Do you want to plan a family trip to Disneyland but are you concerned that it will be too expensive?  A trip to Disneyland can quickly add up.  But Disneyland on a budget?  Yes, it can be done!  My family and I travel to Disneyland usually once a year, and I’ve picked up some important tips along the way.  So get your Mickey ears ready.  From purchasing tickets at a discount to staying off property, here are 9 best ways to plan a vacation to Disneyland on a budget!

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9 Best Ways to Visit Disneyland on a Budget

1.  Purchase Disneyland Tickets at a Discount
2. Use Travel Reward Points
3. Bring Your Own Food to Disneyland
4. Stay at a Hotel Off-Property
5. Ask for Gift Cards as Gifts
6. Purchase Souvenirs Beforehand
7. Drive to Disneyland (if you live in close proximity)
8. Travel Off Season
9. Bring a Water Bottle to Refill

1.  Purchase Disneyland Tickets at a Discount

One of the best ways to visit Disneyland on a budget?  Purchase Disneyland tickets at a discount and Disneyland vacation packages through third parties like Get Away Today (at the end of this article, I have more information on how to purchase tickets through Get Away Today at a discount).  I’ve purchased vacation packages through Get Away Today even before I became an affiliate of theirs.  Not only can vacation packages be purchased through Get Away Today at a discount, but they can also be put on layaway which is huge when you are trying to save up for a trip.  However, other companies like AAA and Costco also offer vacation packages.

2.  Use Travel Reward Points

Utilize your travel reward points if you have them already, especially to book a hotel and/or flights.  However, if you don’t have any saved up yet, then it’s time to start thinking about it.  If you are a big fan of Disney, then I’d recommend applying for the Disney Visa card.  I’m generally not a huge fan of credit cards unless you know you can pay them off every month rather than incur late interest fees.  Admittedly, points-wise, the Disney Visa card is not the best.  I definitely don’t use it as often as my Southwest Visa card.  However, if you do use it often, you can save up enough points for a character breakfast for you and your family.  Plus, you can get printed pictures in the park with some of the characters during certain times in a specific location.  And, you can also receive a discount towards merchandise purchased in the park.  There are also incentives for new cardmembers.  For example, right now, new cardmembers can earn a $200 statement credit after spending $500 on the first 3 months.

3.  Bring Your Own Food to Disneyland

Bring a backpack with water and food.  Disneyland does allow outside food into the Disney Park under certain situations.  Click here for a list of what is allowed versus what is not allowed.  Food purchased inside Disneyland itself can be very expensive, so packed snacks can go a long way, especially if you’re traveling with younger children.

4.  Stay at a Hotel Off-Property

One of the other best ways to visit Disneyland on a budget?  Stay at a hotel located off-property, especially one that includes complimentary breakfast.  I love staying on Disney property and Disneyland Hotel is one of my favorite hotels.  However, I don’t think it’s worth going beyond budget to stay at one of the Disney hotels.  Especially in Anaheim.  There’s really no need to, especially since several hotels are located across the street.  I love using my points to stay at hotels nearby.  My family and I have a Hyatt card, and we like staying at the Hyatt Place in Anaheim.  It includes a complimentary breakfast in the morning, and while it’s within walking distance of the parks, we actually walk across the street to Disney’s Toy Story Lot parking lot and hop on the Disney shuttle which takes us right to the gate.

5.  Ask for Gift Cards As Gifts

Because I love to travel, I have asked for travel gift cards in the past as birthday and Christmas presents, like a Southwest gift card or a Disney gift card.  I know I’ll get more enjoyment out of it, and my family is happy to oblige.  Also, think about other gift cards besides Disney.  Do you like Starbucks?  If so, Starbucks gift cards come in handy for a quick meal or drink on the go, especially in the morning.  As a bonus, there are Starbucks locations inside Disneyland itself which accept Starbucks gift cards.  We’ve used our gift cards several times, for drinks and pastries on the go.  In Disneyland Park, Starbucks can be located in Market House on Main Street and in Disney California Adventure, Starbucks can be located in Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe on Buena Vista Street.

6.  Purchase Souvenirs Beforehand

One of my favorite websites is shopDisney.  Whenever there’s a sale and free shipping available, and I know that we will be traveling to Disneyland, I will purchase souvenirs, like Christmas ornaments, beforehand. This not only saves money that would have been spent in the park, but it also saves space in the luggage.  Also, to avoid purchasing expensive t-shirts in Disneyland itself, consider purchasing them beforehand at the Disney outlet store, or stores like Target, Walmart, and Kohl’s.

7.  Drive to Disneyland (if you live in close proximity)

Airfare is getting more expensive all around.  I recently priced roundtrip tickets from Tucson to Los Angeles, and flights were more than I expected.  If my family and I were to fly to California, we would not only have to pay airfare, but we’d also have to rent a car.  Needless to say, it’s much cheaper to drive to Disneyland, especially if you live in a neighboring state to California.  Plus, you can also pack your own food and drinks.  If driving isn’t an option, though, then as indicated above, consider using points for airfare.

8.  Travel Off Season

Disneyland tickets are priced according to time of the year.  For example, if you are planning a visit to Disneyland near Christmas, expect to pay more for tickets.  However, if you are planning a trip off season, then Disneyland tickets won’t cost as much.  Here in Tucson, schools are closed two days in February for the annual rodeo break.  As a result, that’s when a lot of people from Tucson plan their trip to Disneyland.  Obviously, this is more difficult once your child is school age.  Sometimes, it’s inevitable to travel during high season.

*We’ve visited Disneyland in February and we really didn’t experience crowds.  The weather was nice, too.  However, the only drawback is that some of the rides are closed for refurbishment since the seasonal overlays are taken down once the holiday festivities are over.

9.  Bring a Water Bottle to Refill

One of the other best ways to visit Disneyland on a budget is to bring a water bottle to refill with water.  It’s expensive to buy water bottles inside the park.  Instead, you can refill your water bottles thanks to the drinking fountains that are available in both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.  You can also ask for a free cup of water at any quick service dining location.

As you can see, there are several best ways to visit Disneyland on a budget!  Be sure to check out my Disneyland Tips for First Time Visitors and 23 Best Rides for Toddlers at Disneyland!

BOOK A TRIP TO DISNEYLAND AND/OR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT A DISCOUNT!

If you’re thinking of booking a trip to Disneyland or Southern California, then please consider booking through Get Away Today by clicking on this link.  Not only does Get Away Today offer the best deals on hotels, including free night specials and exclusive offers like free breakfast, free parking and waived resort fees at select hotels, but Disneyland tickets are also available at a discount.  Layaway plans are also available for Southern California vacation packages, with the first payment beginning as low as $125.  Additionally, you can receive an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California package by using the promo code CACTUS.