The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 3.0

[VGCgroupie]

Also the is the first I am seeing the new ears.

I think I’m going to get the ears if I can remove the Mickey charm in the middle.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Good thing you got the premium pass. The following are from ThemeParkIQ

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It is the first day of fall break for a lot of schools and therefore the first day in the last 30 days that people from out of town could make it to the park.

I’m glad we popped in last night and did Pirates, Mr. Toad, and Alice when they had 5-10 minute waits.

Alright, time for Mickey Math:
1) A multipass + 2 single LL’s would have cost me $100pp. So that brings the cost down to $350pp.

2) I used a credit card, so that will get me 600 miles closer to the next status tier, which may save me money on not have to pay for premium seats next year.

3) We are probably spending 11 hours in the park, so it’s $32 extra an hour on LLMP + 2 SP’s

4) We are less likely to buy merch and alcohol because we know we spent a to on the LLPP, which probably saves us at least $100.

We also had M&MRR break down right at the end of the ride and we got another untimed LLMP if we want to tie something twice.

I’m typing while getting ready for a stone and foot massage @ Tenaya…. ahhh… vacation!

 

[AstroBlasters]

To follow up: Going to Disneyland after DCA closes on Friday has officially become a nightmare experience.

1) They only do fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays now. Leading to increased crowds.
2) Closing DCA at 9pm (previously 10pm) and directs thousands of people into Disneyland right as Main Street is jammed up for fireworks.
3) At essentially the same time Fantastic is going on, which means everything on that side of the park is wall to wall people.
4) Disneyland now closes at 11pm (previously midnight)…. which is right when the last parade is finishing up… which leads to a madhouse for the exits.
5) The magic hour of 11pm to midnight when the masses were exiting the park used to be an incredible time to get on attractions with shorter wait time…. Helping to maximize the value of staying on site vs day guests.
6) Losing an hour at DCA and DLand and then making DL miserable to navigate reduces the value of your ticket and of a LL (whether it’s SP, MP, or PP).

 

[ClaraOswald]

Dang...this makes me kind of thankful that my son is ready to go back to the hotel around 8:30 or so each night. Ha! (Though really, I do miss being in the parks later but such is life.)

 

[LKing]

To follow up: Going to Disneyland after DCA closes on Friday has officially become a nightmare experience.

1) They only do fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays now. Leading to increased crowds.
2) Closing DCA at 9pm (previously 10pm) and directs thousands of people into Disneyland right as Main Street is jammed up for fireworks.
3) At essentially the same time Fantastic is going on, which means everything on that side of the park is wall to wall people.
4) Disneyland now closes at 11pm (previously midnight)…. which is right when the last parade is finishing up… which leads to a madhouse for the exits.
5) The magic hour of 11pm to midnight when the masses were exiting the park used to be an incredible time to get on attractions with shorter wait time…. Helping to maximize the value of staying on site vs day guests.
6) Losing an hour at DCA and DLand and then making DL miserable to navigate reduces the value of your ticket and of a LL (whether it’s SP, MP, or PP).

Thanks for reporting back. I was thinking of staying for PTN tonight but I will wait until after the busy season.

 

[AstroBlasters]

LLMP was sold out at park open again today.

Disney Parks management has prioritized the guest experience of Costco discounted ticket holders over Magic Key Holders.

 

[LKing]

Disney Parks management has prioritized the guest experience of Costco discounted ticket holders over Magic Key Holders.

I would love to see stats on what percentage of MK holders purchase LLMP. For those of us who are local, I think it is very low.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I would love to see stats on what percentage of MK holders purchase LLMP. For those of us who are local, I think it is very low.

Fair, but for those of us MK’s who are DVC and coming from out of state it’s a BFD.

Lesson learned… no more MKs for this family.

I’m trying to imagine what a cluster F it would have been if I had the MK and the family has the single day tickets with the LL and I can’t purchase a LL….

 

[VGCgroupie]

To follow up: Going to Disneyland after DCA closes on Friday has officially become a nightmare experience.

1) They only do fireworks on Fridays and Saturdays now. Leading to increased crowds.
2) Closing DCA at 9pm (previously 10pm) and directs thousands of people into Disneyland right as Main Street is jammed up for fireworks.
3) At essentially the same time Fantastic is going on, which means everything on that side of the park is wall to wall people.
4) Disneyland now closes at 11pm (previously midnight)…. which is right when the last parade is finishing up… which leads to a madhouse for the exits.
5) The magic hour of 11pm to midnight when the masses were exiting the park used to be an incredible time to get on attractions with shorter wait time…. Helping to maximize the value of staying on site vs day guests.
6) Losing an hour at DCA and DLand and then making DL miserable to navigate reduces the value of your ticket and of a LL (whether it’s SP, MP, or PP).

