Disneyland Resort Update

At the end of January, Disney posted that it had added 20 public use [chargers] at the Mickey & Friends parking structure. Always eager to try new things, I finally convinced my husband to take our Chevrolet Volt and try out the station. For those considering it in the future, a few thoughts:

• Disney is using Chargepoint chargers. It is helpful to have a physical card in advance. I had to call Chargepoint about a different issue and the person I spoke with indicated while it is possible to activate a charger from their cellphone app, it is harder when there are multiple chargers nearby. Disneyland has numbered the chargers 1–20 but the main Chargepoint website labels them alphabetically based on geography (so what is labeled “A” changes when you scroll around). I didn't see what they are like on the cellphone version, but if they generally know having multiple Chargepoints nearby can cause issues, I would recommend using the physical cards.

• At the ticket booth after swiping our [annual passes] and getting our receipt, we told the attendant that we wanted electric vehicle charging, and got a yellow strip of paper for our car. My husband doesn't read Internet blogs, and later told me it hadn't occurred to him to ask, or he might have asked earlier. As we did ask before driving off, it was no big deal.

• Only after we were directed to the Chip & Dale area did we see signage for the electric vehicle parking. I don't know when or where I expected to see signs, but I was a bit surprised that there weren't more, since most people who are not handicapped do not go into that area.

• Unlike many of the charging stations I've seen that charge fairly high rates per hour (or fraction thereof), Disney is charging $0.35/Kwh (min. $1.50). This is more than most electric vehicle owners would pay to charge at home, but still a bit less than the current price of gas. We paid about $3.50 for 35–40 miles worth of range. Once our battery was full, there were no additional charges.

  The potential downside to this type of charging is that there is no incentive to move your car once your charge is complete. Disney posted on their blog that these spaces are first-come/first-served. Chargepoint's website does provide the ability to see if any of the chargers are available so if you didn't get a space in the morning it might be possible to move your car later in the day (but as those who know [the Micke & Friends] structure are aware, moving ones car typically involves leaving the structure and re-entering). Until more electric vehicle owners realize there is now paid charging, this may not be an issue.

• We left Disney around 2:30 on a Sunday, right when they were switching the bridge to facilitate cars exiting, so [it was] likely about as crowded as it would be for the day. At that time, about 3/4 of the parking spots were full. Of those, there was a Tesla that was not plugged in and a non-electric vehicle. I understand that the Tesla may have had issues charging or been directed to the electric vehicle area by an overzealous cast member without being asked if they wanted to charge. I don't understand why in a parking structure as big as Mickey and Friends a non-electric car felt entitled to park in an electric vehicle parking spot.

Having now done this, I'm not sure that we will routinely be taking our Volt to Disneyland, but it is certainly a more enticing option than it was before the installation of the Chargepoint chargers.

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One Day Park Hopper – Regularly $137/$131

Two Day Park Hopper – Regularly $210/$197

2-Day So Cal Resident 1-Park Per Day Ticket ($129) – offers residents of Southern California and Northern Baja California admission to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure on one day, and then a second visit to either park on another day on or before June 6, 2014.

You can use both days of this ticket at the same theme park, or visit one park one day and the other park on the second day, but you cannot use it to enter both parks on the same day. The ticket is $129 for ages 3 and up, a $30 jump from the 2012 offer. You can also upgrade the ticket to a park-hopper, which allows entry to both parks each day, for an additional $35, a savings of up to $46 compared to the box office price of a two-day park-hopper ticket.

2-Day So Cal Resident Park Hopper Ticket ($164) – offers residents of Southern California and Northern Baja California admission to Disneyland and/or Disney California Adventure on two separate days on or before June 6, 2014.

Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any other discounts are available through them.

Three Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $225/$209

Three Day Park Hopper – Regularly $260/$244

3-Day So Cal Resident 1-Park Per Day Ticket ($159) – offers residents of Southern California and Northern Baja California admission to either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure on one day, and then two more visits to either park on or before June 6, 2014.

You can use each day of this ticket at the same theme park, or visit one park one day and the other park on the next day, but you cannot use it to enter both parks on the same day. When purchased in advance, this ticket comes with one Magic Morning entry; tickets sold at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths do not include this benefit.

3-Day So Cal Resident Park Hopper Ticket ($194) – offers residents of Southern California and Northern Baja California admission to Disneyland and/or Disney California Adventure on three separate days on or before June 6, 2014.

