10 Easy Ways to Save Money at Disneyland
Are high ticket prices stopping you from taking a family trip to Disneyland? It doesn't have to be because there are ways to save money at Disneyland.
You can go on your trip when you use our Disney money-saving tips on how to do Disney on a budget. Here's how you can make your wallet happy at the "happiest place on earth" with 10 easy ways to save money at Disneyland.
Plus we've got a voucher for a free one-night stay at any Country Inn & Suites hotel in North America. You could use it at the new Country Inn & Suites Anaheim near Disneyland or at any other Country Inn & Suites.
To enter the giveaway: visit Country Inn & Suites Anaheim and leave a comment below about what you like about the hotel.
Update: The giveaway has ended but you can still use these 10 easy ways to save money at Disneyland.
10 Easy Ways to Save Money at Disneyland
1. Visit During the Off-Season
Avoid the crowds and visit during the off-season from September to March. Or more specifically:
- The middle of January to the middle of March (except President's Day Weekend)
- Middle of April to the middle of May (exception: Spring Break)
- The middle of September to the middle of November (except Halloween)
By going during the off-season you'll pay less because Disney ticket prices are based on the good old law of supply and demand.
Where there's more demand, there's less supply. Meaning, if Disney thinks everyone wants to visit, the price of the ticket costs more.
Single day ticket prices vary depending on the date. Disney divides the year into six tiers: tier 0, tier 1, tier 2, tier 3, tier 4, tier 5, and tier 6 dates.
Pro-tip: Weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday, are less crowded. This means the lines are shorter and you can get on more rides.
Pro-tip: Kids under 3 get in free. So bring your little ones before they age out.
And if you're flying, kids under 2 fly for free! Make sure you know these tips on flying with a baby or toddler.
Pro-tip: Skip the line. You get 3 FastPasses for all rides (except the Radiator Springs Racers) when you listen to a timeshare presentation at the Disneyland Resort.
2. Take Advantage of Special Discounts
Disney offers discounts for groups such as the military, credit union members, and more.
Active, reserve, and retired military can get 5-Day Park Hopper tickets for $246 and 4-Day Park Hopper tickets for $226.
If you qualify, you can buy six tickets to use for yourself, family, or friends. Tickets are valid through December 19, 2018.
Pro-tip: Disney employees get 16 free visits a year and they can bring guests. Plus they get 3 free passes a year that they can give to friends. So buddy up and make friends with someone who works at Disney.
3. Disneyland Passport
Depending on how often you visit (or want to visit), it could be worth buying a Disneyland Passport.
A Disneyland passport is valid for an entire year and comes with certain benefits:
- Disney Southern California Select Passport for $369 (visit both parks on the same day on select days; up to 10% off select dining and merchandise; no holidays or peak days)
- Disney Deluxe Passport is $729 (visit both parks on the same day on most days; up to 10% off select dining and up to 10% off merchandise; no holidays or other peak days)
- Disney Signature Passport for $999 (visit both parks on the same day on most days; up to 15% off select dining and up to 20% off merchandise; free parking; December holidays and other peak days excluded)
- Disney Signature Plus Passport costs $1,149(visit both parks on the same day; up to 15% off select dining and up to 20% off merchandise; free parking; no blackout dates)
Pro-tip: Buy your Disneyland Passport in February, and it's valid for 13 months.
4. SoCal City Pass
You can save $137 per person on tickets to 3-Day Park Hopper Disneyland, SeaWorld San Diego, and LEGOLAND California when you buy a SoCal City Pass.
An add-on option for the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park is available.
The SoCal City Pass is good for 14 calendar days, and you can visit the parks in any order. The Disneyland pass is a three-day Park Hopper with early admittance to the parks, also known as Magic Morning.
Pro-tip: Disney Magic Morning (early admission to Disneyland 1 hour before the park opens) is included in the SoCal City Pass.
5. Eat Breakfast Before You Arrive
Photo courtesy: Country Inn & Suites Anaheim
Disney opens at 8 am (most mornings) and if you have a ticket that gives you Magic Morning, you can get into the park as early as 7 am.
So eat breakfast before you get to Disneyland or you're going to be starved.