This is make me sad. I really cherished our last hour of the park before a midnight closing.

 

[LKing]

air, but for those of us MK’s who are DVC and coming from out of state it’s a BFD.

Oh I agree. I'm just curious what the numbers look like. I'm also curious what LL numbers looked like before the Costco tickets compared to after.

What was your experience in the LL queues? Were they longer than normal? I'm glad you thought quickly enough to pivot to LLPP. Did those sell out yesterday as well?

 

[Mathmagicland]

I would love to see stats on what percentage of MK holders purchase LLMP. For those of us who are local, I think it is very low.

I’d agree it is likely quite low overall, unless they are with others who have it & buy to join in. There was a week in August, before the Halloween stuff officially started, where LL was offered to MKs for half price. Even on those days with a price cut, it did not sell out. I happened to be there for a couple of days during that MK LL 50% off period.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Oh I agree. I'm just curious what the numbers look like. I'm also curious what LL numbers looked like before the Costco tickets compared to after.

What was your experience in the LL queues? Were they longer than normal? I'm glad you thought quickly enough to pivot to LLPP. Did those sell out yesterday as well?

The LL queues were great. My only complaint is that the LLPP doesn’t get some privileges on the fantasy land rides.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’d agree it is likely quite low overall, unless they are with others who have it & buy to join in. There was a week in August, before the Halloween stuff officially started, where LL was offered to MKs for half price. Even on those days with a price cut, it did not sell out. I happened to be there for a couple of days during that MK LL 50% off period.

It’s an interest dynamic with a bunch of casuals who have LL included with their tickets (Costco or other offer), but most don’t know how to maximize the system.

 

[Chili327]

Lesson learned… no more MKs for this family.

I’m trying to imagine what a cluster F it would have been if I had the MK and the family has the single day tickets with the LL and I can’t purchase a LL….

Yea, that sounds like a mess, but maybe they would override something to allow you to get one?

This is make me sad. I really cherished our last hour of the park before a midnight closing.

Agreed, I love that last hour!!
I guess, we just have to make sure to be in behind the crowds already & plan for specific rides and lands.

 

[AZMermaid]

New merch is in!

I have an old Pirates Dooney wallet that snaps with a tops flap. Oh how,I wish they’d offer this design again! I’m not a zip around wallet person. But love the print!

 

[AZMermaid]

We have been Lower level 40 yard line AZ cardinals season ticket holders for 21 years. They’ve raise prices 20% each of the last two years.My husband had to beg his rep for an on field experience this year. We’ve never had one. He got one pass for the giant flag runner outer people. One. Despite have two tickets and four u til about 5 years ago, he let me do it. When I was chatting with the couple next to me in the flag holding room, they said they got an ad on Facebook to buy tickets and do the flag with their corner single game seats. this is now our last season. So i get It.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Lesson learned… no more MKs for this family.

I always said I wouldn't buy another one, but I have always ended up with a compelling reason to renew. I don't visit enough days to cover the cost of the Inspire Key, but that's what I have because of blackout days on the other Keys. I spend enough on merchandise and food that the discount is significant for me.

With the recent increase in price and the seemingly constant discounts for tickets, I just can't see continuing with the Key. I think I'll be better off buying the discount tickets and paying for LL once in a while. It's disappointing that they don't have something for DVC members.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I would love to see stats on what percentage of MK holders purchase LLMP. For those of us who are local, I think it is very low.

We are top tier AP holders who buy MK about 95% of our visits—my husband would riot and refuse to go if he had to spend 6 hours in line each day— yes, we are a bit spoiled but we both have (different) physical health challenges that are exacerbated by being on our feet standing around.

I’d agree it is likely quite low overall, unless they are with others who have it & buy to join in. There was a week in August, before the Halloween stuff officially started, where LL was offered to MKs for half price. Even on those days with a price cut, it did not sell out. I happened to be there for a couple of days during that MK LL 50% off period.

It may well be low overall, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the people buying a lot of their highest tier passes, most expensive merch, sit down dining, extra events, upsell experiences, etc. just the generally price insensitive Disney-obsessed consumers are annual pass holders who are always buying LLMP.

Disney has been sticking it to its superfans on and off for almost 5 years now with a lot more sticks than carrots. Not sure how much longer that will work, but I’m on a Disney cruise right now instead of WDW, so evidently at least a bit longer?