Disneyland Resort Southern California AP's placed on Hiatus - 11/20/2017

[SuddenStorm]

And as if like clockwork, the comment section of the OC Register article is filled with outraged comments from people who either failed 10th grade Economics class, or who just moved here from North Korea or Venezuela and were never exposed to a free market economy and don't understand how that elegantly simple economic system operates.

This is the only answer. These comment sections are also often filled with complaints of excessive crowding- everyone wants the parks to be slow, and cheap (can you blame them?), but in reality, only one of these can exist. The parks can be to crowded, or to expensive, or just right. If it's to crowded, than it's not expensive enough.

Obviously, this becomes a bit more convoluted with the different AP's and multi day tickets offered, since the cost of a day in the park varies, but the basic idea remains.

 

[SuddenStorm]

So what can I get for $469 instead?

Knott's Platinum Pass for all Cedar Fair Parks (4 in California) including parking $198 or $180 for Jr./Sr.
All you can drink. (Either a refillable mug or a paper cup each time). $29.99
All you can eat $115
Unlimited ride photos $44.99
Knott's Scary Farm Pass $85

So that is $474, but you don't need all the add-ons.

Or looking just for park admission in SoCal

Knott's Gold Pass (Berry Farm and Soak City) $110 - FlexPay
Universal Studios Hollywood California Pass - $129
Six Flags Gold Pass (All SF parks, 4 in California) with parking - $84.99 - FlexPay
Sea World San Diego with Parking - $99.99 - FlexPay

So 6 different SoCal parks with either no blockout days, or fairly limited for $424

Upgrade the USH to a Gold Pass with parking for $70 more (Costco), total of $494.

The DLR SoCal AP did not come with parking, very limited in park discounts, and half the year blocked out including much of the summer...

You can also get USDA Choice sirloin at my local costco for $6.99 a pound, or USDA Prime Ribeye for $20 a pound. They're both steaks right? Which means we should be just fine getting the sirloin for less than half as much, since steaks are interchangeable with no variance in quality.

 

[Ismael Flores]

First, there are three rides down for long term maintenance.

First is the Sky Cabin, expected to reopen when HangTime opens next year.

SolSpin, the carnival spinner bought to replace WindJammer (fit in the space), Cedar Fair is in discussion with the manufacture re the constant breakdowns, and remains closed.

The last one is Xcelerator, whose launch cable broke and damaged some other parts. It is not a cheap replacement, and the park's budget placed the repair in the 2018 budget. They hope for a Spring Break reopening.

As for upgrading, yes, Knott's will allow you to apply the actual price paid towards an SP on the day of use, but today, you could start the monthly payments for the 2018 SP, and get one entry for 2017.

https://www.knotts.com/

As for crowds, this week has been busy due to School Break. Peak Christmas starts December 15th. But between the two, weekends are always busy due to SP's. And you need to watch the free admission to the Crafts Fair on select dates. (November 27 - 30 and December 4 - 7.), but it only impacts the Ghost Town area, and not any rides.

Hope that helps.

Thank you so mucho for the information Darkbeer. Have decided to go visit Knott se this Saturday but just realized that I had already set aside that day to go to the lantern festival in Imperial. The week after is my birthday and have friends coming from Norway so will have to squeeze a Sunday visit betweenness now and then and use the tickets i have and just upgrade to a pass and not worry about having to deal with crowds cus i could always be for back.
Again thanks for the I do in came in handy

 

[BrianLo]

All valid and interesting points regarding the other theme parks in SoCal. Other entertainment options for around the same price in SoCal are...

$445 = One (1) ticket for this Sunday's LA Rams vs. Saints NFL game at the Coliseum. Section 5L, Row 35. Seat is on the 30 yard line. If you want a seat on the Home side at the 50 yard line, for a great view of all the millionaires kneeling during our National Anthem, the ticket price for one (1) seat is $723.

