Not sure who book trip through, need advice

[Jessd]

I am looking to book our May trip within the next week.

I have priced Getawaytoday and Small World Vacations. We are going to stay at the Howard Johnson. The price difference isn’t much, Small World is 50.06 more. Both come with 3 day park hoppers, we plan on going to Disneyland once, maybe twice California Adventure once, and will probably go to Disneyland for a few hours on our last day.

I don’t know which travel company to go with. Small world has Disney’s Good Neighbor Dream package which includes :

-Collectible Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket.
-Disney Character Calls - Receive a phone call from Mickey and his pals!
-One Magic Morning into Fantasyland in Disneyland® Park*; valid with Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir tickets of 3-Days or longer. *Available 4 times a week
-Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness - An interactive Guest and Character experience.
-Preferred seating to select shows in Disney's California Adventure® Park
-Collectible Dream Coin (one per package)
-Walt Disney Travel Company Collectible Pin & Lanyard (one per person)
-Walt Disney Travel Company Luggage Tag (one per person)
-Downtown Disney® District Fun Card (one per package)


Getawaytoday comes with two early entries for Tomorrow land, Southern California Discount Booklet and a Scrapbook album.

Which one would you go with? It is worth paying $50 more to get the Disney perks of the Toontown Morning Madness and the California Adventure preferred show seating? Small World gives one early to Fantasyland and Getawaytoday gives two to Tomorrowland. The entertainment rate at HOJOs is not available for us since we will be there May 25-28th.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[rentayenta]

If you have younger kids, I would go with the package that offers the ToonTown Madness.

 

[Avery's mom]

This depends. If you want to do Nemo, you are best off doing it during a MM/EE. Then, if you want to do Fantasyland, you are best of also doing it during a MM/EE. So, for me, I would want 2 EE/MM days. If you are not anticipating doing 2 EE/MM, then I would go for the other package, since the other perks are somewhat nice if you use them. Personally, I didn't find them useful, and ended up giving them away to people here.

Have you checked the prices if you book it yourself?

 

[trodrigue]

and don't forget, HOJO gives a 15% discount to disboard members at anytime.

 

[winewooltravel]

We just got back last night. I'm a total newbie at Disneyland, but I'd rather have the 2 early entries and scrapbook, etc. We found that the early entries made our experience. The park filled up by 11am-noon, and with early entries we were able to go on most of the rides we wanted by the time the lines filled up.

My kids weren't very interested in the younger stuff like character calls (daughter is 8, son just turned 5), but if your kids are younger they may really like it. I suppose it depends on kids' ages. Guess I'm not much help hahaha......

 

[annieb727]

I think I would go with the package for MTTMM and the priority seating for Aladdin. There's a huge waiting list for people that want the Toontown tix...and for good reason...it's a great show and a great time to meet lots of characters with little to no waiting. We love it and would be willing to pay $50 to get the tickets we need for it!

Also, the two early entries verses the one early entry - they are for the same place - most of Fantasyland will be open and a couple of Tomorrowland rides will be open (Space, Buzz, and Nemo).

My tip for Nemo - is get in line shortly before park closing (like 5 minutes). Then you are not wasting valuable touring time in line for Nemo...and if the line is long, you will still get through!

 

[pixiewings71]

fyi, character calls are $2.49 and you can schedule them yourself online. I did one for DD8's birthday, Cinderella called her. It came to my cell phone while we were in DCA after having breakfast at Ariel's Grotto. She loved it and I recommend them but for $2.49 don't make that part of your booking choice. That was DD8, DD11 is asking is her favorite Princess can call her when she turns 12. lol

EE/MM is only in Fantasyland, they do open some of Tomorrowland but not all of it. If 2 days will work best for you go with that one, if 1 day will be fine go with that one. We never used our MM, it wasn't a priority for us. It really depends on what you guys will use, for my family I would save the $50 and go with GAT. Or price it out myself and book it all seperately. HoJo does offer a Disboard discount, call them and ask for Lorealle, see what she can do for you.