Disney cancels SoCal ticket deals

[2Epcot]

Disneyland too popular for discounts ....

Slow no more: Disney cancels SoCal ticket deals

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are doing too well at the gate since Cars Land.


By SARAH TULLY / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – Southern California residents can't get deep discounts on Disneyland and Disney California Adventure tickets this spring as they have for the past decade.

Disney sold 2-for-1 tickets or similar deals to local residents from 2003 through last year as a way to bring in visitors during the slower season, usually January through May. But higher attendance, bolstered by last year's Cars Land improvements, prompted the parks to cancel the discounts this year.

"We regularly evaluate our offerings in the local market and make decisions based on our business needs," said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman.

The move has disappointed some Southern California residents.

Xenia Galaviz of Buena Park was waiting for the ticket offer to take a family outing with her husband and four boys. Now, they likely won't go.

"We planned on visiting California Adventure because my husband hasn't been to Cars Land yet, and we haven't seen World of Color," Galaviz wrote in an email.

The Anaheim resort has had record attendance since the June debut of the $1 billion makeover of Disney California Adventure, including the 12-acre area based on the "Cars" movies.

Until last year, the 12-year-old park struggled to draw tourists and keep up with next door's Disneyland. Now, attendance usually is equally split between Disney California Adventure and Disneyland.

The Anaheim parks had much stronger surges than did Florida's Walt Disney World in late summer and fall.

[Melanie]

Interesting, for sure.

[BrerGnat]

Good. They need to keep crowd levels manageable so the park going experience stays positive.

It's worth noting that these 2 for 1 tickets were not hoppers. They were one day in each park. You could not visit both parks in the same day and you could not use both days in the same park. They had to do this during the DCA overhaul years, because people just didn't want to go there. This "deal" forced people to go over there. They don't need to offer an incentive to visit DCA anymore, so this ticket deal is irrelevant now.

One of my big gripes with DL is how they WANT to be a multi-day destination and are trying to cater to out of towners. However, when those people finally make it out there, and the entire population of CA is there with them, it leads to a less than magical experience. Every time they offered these tickets in the past, it was IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy the parks during the promotional period.

They need to ax the el cheap-o Southern CA "Select" Annual Pass next.

[NotaGeek]

Good. They need to keep crowd levels manageable so the park going experience stays positive.

It's worth noting that these 2 for 1 tickets were not hoppers. They were one day in each park. You could not visit both parks in the same day and you could not use both days in the same park. They had to do this during the DCA overhaul years, because people just didn't want to go there. This "deal" forced people to go over there. They don't need to offer an incentive to visit DCA anymore, so this ticket deal is irrelevant now.

One of my big gripes with DL is how they WANT to be a multi-day destination and are trying to cater to out of towners. However, when those people finally make it out there, and the entire population of CA is there with them, it leads to a less than magical experience. Every time they offered these tickets in the past, it was IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy the parks during the promotional period.

They need to ax the el cheap-o Southern CA "Select" Annual Pass next.

I totally agree -- Disney just doesn't need the extra business to make its numbers anymore -- hopefully this will make the in-park experience better -- I for one can vouch that the super crowded resident days weren't magical at ALL!