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.