How to Do Disneyland Cheap: Save Big on Tickets, Food & More

How to do Disneyland cheap? Let's be real, Disneyland is pricey these days. With lodging, park tickets, food and transportation, a trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth” can quickly add up, and cost you thousands. It’s not a cheap family vacation to expect for sure. However, you shouldn't let that crush your Mickey dreams. With a few tips and tricks, you can make that family trip happen soon. All the little tricks below can make a difference to your savings if you do it right. Yes, planning a budget-friendly trip to Disney is totally achievable.

Best Time to Visit Disneyland for Lower Costs

Disneyland gets super busy in the summer and around big holidays. Photo by Sharkshock - stock.adobe.com

How can I go to Disney on a budget? If you ask this question, let’s figure out the best time to visit Disneyland first, because timing is everything. 

The cheapest time to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth” is during its off-peak season, from mid-January to late February. This sweet spot avoids the peak holiday season and the spring breaks of California schools, which usually means cheaper tickets and fewer crowds. 

If you plan to go after the summer, manage to visit Disneyland from September through mid-November. This time frame is just before the Thanksgiving holidays, which is the chance for you to score more budget-friendly tickets.

Even when you plan to arrive during these times, manage to choose weekdays and avoid weekends as much as possible. Just like other theme or amusement parks, Disneyland park tickets are more affordable when the kids are still in school.

How to Get Cheap Disneyland Tickets

After accommodations and airfares, tickets are the next biggest expense of your budget. While Disneyland rarely offers free tickets, there are tons of ways to save on your park entry. 

Magic Key Annual Pass

Magic Key Annual Pass now runs from $1,749 to $599, depending on the tiers. With Magic Key, passholders can visit Disneyland several times a year by only paying once. If you’re a frequent visitor, the pass will be of great value for doing Disneyland cheap, as it will pay for itself in as few as four visits. An annual pass can be more economical than a Park Hopper pass in most cases. Discounts on parking, merchandise, and dining that come along with the pass also sweeten the deals. 

Vacation Package

Vacation package bundles, which normally include hotel, plane tickets, park passes, etc., are cheaper than a la carte. Cosco packages, for example, bundle park admission, hotel stays at a Disney hotel, and gift cards at a more reasonable price.

Booking early is one of the first steps to a budget Disneyland trip. Photo by InfiniteFlow - stock.adobe.com

Visit Discounted Ticket Sites

AAA Membership

If you’re already an AAA member, you can visit AAA for discounted Disneyland tickets. It's worth noting that discounts are only available by region, so check out your local branches for availability.

Ticket Brokers

Legitimate ticket brokers like Get Away Today and Undercover Tourist are easy platforms where you can find some good deals for your multiple-day trips to the park.

Disney’s Limited Time Ticket Deals

Thanks to its dynamic pricing, Disney ticket prices can go up and down with the changing demands. That’s why a Christmas Day ticket will be way more expensive than a random Monday in early December. The Disneyland website does run promotions, so keep your eyes on their website to find any bargains available.

Stack Up Disney Gift Cards

One-day Disney ticket discounts are extremely rare, as Disney seldom offers them. However, you can use discounted gift cards to purchase one-day tickets and save some bucks. One gift card can only be used to buy your tickets. Got a bunch? You can combine them through Disneygiftcard.com or contact Disney via phone call.

Other Special Discounts Offered By Disneyland

Disneyland offers special deals for Southern California residents at certain times of the year, especially before the busy summer months. There are discounts for groups of 15+ from non-profit organisations. In addition, check if you're eligible for military discounts. Active and retired service members can enjoy huge savings with three- or four-day Disneyland tickets. You can save as much as 40% if you are eligible.

Skip Park Hopper Ticket

Disney Park Hopper Pass allows you to see multiple parks in one day. It sounds like a smart move to do Disneyland for cheap in theory, especially if you want to hit as many spots as possible. But this add-on option might not be for everyone.

Let’s do some math. The Park Hopper option normally costs around $65-$75+ per person. That means at least $300 for a family of five for a single day of park hopping. 

If your family is there for multiple days, the single-park pass will be a better choice. In our experience, each park has enough rides and shows to keep visitors busy all day long.

Park hopping also has hidden headaches, the biggest of which is commuting. Travelling between parks, particularly at Walt Disney Worl, where the parks are so spread out, can be a waste of time and energy.

You may not need those Park Hopper tickets unless you’re looking for an action-packed visit. Photo By ponsulak On Adobe Stock

Accommodation

The next question is where to stay during your trip. With smart choices and a bit of research, it’s possible to save 50% on your lodging costs.

