Disneyland Cheap Vacations: Top 16 Money Saving Tips

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Disneyland is notorious for being expensive, but is there a way to make the Happiest Place on Earth a bit more affordable for your next Family Vacation?

Is there such a thing as Disneyland Cheap Vacations?

Absolutely!

These tips won’t help you get a full family Disneyland Vacation for under $20, but it will help you shave off quite a bit from the bottom line.

The goal is to put “out-of-reach” or “unjustifiable” to a more comfortable level of “doable vacation” and “worth it.” Keep in mind everyone’s budget will be different depending on personal finances and perception of worth. 

To some people a Spider Bot from Avenger’s Campus for $80 makes no sense- all it does is move and make noise. On the other hand, to that same person a Droid from the Droid Depot for $100 is a priceless investment- even though it also just moves and makes noise. 

So use your savings to just be able to go, or use the extra savings to afford that Droid or get a guilt-free churro.

However you budget for your Cheap Vacation to Disneyland, one thing is for sure- it really is the Happiest Place on Earth.

Cheap Disneyland Tickets

1. Discount Disneyland Tickets

Disneyland cheap vacations need to start out with cheap Disneyland tickets. 

1 Day Disneyland Tickets: If you’re only going for one day, you will need to buy directly from Disneyland. If that’s the case, then be sure to choose an off-season weekday so your single day ticket is a bit cheaper.

Multi-Day Disneyland Tickets: Take a look at these awesome discount Disneyland deals from our affiliates at Get Away Today. They have discounted tickets AND discounted hotels. In fact they can help you book your whole Disneyland Cheap Vacation with one of their vacation packages. 

Here’s what you get when you buy from Get Away Today:

• Great Customer Service
• Layaway Payment Plan Option
• Disney Planning Assistance
• Complimentary Price Monitoring
• Special Deals on Pricing
• Tickets can include Genie+ Purchase
• Optional Peace of Mind Upgrade

We love using Get Away Today to get our discounted Disneyland tickets since it’s so quick, easy, and a great deal. 

My favorite deal? Buy 4 Days and get the 5th Day Free. This deal comes and goes, so keep an eye out for it!

You can even buy your tickets from Get Away Today with Genie Plus already included- but more on whether or not to pay for that extra option in a bit…

Other discounted Disney Ticket sellers include Costco and AAA, but for a similar discount I prefer Get Away Today’s small company customer service. Plus by following Get Away Today on Facebook and Instagram, you get all of the up to date Disney info as well!

2. Skip the Park Hopper

Personally, I love the Park Hopper option- but there are days where it isn’t necessary. And for saving you about $55 per ticket, it may be worth committing to one park per day.

Reasons to Not Get a Park Hopper Disneyland Ticket:

• If you won’t be going back to a hotel. It’s easy to hop over to another park after resting in the room or tucking the kids into bed with the grandparents then hopping back and forth for the “big kid” rides. However, if you are not planning on a hotel break, you may decide park hopping just adds too much walking back and forth for one day. You don’t want to waste time going in circles when you can just split the parks into separate days.
• You want to go on all the rides in one park. Or at least as many rides as possible. If this is your goal, stick with one park and use the Genie suggestions to hit up the ride lines at their shortest. Pick a park and commit.
• You have a park preference. I love both Disneyland and California Adventure, but not everyone has the same opinion. If you don’t care as much about Avengers Campus or Pixar Pier or Carsland, then perhaps a Disneyland only ticket matches you better. On the other hand if you’ve seen the castle and are craving going on WEB slingers and Radiator Springs Racers, then stick with California Adventure for the day.
• You have a reservation. Reservations take up time, whether it’s for a restaurant, character meal, or a lightsaber. It takes some time away from being able to easily park hop. That being said, if you want to go on rides in one park but eat at the other, then you do need a park hopper. We love going to California Adventure and then park hoping to eat dinner at the Blue Bayou at Disneyland.

There is nothing wrong with sticking to 1 park each day. However, if you are staying for more than 2-3 days, then you might be tempted to park hop on day 4 or 5. By then you’ve probably gone on most rides and are just making the rounds to repeat your favorites at each park.

One day trip, and you’ll come back again soon-ish? Single park.

One day trip, and you have no idea when you might come back? Park hopper.

2 Day Trip? One day at each park.

3 day or more? Park hopper preferred, or most days at Disneyland (example: for a 5 Day Trip we recommend 3 days at Disneyland and 2 Days at California Adventure).

3. Go before Kids Turn 3 

This one is a cause for debate amongst families with babies/toddlers.

Disneyland with a little one doesn’t seem worth it…

…or is it?

It’s a personal decision, but my answer is that it’s 100% worth every penny. Especially since you don’t pay for a ticket until they are 3.