When purchased in advance, this ticket comes with one Magic Morning entry; tickets sold at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths do not include this benefit.

2013–2014 Disney Military Promotional 3–Day Park Hopper Ticket ($129) – a discounted price offered to Eligible Service Members or their spouses.

The 2013–2014 U.S. Armed Forces discount is valid through September 25, 2014. Under this program, active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $129 each.

For the purpose of this offer, Disney defines “Eligible Service Members” as active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid military identification will be required for purchase. This discount is available at MWR/ITT offices at your military base or other at participating U.S. military sales outlets. The tickets are not available for sale at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. The price is the same for adults and children, and total of six tickets may be purchased per military member, regardless of who purchases the tickets (the member or their spouse). Disney has also clarified that the “Military member (or spouse) must accompany the persons using these tickets for Theme Park admission,” which means you can not purchase these tickets and give them to someone who will be visiting without you present.

Tickets are blocked out April 13, 2014 through April 20, 2014; and July 4, 2014. As far as we can tell, there is no “fuse” on this ticket, so you may have more than the standard 13 days from first use to use the remaining two admissions, but we highly recommend you contact your base MWR/ITT office for more details before making travel plans. Please note that this ticket is not a “bonus” ticket, and so does not include an early admission day.

For complete information regarding Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets and discounted resort rates, military personnel may visit the Disneyland Resort website, or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any other discounts are available through them.

Four Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $250/$230

Four Day Park Hopper – Regularly $285/$265

No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

Five Day, One Park per Day Ticket – Regularly $265/$244

Five Day Park Hopper – Regularly $300/$279

No discounts currently available to the general public. Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any discounts are available through them.

• Disneyland Resort Deluxe Annual Passports – $429, a $70 discount
• Disney Premier Passport – $849, a $130 discount, and the first time this pass has ever been offered at a discount

The discounts are valid February 6 through April 30. The Disneyland Deluxe AP will be available for purchase through a new online ticket store that will launch on February 6. As before, the Disney Premier Passport will only be available for purchase in person at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland ticket booths.

There is a note on the offer which reads, “Even if you've already purchased one, you can still take advantage of these limited-time savings. Purchase before April 30, 2014, and you can activate your new Pass or Passport when your old one expires.” Shortly after posting the offer, Disney amended the website to add, “anytime between now and Jan. 31, 2015.”

California residents can take advantage of the monthly payment plan when purchasing any but the Premier Annual Passport.

• Premier Annual Passport ($979) – valid at both Disneyland Resort and Florida's Walt Disney World Resort; includes parking.
• Premium Annual Passport ($669) – includes parking.
• Deluxe Annual Passport ($499)
• Southern California Annual Passport ($359)
• SoCal Select Annual Passport ($279)
• Parking Add On ($139) – add-on to Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select passes; blocked out July 4 and December 31.
• Blockout Day Ticket ($84) – grants one-day park-hopper admission to an annual passholder on a blockout day.

Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any other discounts are available through them.

2014 Southern California CityPASS $328/$284

2014 Southern California CityPASS PLUS $362/$309

2014 Southern California CityPASS ($328/$284) – includes a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early-entry day), a one-day admission to Sea World San Diego and a one-day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood. The CityPASS expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by December 31, 2014. Purchase CityPASS through the Disneyland website or on-site at the ticket booths of Disneyland Resort or the other theme parks included in the pass. You can also purchase directly from the CityPASS website, though a shipping charge may apply depending on how quickly you need the ticket.

– is the same as the CityPASS—a 3-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Bonus Ticket (including one early-entry day), a one-day admission to Sea World San Diego and a one-day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood—with the addition of one-day admission to either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Safari Park. The CityPASS expires 14 days after first use at any location, and the first use must occur by December 31, 2014. This upgraded pass is only available for purchase directly from the CityPASS website

Prices listed above are valid until December 31, 2014.

Check with your employer, school or credit union to see if any other discounts are available through them.

Purchase with Purchase offers – Disneyland Resort shops frequently offer a reduced–price souvenir (often a tote bag, watch, or blanket) with a qualifying minimum purchase. These are offered at Disney-operated stores only, and selection may vary by location.

Recently, Disney has begun allowing customers to purchase more than one of the offers in a qualifying transaction, so if you spend $40 or more you can buy all three of the items currently available if you wish. If you're a passholder, the minimum purchase is calculated after your discount, and your discount does not apply to the promotional item. Current offers:

• Disneyland Mickey Mouse Tote for $16.95 with a purchase of $25 or more.
• Character Lock Pin for $2.95 with a purchase of $30 or more.
• Disneyland Throw for $19.95 with a purchase of $40 or more.

