bettymae1121
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2010
Edit-Update 4/8/22 --
After this trip was completed, other DISboard posters stated that you can, in fact, make park reservations on expired tickets, and some posters have also stated that they were able to keep/reinstate park reservations made on expired tickets when they exchanged them in person at the ticket booths. Others have stated they have had some success in getting expired tickets refunded over the phone with Disney when they can show that they have bought new tickets. I am leaving my original post from March 2, 2022 as-is with no additional edits but I want to stress that if you have expired tickets to reach out to Disneyland to see what your options are regarding exchanges and park reservations, read more resent DISboard posts on the subject, or post your own question for the latest feedback.
In the end, I'm still glad I made this trip because all it takes is one getting one CM that doesn't know all the in's and out's of this issue to really goof things up, and this way I do not have to stress about it.
Now, on to my original post!!!
------
I didn't put this in the Trip Reports board since I didn't actually enter either theme park. But I know there have been people asking both about exchanging expired tickets and about the Fairfield Inn on Harbor. So here we go! If all you care about is the Fairfield Inn review, scroll down until you see Fairfield Inn Review in bold.
First, as a bit of back story - In February of 2020 I bought three 5 day park hopper with Max Pass for our planned June 2020 trip, trying to get in before they raised ticket prices.
So.....yeah.
We couldn't make the trip to DLR before the extended expiration date of late 2021, the best we could do was June of 2022. No biggie, since expired tickets can be exchanged for current valid ones, we just have to pay for any difference in cost. Not great but better than losing ~$1500 in admission!
Except it is kind of a "biggie" because you need park reservations now. I couldn't just show up in June and exchange the tickets at the start of our trip and realistically expect not to have any problems getting into the parks. You can't make park reservations on expired passes, and Disney (for whatever reason) can't exchange tickets remotely. It can only be done in person at a DLR ticket booth.
Did I mention we live near Chicago?
No way do I want to risk showing up in June without park reservations, with pent up demand from cancelled trips the last 2 years plus evening entertainment being brought back this spring - that's just a bad, bad idea. Nor did I want to buy brand new tickets and keep the old ones for some far-off future trip once advance park reservations are no longer a thing. So, I cashed in some frequent flyer miles and a free hotel certificate from my Bonvoy Amex, and took a one night trip to DLR this past weekend to fix the situation.
On Saturday I took an early non-stop flight from O'Hare to John Wayne (SNA) on American. The flight was long, but a breeze. Only having a backpack, upon arrival at SNA I literally walked outside, crossed the street, requested an Uber and was on my way to DLR within a few minutes. Uber was $50 plus a $10 tip. I've seen some complaints about the location of ride share pick up at SNA and I don't know what the fuss is about. Yes if you're claiming bags you have to go downstairs, get your bags, and then go back upstairs but it's really not a big deal, in my opinion. SNA is a pretty easy airport to navigate (then again, my home airport is O'Hare so nearly every airport in existence is easy in comparison, I suppose).
Traffic was light and I was dropped off at the guest drop off in less than 30 minutes. I cleared bag check and was at a ticket booth a few minutes later. Switching the tickets was very simple, I just explained I had expired tickets and that I wanted new ones, being careful to point out that I needed an adult ticket for my daughter as she just turned 10 (her expired ticket was a 9 and under). The CM did need a supervisor to approve it but it was a formality, it wasn't a problem at all. She even offered to help me make park reservations but I know my way around the Disney app and didn't want to take more of her time. While she was doing her thing I mentioned I'd flown out from Chicago just to do this. She was floored, said it was crazy! Her supervisor had come up to give approval for the exchange and said the day before she had a guest from Boston do the same thing. So it sounds like there are a few of us out there with the same problem! It was $230 for the new tickets after credit from the old ones (total for all 3 - old tix were 5 day park hoper with Maxpass, new were 5 day park hoper with Genie+).
So at this point, it's only 12 PM (my flight landed just before 11 AM local time by the way, when I say I sailed through my trip I really mean it, things could not have gone better) and my check-in time at Fairfield Inn isn't until 4 PM. I'm starving since there was no food on the flight (and I didn't want to have my mask off long enough to eat in-flight in any case) so I got a table for one at Naples Ristorante. I had a side salad, an individual margarita pizza and an Italian lemonade. All very good and $$$, $60 after tip! But I was treating myself given I had to travel all this way on my own and killing my weekend.