Stay At A Hotel Off Property

Disneyland hotels are all magical, but for the purpose of this article, they are not your best choice. The least expensive room at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, for example, costs +$600. This is just the lower end of the price spectrum, however. 

Instead, you can stay at off-site "Good Neighbor" hotels, which have been endorsed by Disneyland. You can find up to 50 hotels like this across the street or just a chill 5-10 minute walk. Choose any hotel that’s close enough to return for a nap in the afternoon. This helps optimise your time, especially if you’re on a multiple-day trip. 

Hotels that offer free breakfast and parking are also a big plus, as they cut down on costs. For multiple-day trips, we recommend choosing a hotel with a small kitchen so you can cook some meals for dinner or bring them to the park the next day.

Choose Your Hotels

• Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort – Affordable option with a 30,000-square-foot water park, which is great for families with kids.

• Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel – Offers a free shuttle service for easier transportation.

• The Clarion Hotel – Offers a highly competitive price with clean and comfy rooms.

• Anaheim Hotel – Great value for money, a short distance from the park, and has newly renovated rooms.

• The Viv – A stylish hotel with budget-friendly rates.

You can book your rooms with several third-party sites, but we do recommend checking out Get Away Today first for better deals. Thanks to their partnership with these Disneyland Neighbour hotels and huge booking numbers, this site usually offers amazing deals to do Disneyland for cheap that you just can't find anywhere else.

Food And Drinks

In terms of dining, how to spend the least amount of money at Disneyland? Below are some solid travel hacks to cut down on your dining expenses.

Bring your own food and water to save costs on your next Disneyland visit. Photo by bit24 - stock.adobe.com

Free Breakfast At The Hotel And Cheap In-Parking Dining

Make sure you find a hotel with free breakfast and don't skip any meals before you leave. Otherwise, you'll likely end up paying for expensive park food well before lunchtime. We don’t recommend skipping the delicious in-park food, however. They are still a wonderful part of the visit. 

There are many inexpensive treats that you can treat your kids with, like Dole Whip at Tiki Juice Bar & Dole Whip in Disneyland Park, churros and giant turkey legs (you can find them at any cart anywhere in the park), and Mickey Shaped Beignets.

They are cheap eats to keep your whole crew energised between rides. Most importantly, these quick-service meals are always cheaper than table-service restaurants. 

Splitting Meals And Ordering Kids' Meals

Also, think about splitting the entree. You spend less and your stomach feels better, especially if you're hitting any spinning rides later. Also, think about ordering a kid's meal. For an average kid portion, you can get a decent portion of sandwich/burger/chicken strips, fries, fruit, and a drink. You can still feel stuffed with it, that's for sure.

Bring your own snacks

This is the best family travel hack to have a cheap visit to Disneyland for parents of always-hungry kids. You will cover a lot of ground, that means if you only rely on those in-park foods to stay active, it can add up to hundreds of dollars. 

Instead, pack your own food such as protein bars, trail mix, and dried nuts for a quick, cheap lunch. No worries when passing the entrance with your pre-packed food in hand.

Disney has an explicit BYO food and drink policy. You’re allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverages, with only a few conditions, like no glass containers. 

Skip The Bottled Water

And don’t forget the water, as it’s among the most overpriced items inside the parks. Bring your own bottle to refill at the water fountains throughout your trip. You can fill them up with ice to cool down in the heat of the 80s-90s. Even when you don’t bring your own, there is free water and cups of ice in most quick-service restaurants inside the park. You don’t have to shell out $4.00 for a bottled Dasani each time you feel thirsty.

Skip Character Dining Experiences 

How to make Disneyland less expensive? If this is not your first time visiting the park, or character dining is not that important to you, simply skip it. This add-on alone can cost up to $59 per adult (for those aged 10 or plus), or a whopping $135 at Grand Californian. If you used to do character dining 3-4 times in your past trips, let’s skip it totally this time. You can cut down on about half of the dining expenses. 

Transportation 

Budget the trip there, too. Photo by Imaging L - stock.adobe.com

Depending on your starting point, this spending category can dig a large hole into your budget. Yet, you can always pay less with these travel tips. 

Driving Vs Flying

We’re not going to weigh these two options as it depends on the distance you have to cover. So, the choice is still yours. However, we do have some tips to help you save money whether you’re flying or driving yourself. 

Driving

Driving, in many cases, is the most cost-effective way to save those hundreds of dollars that you would otherwise spend on flights. It can be a road trip to remember with your family. If you live in a nearby state, make your Disney trip a perfect weekend getaway by car.

However, when you’re doing the maths for a cheap Disneyland trip, don’t factor in fuel costs alone. There are also road tolls and hotel stays. and quick meals along the road, and parking fees (around $30 per night). 

