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Disneyland is a magical attraction, able to span generations and bring families together. It’s something that the entire family can enjoy. This was Walt Disney’s entire purpose in creating this park.

The biggest downside is that Disneyland has quite the price tag and can give many travelers sticker shock. All is not lost, though. There are ways to get to Disneyland without breaking the bank. Here are the most effective ways to save money at Disneyland without sacrificing any of the magic. 

Go on a Road Trip

Depending on your proximity to the Disneyland resort in Southern California, it may be cheaper for you to go on a road trip and drive to the park rather than fly in on an airplane. This is especially true during peak travel season. Driving can save on airfare, which can be extremely pricey, especially if you are flying with your entire family. A family of 5 can save anywhere from $900-$1,900 by driving instead of flying. 

You can calculate your fuel costs here. 

Stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel

Disneyland has two official hotels for visitors to stay in. However, these are going to be the most expensive hotels surrounding the Disneyland Resort. They can be a great experience, but unless you are planning on spending a lot of time at your hotel, it may not be worth the extra cost to stay here. 

Instead, stay at a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel. Disneyland has partnered with hotels in the surrounding area, giving deals and perks to visitors who are coming to visit the park. These hotels vary in cost, with options ranging from high-end luxury hotels to budget hotels. These hotels are going to be a lot more affordable than the Disney owned hotels. 

These hotels may also come with additional perks, including free parking, complimentary breakfast, or even a free shuttle to Disneyland, allowing you to cut costs in those areas as well. 

Some of my favorite Good Neighbor Hotels are the Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove and the Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel. 

Stick to Walking

Many of the hotels surrounding Disneyland are close enough to walk to the park from. You can walk from the hotel to the park within 5-10 minutes. Parking is an additional cost at the Disneyland resort, and one that can easily be avoided. Choose a hotel within walking distance and skip the $25 daily parking fee at the Disneyland Resort. 

Pack Your Own Food

Disneyland has a variety of restaurants and dining options located within and surrounding the park. However, this food is extremely expensive. You are definitely going to pay a premium if you want to enjoy the dining experience that Disneyland offers. 

A much cheaper alternative is to pack your own food into the park. Disneyland permits you to bring outside food into the resort, allowing you to bypass their expensive dining options. There are grocery stores near the resort, and you can go shopping for snacks and meals you will need while you are in the parks. If your hotel offers complimentary breakfast, this only requires you to plan for two meals during the day. 

Sack lunches are a cheap and easy meal to bring into the park. Think sandwiches, Uncrustables, granola bars, chips, and refillable water bottles. 

Skip the Souvenirs 

Disneyland has tons of shops filled with clothes, hats, trinkets, and fun memorabilia to remember your trip by. These can be really exciting, but extremely expensive. These can add extra expenses to your already expensive vacation. If it’s outside of the budget, skip the souvenirs. If you’re tempted, don’t even go into the shops. You can skip these entirely and instead enjoy the attractions. 

If you still want to get your Disney themed gear, buy it ahead of time! You can get Disney themed merch at Amazon or Target and save 50%+. 

Do Without Lightning Lanes

Lightning Lanes can help speed up the lines so you spend less time waiting in lines and more time enjoying the attractions. This is an extra perk that you will pay an additional cost to have. Depending on the time of year you go, this may not even be necessary. It can be nice to have, but is an easy way to quickly increase the cost of your Disneyland trip. Going without the Lightning Lane can save a family of 5 nearly $200 per day. 

Avoid Holidays and Weekends

Tickets are priced individually based on the date you are visiting. If you plan your visit around a holiday, your ticket prices are going to be more expensive than during the off-season. January, February, and late August are typically the cheapest (and quietest) months to visit. Weekends are also more expensive than weekdays. Try to avoid weekend trips if you are trying to be budget-conscious. 

Say No to Park Hopping

Park Hopping allows you to visit both parks located within the Disneyland Resort in one day. While this can be a nice option to have, you can go without it. It is more expensive to get a park hopper ticket than it is to get your standard 1-park per day ticket. Both parks are walkable from each other, but one full park per day is plenty for most families. 

Use a Travel Agent

Travel agents can provide insight into your budget for your Disneyland vacation. They can help inform you of special promotions, deals, and ways to save money. They are often able to get better ticket rates than what is publicly available. They are experts on the location and are able to provide resources, feedback, and information and things to do to make the most of your vacation, and things to avoid that are just adding unnecessary costs. 

As an authorized travel agent with the Walt Disney Company, we help families plan their trip to Disneyland without sacrificing the magic. I watch for discounts, help you choose the best hotel for your budget, and help you get the best bang for your buck. Our services are free, and save you hours of planning and hundreds of dollars. We’d love to help!