After that I window shopped in Downtown Disney for the next few hours. It was very busy and got even busier as the day went on, if the crowds here are any indication then the parks were probably pretty full too. I had heard that a good part of DTD was torn up as they are redeveloping or adding on to DLH or something, and that's true. After a few hours I had seen everything there was to see. Other than shopping (and there aren't a ton of shops), eating, or the bowling ally there isn't a whole lot to do. I'm glad I got the feel for things now so we don't plan too much time around DTD for our June trip.
About 3 PM I got some beignets from Ralph's Jazz Kitchen take out window for a snack and made my way to the Fairfield Inn (see hotel review below). I got checked in, went to my room, and laid down for about an hour, I'd had a very long day so far! Just after 5 I got up and walked back to Downtown Disney to grab some dinner. I got on the waitlist for Tortilla Joe's (about 30 minutes) and ducked into a few shops to stay warm, it had cooled off when the sun went down and it was very windy. Even my native Chicago self was a bit cold with only my hoodie on!
Unfortunately dinner was a let-down. It was down right bad. The chips and salsa were fine (I really liked the salsa actually) but the sauce they used for the enchiladas tasted like plain unseasoned tomato sauce and the taco wasn't great either. Service was good though, and I will say the portions are huge - the food might not be great but you get plenty of it. I had a diet Coke (I was tempted to get a margarita but being a solo female traveler at night, decided against it - the area is perfectly safe but better to err on the side of caution and all that) but I'd really only recommend this place for adult drinks and chips. I'm really sad to say that as I love Tex-Mex but it really was just not good. I only ate a few bites of each item, but with the chips and my big lunch from before it was enough to hold me over. Dinner was $40 including tip.
After I was done I headed straight back to the hotel, again I felt completely comfortable walking back by myself after dark. I set up my Uber ride for a 6 AM pick-up back to SNA ($53 plus $10 tip for the return) and turned in for the night. The next morning I went back to SNA (20 minute ride, if that -traffic was non-existent) and since I had TSA pre-check I breezed through security and grabbed some breakfast before my flight. I was home about 36 hours after my departing flight left Chicago!
Yesterday morning I scanned my new, valid paper tickets into my Disneyland app and made our park reservations for our June trip. I am SO glad I have this out of the way and don't need to stress out about it any more. If anyone has any questions about my ticket exchange experience, ask away!
Fairfield Inn Review
I picked the Fairfield Inn for my quick ticket exchange trip for two reasons, one - my free hotel cert was valid for it and two - it's the same hotel we are staying at in June and I thought this was an excellent way to give it a trial run. Why did we book it for our stay in June? Three reasons - one I had enough Marriott/Bonvoy points to cover a weeks stay, two - it looked nice from the online pictures and reviews, three - it was within easy walking distance of DLR.
I didn't time it I but I estimate it was 5-7 minutes from the plaza to the front door of the hotel, a very easy walk. There is an IHOP, a Denney's, and a McD's along the way, plus Panera Bread is literally in the parking lot of the Fairfield. The Tropicana hotel (also along the way) has a large convenience store, I didn't go in but I imagine they have plenty of options for snacks and drinks that you can keep in your room to help save a few $$$.
The hotel lobby is nice, just like the pictures and the gentleman that checked me in was friendly and fast. I got an "upgraded" room due to my gold status - which just means it has the Disney themed mural on the wall, but it was a nice touch. The elevators are just to the right of the check-in desk (they have 3 elevator cars so I imagine that helps during peak hours).
I was on the 6th floor, room 645. It had a connecting door, so I assume you can request connecting rooms if needed. The room was surprising large and in great shape, very clean. The mattress was firm but comfortable enough (I prefer softer mattresses as a personal preference but it was fine). What I really like, even though I didn't need it this trip as I was traveling solo, is that there is a sliding door between the sink area and the sleeping area, so if someone needs to change but the bathroom (tub/shower combo and toilet) is occupied it's easy enough to slide the door for some privacy. There is no microwave in the room but there is a dorm/cube mini fridge and a Keurig coffee maker (coffee is Green Mountain, two each of regular and decaf, and there were a few bags of tea available too). The front desk told me where microwaves were located but I didn't register it, but they are around if you really need one. There is also coin laundry at the hotel.
