Originally Posted By fidoprincess Sorry to ask again but we have decided to get the PAP! So I have the 5 day park hoppers for use starting on 11/23-we will probably get there too late on the 22nd. I use that to get in and do early entry the first day? and also get our ESPN cards. Then should I just go get the passes that night? That night we do Fantasmic Balcony but there isn't any discount. The next day we do BB and there is a 15% discount(but already have Visa and AAA too and believe we get a 10% with the disney visa) So when should I do the upgrade? Will the pass start date be the same no matter what since it will go by my 1st parkhopper entry day or is there a benefit of waiting until the last day and then the passes start? Where is that bank place again? I just can't remember seeing it. Really we would prefer to do the ee on Wed (afraid the kids will be too tired for Fantasmic) but I forgot what days we can do it-ugh. The fantasmic thing is getting to be a little bit of a pain because you have to get your tickets outside somewhere between 9-5 and we won't be able to pick them up the day before because we arrive late. I don't want to go in to the park and then have to come back out to get the tickets but we have no choice I guess. Just hope the lines to get in are not too long-ugh. ANn hints/tips about scheduling the getting of the passports, picking up the fantasmic tickets, etc. would be appreciated! Thanks so much for helping us decide to get the PAPs! We are already reaping the rewards as we just booked DH for my Jan bday at the AP rates! The kids are sooo excited!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I would wait until after using the Early Entry (and getting your ESPN Zone card) to upgrade, since you are getting Premium's (for those getting Deluxe's or SoCal's, usually it makes sense to wait until the last day to avoid blockout dates). I think enjoying Early Entry is better than the extra 5% savings for one meal. Your AP starting date is supposed to be the first day you used the ParkHopper, but sometimes the CM fails to backdate the AP (the system requires the CM to manually override the starting date). So you might get lucky, but more than likely not. To get to the Bank of Main Street, Enter thru the DIsneyland Main Gates, and go RIGHT towards the stroller rental booth, go under the railroad tracks, and you should see it on your right. The entrance is facing the middle of Town Square, near the entrance to the special 50th exhibit in the Opera House. Most of the time there is a line, but it is fairly obvious. Early Entry is normally on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. But I would check with the CM at the wait board (City Hall waits can be long) to see if they might have switched the dates due to Thanksgiving. You pick up your Fantasmic! Balcony tickets at Guest Services. To find Guest Services, stand in front of the Disneyland Main Gates from the outside (Main ENtry Plaza). If you are looking at the gates, look to your LEFT, and you should see the windows, which are located next to the Lockers and Bathrooms. If you can't find it, ask any CM to point you in the right direction. Only the person whose credit card was used of for the reservation needs to go, the rest of the family can stay in the park. I would do it in the afternoon, after the morning rush.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess Dear Darkbeer, Did I ever tell you I LOVE you-LOL?! Seriously, you would probably laugh if you knew all the print outs I have and carry to Disneyland of your posts! Now I have this one too. Thanks so much. (You know you MADE out last trip with all the Citypass/US/SW/LL tips! Dh thought I was such a great planner but I did finally tell him it was all YOU-lol) I really can't thank you enough! We are so excited not only for this trip over Thanksgiving but I already got to book for Jan at the DLH at AP rates!! I think the savings there will pay for the APs! They were quoting prices all over the board like 216/night & 248/night, at one point it was up to 396/night because they only had concierge available but in the end, it was 89/night-$20 cheaper than our beloved HoJos. (well, just justifying the expense because we wouldn't actually stay there without APs unless it was a very special occasion) You should see me now, can't stop smiling! My kids will be shocked since we haven't stayed there in years. DD was an infant and DS barely remembers. Now as long as it doesn't rain on the 11/23 for fantasmic balcony...Can it get more perfect than this? I don't know how I got to be so lucky! Thanks so mcuh.