And if you're like me, you get hangry. And that is not fun for anyone.
Why pay a small fortune for breakfast when you can eat ahead of time. Or better yet, get breakfast for free when you stay at a nearby hotel that offers free breakfast like the Country Inn & Suites Anaheim.
6. Bring Food and Snacks
You can save a lot of money when you bring your own food and drinks (non-alcoholic) to Disneyland.
Technically you can't bring outside food into the park unless you have special dietary restrictions like gluten-free, etc. But you can eat your food at the picnic areas outside the Main Entrance.
You can rent an unrefrigerated locker from $7 to $15 a day and store coolers up to 18" x 25".
Pro-tip: Here's a list of where to find cheap or free snacks at Disneyland:
- You can buy snacks for less than $5 at Maurice's Treats and the Bengal Barbeque
- Order the "side corn dog" (no apples or chips) for $6 at the Little Red Wagon, the Golden Horseshoe, and other places
- $6 gets you a Kid's Mickey Check Meal (Smoothie, apple, banana, carrots, goldfish crackers, and a water)
- Get a free piece of chocolate from Ghiradelli at California Adventure
- Take the Boudin Factory Tour at California Adventure and get a free piece of sourdough bread.
Thanks to my friend, Steve Franco, for the tip about Maurice's Treats and the Bengal Barbeque.
7. Bring Reusable Water Bottles
Save money and the planet and bring reusable water bottles when you visit Disneyland. I LOVE the Takeya reusable water bottles because they're double-wall insulated so drinks stay cold! With little ones, the stainless steel comes in handy because they don't break when dropped. Buy your 2 pack here.
You can get a free large cup of water with ice at all Disneyland restaurants.
And there are filtered water stations and drinking fountains throughout the park.
Pro-tip: Bring Kool-Aid packets, Crystal light, or ice tea and turn that free cup of water into a refreshing drink.
8. Bring Your Own Stroller
If your kiddo or kiddos are little or may get tired after a long day at the Disneyland, bring your own stroller.
A single stroller costs $15 a day to rent. And there are no double strollers. Wagons are not allowed in the park.
One of the best travel strollers for trips and around town is the Pockit Lightweight Stroller.
Pro-tip: If you're visiting with friends and you each need a stroller, you'll save $5 if one person rents both strollers. You'll only pay $25 for two strollers vs $30.
9. Use the Disney PhotoPass Photographers
You're probably thinking, "What? Are you kidding me? They cost a fortune."
Use the Disney PhotoPass photographers. I'm totally serious.
Don't buy the professional photo.
Pro-tip: Give your camera to the photographer and have him/her take your photo with your camera. Boom, you've just saved money and now have a professional photo.
10. Stay Off-Site
Photo courtesy of Country Inn & Suites Anaheim
You'll save the most money on your Disneyland trip when you stay off-site at a hotel like the Country Inn & Suites Anaheim.
I love staying at Country Inn & Suites hotels. The rooms are clean and there's plenty of space. And the buffet breakfast is filling.
So I was excited to learn that a new one opened near Disneyland.
The Country Inn & Suites Anaheim is a new 174-room hotel that is walking distance from the Main Gate and offers:
- Free hot breakfast including Belgian waffles and yogurt parfaits
- Free Wi-Fi
- View of the fireworks at Disneyland
- Modern interiors with stylish furnishings
- Large rooms with spa-inspired bathrooms
- Bar serving spirits, wine, local craft beer, soups, salads, and sandwiches
- 24-hour fitness center
- Outdoor patio
- Pool and whirlpool
- Reading lending library
Pro-tip: Avoid booking your trip when there are conferences at the Anaheim Convention Center. Because hotel rates will be higher if they aren't sold out.
Photo courtesy: Country Inn & Suites Anaheim
Are you dreaming of a castle, princes, princesses and a visit to the Magic Kingdom? Or is a relaxing trip to the beach more your speed?
Whatever your preference, with over 470 locations worldwide, from as far south as Panama to as far east as India, there's a Country Inn & Suites hotel where you want to travel.
And now there's a Country Inn & Suites near Disneyland. (There's also one near Disneyworld.)
