Who has actually used the Costco 4-Day hopper?

[19Pez76]

Hello, I would like to hear from those who have *actually* used the current Costco 4-Day park hopper. I've researched the different forums, I've read all the threads I could find, I'm familiar with the restrictions and policies, and what various CMs have stated regarding the hoppers. What I don't see much of are comments from people who have actually used it - there's plenty from those who have not.

Where you asked to show ID at any point and time while on your trip? More than once?

Yes, there's people who insist and insist that ID will be required, but seems like those posters haven't actually used the pass - which is why I would like to hear from those who have.

I have an aunt who lives 20 minutes away from the parks, but due to work will probably not be able to join us. However she is willing to walk us to the gates in case there's an ID inquiry, but she won't be around if we decide to park hop later which we probably will. Trying to figure out how likely an ID check will be if we hop, thanks for any information - from those who have actually used it .

 

[DirkLogan]

I purchased 3 for my family. We went on the 4th of October.

I had heard on the board that I would be ID'd and that I would have to sign the back of the ticket for future visits. I and my wife both had our IDs out at the entrance. The CM looked at mine and then let us in. My wife was not ID'd.

We were not ID'd at any other point. We hopped 3 times, DLR to DCA, back to DLR and a final hop to DCA.

That was my experience.

 

[happy2bjustmommy]

I am going ot be using a costco park hopper next week. My tickets wre shipped today to my uncles house, thanks to my brother. We live in AZ, my uncle is going with us the first day, and my brother the 3rd, so we are hoping we wont get ID'd the other times.

We decided if we do, we will just see if we can trade the 4 day, into a 3 day, and pay only a few dollars difference. I wasnt planning on even bringing a wallet to DL, so even if i did live in SoCal, i wouldnt have my ID.

 

[Mom2Joce]

I can't even find out how to buy these tickets??? Is it on their website or do you have to go into your local Costco.
Also, what's the savings? Is it worth it?

 

[happy2bjustmommy]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11492767&whse=bc&topnav=national&browse=&lang=en-US

159 for 4 day park hoppers.

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I can't even find out how to buy these tickets??? Is it on their website or do you have to go into your local Costco.
Also, what's the savings? Is it worth it?

I believe a 2-day hopper at the park is about $151, so for a couple of bucks you are getting two additional park hopping days, but it's considered a Southern CA resident deal. Can't it be extended to all Californians ? Money is blind to residency !

 

[Mom2Joce]

I believe a 2-day hopper at the park is about $151, so for a couple of bucks you are getting two additional park hopping days, but it's considered a Southern CA resident deal. Can't it be extended to all Californians ? Money is blind to residency !

I have no idea??? Not sure if they check DL, zip codes, etc??? Anyone?

 

[MAH4546]

The gate ID checking is currently set to go into effect right after the holidays, so I presume January 4th or so, which is when "off season" begins.

It has been far too busy lately to get the CMs used to the new ID check procedures, which will certainly cause line back-ups. Disneyland is waiting until it is slow again for CMs to get used to it and hopefully the process will became efficient until biometric scanners are installed, which are currently being looked at (probably a system more like Universal Studios Hollywood rather than WDW).

 

[Melora]

We used our Costco park hoppers yesterday.

And as in the previous times we used them (3 weeks ago) they never asked for ID or checked to see if our names were on them. We went through thegates 3 different times. No one checked to see if had our hands stamped either.

Yesterday was NOT busy at all so the gate attendants could easily have taken the time. I didnt bother worrying about it becasue it got us though the gate quickly.

 

[pixiewings71]

I am going ot be using a costco park hopper next week. My tickets wre shipped today to my uncles house, thanks to my brother. We live in AZ, my uncle is going with us the first day, and my brother the 3rd, so we are hoping we wont get ID'd the other times.

We decided if we do, we will just see if we can trade the 4 day, into a 3 day, and pay only a few dollars difference. I wasnt planning on even bringing a wallet to DL, so even if i did live in SoCal, i wouldnt have my ID.

Melissa, you should always have ID on you, always. Just in case anything were to happen having your ID insures you can prove who you are. I always have mine, I carry a small wallet in my back pocket or in my bag, but either way I always have an ID no matter if I'm just walking down the street to the park with the kids.

I believe a 2-day hopper at the park is about $151, so for a couple of bucks you are getting two additional park hopping days, but it's considered a Southern CA resident deal. Can't it be extended to all Californians ? Money is blind to residency !

I wish, but that hasn't been my experiences.....

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

The gate ID checking is currently set to go into effect right after the holidays, so I presume January 4th or so, which is when "off season" begins.

Disneyland is waiting until it is slow again for CMs to get used to it and hopefully the process will became efficient until biometric scanners are installed, which are currently being looked at (probably a system more like Universal Studios Hollywood rather than WDW).

Yeah I think Disneyland will eventually begin to use those scanners, though I'm not sure how effective Universal's system is? I'm not familiar with what is going on at WDW, do they have this system in effect?

Where have you heard about Disney currently looking into biometric scanners?

 

[Lights_Out]

What in the world does a biometric scanner have to do with proving if you're a California resident?

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

What in the world does a biometric scanner have to do with proving if you're a California resident?

Well Disneyland and most of the world is not that nutty - yet, but that will probably come around in the distant future .