If you hesitate because they won’t remember it- you will remember it. Plus you’ll have cute little Disney baby pictures.

If you’re worried about all the baby stuff, then use the stroller to its full storage potential and take advantage of the Baby Care Center in each park.

The baby care center includes the following:

• Basic baby/toddler supplies for sale (diapers, wiped, baby food, formula, pacifier, etc.)
• Bottle warmers & microwaves
• Sink
• Nursing chairs in privacy room
• Toddler toilet
• High chairs

Not sure if they’ll enjoy the parks?

Check out the list of Disneyland Rides and California Adventure Rides with no height requirements over on our Instagram account.

In addition to plenty of family friendly rides, there are areas to play, characters to meet, music to listen to…so much for their little minds to soak in.

Plus, you’ll be able to focus your attention on quality family time– and that itself is priceless.

My last opinion on the matter: go now if you have the opportunity and then save up to go again when they get older. That way you as a parent can experience both stages of Disney.

It’s a completely different trip, each one unique and special.

Disneyland Hotel Deals

Now that we have a cheaper way to get into Disneyland, let’s focus on how to save money where you choose to stay. Like I mentioned earlier, saving money has to do with perception, so I’ll mention ways to save on both Good Neighbor Hotels and the Disneyland Resort Hotels.

What is a Good Neighbor Hotel?

It’s a hotel close to Disneyland catered to Disneyland visitors. Many of these hotels expect their guests to be going to Disneyland during their stay. Some have Disney themed pictures on their walls.

From great pools with water slides and rooms with kids bunk beds to more simple and modest accommodations, there are a lot to choose from.

To really save money, I suggest looking not just at the bottom line of cost, but also proximity to the parks for saving on transportation and providing a continental breakfast at no extra charge.

4. Cheaper Transportation

If you are planning on flying, renting a car will be more expensive than just getting a shuttle or taxi or Uber. 

Not only would you have to pay for the rental car on a daily basis, but you would also have to pay for gas and parking. Most hotels will include parking for overnight guests, but you would still need to pay for parking at Disneyland.

Parking at Disneyland is currently $30 per day for your typical size car as of February 2022. A car parked at a Disneyland Resort hotel is $35 per night or, if you choose valet, $50 per night.

I usually suggest renting car seats to save hassle while traveling by plane, but if you’re saving money airlines typically check the car seat you bring from home at no additional cost.

If you take a taxi or shuttle to the hotel, there are many hotel options within simple walking distance to the park. If you have a great deal on a rental car, then I suggest a hotel within walking distance to avoid that Disneyland parking fee.

5. Continental Breakfast

This one is a bit broad. I won’t say stay in a Good Neighbor Hotel over a Disneyland Resort Hotel, because if you are really wanting to stay on site, you can still save money by booking through our affiliates at Get Away Today.

If you are definitely not in the realm of even a discounted Disneyland Resort Hotel, then check out their great deals at the surrounding hotels. 

In either case, get a continental breakfast.

For Good Neighbor Hotels, this breakfast is mentioned if it’s included on their website, but due to current circumstances may not be offered- call them to find out.

Check out these Good Neighbor Hotels near Disneyland and ask a Get Away Today representative to help you match what amenities you’re looking for. They offer planning assistance at no additional charge.

At the Disneyland Resort Hotels you can upgrade to concierge level. This may not seem like saving money, but if you’re including the room in the budget already it actually will save you money on food. 

You can read more about the concierge level perks in our post about the Grand Californian Hotel.

Genie Plus Disneyland

To buy Genie Plus or not to buy Genie Plus- that is the question. Let me first explain how Genie Plus works and why you might want to buy it (or not). Then we will go into details on how you can work around getting Genie Plus if you want to save $20 per person per day (no charge for those under 3 years old, remember).

What is Genie Plus?

Genie Plus is the new version of the Disney Max Pass, i.e. the paid version of a FastPass. There is no longer a free FastPass version, although Disney Genie does help you find shorter wait times. More on the regular Genie (not the Genie Plus) in item 7.

What is Lightning Lane?

Lightning Lane is the new term for the FastPass line, and a few rides (listed below) are only available for a purchase separate from Genie+. This cost is between $7-$20 per person per ride.

Should you really buy Genie Plus?

