[Chat] Guess I should've done my research...

[Ryancr78]

So, for nearly every single Disneyland trip that my partner and I have taken since 2005, we have purchased 6-day park hoppers, except for the last two when we purchased an annual pass because we knew we would be visiting twice within 12 months (we live in Kansas City.) The new AP prices have been priced out of our budget, so I figured we would just go the park hopper route this year.

I booked our 2012 trip a couple weeks ago - 6 days in Disneyland in October. And then I discovered that Disneyland no longer sells the 6-day park hopper (!). So, now as if the price increases weren't ridiculous enough, we have to buy a five-day park hopper and then pay another 125 dollars (or 87 dollars if we choose to do just one park) for one more day. Thanks for making it that much more financially-crippling to enjoy the resort, Disney!

Seriously, I know that many people will probably respond and say that five days is more than enough, and it probably is, but when we only visit once a year (or sometimes every other year) that extra day really does make a difference.

[Slappypunk]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

Well my family and I visit once a year and we always do the 5 day park hopper ticket. I feel as if it is enough. I love Disneyland and all but I would feel as if 6 days is a lil too much.

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

I'm not against Fair Prices Increases but....in my humble opinion they really are just being greedy considering raising prices for Disneyland when it got no new rides or shows this year and DCA prices are the same as Disneyland yet it lack half the attractions....

I know people say Supply and Demand....(aka...we have the money to go so we don't care if you can't) but I just hope they either start making more attractions for the prices they are chagrining or have other ticket options

[Ryancr78]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

Actually the reason that we go with the six day is so we can go into the park on our first night. We usually arrive around 3, and then we have the evening in Disneyland. So it's really more like 5.5 days. I guess this year we will just buy the five day park hopper and then pay for admission into one park on the first night. I think it is the principle of this that bothers me more than anything. Not that I should be shocked about a huge corporation trying to gouge more money out of their loyal fan base.

[swampymarsh]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

ActI guess this year we will just buy the five day park hopper and then pay for admission into one park on the first night.

Before using the last day up on your 5 day hopper go to the ticket booths. Ask to add a day. If the CM says they can't go to a different ticket booth or ask to speak with a lead. They can add your sixth day for $5. They may try to tell you to buy an AP or another day ticket, this is why you need to find someone who knows how to add a day.

[Bundaegi]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

It might be too late for this, but if there is a halloween party one of the days you are there (or maybe even the first day you arrive), you could buy tickets for that for cheaper than regular park admission and use that as your 6th day. Party attenders can enter the park as early as 4:00 PM I believe.

[PascalGal]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

It might be too late for this, but if there is a halloween party one of the days you are there (or maybe even the first day you arrive), you could buy tickets for that for cheaper than regular park admission and use that as your 6th day. Party attenders can enter the park as early as 4:00 PM I believe.

Agree with this suggestion. The party ticket covers parking and entry to DL 3 hours before the party starts (3 pm or 4 pm, depending on which party day). Since you would be entering DL later in the day anyway, this would be a reasonable, and very fun, solution to your problem.

[blondiethesounds]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

I really love how people keep complaining about the rising ticket prices, yet they keep paying it.

Welcome to a free market system. If you don't like the prices, don't pay it. Nobody is forcing you into the park....

[sgtfox]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

You can usually get the sixth day added on if you ask the right person.

My understanding is that the change wasn't made to directly increase ticket sales, it was made to combat used-ticket fraud, which has become a serious problem.

[mouseknotts]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

Go to the ticket booth and add a 6th day, they will charge you the price for the increase and print you a ticket. If you have bought the e-ticket they you will need to activate it by going into one of the parks, then you can go to the ticket counter and add another day to your ticket.
When they add a day they will ask you for your names, and they will put your names on the ticket. You can be asked to show ID any time you enter one of the parks so just have your ID ready. This is to help prevent ticket fraud.
I hope this helps.
In July I bought the single park 5 day parkhoppers, so we upgraded to a 6 day park hopper. We had to to throught the steps above.
Have fun and enjoy the magic.

