I didn’t grow up in Southern California, and yet Disneyland was a magical part of my childhood. Every few years, my family would either drive or fly to the happiest place on earth, and my sisters and I would scream our way down Splash Mountain and spin our hearts out on the Mad Tea Party tea cups. We sang along at the parades and took classic Mickey Mouse photos, complete with '90s neon gear and fanny packs. Every bit was magical. Smile-worthy. Perfect.
I so desperately wanted those same experiences for my children – to watch their eyes light up at the beauty of the castle and sit beside them as they felt the rush of flying with Dumbo. But looking at the numbers, my husband and I weren’t sure if a trip to Disneyland was financially possible.
But with Disney dreams on our radar, we decided to save up and plan the most frugal but fun trip to Disneyland. And we accomplished just that!
Now, we’ve got our Disney trips down to a science. It’s still a splurge — vacations always are — but even on our tight budget, we’ve learned how to make Disney adventures as affordable as possible. Here’s how.
Stay off-property
The draw to stay on Disney property is huge! The hotels are gorgeous and oh-so-close-by. But, for a budget-friendly trip, plan to opt out of Disney lodging. There are plenty of nearby hotels, many of which offer free breakfast and shuttles.
Consider off-season travel
If you have the flexibility, play around with flight dates and hotel stays. For our upcoming trip, one hotel I was researching was $490 per night in early March, compared with $147 per night in April — at the exact same hotel.
Buy souvenirs before you go
Everything at the park is what I like to call “vacation price.” It’s inflated and preys on the magic of the moment. You can save big by purchasing clothing, stuffed animals, bubble makers, autograph books, Mickey Mouse headband ears, and more before you go. The Disney Store (and their outlets – my favorite!), Target, and Amazon all have great gear and frequent sales, so stock up there versus shopping at the park.
Go with a meal plan
Free breakfast at the hotel is a great way to start a Disney day. If your hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, consider packing options to eat while you walk to the park. Our favorites are microwaveable oatmeal, fruit leather, and protein bars. That usually tides us over until a late lunch, when we opt for a larger, sit-down meal. Then we just snack in the evening whenever hunger strikes — corn dogs and turkey legs, anyone? We share meals and snacks when we can, too. No reason to buy two Dole Whips when we can share one, and then a few hours later share a Mickey ice cream bar or churro. Sharing means more sampling!
Prep a vacation budget
Are vacations without budgets more fun? Maybe while you’re there, but definitely not when you get home! Prep a vacation budget so you can spend within reason and truly enjoy your time without worry. Before you leave, you’ll know your travel expenses, hotel cost, and park ticket prices, but you can also budget for your day-to-day costs to help keep your trip on track. Plan for food, souvenirs, and incidentals — and then don’t be swayed.
Practice window shopping
We don’t avoid gift shops, but our family rule is that we browse during our trip and then on our last day, we return to purchase each child’s favorite souvenir. They know the plan before we go, they know not to ask, and they know that without a doubt they’ll get to choose something special to take home. It helps us avoid spontaneous expenses. Then, when deciding on that one thing, we ask, “Will I actually love this when I get home, or is this just the pixie dust talking?” It helps keep things in perspective. I’ve also learned that many products at the park are readily available on Amazon for much cheaper. I do my best to double-check when we browse and have items shipped home via Amazon when I can. This saves money and suitcase space!
Collaborate with other Disney fans
There are a number of Disneyland-planning groups on Facebook, many of which are tailored to families, deals, and tips to make the most of every Disney vacation. Join a few! Ask for advice and share what you learn, too!
