How to Do Disneyland on a Budget: The Step-by-Step Guide

Planning a budget Disneyland vacation is completely feasible.

Every family has Disneyland on their travel bucket list. After all, it’s the most magical (and happiest) place on Earth! But this leaves all parents asking, “Is it possible to visit Disneyland on a budget?”

Fortunately, the answer is a resounding YES!

However, you have to be ready to put in a bit of work to make it happen. We’ve put together this easy guide for you to follow when you’re ready to organize your Disneyland trip! Here are your go-to answers to planning a trip to Disneyland on a budget!

Decide When to Go

Determining when you’ll visit Disneyland is imperative for a few different reasons. If you’re wondering how much to budget for Disneyland, when you plan to visit is a big factor.

First, it helps you identify which type of ticket you’ll need. Disneyland tickets are priced out by Value, Regular, and Peak days. As you can imagine, Peak tickets are the most expensive and typically occur during the most crowded times of the year, like summer.

Disneyland’s off-season tends to be at the beginning of the year, right after the holidays and before spring break. If you travel to the park during this chunk of time, you’ll be able to take advantage of Value or Regular ticket prices. It saves money and lets you enjoy the theme park with less crowd.

In addition, it also helps lower the cost of your overall transportation. If you’re traveling at the beginning of the year, flights are also cheaper around this season.

On top of prices, consider planning your Disneyland trip around crowd levels, especially if visiting with little children (or fussy adults like myself who aren’t fans of large crowds!)

family with two little girls walking in front of Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure in Los Angeles, California, USADetermine Which Ticket Types You Need

While you have the choice of planning your trip around seasonal ticket prices, you’ll also need to decide if you need a Park Hopper ticket. If you’re interested in visiting Disneyland on a budget, here’s where you can save a few (hundred) dollars.

Choosing whether or not to buy a Park Hopper pass can be tricky. It all depends on the type of Disneyland vacation you’re organizing.

For instance, if you only have two days at the parks, I’d recommend skipping the Park Hopper tickets. This allows you to visit one park per day and truly make the most of each day. On the other hand, if you only have one day in your Los Angeles family vacation for Disney, take advantage of those Park Hoppers and visit both parks!

Also, keep an eye out for Disneyland vacation deals throughout the year. You never know what sales can pop up! You might be able to purchase 1-park per day tickets for less than the regular price.

Wide shot of the Mad Tea Party ride at Walt Disney World at dusk in Orlando, Florida, USA
photo credit: Wishing On A Star Travel, LLC via Facebook

Look for Disneyland Vacation Packages

Want to go to Disneyland on the cheap? Those who prefer visiting Disneyland on a budget should also take advantage of vacation packages. When you combine your hotel with your Disneyland tickets, you’ll save even more money in the long run.

Disneyland vacation packages are also customizable, allowing you to plan the most magical vacation all within your predetermined budget.

When building your vacation package, consider where you’ll stay. You have a choice between staying onsite at the Disneyland Resort or off-site at a nearby hotel.

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Disneyland: Coupons, Discounts, and Deals

Disneyland Resort has three hotels, which offer a variety of benefits to visitors. However, these hotels do cost more and are often booked far in advance.

On the other hand, there are plenty of off-site hotels which provide a variety of amenities at a cost you can afford. When looking at available hotels near Disneyland, consider the amenities you’ll need to make your stay an enjoyable one. These can include:

  • Swimming Pools
  • Complimentary Breakfast or Free Breakfast
  • Free WiFi Access
  • In-Room Safes
  • Theme Park Shuttles

Try to look for Good Neighbor Hotels, which are hotels near Disneyland but aren’t owned by Disney. Once you’ve figured out where to stay, it’s time to organize your vacation transportation.

goofy greeting family of four in lobby with suitcases at Disneyland Hotel in Los Angeles, California, USA

 

Figure Out Transportation

While there are many factors in order to answer the question “how to go to Disneyland for cheap,” Airfare is often the most expensive part of a Disneyland vacation, especially for those traveling from the East Coast. Fortunately, there are several ways to save.

