How to Do Disneyland on the Cheap

Is it possible to do Disneyland on the cheap? What comes to mind when you think of Disneyland?

Even if you have never been there, you probably think of happiness, exciting rides, good food, sunshine, and family. But, looming in the background of all these nice feelings is the cost that comes along with this kind of trip.

What if you knew how to cut costs and go to Disneyland on a budget?

Do you want to go to Disneyland without spending a fortune? Keep reading to get the best tips for doing Disneyland on the cheap!

When Do I Go to Disneyland?

Strategically planning your trip to Disneyland is important to keep it cheap. This begins by planning it at a time when tickets, hotels, and airfare are at their lowest prices. Going when Disneyland is likely to be the least crowded will ensure lower prices on everything you need.

You’re better off buying your tickets and rooms as soon as possible. The earlier you get them in advance the cheaper your hotel room and airfare will be. Buy your discount Disneyland vacation with us today to get your ball rolling!

Getting to Disneyland

Most people traveling to Disneyland choose to fly. There are many ways to cut the costs of flying while still having a great experience.

First, you’ll want to research all your flying options to find the lowest price. Some costs do hide. For example, choosing an airline that doesn’t charge baggage fees could save you a lot of money if you plan on checking multiple bags.

Another way to get cheaper airfare tickets is booking your flight about two months in advance. The closer you book to your flight date the more pricey the tickets will become.

If you find driving to Disneyland is a cheaper option for you, you may want to try finding a hotel very near to the park that doesn’t charge parking fees. Parking is expensive in Anaheim, and parking at Disneyland costs around $20 per day.

Keep in mind that if you do choose to fly, you likely won’t need to rent a car. Many hotels offer shuttles to and from the airport, and Ubers/Lyfts are great alternatives to rental cars for getting you around town.

Saving on Your Stay

Choosing a hotel that isn’t fancy is the best way to save money. Of course, you don’t want a sketchy and gross hotel room, but you also don’t need a hotel with all the amenities you don’t need. If you plan to spend most of the vacation at the park try your best to find a standard, clean hotel.

We offer several hotel recommendations as well as ratings for each of them from the “park tickets” button on our website. The ratings, based on cleanliness, convenience, value, and more, help you find the perfect hotel. You can easily book your hotel with these pre-researched Anaheim hotel options.

Getting Cheap Disneyland Tickets

Disneyland tickets are always expensive no matter what you do, but saving a little money on Disneyland tickets is easier than you think. All it takes is some research.

Disney land offers many types of tickets including 2-day park hopper, 3-day park hopper, 2-day 1 park per day, and much more that cater to the trip you are planning. The best way to do Disneyland on the cheap for tickets is by choosing the “park tickets” on our website and finding our ticket options which can save you up to $23!

Transportation for Doing Disneyland on the Cheap

There are many ways such as carpooling, taking the Anaheim transit bus system, or even walking to save you money on transportation costs at Disneyland.

A lot of your transportation will depend on the location and amenities of your hotel. If your hotel is close enough to the park, walk! If your hotel uses the ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) system, you might consider using it. It’s fairly cheap and sometimes you can find discounts.

Another great option is Uber and Lyft. Riding these are almost always cheaper than renting a car, and it’s always easier than driving in Anaheim traffic yourself. One great perk is you can usually find discount codes for these services if it’s your first time using them!

Saving Money on Food

Saving money on food is easy if you are willing to do some extra work. It’s always fun to try new food establishments in California and eat at the park, but those costs add up fast especially if you are paying for the entire family.

To keep breakfast costs at a minimum you will want to find a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast services. This knocks out one meal for free every single day that you spend on vacation.

For lunch, dinner, and snacks, pack your own! Find a grocery store and buy your own food to feed your whole family. Disneyland allows you to bring food into their park within reason, so don’t try to bring in any large hard-sided coolers with loose ice or glass bottles in them. Make everyone a small, healthy lunch and get free ice water at almost any restaurant.

If you want to splurge and eat a few meals at the park, pay close attention to the menu. Many meals are big enough to split between two people. Instead of throwing away food at the end of your meal, buy some entrees to split to save money.

Keeping a Low Budget for Souvenirs

The easiest way to save on souvenirs is to not buy any at the park. Stores in Anaheim like Target, offer cheaper options of t-shirts and other knick-knacks. You can also go online before your trip and shop Disney’s sales to find cheaper souvenirs.

You can also get souvenirs for free at the park if you know what to look for. Buttons, chocolate, stickers are all free around the park at many of the stores.

To get free artwork, visit the Disneyland Animation Academy where they teach you to draw like Disney animators. You get to take your drawing home and the art teacher usually hands out their drawing to someone at the end of the session.