I didn't use the pool but it seems nice, it has a flagstone deck rather than just cement and they surrounded the pool area with bushes, plants and other landscaping so it won't feel quite so much like swimming in a parking lot. It also had a very small 2-3 person hot tub off in one corner. The pool is not huge but not too tiny either, and a rather boring rectangle shape. Not the best pool on Harbor but not the worst either. I believe I overheard someone say it was heated and since it was in full use but the air temp was only a high of 60, I'd have to imagine that's correct.
Other than vending machines near the elevators on each floor and the gift shop/lobby offerings there is no food at the hotel itself (no breakfast, free or otherwise, is available), there was a Pizza Hut on the 3rd floor but it's closed with no info on when/if it will re-open. As mentioned earlier, there is a Panera in the parking lot and several restaurants between Fairfield Inn and the crosswalk to DLR.
Noise - ugh, how to explain this? I did not hear any noise from the roads (Harbor in front or I-5 behind) so in that sense the room was quiet enough. I did, however, hear random thumps and bumps throughout the night, I assume these were from other guests or hotel staff doing their thing. It wasn't super loud, but enough that I noticed - I was able to roll over and go back to sleep each time. I suspect if I had been there for a few more nights I'd have become used to them and slept through. The A/C when running was noticeable but not so loud as to disturb me, I rather liked it as a white noise machine actually. So in total, I'd say the room is quiet-ish? I think it will depend on if you have courteous neighbors, if you do you'll be fine. If it turns out there is a group of teen Irish step-dancers staying for a competition, you're in trouble!
Overall verdict? I think it's a great hotel for a more reasonable rate that the Courtyard Theme Park next door and still within easy walking distance of the parks. 10/10 will stay there again in June without any hesitation.
Edited to correct a word.
After this trip was completed, other DISboard posters stated that you can, in fact, make park reservations on expired tickets, and some posters have also stated that they were able to keep/reinstate park reservations made on expired tickets when they exchanged them in person at the ticket booths. Others have stated they have had some success in getting expired tickets refunded over the phone with Disney when they can show that they have bought new tickets. I am leaving my original post from March 2, 2022 as-is with no additional edits but I want to stress that if you have expired tickets to reach out to Disneyland to see what your options are regarding exchanges and park reservations, read more resent DISboard posts on the subject, or post your own question for the latest feedback.
In the end, I'm still glad I made this trip because all it takes is one getting one CM that doesn't know all the in's and out's of this issue to really goof things up, and this way I do not have to stress about it.
Now, on to my original post!!!
------
I didn't put this in the Trip Reports board since I didn't actually enter either theme park. But I know there have been people asking both about exchanging expired tickets and about the Fairfield Inn on Harbor. So here we go! If all you care about is the Fairfield Inn review, scroll down until you see Fairfield Inn Review in bold.
First, as a bit of back story - In February of 2020 I bought three 5 day park hopper with Max Pass for our planned June 2020 trip, trying to get in before they raised ticket prices.
So.....yeah.
We couldn't make the trip to DLR before the extended expiration date of late 2021, the best we could do was June of 2022. No biggie, since expired tickets can be exchanged for current valid ones, we just have to pay for any difference in cost. Not great but better than losing ~$1500 in admission!
Except it is kind of a "biggie" because you need park reservations now. I couldn't just show up in June and exchange the tickets at the start of our trip and realistically expect not to have any problems getting into the parks. You can't make park reservations on expired passes, and Disney (for whatever reason) can't exchange tickets remotely. It can only be done in person at a DLR ticket booth.
Did I mention we live near Chicago?
No way do I want to risk showing up in June without park reservations, with pent up demand from cancelled trips the last 2 years plus evening entertainment being brought back this spring - that's just a bad, bad idea. Nor did I want to buy brand new tickets and keep the old ones for some far-off future trip once advance park reservations are no longer a thing. So, I cashed in some frequent flyer miles and a free hotel certificate from my Bonvoy Amex, and took a one night trip to DLR this past weekend to fix the situation.