Here's how to enter to win a voucher for a free one-night stay giveaway at any Country Inn & Suites in North America:
- Visit Country Inn & Suites Anaheim
- Leave a comment below telling me your favorite feature of the Country Inn & Suites Anaheim by 9 pm, Pacific Time on January 30, 2017
One winner will be chosen at random at 9:01 pm on January 30, 2017.
You can save money on your trip to Disney. Looking for more money-saving ideas for a future vacation? Here's how to save $5,000 in 3 months.
Conclusion
Don't let the cost of visiting the "happiest place on earth" get you down. These 10 easy ways to save money at Disneyland can turn that dream vacation from a wish into a reality.
Tips such as visiting during the off-season, use special discounts, buy a Disneyland Passport or SoCal City Pass, eat breakfast before and bring your own food and snacks.
Remember your reusable water bottle and stroller (if needed) and let the Disney Photographers take your Photo.
But the biggest money saving tip for your Disneyland vacation is to stay off-site at a hotel like the Country Inn & Suites Anaheim.
Remember to enter our one-night giveaway at any Country Inn & Suites by telling me which is your favorite feature of the new Country Inn & Suites Anaheim hotel.
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Featured image courtesy of Steve Franco.
I am SO bookmarking this! We love to go to Disney, but dang, that place can really drain your wallet if you're not smart about it.
Thank you so much for sharing this! We rarely go to Disney because of the expense. I think by following these tips, we might be able to take more trips there!
Love it! I LOVE when people post real money-saving tips outside of the same old, same old. Thank you for these, we love Disneyland and will definitely be going soon, so I'll be referring back to these. 😉
I love visiting Disneyland every year. I love that they have free breakfast every penny counts when visiting Disneyland.
I agree. When we travel we always look for places that have free breakfast. Once less expense to worry about.
I can't wait to take my kids there some day! I love the tips because I'm by no means rich, so I'll be following your advice very closely : ) thanks!
I am going to Disney soon and this will be super helpful!
Great tips! My favorite part on the Country Inn & Suites Anaheim is how MODERN everything looks! I love staying in a beautiful hotel!
Awesome! Thanks for the great tips. I am always looking for ways to save money! Especially at Disney!
If we bring kids, we always eat before going to Walt Disney World. If it's just me or adults, we go hangry so we can fill up on park snacks. I've got to have that fruit waffle!
We go to Disney World almost every year. Thanks for the great tips! May is definitely a great time to go Weather is gorgeous and lines are shorter, although it's hard now that the kids are in school to go during this month. I'll have to check out Maurice's. Sounds like good food and inexpensive prices!
Such great tips! We are heading to Disney World in Feburary, then hoping to check out Disney Land next summer. I JUST love your protips. I'm going to pin this so I can come back later!
Is it really true that you can bring snacks into the park?
Wow I am definitely going to bookmark this. We are thinking about going to Disneyland and I need saving take think of so that we can go!
These are such wonderful tips! We'll be going to Disney World in March but we're staying on site since we love the hotels.
These are some great money-saving tips for Disney! I have only visited once, but will definitely keep your tips in mind when I go again!
We just booked last night for Disney so these tips are going to get put to use! And bonus, out youngest will be turning 3, 3 weeks before we are going so he's Free! We haven't told the kids yet though 🙂
Wow that hotel sounds perfect! I have never been to Disneyland but it is definitely high on my bucket list. Good advice with taking them before they are 3, I hadn't considered that!
These are great tips! I plan to take the kids there in the near future so I will definitely keep these tips in mind when we do.
Bringing food and snacks has saved us a ton while traveling. You have some really great tips for disneyland and traveling in general.
I didn't know about the SoCal City Pass! We used that when we went to Chicago and it was great and it makes me happy that other cities have the same idea. But the fact that you can use it for disney is awesome.
WOW! You must a mind reader! We are hoping to plan our first trip to disney land this coming summer and i have NO idea where to start! Thank you so much for the great tips, i am saving and sharing them!
We used to live in Florida and we purchased tickets for Disney World as residents. I am sure CA residents can do the same. These tips are great!
