the best deal for park tickets for 2 trips

[quikah]

We are heading to San Diego in Sept with my MIL for 2 days, then heading to SoCal in Dec for 7 days with my parents. I am trying to figure out the best way to work park tickets.

The only constant is myself, DW, and DS2.

We are staying at the Grand Californian for the Dec trip, maybe one night in San Diego, otherwise we plan to do day trips to San Diego 2 or 3 times. I was originally thinking of doing the SoCal CityPASS in Dec, but would it be a better deal to get a 5-day San Diego Go card for our trip in Sept then use that in Dec and buy separate Disneyland tickets? Can I use the Go card split like this or does it need to be consecutive days?

Is the Go card transferable? Could I buy the 5 day for my MIL to use 2 days in Sept, then let my mom or dad use the rest of the days in Dec?

What do you think?

 

[PHXscuba]

I'm pretty sure the GO card only works for as many days as you buy. If you buy for 5 days and use the 1st day on Monday, then your last day is Friday, for example. Otherwise lots of people would use it like an "annual pass."

You're just going to have to run the numbers. Check out memberships for any places you will go on both trips -- a zoo membership comes with guest passes and might get you discounts at your home zoo.

I found when I did a family trip to San Diego that we only saved money with a GO card if we did more than 1 activity per day, which is hard with a 2-year-old.

PHXscuba

 

[starry_solo]

Becoming a Zoological Society member only works if you reside in zip codes 90000-93199 only, which I believe is Southern California.

I was going to suggest the Costco 4-day park hopper for $239 (includes $50 Disney gift card). Numerous people have said if you receive these as a gift, that you don't actually have to reside in zip codes 90000-93199. But, the ones online show they expire in October (which wouldn't work for your December trip).

I believe a So Cal City pass expires 14 days after 1st visit.

 

[CityPASS]

Yes, the Southern California CityPASS is good for 14 days from the first day of use. I believe the other passes are also good for consecutive days, but you'd need to check their websites to be sure.