On Saturday I took an early non-stop flight from O'Hare to John Wayne (SNA) on American. The flight was long, but a breeze. Only having a backpack, upon arrival at SNA I literally walked outside, crossed the street, requested an Uber and was on my way to DLR within a few minutes. Uber was $50 plus a $10 tip. I've seen some complaints about the location of ride share pick up at SNA and I don't know what the fuss is about. Yes if you're claiming bags you have to go downstairs, get your bags, and then go back upstairs but it's really not a big deal, in my opinion. SNA is a pretty easy airport to navigate (then again, my home airport is O'Hare so nearly every airport in existence is easy in comparison, I suppose).
Traffic was light and I was dropped off at the guest drop off in less than 30 minutes. I cleared bag check and was at a ticket booth a few minutes later. Switching the tickets was very simple, I just explained I had expired tickets and that I wanted new ones, being careful to point out that I needed an adult ticket for my daughter as she just turned 10 (her expired ticket was a 9 and under). The CM did need a supervisor to approve it but it was a formality, it wasn't a problem at all. She even offered to help me make park reservations but I know my way around the Disney app and didn't want to take more of her time. While she was doing her thing I mentioned I'd flown out from Chicago just to do this. She was floored, said it was crazy! Her supervisor had come up to give approval for the exchange and said the day before she had a guest from Boston do the same thing. So it sounds like there are a few of us out there with the same problem! It was $230 for the new tickets after credit from the old ones (total for all 3 - old tix were 5 day park hoper with Maxpass, new were 5 day park hoper with Genie+).
So at this point, it's only 12 PM (my flight landed just before 11 AM local time by the way, when I say I sailed through my trip I really mean it, things could not have gone better) and my check-in time at Fairfield Inn isn't until 4 PM. I'm starving since there was no food on the flight (and I didn't want to have my mask off long enough to eat in-flight in any case) so I got a table for one at Naples Ristorante. I had a side salad, an individual margarita pizza and an Italian lemonade. All very good and $$$, $60 after tip! But I was treating myself given I had to travel all this way on my own and killing my weekend.
After that I window shopped in Downtown Disney for the next few hours. It was very busy and got even busier as the day went on, if the crowds here are any indication then the parks were probably pretty full too. I had heard that a good part of DTD was torn up as they are redeveloping or adding on to DLH or something, and that's true. After a few hours I had seen everything there was to see. Other than shopping (and there aren't a ton of shops), eating, or the bowling ally there isn't a whole lot to do. I'm glad I got the feel for things now so we don't plan too much time around DTD for our June trip.
About 3 PM I got some beignets from Ralph's Jazz Kitchen take out window for a snack and made my way to the Fairfield Inn (see hotel review below). I got checked in, went to my room, and laid down for about an hour, I'd had a very long day so far! Just after 5 I got up and walked back to Downtown Disney to grab some dinner. I got on the waitlist for Tortilla Joe's (about 30 minutes) and ducked into a few shops to stay warm, it had cooled off when the sun went down and it was very windy. Even my native Chicago self was a bit cold with only my hoodie on!
Unfortunately dinner was a let-down. It was down right bad. The chips and salsa were fine (I really liked the salsa actually) but the sauce they used for the enchiladas tasted like plain unseasoned tomato sauce and the taco wasn't great either. Service was good though, and I will say the portions are huge - the food might not be great but you get plenty of it. I had a diet Coke (I was tempted to get a margarita but being a solo female traveler at night, decided against it - the area is perfectly safe but better to err on the side of caution and all that) but I'd really only recommend this place for adult drinks and chips. I'm really sad to say that as I love Tex-Mex but it really was just not good. I only ate a few bites of each item, but with the chips and my big lunch from before it was enough to hold me over. Dinner was $40 including tip.