Driving means you’re losing at least two extra days behind the wheel (just a rough estimate, as it still depends on your starting point). If you can’t afford your time or easily suffer from road fatigue, let’s think twice about it. 

Flying 

If your budget is not super tight, flying is a smart choice for a more stress-free trip. There are also some ways to cut down on the expenses. For example, fly with airlines with free checked bags or roll with your carry-on only (Check out this article for more packing tips for a family trip). Also, remember to use airline miles or points to offset your ticket costs when possible.

Fees to watch: you’ll need to pay for moving from the airport to your hotel. We’ll cover this part just right below, so stay tuned.

Choose The Right Luggage

Want to save money before you even arrive at Disneyland? Pack light and skip those pricey baggage fees with a CabinZero backpack. It fits neatly under the seat on all major airlines (yes, even the budget ones), with space for 3 days of clothes and room to spare for your Disney souvenirs. It’s a one-time investment that pays off every time you fly.

Choose Your Airport

Disneyland Los Angeles International Airport is not the only airport from which you can fly to Disneyland.

There are also two other options: John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport, which are only around 15 miles from the park. Los Angeles International Airport is way bigger and way busier than these two airports.

However, it’s up to 40 miles away, which means a couple of hours in traffic. LAX has the advantage of more direct flight availability, however. Avoiding a layover can save you more bucks, says MIT, and this means LAX may win in many cases. 

After all, it depends on the flight deals you can get for your trip, and the distances from your city to choose the best one. Speaking of airfares, try to snap the best deals by booking around 60 days in advance, especially when you’re travelling during peak seasons.

Transportation in the City

To and from the airport

An Uber from LAX to Disneyland costs around $100 each way, or $200 round trip, while from SNA to Disneyland it is roughly half that amount. You can also rent a car for more flexibility, at an average of $139 per day, plus fuel costs. 

If you're just sticking around Disneyland, that's a lot of money for a vehicle you won't drive much. Public transport is the cheapest way, no more than $10 per person, as long as you’re willing to switch some bus lines to arrive at your hotel.

Moving around

As our plan is to stay at a nearby hotel, we can simply walk to the park. Even when you’re not up to walking or your hotel doesn’t offer a free shuttle service, you can use ART shuttle buses. This service is the cheapest way to get around, at only $6.00 per person/pass.

Save on Disney Merchandise

Purchase souvenirs before you step inside the park. Photo by Ana - stock.adobe.com

Most people don’t have a fixed budget for merchandise, and it’s a huge mistake. Impulse purchases can easily ruin your savings plan. 

Bring A Portable Charger

You’ll need to use the Disneyland app for navigating all day, you’ll quickly drain your phone. That’s why it’s important to pack your own battery charger, ideally 10,000mAh, to save your dead phone when needed. Of course, you can rent portable chargers from kiosks inside the park, but this will cost you an extra $30. We’ve also covered a detailed list of what to bring to Disneyland in this post.

Set An Allowance for Your Kids

If everyone has their own budget for souvenirs, they’re likely to make smarter purchase decisions. When your kids run out of money, they either wait until tomorrow or save up if they want something bigger. The best thing is that this rule will keep your shopping spending in control.

Buy Disney Souvenirs Off-Site

Buying souvenirs for your kiddos in advance is always a great idea. Stuff like plushies, hats, T-shirts, and bubble wands are way cheaper at Dollar Stores, Walmart, or Target. Secretly pack them in your suitcase and surprise your kids when arriving at the hotel. Kids won't know the difference. If you have to buy souvenirs at Disneyland, check out the stores outside the park or at nearby places like Walmart or Target for lower prices.

Load Up On Disney Gift Cards

Do Disney gift cards save money? Yes, they do. You can use them as a prepaid fund for park passes, dining, resort stays, and merchandise at Disney. You can save money by purchasing them at a reduced price from retailers such as Target, Sam’s Clubs and wholesale clubs. For example, Target Red Card holders can buy Disney gift cards at a 5% discount. That's $25 back on every $500, which is a ton of Dole Whips for the whole crew.

Other Insider Tips For Disney Fans

Here are more Disneyland hacks to keep in your pocket for a better experience at Disneyland.

Download Mobile App

Ordering food through your phone is a total game-changer, especially when you go with toddlers. You simply pre-order your meal, pay for it and skip the long line to pick it up through the windows.

Single Rider

If you don't want Lightning Lane to add up to your expenses, consider a single rider. At the crowd-favourite rides like Radiator Springs Racers, single riders can help you cut two-hour waits down to around 30 minutes. It’s a win-win as you can save both time and money, as long as you’re willing to split up from your group for some time. 