A Mickey Mouse tote bag and Disneyland throw blanket are available with a qualifying purchase at participating Disneyland Resort stores. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Landry's Select Club – members of the Landry's Select Club get priority seating at the Rainforest Cafe when available (which makes a huge difference on busy days), and a 10 percent discount on retail purchases. This club replaces the former Rainforest Cafe Safari Club, and now runs on a point-based system that gives you a $25 gift certificate after you spend $250. Membership now costs $25, but comes with a $25 reward. We recommend that you pre purchase your membership before your visit so you can take advantage of the priorty seating benefit. =

ESPNZone MVP Club – membership in the MVP Club does not offer any discounts on food. However, once a member you can make an online reservation for your party up to three days in advance and will get a 25 percent increase in points purchased when playing games in the Sports Arena (and 40 bonus points at activation). You must register online and your membership card will then be mailed to you within two weeks. The card must then be activated at any ESPNZone by the person who signed up for the card and ID will be required (link).

Character Dining Vouchers – discounted character dining vouchers are available for purchase online, in advance of your trip, through Get Away Travel.

Disneyland Resort merchandise – Disneyland extended the 20 percent merchandise discount offered to Premium annual passholders through December 31, 2014.

Discounts for Disney Visa Cardholders

Character Meet-and-Greet – cardholders have access to a private character meet-and-greet photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure, and receive one free 5″x7″ photograph per visit.

Disneyland Resort merchandise – Cardholders also receive 10 percent off qualifying merchandise purchases of $50 or more from Disney-operated retail stores.

Disneyland Resort dining – 10 percent off at selected Disneyland Resort restaurants, (Big Thunder Ranch, River Belle Terrace, French Market, Cocina Cucamonga, Steakhouse 55, PCH Grill and Storyteller's Café).

Disneyland Resort Guided Tours – 20 percent off the “Welcome to Disneyland,” “A Walk in Walt's Footsteps,” and “Discover the Magic” guided tours.

See the Disney Visa website for terms and conditions for all of these promotions.

Hotel and travel package offers

Costco Travel Packages – many different travel packages including visits to Disneyland and Disneyland hotels are available through Costco.

Disney's Resort Magic and Good Neighbor Magic Packages – package includes accommodations in one of the three resort hotels or at one of 40 Good Neighbor hotels; Souvenir Park Hopper ticket with voucher for admission to Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, plus one Magic Morning (early entry) for three-day or longer Park Hoppers; preferred seating at three DCA attractions (Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Muppet*Vision 3D, It's Tough to be a Bug!); preferred showing of Turtle Talk With Crush (priority viewing at the first Turtle Talk With Crush show of the day, on any one day—one voucher per guest); Disney Dream coin keepsake (one per package), luggage tag and lanyard with pin; a Downtown Disney Fun Card; and a “Character Call” from Mickey, Minnie, Goofy or Crush. Contact Disney Travel or your favorite travel agent.

Discounts for US Military

2013–2014 Disney Military Promotional 3–Day Park Hopper Ticket ($129) – a discounted price offered to Eligible Service Members or their spouses.

The 2013–2014 U.S. Armed Forces discount is valid through September 25, 2014. Under this program, active and retired U.S. military personnel can purchase Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $129 each.

For the purpose of this offer, Disney defines “Eligible Service Members” as active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valid military identification will be required for purchase. This discount is available at MWR/ITT offices at your military base or other at participating U.S. military sales outlets. The tickets are not available for sale at the Disneyland Resort ticket booths. The price is the same for adults and children, and total of six tickets may be purchased per military member, regardless of who purchases the tickets (the member or their spouse). Disney has also clarified that the “Military member (or spouse) must accompany the persons using these tickets for Theme Park admission,” which means you can not purchase these tickets and give them to someone who will be visiting without you present.

Tickets are blocked out December 19–31, 2013; April 13–20, 2014; and July 4, 2014. As far as we can tell, there is no “fuse” on this ticket, so you may have more than the standard 13 days from first use to use the remaining two admissions, but we highly recommend you contact your base MWR/ITT office for more details before making travel plans. Please note that this ticket is not a “bonus” ticket, and so does not include an early admission day.

For complete information regarding Disney Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets and discounted resort rates, military personnel may visit the Disneyland Resort website, or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.