10 Tips to Plan Cheap Disneyland Vacations

Planning a family vacation to Disneyland is already stressful enough without the worry of cost getting in the way. We understand that many are seeking out more affordable Disney vacation options and ways to save while also enjoying the time spent together. Fortunately, you don’t have to compromise on that magical vacation you’ve always wanted to take to California when you have our experts available to help you! Here are just some of our top tips for how to plan a Disneyland vacation on a budget:

1. Travel During the Low Season

There are specific months and weeks during the year where Disneyland experiences a decline in visitors and these off-seasons can result in more affordable accommodation and flight rates. Disney’s low seasons are typically mid-January through mid-March, mid-April through mid-May (aside from spring break), and mid-September through mid-November (aside from Halloween time). One of the best parts about these low seasons? You can still anticipate comfortable weather! The lowest temperatures you’ll likely see in Anaheim during the winter months is around 55°.

2. Shop For Your Apparel Outside of the Disneyland Campus

Before heading off to your vacation, get some (or most) of your Disney apparel shopping done outside of Disney. Many stores carry the Disney brand and you can find clothing, backpacks, toys, stuffed animals, and other fun items to have with you while at the parks without having to pay the ridiculous prices often associated with them. Bonus: you’ll spend less time browsing the shops and more time enjoying the parks!

3. Find Discounted Park Tickets

There aren’t always a lot of discounted ticket options for the Disney brand, but they’re out there and worth exploring! Purchase all of your park passes at once, as there are discounts associated with multi-day use, utilize military discounts (with the proper identification when applicable), and even consider Disney-approved retailers who often have deals available.

4. Skip the Park Hopper

If you plan on spending a few days at Disneyland Resort, you have plenty of time to see everything both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park have to offer. Save hundreds of dollars by purchasing a one-park-per-day ticket and split up your time amongst both places. Not only will you save money, but you’ll be able to slow down and truly enjoy the parks for what they are individually!

5. Book Your Park Tickets When You Book Your Accommodations & Flights

Like with nearly anything related to the travel industry, there’s always a chance that the prices of Disneyland park tickets can rise between when you begin booking your vacation and when you leave. Avoid the stress of this happening to your pre-determined Disneyland budget and get your tickets at the same time as booking the rest of your trip. You’ll be grateful you did it later!

6. Bring Your Own Water Bottles and Snacks With You

Many families might not realize this, but Disney allows you to bring in your own food and drinks into the park! Don’t hesitate to pack all of your snacking and drink essentials to avoid the expensive in-park meals. Save even more by bringing your own water bottles! There are a handful of water bottle filling stations around the park but you can also request free cups of ice water from vendors around the park, as well.

7. Be Thoughtful About In-Park Dining

Let’s admit it, we all want to enjoy a meal or two in the park while on vacation, but the prices can deter us. Fortunately, there are plenty of dining options and hacks to consider. To start, do your research on the menus at Disneyland to find the best deals. Also, ask your Disney resort if you qualify for any particular discounts related to food, split larger portioned meals or purchase sides to share instead, and register for emails at Downtown Disney restaurants for coupons and other discounts to utilize during your stay.

8. Take Advantage of Free Souvenirs

Though you’ll likely want to spend a little something on memorabilia at Disneyland, there are some souvenir freebies you can look for while you visit! Guest Relations has a variety of buttons available, many of the PhotoPass photographers are happy to take photos of you in front of iconic locations with your phone, and many Cast Members carry stickers around with them to hand out to families as they walk around!

9. Avoid the Rental Car

For those who are flying to Disneyland, forget the rental car. Not only will you have to pay the weekly rental fee, but you’ll also have to deal with parking fees at the resort. Take the time to compare the prices of other transportation options to get to the hotel, such as ridesharing apps. If you decide you’d like to leave the Disney campus for a day-trip, you can find a rental car company within walking distance and pay far less.

10. Find Affordable Disney’s Grand Californian Rentals for Your Stay

Costs associated with family vacations add up quickly, especially associated with accommodations. Luckily, you can worry less about fitting the whole family into standard, cramped hotel rooms when you can shop on the secondary market for discounted Grand Californian timeshare rentals. These villas are spacious and have money-saving features like full kitchens, washers and dryers, WiFi, and more. Not to mention, there are a plethora of on-site activities which allow you to enjoy all of the magic Disney has to offer without having to purchase additional park tickets to fill up your schedule!