Finding the cheapest way to go to Disneyland can be hard. Disneyland averages over eighteen million visitors every year. If you want to get in on the Mouse-sponsored fun but aren’t sure if your wallet can bear the trip to Anaheim, keep reading. Disneyland is meant for everybody; even a budget-conscious family can afford to visit the Happiest Place on Earth!
With some strategic planning, clever budgeting, and sufficient deal-hunting, your family can have their dream vacation! You’ll be happier knowing that you got the best deal on Disneyland.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to find killer Disneyland deals. A cheap Disneyland vacation won’t feel cheap if you play your cards right! Finding the right hotels and ticket deals will be easy with our guide.
A Disneyland Vacation Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
A quick look at the price of Disneyland tickets may make you balk. Especially if you have multiple children who want to visit the parks, the costs add up fast!
Notice that we said parks and not “park”, singular. Disneyland Resort is not limited to Disneyland Park itself! When visiting the resort, you can also visit Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney, and the other hotels and resorts on the property.
You may feel a little overwhelmed thinking about planning to visit all of these parks in a day! But Disneyland makes it easy to experience everything they have to offer on a budget. Park Hopper passes and multi-day bundles cost more upfront, but save you money in the long run, especially when traveling with a family!
The Cheapest Way to Go to Disneyland
We’ll be upfront: there is no one cheapest way to go to Disneyland. A cheap Disneyland trip takes a lot of planning. But here are surefire ways to save money on your trip:
One Park Per Day Tickets
If your budget is tight, the one park per day tickets are going to be your cheapest option. These tickets are exactly what they sound like: you can visit a single park each day. A two-day park per day ticket will save you $50 per person compared to the park hopper passes!
The downside to these tickets is the lack of flexibility. But if you are okay with only experiencing a single park each day of your trip, they’re a great option.
Find a Vacation Planner
This may seem counter-intuitive. Why pay someone else to plan a trip for you when you’re trying to save money? However, hiring a vacation planner will pay off in the long run.
Allowing someone else to take on the bulk of planning will allow you to stay relaxed and conserve your mental energy. Also, vacation planners are experts at finding the best deals and bundles! You can find fantastic deals when you delegate the responsibility.
You can even find vacation planners that will plan your trip for free!
Pack Snacks and Water
Many families report that the highest cost at Disneyland (besides the tickets!) is the food. Seriously – twenty bucks for churros? To save money while in the parks, bring your own snacks and refillable water bottles.
Before heading into the park, also eat a big breakfast each morning. This will help you to stay full for longer and prevent impulse buys!
Plan Your Trip Strategically
Going to Disneyland in the off-season can help you save money and have a better time. Avoiding summer crowds and conventions will allow you to enjoy the park more and get more bang for your buck!
Hotels and lodging also have lower prices in the off-season. We recommend planning your trip for mid-September or early October. This is when most kids are in school, so crowds are more sparse.
You’re more likely to find a good discount or bundle in the off-season. Disneyland wants to incentivize people to visit the park in non-peak season, and you’ll benefit from it!
Where to Splurge
Of course, there are some experiences that are worth splurging on. This is especially true if a Disneyland trip is a rare occurrence for your family; you want to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Half the fun of Disneyland is the experiences. The rides are great, sure, but the chance for your kids to meet beloved characters is the best part! With the money you save from ticket bundles and cheaper lodging, you can afford to schedule these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Here are some Disneyland experiences worth splurging on:
- Character Dinner: having a character dinner is a quintessential Disneyland experience; pre-purchase your reservation for a 10% discount
- Princess Makeover: if you have a princess-obsessed kid, they’ll jump for joy at the princess makeover
- Select souvenirs: souvenirs can cost you a pretty penny in the park; choose one or two meaningful pieces to take home, like a pin or a set of ears
Staying at Disney vs. Hotel Hunting
We highly recommend hotel hunting to save money on your Disneyland trip. Yes, the Disneyland resorts are beautiful. But be honest with yourself: how much time will you really be spending in your hotel room?
The Good Neighbor hotels – non-Disney hotels in nearby Anaheim – offer great deals and bundles with park tickets. Many of these hotels also offer free continental breakfast, which will keep you from snacking in the park!
Many nearby hotels also offer a shuttle to and from the park. This way, you can avoid parking costs and get to the park faster!
You Deserve the Happiest Trip Ever!
Finding the cheapest way to go to Disneyland with your family doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of deals, bundles, and providers that will make the trip easier on your wallet. Disneyland is for everyone, no matter your family size or your budget!
For more vacation planning advice and deals, check out Fun Park Go. We here at Fun Park Go want to guide you to the best resorts at great prices. Whether you’re looking to visit Anaheim or Oahu, we can set you up with the best prices.
So what are you waiting for? See all our vacation options here!