As previously mentioned, visiting Disneyland in the off-season is also beneficial for booking flights. Before you plan your Disneyland trip, be flexible with your flight plans, too. Try flying at off-peak times such as late at night or early in the morning for better rates.

Planning a Disney trip on a budget also means you have to plan land transportation in advance. Once you’ve landed in Los Angeles, you may not need to rent a car. Many hotels provide guests with a shuttle to and from the airport. Also, services such as Uber and Lyft can get you to and from your destination for a reasonable fee, which you will want to add to your Disneyland budget. After all, do you really want to spend your Disneyland vacation navigating LA traffic, one of the most traffic areas in Southern California?

Of course, if you have the option to drive to Disneyland, that will surely be cheaper than a plane ticket. However, be sure to factor in Disney’s parking prices. Guests must pay for parking at the Disneyland hotels and theme parks per day, and parking fees are not cheap, thus the need to factor this in when answering the question “how to plan a Disneyland trip on a budget”. But if you really need to bring a vehicle, consider choosing a hotel that offers free parking.

Purchase Souvenirs in Advance

This tip may seem counterintuitive. Shouldn’t you buy souvenirs at Downtown Disney while you’re enjoying the vacation?

For families with young children, much of the magic comes from dressing up as their favorite Disney character. These costumes and T-shirts can cost a fortune if bought in the parks. Instead, buy it ahead of time online. You’ll save money and time by not having to spend the first part of your vacation in a store!

Although, if you must get a souvenir from the park, set a budget and stick to it. You may be able to walk away with a small token to remind you of your trip!

Family eating food outdoors at Disneyland’s Food & Wine Festival
What food will you try at Disneyland’s Food & Wine Festival?

Be Strategic with Meals

After transportation, accommodations, and park tickets, the next biggest expense is food. If you’re trying to go to Disneyland on a budget, here’s where you’ll need to be strategic with your choices.

Breakfast

For breakfast, book a room at hotels that offer free continental breakfasts. You’ll save money (and time) by indulging in their quick breakfast items rather than sitting down at an expensive restaurant. With complimentary breakfast, you are one step closer to planning a Disneyland trip on a budget.

Lunch and Dinner

Bring it to the park! Disneyland allows you to bring food into the park, within their restrictions. You may not bring alcohol or glass containers. Coolers must also be smaller than a 6-pack and not contain loose ice.

Related Post: Insider’s Guide to Disneyland

Can you bring your own food into Disneyland? Other than these restrictions, you’re free to bring sandwiches, snack items, and water bottles into the park for a cheap meal! Should you elect to bring a cooler and food, remember to pack strategically.

You’ll have to carry it throughout the park, after all. While lockers are available, they will be an additional fee which you should try to avoid.

How much does a family trip to Disneyland cost? It also depends if you plan to purchase food in the theme park. If you choose to purchase food while at the park, there are a few ways to save:

  • Visit Quick-Service food stands rather than sit-down restaurants.
  • Share meals.
  • Take advantage of the free ice water offered at restaurants/concession stands throughout the park.

two girls holding hands and skipping with Disney balloons and parents in background at Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA

 

Extra Savings at the Park

Going to Disneyland on a budget doesn’t diminish the fun or magic! There are several ways to save while at the parks. Here’s how to budget for Disneyland:

Strollers

If you have a child(ren) that require the use of a stroller, bring your own. The park does have strollers available, but it requires an additional charge. Strollers larger than 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long and wagons are prohibited in the park, however.

Skip the Photo Pass

Wondering how to do Disneyland cheap? There’s no need to purchase a Disneyland Photo Pass. If you have your own camera, simply ask a Disney Cast Member to take your photo with it. They’ll gladly do so!

Spend as Much Time at the Park as Possible

Be strategic with your schedule and stretch that ticket price as far as you can. Get to the parks early in the morning and stay as late as possible to get the most magic for your dollar.

Is It Possible to Visit Disneyland on a Budget? Of Course!

When you follow these seven easy steps, visiting Disneyland on a budget will be a breeze. Now, you know the answer to how to visit Disneyland on a budget!

Remember to put together the Disneyland vacation package that suits your budget, travel in the off-season, and bring your own food and you’re good to go on your budget Disneyland trip!

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