Options for more than 5 days?

[Captainkidd76]

These are my thoughts. We have never been to Disneyland before. We just spent 11 nights at WDW on a 9 day ticket with young kids. Having the flexibility to leave when they needed it and knowing we could do the ride the next morning or afternoon was the best experience for us. We also really loved the flexibility of just going to the park for dinner and a few FP+.
I could have wrote this. We just got back from WDW on a 9 day ticket. While there I decided I wanted to add two extra days to do the evening EMH at MK; cost for 4 = ~$80. To add two extra days at DL I'm looking at ~$800!!! It's hard to swallow that difference (we won't, we like you will just visit another park).

I hate to say it, as we REALLY want to go back to Disneyland, but they seem out of touch about this. For many, going to California is a big deal. It's like the folks from the UK being able to buy 14 days passes to WDW. It's a long trip and you want to stay longer. Disneyland I just don't think cares about tourists as they get enough passholders to visit. Problem there is, passholders likely don't spend nearly as much as tourists on food and souveniers. They really need to think about that.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I hate to say it, as we REALLY want to go back to Disneyland, but they seem out of touch about this. For many, going to California is a big deal. It's like the folks from the UK being able to buy 14 days passes to WDW. It's a long trip and you want to stay longer. Disneyland I just don't think cares about tourists as they get enough passholders to visit. Problem there is, passholders likely don't spend nearly as much as tourists on food and souveniers. They really need to think about that.

You can buy longer DL tickets if you come internationally.

They used to sell longer tickets, and then between the resell market and more AP options, they cut it to five days. I’m sure that’s based on some data or research on their part... and maybe they’ll add more at some point since reselling isn’t such an issue with pictures attached, but they seem to have determined that five days is a good max offering. There’s so much to do in Southern CA that I think the market for “more than five days but not APs” probably isn’t that high.

I think the Flex pass seems like a good option for a lot of people and will be curious how it works in practice once it’s been out for at least a full year.

Many APs spend a ton of money at Disneyland.

 

[lovethesun12]

You can buy longer DL tickets if you come internationally.

They used to sell longer tickets, and then between the resell market and more AP options, they cut it to five days. I’m sure that’s based on some data or research on their part... and maybe they’ll add more at some point since reselling isn’t such an issue with pictures attached, but they seem to have determined that five days is a good max offering. There’s so much to do in Southern CA that I think the market for “more than five days but not APs” probably isn’t that high.

I think the Flex pass seems like a good option for a lot of people and will be curious how it works in practice once it’s been out for at least a full year.

Many APs spend a ton of money at Disneyland.

If I was an AP I'd probably definitely spend more money at Disney. I'm glad you brought up the flex pass; haven't heard of it and am looking into it now! It seems you can't reserve until 30 days in advance which would make it too uncertain for us. We need to book vacation time from work plus flights 5-7 months in advance at a minimum.Good to know there are other options though.

Maybe instead of thinking about tickets/prices etc I just need another approach - convince DH we need APs so we can visit more! LOL.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...
Many APs spend a ton of money at Disneyland.

Exactly. This has been discussed before in other threads. While there are always guests, with APs or tickets, who are tight with their budgets, there are plenty of passholders who choose to spend their entertainment dollars at DLR, up to tens of thousands of dollars each year. The stereotype of APs who don't spend money in the parks is old and inaccurate. DLR isn't exactly hurting because of the APs.

 

[smartlabelprint]

If I was an AP I'd probably definitely spend more money at Disney. I'm glad you brought up the flex pass; haven't heard of it and am looking into it now! It seems you can't reserve until 30 days in advance which would make it too uncertain for us. We need to book vacation time from work plus flights 5-7 months in advance at a minimum.Good to know there are other options though.

Maybe instead of thinking about tickets/prices etc I just need another approach - convince DH we need APs so we can visit more! LOL.

Look at the blockout calendar. Some days are just plain open. Then you might just need to reserve a couple of days. Depends the time of year.

 

[Chickinvic]

We went to Disneyland last year for the 1st time. We spent 5 days in the park and could have done more. We did everything obviously, but as big Magic Kingdom fans, Disneyland Park is a dream come true. I LOVE dark rides. We must have ridden all the Fantasyland rides 6 or 7 times each.

I've had as much as an 8 day park hopper pass at Disneyland and never got bored. It was a GREAT trip as I didn't feel rushed, etc. I love Disneyland so much more than WDW. When I lived on the west coast I went there exclusively. Now I'm in Ottawa, so unfortunately Florida is easier to get to (but I still plan to return to Disneyland when I can).