[pushforth]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

Before using the last day up on your 5 day hopper go to the ticket booths. Ask to add a day. If the CM says they can't go to a different ticket booth or ask to speak with a lead. They can add your sixth day for $5. They may try to tell you to buy an AP or another day ticket, this is why you need to find someone who knows how to add a day.

So help me understand this a little better... you're saying, on day 4, go to a ticket booth (more than one if necessary) and ask to add an extra day to make it a 6 day park hopper. It will only cost $5 per person? This seems a little too good to be true

Is there anything documented that supports this? Or is just a courtesy they extend if you bug them enough?

Cause I'm thinking this would be AWESOME!!!! :yea:

[mouseknotts]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

It is $5 or $10 at the most, I do not know for sure because we also upgraded from a single park multiday park hopper to a full multiday parkhopper. And we added an extra day the total for 2 tickets was $40.
I believe that most of that was going to the full parkhopper.
It is much better to just add a day than to buy a single day ticket.
We did our trip in July.

[Ryancr78]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

I really love how people keep complaining about the rising ticket prices, yet they keep paying it.

Welcome to a free market system. If you don't like the prices, don't pay it. Nobody is forcing you into the park....

I really love how people say they really love something even though they actually hate it. No wait, I hate that.

---------- Post added 08-29-2012 at 06:16 PM ----------

I've actually called the DL ticket line twice and asked if they could add a day on to the five day park hopper, however I was told both times that my only options were to buy the five day + single day or buy an AP.

I GREATLY appreciate the party suggestion as that had not occurred to me at all! Thank you!

Whatever the case, I will just wait until we get there to buy the tickets and see if a CM onsite is willing to do the 6 day thing. Otherwise I'll go the "party" route.

Many thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions! Apologies if my OP sounded bitter, I had just gotten off the phone with DL and was feeling quite frustrated.

Peace,
Ryan

[BlAcKoUt510]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

Aww I'm sorry to hear about that.

I'm suprised they don't have a 6th day. People say it's more than enough but if you barely go and like to take your time (not hit every ride in your few days) 6 days sounds very relaxing and fun at the same time.

Unfortunately I agree with you about the money. It's only going to get worse every year I feel =/

I really love how people keep complaining about the rising ticket prices, yet they keep paying it.

Welcome to a free market system. If you don't like the prices, don't pay it. Nobody is forcing you into the park....

Oh joy.

[PascalGal]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

...I've actually called the DL ticket line twice and asked if they could add a day on to the five day park hopper, however I was told both times that my only options were to buy the five day + single day or buy an AP.

I GREATLY appreciate the party suggestion as that had not occurred to me at all! Thank you!

Whatever the case, I will just wait until we get there to buy the tickets and see if a CM onsite is willing to do the 6 day thing. Otherwise I'll go the "party" route...

From what I understand from posts on this board (and on others), the answer you received by phone is the "standard" answer since the price increases/changes. However, the answer you will receive at a ticket booth may well be different. The CMs on the phone don't have the same info as the CMs at the booths. So go to a booth, and if that CM won't upgrade your ticket (you may have to ask for a Lead to do that), go to another booth and ask again.

On the other hand, the party is really fun, too!

[TONY THE BEAT]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

I just realized how much more expensive going to DLR is than when I went to WDW this may. Kinda sad.

[pushforth]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

I really love how people keep complaining about the rising ticket prices, yet they keep paying it.

Welcome to a free market system. If you don't like the prices, don't pay it. Nobody is forcing you into the park....

Yeah it seems as though people feel entitled to Disney parks, and when the ticket prices goes up, they feel Disney is stepping on their rights.

Disneyland has raised their ticket prices nearly every year since the early 80's... some times, TWICE a year! Disneyland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I started planning our fall trip back in early April. I had the budget set. Then in May, they upped the prices!

