on a plane for that matter!)...lol When I look at the website they are only selling tickets that expire at the end of this year (2011).

1. Is there somewhere we can get tickets that don't expire at the end of 2011? (We were hoping to get things together with the tax refund in case we don't have the money later)

Disneyland tickets are something you dont have to purchase RIGHT AWAY. Also when you purchase tickets, no matter if it is online or if it is through a local travel agent, they ask you what day's your travelling on. Simply because there might be a promotion which save you money. Wait until later this year to see if Disney is going to come out with some sort of promotion. It seems like every single year from January to April kids fly free with some airlines and there are ticket deals of all sorts.

Besides, I dont like purchasing tickets directly though Disney. You can find them cheaper elsewhere. I particularily like "Getawaytoday.com". You can pay online, or over the phone". Getawaytoday will send you vouchers to your home, and they will send you the same voucher to your email address to print off as a 2nd backup copy. You print those vouchers, or take the ones sent to you at home by mail, and bring them to the park with you where you redeem them for your park passes at the ticket booth. Really simple.

Your local travel agents may have the same ticket pricing as GAT. Most travel agents sell Disneyland park hopper passes. I would look into that. If you purchase from your local travel agent, it usually takes a day or two for confirmation of payment to go through, and your travel agent calls you saying your voucher is ready for pickup. That voucher you bring to the Park ticket booth to redeem for passes.

2.

I believe I read that LAX is where we would fly in. I've seen that there are several options for transportation to the Disney hotels. Any suggestions on the easiest for a family of 5?

Its funny I actually prefer flying into LAX over SNA (Orange County). There are very few flights that are direct flying into SNA. It seems like the majority of flights have a minimum of one stop over. LAX has more flights coming in more often then SNA, giving you a wider variety of flights to choose from. So essentially even though SNA is only 20 minutes away from Disneyland, even with LAX being 45 minutes away, and depending on what mode of transfers you use if you dont rent a car (SUPER SHUTTLE MY FAV FROM LAX), you can arrive at Disneyland sooner then you would with SNA.

If you fly into SNA, if you dont rent a car, I am going to suggest to you that you take a taxi to your hotel. The taxi's are plentiful outside the airport terminal, and they even have taxi vans for your whole family. They always quote you a flat rate of $40 one way and that includes tip. That will take you straight to your hotel. If you choose Supershuttle from SNA, or the Disneyland Express bus, your gonna be dropping off others at their hotel on the way to yours.


3.

Do you suggest the dining plan? We have used it at WDW, but Im not sure if it is exactly the same in Disneyland

I have heard that there is a plan that you can choose if you go through Disney itself, but most say its not worth it as Disneyland doesnt have the variety of places to eat like WDW. However there is a website that has Disneyland/DCA/Downtown Disneys restaurnt menus and pricing. It may help you.

http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

 

[DisneyMomma81]

2. I believe I read that LAX is where we would fly in. I've seen that there are several options for transportation to the Disney hotels. Any suggestions on the easiest for a family of 5?

There are several other airports - we LGB *Long Beach - it's teeny and close to DLR - many also like SNA - another smaller airport very close to DLR.

3. Do you suggest the dining plan? We have used it at WDW, but Im not sure if it is exactly the same in Disneyland

Nope ~ we had it for free at WDW *10/09* and it was fantastic but the DLR version doesn't compare, to budget or "pre pay" for meals at DLR I purchase Disney Gift Cards and Character Meal vouchers *the vouchers often save you $$

I'm sure I'll have 5 million more questions later, but I really appreciate the help! You guys are just the best!

Hang out here for a while you'll get the hang of DLR ~ we love it there!

See my responses above.

 

[dptabrown]

I am planning our first trip to Disneyland in many years right now as well, so as I'm not an expert, I have come across some of the answers.

1. The cheapest Disneyland Park Hopper tix for our own trip I have found have not been directly through Disney, so I personally wouldn't buy gift cards for the future cuz you may end up finding them cheaper elsewhere.

2. The John Wayne airport in Santa Ana (SNA) is the closest to Disneyland. I assumed that it would be cheaper for us to fly into the largest airport nearby (LAX) but for us, Alaska Air was dong a sale to SNA so I found flight tix much cheaper to SNA than LAX. I would recommend searching for both!

Hope that helps a little!

 

[mellers]

1. Is there somewhere we can get tickets that don't expire at the end of 2011? (We were hoping to get things together with the tax refund in case we don't have the money later)

If one or more of your kids is between 11 and 18, you would be better off to see if there is a YES (Youth Educational Services) group you could join up with on your dates somewhere on this board when you're within a month or two of your dates, rather than to buy them now. They have the cheapest tickets, and the tickets include some unique classes (like Animation and Physics) as well as the park admission.

2. I believe I read that LAX is where we would fly in. I've seen that there are several options for transportation to the Disney hotels. Any suggestions on the easiest for a family of 5?

Santa Ana (SNA) and Long Beach (LGB) are closer, and sometimes less expensive than LAX. Any of the LA airports will put you within a reasonable distance. Given the size of your family, I would recommend the SuperShuttle (1-800-BLUE-VAN)--they ought to give you a good deal. Don't bother renting a car--you won't need it if you pick a hotel close to the park, and there are plenty of inexpensive places within walking distance. You'll be much better off that way than if you rented a car and stayed further away.

3. Do you suggest the dining plan? We have used it at WDW, but Im not sure if it is exactly the same in Disneyland

No, it is not a good deal. It is a particularly bad deal if you have any kids between the ages of 10 and 12. You'll do better, if you have kids that age, to eat at the Rainforest Cafe, because 10-12 year olds can eat off the kids menu--if you plan to eat there a few nights, it would probably also be worth it to invest in a Safari Club card, which will get you 10% off. You should check with AAA, but I know that they at least used to have a discount at Rancho del Zocalo, and a few other dining locations within the park--that would be a better bet. Again, I don't know if they still do, but they also used to give you discounts on the character meals at Goofy's Kitchen, the Storyteller's Cafe, and the PCH grill.

If you're looking for a VERY cheap place to feed your family, there is McDonald's about a 10-15 minute walk from the front gate of both Disneyland and California Adventure.

It's definitely worth it to splurge on one of the character meals, but there are a lot of nice places to check out at Downtown Disney as well.

 

[mellers]

One other thing I ought to add, with regards to quick dining--there is a buffet called Captain Kidd's across the street from Disneyland. It is cheap, but truly awful. Avoid it like the plague.

 

[mystic_path]

One other thing I ought to add, with regards to quick dining--there is a buffet called Captain Kidd's across the street from Disneyland. It is cheap, but truly awful. Avoid it like the plague.

Yeah there's a reason they are constantly out there shoving free meal cupons at you. I think thats the only thing that keeps them in business.