Well here are the rides included in Genie Plus:

Disneyland Lightning Lane through Genie Plus:

• Autopia (Any Height)
• Astro Blasters (Any Height)
• Haunted Mansion (Any Height)
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (Any Height)
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (38”)
• Space Mountain (40”)
• Splash Mountain (40”)
• Thunder Mountain (40”)
• Matterhorn (42”)
• Indiana Jones (46”)

California Adventure Lightning Lane through Genie Plus:

• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! (Any Height)
• Toy Story Midway Mania (Any Height)
• Guardians of the Galaxy (40”)
• Soarin’ Around the World (40”)
• Goofy’s Sky School (42”)
• Grizzly River Run (42”)
• Incredicoaster (48”)

Rides NOT Included in Genie Plus where you can Purchase Lightning Lane Separately:

• WEB Slingers (Any Height)
• Rise of the Resistance (40”)
• Radiator Springs Racers (40”)

Basically, if you want to ride most of the rides above and the wait times are all well over 40 minutes each, you may want to purchase the Genie Plus for the day.

If you only care about a few rides on those lists, here are some ways to get a shorter line at no extra charge.

6. Rope Drop

What is Rope Dropping?

There is a rope in the hub of the parks blocking off entrance to the different lands. This hub is Main Street in Disneyland and Buena Vista Street in California Adventure. Rope Dropping means you get to the park early enough to line up at this rope, and you get rewarded with being one of the first groups in line for your ride of choice.

To Rope Drop successfully, plan to be lining up for park security 15-20 minutes before security opens. This is typically around 7am.

The parks will have the main hub (Main Street and Buena Vista Street) accessible anywhere from 30-45 minutes before the park actually opens.

This is where you line up at the rope outside the land you’re trying to get to first.

Then you wait. 

Put on sunscreen, eat your snacks, play some games– the time goes by quickly especially as tons of people start lining up behind you.

The rope is removed a couple minutes before the park opens, they will sound the music signaling the park is open, and you will be allowed to walk (speed walking is fine, running is not) to your destination.

Is Rope Dropping worth it?

If you ask me, absolutely.

You may be waiting 1-2 hours to get into the park before it opens, but your waiting time is before the park opens. This means that while everyone else is waiting an hour for Peter Pan or 75 minutes for Rise of the Resistance, you’ve already gone on 4 or 5 rides.

7. Disney Genie

If you’re not a morning person, you can always use Genie on the Disneyland App. It’s a free part of the Disneyland App that provides suggestions of shortest wait times based on your ride and experience preferences.

This is very useful if you don’t really know your way around the parks. If you do know your way around the parks, think of it more as guidelines than actual rules. Still useful, but not a set in stone plan.

If you’re sticking to rides that aren’t included in Genie Plus, or you’re fine waiting in longer lines to skip the extra cost, definitely use the suggestions from Genie to optimize your line waiting time.

Keep in mind that on more crowded days, finding a specific time where there is little to no wait probably won’t happen- at least not for the popular rides (there seems to never be a wait for the canoes).

On the other hand, not spending $20 per person per day on Genie Plus saves you quite a bit when you add it all up!

Disneyland Cheap Food & Souvenirs

You can buy food for cheaper outside of Disneyland, but you can also find very reasonably priced treats inside the park. Here are our best Disneyland Cheap Food tips. 

On a related note, I’ve also included a way to get cheaper souvenirs in this section. Some items are even free which really helps with getting a Disneyland cheap vacation.

8. Refillable Water Bottle

Starting with the basics, water is very important when walking around all day. There’s no need to buy a water bottle if you bring your own. A Hydro-flask like this one helps keep ice cold and prevents condensation, but our girls prefer themed water bottles like these Ana and Elsa water bottles.

Where can you refill water in Disneyland for free? 

• Any food service place that has fountain drinks (so not the carts that sell bottled drinks only).
• Drinking fountains.
• Water bottle refilling stations (typically located next to drinking fountains).

9. Pack Snacks/Buy Groceries

Bring non-perishable snacks from home. This helps minimize how many snacks you buy inside the park. Remember not to just pack a ton of sweets- that sugar crash just gets everyone cranky. Carrots, crackers, cuties/grapes, granola bars– these are all great options. 

You can even buy groceries near the park (especially if your hotel has a fridge) to avoid spending money on meals. Uncrustables are a great, simple way to have a meal on the go. We use them for camping lunches all of the time.

What food can you bring into the Disneyland parks?

Almost anything.

Disneyland does not allow coolers over 24” x 15” x 18”, glass bottles, alcohol, or dry ice/loose ice.

10. Disneyland Cheap Food 

Perhaps you want to buy a meal in the park.

Plan on lunch if you are doing a sit-down restaurant as it’s cheaper than the dinner menu. If you’re just going for quick service, a picnic lunch on the go then ending your day on a dinner from the park works great.

I used to recommend splitting meals to save money, but portions are smaller now so it’s not as easy to fill up on half a dinner. 

If you do split a meal from the park, then fill up on snacks brought for home, you could get the fun of buying food without breaking the bank to do so- just be prepared with more filling snacks.

Look at the menu for food labeled “snack” or “kids meal” as those will be the cheaper options. Also, anything “quick service” will be a cheaper meal.

