Disneyland is trying to lure SoCal residents away from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with cheaper tickets and new experiences

It might prove to be a difficult time for Disneyland as later this month, many attractions and other offerings will be closing majorly due to the beginning of demolition for a Star Wars-themed land (projected for a 2019 opening). Just a few more weeks later, Universal Studios Hollywood will open The Wizarding World of Harry Potter powered by an equally powerful competing franchise.

Clearly the competition is up and we could see the first negative flux in attendance to Disneyland for the first time in years.

That isn’t something that Disneyland wants and so, they have come up with a plan to address these two major issues.

First, they have announced a series of new attraction experiences that’ll allow guests who visit some of the closed operations like the Disneyland Railroad and Mark Twain Riverboat to still enjoy them.

“Guests at the Main Street and New Orleans Square Train Stations will be able to get up-close with the historic steam engines that have circled Disneyland park for decades, learn about these amazing machines firsthand from our own train engineers and even take a picture with an engine!,” says Erin Glover from the Disney Parks Blog.

The Jungle Cruise, Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, and potentially more closed attractions will also get the semi-open treatment once the closures begin later this month.

In response to The Wizarding World’s impending opening, Disneyland just announced a new limited-time ticket offer for Southern California residents only. This “flex” pricing program has four options:

• 2-day ticket with choice of one park per day for $149 ($36 savings)

• 2-day Park Hopper ticket for $189 ($36 savings)

• 3-day ticket with choice of one park per day for $179 ($56 savings)

• 3-day Park Hopper ticket for $219 ($56 savings)

**All flex tickets are blocked out from March 20 – April 2, 2016 for the busy Spring Break season; Tickets can be purchased online until May 19, 2016 and must be used by the expiration date of May 26, 2016.

Even with the savings on Disneyland tickets, SoCal residents still might opt for a one-day ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood for $95 or an annual pass for no more than $299.

Both prices are significantly less than Disneyland’s ticket and pass prices. Combine that with the rave reviews that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has already gotten from its first location at Universal Studios Florida, things still look less than happy for The Happiest Place on Earth.

We’ll continue to monitor the closures at Disneyland and how that affects crowds and the experience, so be sure to follow us on social media and our future stories for the latest.

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