We were one of the lucky few who got to go to Disney before they closed for the COVID-19 crisis of 2020.
Growing up, we were blessed to have had passes pretty much every year as kids and into high school. I have the fondest memories running around the park with my siblings and friends, exploring all that Disney has to offer, and learning a few tips and tricks. We participated in the first 24 hour Disney day, and we were in the park on the MOST CROWDED DAY in DISNEY HISTORY!
This year, we purchased the FLEX annual pass. We had the SoCal Select Pass least year, and just found it hard to actually go, as you cannot go on weekends, holiday breaks, or in the summer. Being a school counselor, those are really the only days that I can go to Disney, so it didn’t really work for us. This is one of the reasons we opted for the FLEX pass this year.
We really don’t go to Disney too often, but we go often enough to where it pays for itself to have a pass rather than to pay to go twice.
Disney now enforces price points due to “tiers” of 1-5, which is just a fancy way of saying least expensive days to visit to most expensive days to visit.
Typically, high volume days like summer time, Easter and Christmas breaks and weekends will likely be “Tier 5” days. Days in the middle of the week, during Disney’s “off time”, will typically be cheaper, or Tiers 1-3 .
As you can see in the tables in this post, the flex pass that we both have is $649 each. If Chase and I were to pay to go to Disneyland on a Tier 5 day (typically the days we can both go because of work) 3 times, the pass pays for itself. Since we got them in the beginning of March we have already been once, and we are planning another trip as soon as they open back up post COVID-19. Disney is extending our pass however many days they are closed for this pandemic as well so we aren’t losing any money either, which is awesome!
Security and Ticket Gate
Disney has really revamped their security system! If you haven’t been in a while, they built a new parking structure where the Pinocchio parking lot used to be. Remember, the parking lot that wasn’t a structure where your bus parked for Grad Night?? Yep! Disney built a new parking structure with security clearance right there! Honestly, it makes the security process so much faster because there are more gates to check people at!
Once you are through that security check point, you can wander around downtown Disney and into the parks without worrying about having to get all your stuff checked again, which is a big plus for people who like to explore downtown Disney during the day.
You can shop our cute backpacks here! Kennedy’s backpack is actually the fanny pack version of the Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Sequined Mini Backpack by Lougefly. I used a belt and put it through the belt loop to make back pack loops so it would fit snug on her back.
Kennedy met lots of her favorite characters, including Goofy, Minnie and Snow White!
And she enjoyed the Pink and Blue Aurora cupcake from the Jolly Holiday located on Main Street.
She had been bugging us all day about this Ariel bubble wand. She saw a bunch of other kids with it, and saw it in the store, and was basically obsessed. We had to get it for her, for the price of $27.00! Honestly, it was worth every penny to see the smile it brought to her face. We will be bringing it back every time we visit.
We had a great day with our girl. If you are interested in seeing our vlog from this day! Watch the vlog down below! Make sure to like and subscribe for more Disneyland tips and tricks!
That’s all for now!
-Kayla