Of course biometric scanners would most likely be to prevent multi-day passes from being transferred from one person to another, a finger print scan would have to match and come from one single person. I'm very curious to see how this would affect those sellers/businesses who sell individual days from multi-day passes to more than one person.

 

[pixiewings71]

What in the world does a biometric scanner have to do with proving if you're a California resident?

LOL It doesn't, what it does is prove that only YOU have used your ticket previously. Stops people transferring tickets or trading hoppers between family members to save money.

 

[FoodLover]

What in the world does a biometric scanner have to do with proving if you're a California resident?

Well, one function of the biometric scanners at WDW is to prevent non-Florida residents from using Florida resident tickets. You have to do the scan and show ID at the time of activating your ticket. From then on, your scan has to match.

So it could be very pertinent, if they put in a similar system at DL.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[19Pez76]

Hi, thanks for the replies and info so far . We will be using the Costco passes today, so I'll report on how things went after our 2 day stay.

We are offsite about 12 minutes from the park on Harbor, and our hotel is sold out! We have stayed here many times for Disney trips, and this is the first time it's been sold out . Lots of kids and famiies walking around who are probably headed to Disneyland today, crowds here we come .

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Good luck!

 

[19Pez76]

Hi, ready to update on how things went with the Costco 4-day park hopper.

We purchased them along the way at a Santa Clarita Costco off HWY 5, didn't have any issues there and was not asked to show ID - though we chatted with a man from St. Louis while inside Disneyland who was also using the same hopper, and he said he was asked for ID at the Costco he went to and was not able to purchase them (can't remember which city!). The man's son lives in So. Cal. so the son ended up having to stop by later to purchase them. The St. Louis man also mentioned that he had been at the park since earlier in the week and had not had any issues or ID inquiries, said it was not his first time using a discounted So. Cal pass (other passes, not only the Costco pass), had used them many times and has never been asked to show ID.

First day Friday Oct. 23rd, my cousin ended up being the one to walk us to the gates, he stood by in case there were any questions, stopped by California Adventure first, then later hopped to Disneyland - we were not asked any questions, asked for ID, nor asked to sign at either park on that day. We had a total of 3 Costco hoppers, the rest of us were annual pass holders - and yes you can go directly to the turnstile without redeeming them at the ticket booth, Costco will set you up with what you need.

*********************

Second Day, Saturday Oct. 24th: Now on the 2nd day only one person was asked for ID , so now I do believe it just depends on the cast member, though it does seem like most cast members do not ask since this was not our first time using So. Cal passes.

My cousin nor aunt were available to join us on Saturday, but did feel a little better about being alone since they had not asked for ID the day before. But we decided to split the group up instead of presenting 3 Costco hoppers at once to the same CM, just in case it seemed like too many or a little odd to the CM - we were a little paranoid by then !

Each person was paired with an AP member, and each lined up with a different cast member, only one asked for ID. My other aunt was the one asked, she's elderly, doesn't drive and personally has no reason to carry ID with her so she did not have any ID to present - the AP holder with her panicked and quickly walked away !!!

Aunt doesn't speak english, I don't think the CM spoke spanish so I don't think she was interrogated or anything like that - she was simply asked to sign the back of the ticket. We were too nervous to park hop after that so we stayed at Disneyland for the entire day. The passes have 2 days left on them which will be used later on in the year or next year, and yes by the same people.

My dad and I exited the park afterwards to run over to Guest Relations to ask a question regarding something entirely different, and upon return we decided to line up with the inquiring CM. The lady in front of us presented a free admission birthday ticket - it was the hard ticket, she had already visited the ticket booth for her print-out exchange, and the CM asked to see her ID! For some reason the lady didn't have ID on her person, she said someone else had it so she had to step out of line to get it, cast member thought it was odd and mumbled something like "well she had to show ID to get the ticket, why wouldn't she have it with her".

My conclusion is that this particular CM is one of the few who does follow the rules and takes time out to follow policy, she did also seem to have a stern attitude. I would post a description and name for those who would like to avoid her, but I think it's best to share this via PM, so if anyone is interested feel free to send a private message.

 

[19Pez76]

Hello, I have a new Costco pass experience to share. I have posted this elsewhere but just wanted to update my original thread:

I was just there on Nov. 15th & 16th, 3 members of our party used the Costco 4 day hopper tickets (2 adults and 1 child). We once again purchased the passes at the Santa Clarita Costco and had no issues there. Should you run into issues at Costco, just try your luck with a different cashier - if all else fails try a different Costco.

We did not have any issues on either day, while entering or park hopping. This family will be returning with us later in the year, only two of their days were used. Anyway, they were not asked for ID on either day (nor at Costco). At their own free will and prior to entering the park on the first day, my relatives decided to sign the back of each of their passes I guess to make them seem more official or pass as if they had already presented their ID at some point in time. Even with the signatures present, they were never asked to show ID for comparison.

It is scary using those passes when not a So. Cal resident, but the price of full admission is even scarier . I imagine there's lots of tourists who don't understand the policy properly and do purchase those passes, so I think the most that would happen is that the CM would explain the rules and kindly ask that they upgrade to proper passes.

I do have a feeling CMs will be cracking down on the policy very soon, but for now it is more than likely that you will not be asked to show ID - however the probability is still 50-50. And yes, I too have heard directly from a ticket booth CM that as long as one member in your group is So. Cal and has ID, any non So. Cal resident with them can use So. Cal offers. But I think this answer varies from cast member to cast member, but seems like most of them do say the above.