Check out our post on Disneyland Cheap Food for a full breakdown of carts, quick service, and sit down dining costs and locations. This includes information on Food Allergies.

11. Use a Stroller (no locker needed)

Lockers at Disneyland are $7-$10 per day, depending on the size rented.

Want to avoid this extra cost?  Bring a stroller. Even if your kid is 7, 8, or 9, they may appreciate the ride by the end of the day, and you’ll get a portable locker complete with cup holders!

It is an extra step to find stroller parking, but it is totally worth the wheels. 

If your kids are definitely past stroller days, then use a regular sized backpack for your snacks and place the jackets at the bottom of it. A backpack is easy to get on and off for rides and keeps everything together nicely.

Want to make sure your stroller meets Disneyland’s requirements? Here is a FAQ and answer directly from Disneyland.

12. Get a Free Disneyland Souvenirs

There are actually a few items you can get for free at Disneyland. They may not seem like much, but each one has that special Disney Magic attached to it, especially if it isn’t expected.

Free Things at Disneyland:

• Celebration Button
• Safety Tip Cards from Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
• Autopia Drivers License
• Jungle Cruise Map
• Ghirardelli Chocolate
• Bread from the Bread Bakery
• Buzz Lightyear ride photo 

You may need to tell a joke to get your Jungle cruise map, but it is totally worth it. A simple paper, but it’s fun and it’s free!

There are other items such as a captain’s certificate from the Riverboat, but I haven’t personally asked for that and some things have changed since 2020.

As more items are confirmed, they will be added to this list. Be sure to join our e-mail list for the most recent updates!

13. Ask someone to take your Photo

A picture really is worth 1,000 words. What better memento from your trip than photos that capture it all?

You can always pay $20 a day or $78 for 7 days on a Photo Pass to get all of the photos taken by Disneyland Photographers. If you opted for getting Genie Plus, it does include the photos per day you buy it ($20 per day). 

To get photos in these spots, just ask the cast member to take the photo with your phone/camera. Kindly take the photo card they might offer you with the professional photo, but there’s no requirement for you to buy it (you’ll be able to look it up, it will just have the watermarks unless you pay for it).

Where are Disneyland’s photo op spots?

Take a look at the Disneyland app. Go to the map then select PhotoPass from the drop down menu at the top. 

There may not always be someone at each of these locations the entire day, but keep an eye out for them at these spots. Or just stop and take your own photo by asking whoever is around you at the time.

14. Dollar Tree Disney

Want a souvenir, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money on them? Go to your local Dollar Tree store. They typically have some great Disney themed items. 

Disney crayons, coloring books, and stickers are perfect for the car or plane ride, as well as quiet time in the parks.

Sometimes they have little Disney books or magic washcloth towels (expand when they get wet).

We also love getting some glow sticks for the nighttime parade. The kids love putting together the bracelets and it gives them something to do while waiting for the parade to start.

Saving for Disneyland

Now that we’ve discussed how to save money on what you need to buy, there are also ways to save money to help make the cost not make as big of a perceived dent in your wallet.

15. Recycle (disposable income)

If you use any type of cans or bottles for water or soft drinks- recycle them! It not only helps the planet when you recycle, but $1 here and $5 there adds up. Especially if you are planning ahead for your trip.

Just look up a recycling center near you and turn it in for money. You can take 1-2 bundles at a time, or save up until you have a lot to turn in all at one- it just depends on your storage at home.

The best part? It’s money you don’t count in your budget (unless you normally do this) so it is completely guilt free spending cash!

Start recycling and just see where it gets you. Even if you only save up enough for a churro, it will be the best churro you ever had.

16. Gift Cards

Gift cards are a great way to stick to a budget, AND there are a couple of ways to get them for cheaper than face value.

The first way is to simply ask for them as gifts. Instead of flowers or chocolate for birthdays, Christmas, or special occasions, ask for a Disney gift card. Even a $5-$10 gift card can add up, especially if you are planning for a while leading up to your trip.

Method number 2 is to buy your own Disney gift cards at Target with your Target red card. You don’t need to sign up for a credit card since Target had a debit card option as well. This card gives you a 5% discount on purchases.

You can’t buy Target gift cards with the Target Red Card, but other companies gift cards are fair game!

Booking Your Disneyland Trip

Now that you have 16 different ways to save money on your Disneyland Cheap Vacation, there’s nothing left to do but actually book it!

Buy discounted Disneyland tickets through our affiliate partner, Get Away Today, for a great discount and amazing customer service.

With layaway plans and representatives there to help you book everything with ease, we love using Get Away Today for our Disneyland vacations.

Don’t forget…

If you buy a package deal (hotel and tickets), you’ll save even more money.

Happy planning!