$418 = Date Nite! Two (2) tickets next Saturday night in the Orchestra section of the Walt Disney Concert Hall for the LA Philharmonic's presentation of Hillary Hahn Plays Bernstein.

$483 = One (1) ticket for this Friday evening's performance of Hamilton at the Pantages. The seat is at the very back in Row ZZ, and is a single seat only. If you want two seats together, there are two Orchestra seats together in Row S and they are $998 per seat.

None of those ticket prices include parking. For instance, there are still some spots available for the LA Coliseum for this weekend's Rams game. You have a choice of $82 per car with a hike from Hoover Street, or closer in on Figueroa for $100 per car. https://www.parkwhiz.com/los-angele...ew-orleans-saints-at-los-angeles-rams-583583/

I think people often struggle to find a really good comp for Disney/Uni, as it seems an isolated 'thing'. Specific event tickets like you mention can and often do run out of control, it's not the best comparison.

The best comp for me (and probably the thing none of the locals around any warm weather DL resort think of) is skiing. One day walk up prices have crept up to the same level (~110 a day). There are means of discounting, Costco might net you 20% off two days. You'll get 40% off with 1, 4, 7 cards if you hit the magical 4 days total. Really not unlike typical Disney ticket discounts for multi-day.

Here's the kicker though, an adult season pass? $1365 for something that you can only access 4 months out of the year reliably, 6 if you are in a fortunate climate. Student prices 683. A family pass for two adults + kids - 2730. There are no MaGiCaL discount for locals, you get an AP because you are local, otherwise it really doesn't pay for itself.

Our advertisement for ski annual passes is "pays for itself in as little as 11 visits". The bottom barrel passes pay for themselves in like 3 at DLR.

I'm sorry AP's - but the deal you guys get out of Disney compared to other 'resorts' is insane for what they charge walk up visitors. Disneyland practically gives away annual passes to SoCal residents. The discounts on them are extreme. Honestly, AP's need to start at 750$ minimum. A deluxe annual pass needs to be 1000$ minimum. You want to visit every day unlimited? 2k.


Maybe not a popular opinion, but that's what needs to happen. AP's need to get in line with higher prices, not the one day ticket sales to tourists.

 

[Ismael Flores]

The problem I have with the pricing is that an Anaheim annual pass Is much higher than the hugest pass at WDW which has no blockout days and includes 2 water parks. If they want to continue increasing prices in Anaheim then they need to make it so that the only two parks in Anaheim are comparable in offerings

 

[TP2000]

The problem I have with the pricing is that an Anaheim annual pass Is much higher than the hugest pass at WDW which has no blockout days and includes 2 water parks. If they want to continue increasing prices in Anaheim then they need to make it so that the only two parks in Anaheim are comparable in offerings

I’m confused. Are you saying that Anaheim should lower AP prices to help with AP over-crowding?

 

[Ismael Flores]

I’m confused. Are you saying that Anaheim should lower AP prices to help with AP over-crowding?

No if Anaheim insists on the yearly increase of passes then they should also get serious about improving the Park capacity of both parks but most especially DCA.
One of the main problems of the overcrowding is that guests still insist of visiting Disneyland even if it’s packed. Reasoning for that is pricing and value.
DCA is lacking in attractions that attract guests.
Hollywood backlot is basically a large waste of space And what is there Monsters Inc, animation are not a huge draw. The preview theater sits mostly empty and The Hyperion as well as the Disney channel show have limited shows early in the day then shut down leaving the whole east side of the park empty. Then a few hours later Paradise Pier closes down its two main attraction and he swings for WOC leaving only three rides that last a couple minutes open.
There is a reason Carsland gets packed at night, the rest of the the park has little to do. The park clearly lacks attractions that would keep whole families entertained.
Meanwhile Disneyland keeps going with most attractions open till closing along with fireworks and Fantasmic.
That is the main reason for overcrowding, bad planning with two parks within walking distance that are priced the same but are not equal in value.
That is how they can control crowding without overpricing guests out.