Originally Posted By tripplanner Has anyone used them? I have a party of 10 people and am trying to figure out the best price (least expensive) for the best time. We've decided to go to Sea World, Knotts Berry Farm & 4 days at Disneyland. I already have airfare and a place to stay in San Diego. I am also needing to get everyone around and I'm the only one that will be driving or setting up shuttles from LAX to San Diego to Anaheim. Any suggestions? I have someone at Mouse Ears working on a quote. I have one senior citizen, 3 adults and 6 kids. We have AAA, Disney Visa, military/ government id's and 2 Walmart employees, also are Costco members. I will sign up for any freebees out there to save us $$$. Its a large group and very expensive as far as I can tell. I'm responsible for all of it too.....
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Costco has the SoCal city pass - not sure of the price this year - but it includes DL, SD zoo/wild animal park, sea world, and either u.s or kbf (the year we did it it was knotts - but last year it was universal) I have also gotten coupons for knotts on ebay - the coupons got me into knotts for $24... You maybe able to get simular deals buying the tickets on the parks sites ahead of time.
Originally Posted By tripplanner I saw the So Cal passes but they are only a 3 day pass into disneyland.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains It's a city pass and you just take it to guest services or while at the ticket booth when the CM is tearing out the coupon you tell them you would like to add an extra day...
Originally Posted By tripplanner I just checked the City Pass and its Universal Studios now. I went there last time and we really did not enjoy ourselves. I'm going to Knott's this time because others want to go in our group. I offered to drop them off and go to DL for the day and then pick them up, but they don't want me to be a taxi driver. Am I going to regret losing a day at DL for Knott's? We will still have 4 days at DL even if we go to Knott's. We've got 6 kids and 3 out of the 6 will love the roller coasters. 2 out of the 4 adults will love the roller coasters. My favorite roller coaster of all time is at CA Adventure. I have a 13 yr old, a 12 yr old and a 3 yr old that won't want to be on the roller coasters are there other things to do?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Drop the others off at knotts!! They have removed alot of the kiddie area and put in a new rollar coaster - If you are going in the summer...lets just say it's not DL so you really have to wait in the line with the kids (like DL where you can see most of the lines and know there are enough CMs around) we were in a line last year at knotts and there was nearly a fight - the teens there were out of line (mouth wise)and a father of a family had enough!! I don't take my youngest into that park as there is not enough for her to do and be entertained... When we go in and ride the big rides my bigger kids want to ride and are done - we usually are there at opening and done by 3pm... and they don't have fastpasses so if you don't get on teh big rides quickly (silver bullet especailly) you will wait hours!
Originally Posted By tripplanner Thanks for the input. I will discuss Knotts with the crew. I could live at Disneyland. Do you think you can get a better deal if you go with a vacation planner i.e. Disney Travel or Mouse Ears? Or if its better to price it all out on your own. I know it was very close the last time we went and for a few pennies more, we got the perks of going through Disney Travel - parade passes, priority seating at Aladdin, a nice travel bag, etc.
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Originally Posted By 1DisneyNutt You should definitely do Knotts for the ones who enjoy rollercoasters. There is a kiddie land for the smaller kids. It is just a neat park to just walk around & look. There is a stagecoach ride also for the little ones. It will just be a nice way to break up all the lines etc. from Disneyland! Have a Great time!
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I would check the prices through the military for tix and also packages through AAA. It the prices are close then go for the extra perks....AAA tix will give you free parking and at least one early entry morning. I would look at the maps of knotts - when we were there in July they had put the new rollar coaster in the kiddie area (where the boat ride use to be) - although since you said two of the kids are 12 and 13 that don't want to do the roller coasters - I really don't know what you will find to entertain them in knotts - the ride between the parks in only a few minutes and can easily be planned to take a break to pick them up and maybe get a meal together when they are done in knotts - if this is a summer trip - knotts does have a water park that you could go to while the others are in knotts and you could all meet when all are done... I have never been to the water park so I don't know about it.
Originally Posted By Doobie While they're a sponsor of the site so my opinion is biased, I have used MouseEarVacations.com myself on a couple of occasions and was very happy with them. They do a great job. I'm not sure you'll get a better deal, but you will get, in my opinion, better service than you will going to Disney directly and the price will not be any higher. So you, in effect, get the perks for free. Doobie.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I used MouseEarVacations for a large group trip to WDW. I had 25 people in the group. My representative was Sally Hayshaw, and she did a great job. Like Doobie, I don't know that you get a better price, but they do offer great service. We travel in a group of 10 all the time - 11 now that my brother's family had a new baby. Knott's is a good destination for day when you have a wide range in ages. It's also good to break up the trip with places other than Disney. Not only does it help prevent overload, it makes the kids appreciate Disney more, LOL
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Tripplanner - I just re-read your first post. Your group sounds similar to our family trips, which we do several times a year, thanks to my parents Many times, I help with the trip planning as we try to get the most bang for our buck. We travel with 2 seniors, 4 adults, 5 kids (17, 15, 13, 10, 9 months). If you are the only driver and renting a van, forget the 10 passenger. You need to rent a 15 passenger van in order to actually fit everyone in. I suggest a rooftop luggage rack as well. I'm sure you are finding out that 10 doesn't qualify for a group rate at any of the parks. Isn't that a bummer? For hotel in the Disneyland area, you might want to check in to the Residence Inn Garden Grove. It's on Harbor, a mile from Disneyland. They have some really great 2 bed/2 bath suites. We had 7 in a suite last summer with no problem. The room includes a good breakfast and heavy appetizers/happy hour in the evening. I think we paid about $250. If you can get a good rate at HoJo's you may want to do that. Check websites like Entertainment.com to see if they have coupons that would make it worth purchasing a book. Also, check the individual park webpages for good deals. Knott's has a "Hot Deals" page that tells you what discounts are being offered and how to get them. AAA typically carries discount park tickets for places, too. Many can now be ordered online. AAA is divided into Northern and Southern California, so be sure to check both sections. We done numerous trips all together and have even had a newspaper feature our family travels. I can tell you the number 1 secret for a good time. Don't cram everyone together 24/7. Too much time spent in everyone's company lends itself to building stress. It's worth spending a litte extra for one more hotel room so people have some time apart!
Originally Posted By mater4 Like Villains I am not a fan of KBF. My kids 8 and 4 were bored after 2 hours. The kiddie rides were dull compared to DL and there was grafiti carved into them. For those that like the coasters, they will enjoy it as that is what most of the park is. I will recommend DL or maybe the waterpark. I have never been to the waterpark but it has to be better for the group that does not like coasters. I also agree that the park is dirty. I almost felt like I was in the ghetto.
Originally Posted By tripplanner We've decide to cut KBF from the itinerary. I found a great deal on Sea World Tix - 20% off at the gate with a Southwest Rapid Rewards card (4 tix for each membership). I'm just going to have 3 adults sign up...I have already.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Probably a better choice...If everyone liked roller coasters then KBF would be okay... We did this... Showtime Picnic - Enjoy a Picnic Lunch and Watch Shamu's Sensational Show Believe <a href="http://commerce.4adventure.com/eStore/scripts/skins/swc/DiningBookNow.aspx" target="_blank">http://commerce.4adventure.com /eStore/scripts/skins/swc/DiningBookNow.aspx</a> It was nice - you don't sit up close but you also don't have to get there so early for a seat. They will accomadate picky eaters also.