Luckily, I found a travel agency that was still selling the 6 days at the original price... a price mind you that was lower than the raised 5 day ticket prices!!! :yea:

I don't blame people for being upset about the prices. But Disney is a for-profit business. It's easy to forget that when you're lost in their totally awesome product! In fact, you have to force yourself to forget it otherwise, it kinda ruins the magic a little

[disneyhound]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

So help me understand this a little better... you're saying, on day 4, go to a ticket booth (more than one if necessary) and ask to add an extra day to make it a 6 day park hopper. It will only cost $5 per person? This seems a little too good to be true

It does seem too good to be true. I bought 5-day park hoppers for $290 each; that works out to $58 per day. So, I could have purchased 4-day park hoppers for $275 each, and then upgraded to 5-day park hoppers for $5 and saved $10 ?

[1Disneylandfan]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

It does seem too good to be true. I bought 5-day park hoppers for $290 each; that works out to $58 per day. So, I could have purchased 4-day park hoppers for $275 each, and then upgraded to 5-day park hoppers for $5 and saved $10 ?

Hmm, I would think that the adding on of one day would only apply to park hoppers that isn't sold on Disney's website or on the board at the ticket booth unless asked.

[swampymarsh]

Re: Guess I should've done my research...

So help me understand this a little better... you're saying, on day 4, go to a ticket booth (more than one if necessary) and ask to add an extra day to make it a 6 day park hopper. It will only cost $5 per person? This seems a little too good to be true

Is there anything documented that supports this? Or is just a courtesy they extend if you bug them enough?

To upgrade a ticket, the ticket need to be valid. Tickets are good over a 14 day period, and once activated by entering the park until the end of the 14th day or the last day of entries, day 3 of a 3 day ticket as an example. So in the OP's case with a 5 day ticket you can upgrade it on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day of use it doesn't matter which.

As noted above if you call and ask they will tell you only 5 days. The reason is because CMs only know what they can read in front of them and thier limited personal experience. While they can look on the computer and see that Disney sells 1 to five day single park per day and hoppers they don't see anything about 6 days. And CMs are not people you could expect to have needed 6 day or longer tickets.

You don't need to bug a CM. Don't expect great service when you go up to a CM demanding they do something you read on MC.

The OP or anyone should try something like this.

"I have a 5 day hopper but I used the first day on my arrival day to go in the evening. I'd like to upgrade it to add a day to go on my last day. Please assist me with this."

The CM may respond in few ways.
1. "No problem may I have your current ticket, ok it's $5.
2. "May I have you ticket? Why do you need another day? Where did you get this ticket? When did you first use it? Which park did you first enter? What other days did you use it?
3. "Sorry we can't do that, would you like to buy a 1 day ticket, or an Annual Pass?

The CM may have responded like this because of these reasons.
1. Knowlegeable CM happy to help guests.
2. Cynical CM trying to head off scams, because people buy a partially used ticket to upgrade which is against Disney Rules.
3. Unknowlegable CM who only knows what is right on the screen in front of them.



A couple notes.
If you bought a discounted ticket, before upgrading the standard policy is you pay upto the gate price then for your upgrade. For example in the past buying Disney E Tickets online could save $20. So expect to pay that as well.

Why only $5. That was the previous difference between a 5 and 6 day ticket, so it's not nessecarily a bargain just consistent pricing. Be glad it didn't increase.

---------- Post added 08-29-2012 at 09:08 PM ----------

It does seem too good to be true. I bought 5-day park hoppers for $290 each; that works out to $58 per day. So, I could have purchased 4-day park hoppers for $275 each, and then upgraded to 5-day park hoppers for $5 and saved $10 ?

No you can't do this. But you can take the price of a 5 day hopper $290 and subtract what you already paid. So if you paid the $275 4 day hopper price, it's $15 to upgrade to a 5 day. From 5 to 6 is $5.