Thanks for the great article. Have been to WDW many times - but haven't been to DLR since the early 1970's so this has been very helpful. Especially like the info about Country Inn & Suites! What's not to love about that place - including the price; but also the Complimentary Hot Be Our Guest Breakfast; Free High-Speed Internet Access;On-Site Bar (will be necessary after a long day at DLR!); the Outdoor Heated Pool with the VIEW OF THE FIREWORKS!!; Complimentary Cookies and Coffee All Day; Free Parking (a great benefit so close to the park!); Express Check-In/Check-Out Service; and the fact that Children Stay Free in Same Room as an Adult. WOW - Just WOW!
I've never been to Disney Land, but I loved visiting Disney World this past summer! I have heard they are very different though.
The two things I like about the Country Inn & Suites Anaheim? Watching the fireworks at night without dealing with the crowds... and of course, free wi-fi!
Also, I didn't know about the "side corn dog" or the Mickey Check Meal...
My husband and I would love to plan a trip to Disney without breaking the bank. I should show this post to him so that he could see how realistic a Disney trip could be!
WE just got back from Disney and it was EXPENSIVE. Loved the chhuros though. yum.
Such wonderful tips! We are planning a family trip here soon so i will definitely be bookmarking this! Thanks!
I love that the hotel is walking distance to DIsney's main gate and also walking distance to the Anaheim Garden Walk!
I have been dying to go back to Disneyland for years. As a European it can be quite expensive to plan a trip to Disneyland (the one in Paris is poo), so it can break the bank a bit to actual go to the US just for a Disney trip. Thanks for the tips!
A trip to Disney is so expensive that the thought of saving any amount of money is attractive! Such great tips. Pinning for sure
Great tips for saving money at Disney Land. We are going to Disney World this December, and I wish we could travel during the off-season times. But we have to follow school holidays, so we will just have to save other ways!
Great advice! Thanks so much! It costs a small fortune to take your family to disney these days. Saving any $ is great!
I just went to Disney World and a lot of these would apply there as well. We went in December and had a great time.
Great tips you must be reading my mind. I am planning a trip to Orlando next month so this is great for my family and I!
We are hoping to go to Disneyland next year. I will have to look at going to visit during the off-season. It is a great way to save some cash.
My kids have been asking to go to Disneyland again. I will have to use these great ways to save for the trip.
This is actually a really, really useful post because it's SO hard to save money when you go to Disneyland! It's the happiest place on earth, but it's also the most expensive place on earth haha!
I've actually never been to Disney and one of the reasons is the expense. I never wanted to spend that much money on it. Thanks for sharing this!
These are wonderful tips! I want to go to Disney world soon and could use some of these tips there. Saving money on travel is so important!
Oh this is an amazing tips! I so love this post! going to bookmark this!
Such great tips! My favorite feature is that it's within walking distance of DisneyLand!! ❤. Thanks for the chance!
We're planning our first family trip in a couple of months to visit family and have considered taking a trip to Disney. Thanks for the heads up on the ticket prices and that under three are free. That's a HUGE help in the financial aspect.
I've never been to Disney, but my husband and I have recently been talking about taking our grandkids. These are great tips that I am bookmarking in case we do decide to take that trip!
A very generous tip from you. I never thought I could save this much for a trip to Disneyland. We can even use the saved money for food and souvenirs.
I love any tips at all to save money a Disney - it can be so hard to go to Disney on a budget!
Love the pool at the hotel
Wow! I never knew about these. It's so hard to travel disneyland on a budget. These tips can help us saving a good amount. Thanks for such helpful tips.
These are all great ways to save money at Disneyland. I have never been to Disneyland but would love to go some day. The SoCal City Pass is something I will have to look into too. Thanks for sharing the money saving tips.
Disneyland is where I want to go this year for my birthday! Thanks for all the amazing tips! I will definitely use these! My favorite thing about Country Inn and Suites is their breakfast! Nothing beats a great way to start your day!
I actually haven't been to Disneyland yet. I'm sure I'll get there someday, and when I do, I'll keep these tips in mind. So many of these tips I already utilize whenever I visit Disney World. I'm not sure if Run Disney has races at Disneyland, too, but I know the resorts on the Disney World property got pretty pricey when I ran in the Princess 5K. That was in February when you'd think the parks would be less busy.