 

[Chickinvic]

Many APs spend a ton of money at Disneyland.

Yes, but a great many do not, especially if comparing on a daily visit basis to an international traveller on a major vacation which is the point the other poster was making.

 

[midnight star]

Many APs spend a ton of money at Disneyland.

LOL I have banned myself from making anymore purchases until new fall/Halloween stuff is released. I went way overboard this summer. I temporarily lifted the ban this weekend though when I needed to get some droid accessories.

 

[midnight star]

@Captainkidd76 I would def look into getting the Flex pass for your family. Depending on when you are going, some dates are open and don’t require reservations, so you can reserve extra days to make a trip longer. Remember annual passes also get discounts on food and merchandise. And some off site hotels give discounts to Passholders as well. So you could potentially save money by getting passes.

 

[Malcon10t]

Problem there is, passholders likely don't spend nearly as much as tourists on food and souveniers. They really need to think about that.

Like has been said, there are many pass holders and many regular ticket holders who are there on tight budgets. You often read questions about cheapest place to buy the tickets, cheapest off site motel, bringing food into the parks so they don't have to buy meals. Similarly, you have pass holders and ticket holders alike who do spend. While I am less likely to buy a trinket souvenir, I am more likely to pick up a Kincade painting, a light box, home decor, or other similar options. When we are down for a weekend, or for one of our 2 week trips, we aren't bringing food in, we generally eat in the parks. I usually try to schedule 1 sit down meal a day, whether it is Carnation Cafe or Steakhouse 55. I know I am not the only one, as most of my pass holder friends do the same.

I think Disney has thought about it, and it is why they track AP spending. Some don't spend much on both sides of the fence, others do spend plenty.

 

[lovethesun12]

I've had as much as an 8 day park hopper pass at Disneyland and never got bored. It was a GREAT trip as I didn't feel rushed, etc. I love Disneyland so much more than WDW. When I lived on the west coast I went there exclusively. Now I'm in Ottawa, so unfortunately Florida is easier to get to (but I still plan to return to Disneyland when I can).

Soooo as a Canadian where did you get this 8 day hopper? LOL

 

[Chickinvic]

Soooo as a Canadian where did you get this 8 day hopper? LOL

Anyone could get them as far as I know. It wasn't recent though (going back a few years). You could pretty much add as many days as you wanted? It was through Getawaytoday at the time. Maybe they just gave me 2 of the 4 day hoppers? I remember the extra cost per day being minimal once you were getting up in days.

 

[Malcon10t]

Anyone could get them as far as I know. It wasn't recent though (going back a few years). You could pretty much add as many days as you wanted? It was through Getawaytoday at the time. Maybe they just gave me 2 of the 4 day hoppers? I remember the extra cost per day being minimal once you were getting up in days.

Right, 8 days was $5 more than a 7 day ticket. It was a great deal, but a few abusers ruined it for all.

I believe Canadians can still buy 8 or 10 days and Europeans and Australians can get 14 days.

 

[Chickinvic]

It was a great deal, but a few abusers ruined it for all.

What were people doing?

 

[mamapenguin]

What were people doing?

Selling unused days which is illegal.

 

[B3rlingirl]

Right, 8 days was $5 more than a 7 day ticket. It was a great deal, but a few abusers ruined it for all.

I believe Canadians can still buy 8 or 10 days and Europeans and Australians can get 14 days.

Europeans can get 14 day tickets? I don’t think I would have overlooked that important piece of information...
I think only Australiens can get them...( and only through a travel agent...)

Europeans and especially people from UK can get special 14 or 21 day tickets for WDW but not DL (at least as far as I know)

Edit: to correct my statement...( I forgot the important part of it...)

 

[Howry]

Which is stupid at this point since they take your picture and such now. When this was going on they didnt so they could easily add them back again without worrying about this issue.

 

[Malcon10t]

Which is stupid at this point since they take your picture and such now. When this was going on they didnt so they could easily add them back again without worrying about this issue.

I totally agree. Write Disney with this suggestion!

 

[Aladora]

I believe Canadians can still buy 8 or 10 days and Europeans and Australians can get 14 days.

Sadly, no. Canadians are limited to a max of 5 days, same as Americans. We did have Canada-specific discounted tickets over the last couple of years but they were capped at 5 days and were in effort to help offset our cruddy exchange rate.

 

[Gaugersaurus]

Many APs spend a ton of money at Disneyland.

As an AP holder I'd agree. Most/all of my disposable income goes to Disneyland or the Disney company in some way.