After I was done I headed straight back to the hotel, again I felt completely comfortable walking back by myself after dark. I set up my Uber ride for a 6 AM pick-up back to SNA ($53 plus $10 tip for the return) and turned in for the night. The next morning I went back to SNA (20 minute ride, if that -traffic was non-existent) and since I had TSA pre-check I breezed through security and grabbed some breakfast before my flight. I was home about 36 hours after my departing flight left Chicago!
Yesterday morning I scanned my new, valid paper tickets into my Disneyland app and made our park reservations for our June trip. I am SO glad I have this out of the way and don't need to stress out about it any more. If anyone has any questions about my ticket exchange experience, ask away!
Fairfield Inn Review
I picked the Fairfield Inn for my quick ticket exchange trip for two reasons, one - my free hotel cert was valid for it and two - it's the same hotel we are staying at in June and I thought this was an excellent way to give it a trial run. Why did we book it for our stay in June? Three reasons - one I had enough Marriott/Bonvoy points to cover a weeks stay, two - it looked nice from the online pictures and reviews, three - it was within easy walking distance of DLR.
I didn't time it I but I estimate it was 5-7 minutes from the plaza to the front door of the hotel, a very easy walk. There is an IHOP, a Denney's, and a McD's along the way, plus Panera Bread is literally in the parking lot of the Fairfield. The Tropicana hotel (also along the way) has a large convenience store, I didn't go in but I imagine they have plenty of options for snacks and drinks that you can keep in your room to help save a few $$$.
The hotel lobby is nice, just like the pictures and the gentleman that checked me in was friendly and fast. I got an "upgraded" room due to my gold status - which just means it has the Disney themed mural on the wall, but it was a nice touch. The elevators are just to the right of the check-in desk (they have 3 elevator cars so I imagine that helps during peak hours).
I was on the 6th floor, room 645. It had a connecting door, so I assume you can request connecting rooms if needed. The room was surprising large and in great shape, very clean. The mattress was firm but comfortable enough (I prefer softer mattresses as a personal preference but it was fine). What I really like, even though I didn't need it this trip as I was traveling solo, is that there is a sliding door between the sink area and the sleeping area, so if someone needs to change but the bathroom (tub/shower combo and toilet) is occupied it's easy enough to slide the door for some privacy. There is no microwave in the room but there is a dorm/cube mini fridge and a Keurig coffee maker (coffee is Green Mountain, two each of regular and decaf, and there were a few bags of tea available too). The front desk told me where microwaves were located but I didn't register it, but they are around if you really need one. There is also coin laundry at the hotel.
I didn't use the pool but it seems nice, it has a flagstone deck rather than just cement and they surrounded the pool area with bushes, plants and other landscaping so it won't feel quite so much like swimming in a parking lot. It also had a very small 2-3 person hot tub off in one corner. The pool is not huge but not too tiny either, and a rather boring rectangle shape. Not the best pool on Harbor but not the worst either. I believe I overheard someone say it was heated and since it was in full use but the air temp was only a high of 60, I'd have to imagine that's correct.
Other than vending machines near the elevators on each floor and the gift shop/lobby offerings there is no food at the hotel itself (no breakfast, free or otherwise, is available), there was a Pizza Hut on the 3rd floor but it's closed with no info on when/if it will re-open. As mentioned earlier, there is a Panera in the parking lot and several restaurants between Fairfield Inn and the crosswalk to DLR.
Noise - ugh, how to explain this? I did not hear any noise from the roads (Harbor in front or I-5 behind) so in that sense the room was quiet enough. I did, however, hear random thumps and bumps throughout the night, I assume these were from other guests or hotel staff doing their thing. It wasn't super loud, but enough that I noticed - I was able to roll over and go back to sleep each time. I suspect if I had been there for a few more nights I'd have become used to them and slept through. The A/C when running was noticeable but not so loud as to disturb me, I rather liked it as a white noise machine actually. So in total, I'd say the room is quiet-ish? I think it will depend on if you have courteous neighbors, if you do you'll be fine. If it turns out there is a group of teen Irish step-dancers staying for a competition, you're in trouble!
Overall verdict? I think it's a great hotel for a more reasonable rate that the Courtyard Theme Park next door and still within easy walking distance of the parks. 10/10 will stay there again in June without any hesitation.
Edited to correct a word.
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