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4.8 #10870 (DL Qual #0)
January 10, 2013 11:35 AM
Hi everyone just wanted to say hi ive been part of mousewait since 2011 but never posted or committed. Hoping to become an annual pass holder with my husband and our daughter in may little scared since were from northern cali..if anyone has any advice or good saving tips please let me know thanks😊
Welcome! They have a fantastic monthly payment option which makes APs more attainable for multiple people! I also live in Norcal; with the AP, we got the Premium passes which include the free parking. We would stay in no name hotels (all we cared about was a bed and a warm shower) a good distance from the park, and we would drive to the park and utilize the free parking. We saved a TON!! Bring snacks in the parks so you're not as tempted to buy the expensive food, and only eat one meal in the park if you want! We would bring breakfast stuff to the hotel with us, eat breakfast before we left or on the way, bring lots of snacks (my fav is beef jerky, it stays with you longer) and we would generally get a pretzel or something for lunch, and eat dinner in downtown disney, or somewhere away from the park. We saved a lot! Good luck! - jamielynn
138.6 #2465 11:41AM
What hotels do you stay in? - HandMeAChurroImmaFaint 1798.4 #42 11:51AM
I thought monthly plans were only for SoCal residents? - BrerRabbit 228.7 #1261 12:26PM
We've stayed at the Howard Johnson in Fullerton (not within walking distance, but not far) which was only $60 a night during the summer season, the alamo inn and suites (also close, and more in walking distance, $59 a night), and one other one that is close ish that I unfortunately can not remember the name of. The ones that we stayed at further from Dland include the motel 6 (sketchy in name, and fantastically redone so it's not sketch!) in San Diego!! Only $40 a night and not a terribly far drive (we live in Norcal so an hour or two is nothing!) and various other hotels around 5. All within reasonable driving distance. We try not to stay anywhere that is more than $60 unless we are in a group. - jamielynn 138.6 #2465 12:27PM
The Socal passes are considerably cheaper than other passes, but if you live in the ZIP codes 90000-96199, they have monthly payment options with a one time down payment I believe was...$87? Something of that price range. Otherwise it ends up being $40-$50 a month depending on what pass you get and such. - jamielynn 138.6 #2465 12:29PM
I believe they may have extended the payment option to all of California? Call guest services to be sure. - bluefairy 627.1 #174 7:43PM
Welcome! NorCal Premium AP holder here :) - HandMeAChurroImmaFaint
1798.4 #42 11:47AM
We pack sandwiches sometimes- carry in a backpack or get a $7 locker- also put jackets in there - HandMeAChurroImmaFaint 1798.4 #42 11:52AM
Welcome! - Armenda
993.6 #89 11:36AM
Hi and welcome! - ShariRenee
1505.7 #51 11:37AM
Oh and I just gave up Starbucks 3 times a week. Exact price of monthly Premium AP! - ShariRenee 1505.7 #51 12:33PM
Hello and welcome! Our money savings tip is to pack our own little snacks and beverages for the family while at the parks. By not spending on those type of items, we get souvenirs instead. - DisLUVney
333.6 #455 11:49AM
WElcome to the MW family! We're from the Bay Area and we have had premium annual passes for two years now. Highly recommended! You get discounts on most of you park purchases, including many food places. - ima-pirateswife
432.3 #289 11:50AM
I live in the Bay Area and have a Deluxe AP. It is so nice being able to go whenever I want. We usually stay at the Hojo and bring in a cooler for beverages. - Sharkgrrl19
202.9 #1584 12:09PM
So I have a question. Last year my friend and I both had Premium APs. This year, we're debating about getting a new AP, and I've been thinking about doing the Deluxe pass, I will willingly give up Saturdays and random days to save $200. My question is, how difficult is it to work around the weekends? I'm assuming it's not terribly difficult, but I feel like I would really want to go on the weekends... - jamielynn 138.6 #2465 12:32PM
You get weekends on Deluxe. It's mostly holidays that are blocked. - Sharkgrrl19 202.9 #1584 12:45PM
aloha and welcome! - OhanaPhoto
1414.3 #56 12:14PM
We saved a ton of money by bringing snacks with us( cheesies, frozen juice boxes, a couple of apples, water bottles(you can refill them) and beef jerky and pretzels!) we ate a huge breakfast each morning before we left the hotel(contential breakfast) then ate dinner at around 4:30 beating the actaul supper rush! - Disneymomab
15.1 #5655 12:15PM
Welcome! I live up in Santa Cruz and my boyfriend and I worked out that a long as we go at least 5 days out of the year, it pays for itself! Also the discounts are awesome! We took the monthly payment option too, so for 2 adults its only about $65/month. - MagicalMadMadam
230.1 #1238 12:17PM
Howdy - Mouse4life
1059.4 #80 12:23PM
Welcome!! - MomWithAJuiceBoxBuzz
922.2 #94 12:35PM
Welcome! - ElectricMayhemMom
310.6 #555 12:41PM
Welcome! - Princess Daisy
156.6 #2197 12:42PM
Welcome! - BillE
340.7 #429 12:53PM
Welcome, hope you enjoy! - madsdad
1124.6 #73 12:59PM
Thanks everyone i have four kids but sadly my boys rnt fans of rides yet so im only buying 3deluxe passes and were depating on staying at the hojo we normally stay at camelot but wasnt so happy on our last stay and everyone says great things about hojo.. We will definitely take snacks..... - princessgirl13
4.8 #10870 6:22PM
Welcome, fellow Northern California resident!! We usually stay at the HoJo on Harbor or use the name your own price on Priceline...all average @ $70 a night. Take in your own snacks/drinks, if you take afternoon breaks, grab Pizza Hut, Subway or Taco Bell for dinner before you head back to the parks...there's even a Costco not far away (roasted $5 whole chicken, pizza, $1.50 hot dogs), budget family trips are totally doable. Search for LittleAprilShowers...she writes a great budget blog. - Linzee
516.3 #226 6:40PM
Hi! I called HoJo to make a reservation and the guy who I spoke with wasn't familiar with MW (I know-weird) he gave me a "mouse-savers" discount. Should I be doing it a different way to get the MW deals? (not the January promo) - TinkerSchelle 644.1 #167 7:52PM
Hey, did you call the in house number, not the toll free? - Linzee 516.3 #226 7:56PM
Hi and welcome - HanLostLeia
1092.6 #76 6:47PM
Hello & welcome :) - MissAmericaSings
273.6 #794 6:49PM
Welcome! Fellow NorCal Disney girl - Mermaidmommy
32.8 #4251 7:35PM
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