Bring Your Own Stroller

Your little kids will get tired soon and need to rest. Disney rents out strollers for $18 and double strollers for $36. Yet, those hard-plastic strollers within the parks won't recline, so they're not suitable for infants to take a nap. So, it’s important to take your own stroller with you. That's a big saving of up to $108 for two children on a 3-day trip. Think of all the extra churros or Mickey ice cream. The best thing? You can simply wheel your baby straight to the hotel room after a marathon park day. 

Choose The Right Credit Card

Disney fans can maximise their savings with the Disney Premier Visa Card, which they can earn rewards for daily purchases. These rewards then can be used towards tickets and vacation packages. The card does have a $49 annual fee and is not the best choice if you’re not a Disney regular. 

However, there are also non-Disney-branded cards that deliver better values for you. So factor in flexible travel points, sign-up bonuses, cashback, and travel insurance to choose the best card.

Estimate Costs For A Day Trip To Disneyland

Let check how cheap can you get for a day at the Magic Kingdom. Photo by Pixavril - stock.adobe.com

What is a realistic budget for Disney? We’ve factored in key spending categories and their estimated budget. We don’t include transportation to and from the park, as everyone has the option between driving and flying, and the distance can vary significantly.

For One

How much money does the average person spend at Disneyland? Check out this table for baseline trip costs for an adult to visit Disneyland:

Here’s a breakdown of these basic expenses that one visitor will likely pay for a day trip to Disneyland:

Park Ticket

A Disneyland ticket runs around $104 to $200 for a person. Prices can go up on weekends or holidays. If you want to check out multiple parks on the same day, you’ll need to pay extra for a Park Hopper pass. 

Hotel

It greatly depends on where you stay and when you check in. If you visit Disneyland during slower seasons, in January or September, for example, it’s not tricky to find a room at $150 per night. During busier times of the year, you will have to compromise certain amenities for this price. Instead, budgeting around $200-$300 will give you more convenience.

Souvenirs 

Buying merchandise, such as toys and Mickey’s ears, on-site can significantly add up to your expenses. Set a budget for this category to avoid overspending. We think $50-$100 should be a reasonable estimate to do Disneyland on a budget.

Transportation (Excluding Airfares/Driving Costs)

• If you’re driving: Consider parking fees, which can start from $35 per night.

• If you’re flying: Roundtrip airport transit can add a substantial amount to your budget. The average price is $100 per person for private round-trip transfer services. 

Food and drinks

We want to keep it moderate when it comes to dining. This means that you can try a quick-service meal, and a decent table-service meal, and add some snacks during the rides. The average budget is around $50-$100 per day per person.

For A Family of Five

Park ticket

Based on the average park ticket for a person above, the budget for this item for a family of five should be around $760. This estimate applies to all 5 adult members (+10 years old). If you’ve got kids 3-9 years old, the ticket price will be $10 cheaper for each kid. Smaller children under 3 don’t need a ticket. This price doesn’t include Lightning Lanes, which will cost around $32 more per ticket, per day. 

Hotel

Hotel prices for a family of five would start from $300-$400 per night. This estimate applies to off-site hotels that offer cheaper rates. If you opt for on-property hotels, such as Pixar Place Hotel, you might pay double the amount. 

Souvenirs

If you’re travelling with kids, souvenirs and other miscellaneous plushies are a must. Minnie headbands and Mickey ears usually cost up to $50. If your budget allows, put aside around $50-$100 for this, per person. This is for cases any member of your family wants to get some extra merchandise they just can’t leave behind. So, it would be $250-$500. 

Transportation (Excluding Airfares/Driving Costs)

If you drive your own vehicle, factor in the standard parking price for your car, at $35 per night. Airport transportation, on the other hand, is around $200 in total for a roundtrip between Disneyland and the airport.

Food and drinks

Adults will have to pay around $40-$70 per day for their meals, while kids pay around $25-$40 per day. For a family of five, the average F&B budget is about $80-$140 for two adults and $75-$120 for three kids. Total: $155-$280 per family per day. This is only the figure for three meals for a day trip inside the park. We still do not include the meals you’ll have on your travelling days.

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions for Disney visitors that you might want to check out.

1. Is 3000 Enough For Spending Money At Disney?

Assuming key expenses like lodging, flights, and park tickets are already paid, $3000 will be a comfortable estimate for a Disneyland visit. That'll get you nice meals, and some fun souvenirs, and you can enjoy all the extra paid activities the parks offer. In fact, it’s a reasonable spending budget for many couples and small families.

2. What Is The $100 Dollar Disney Charge?

It may be surprising to see a $100 hold placed on your payment card. Don’t worry, as this is only a temporary authorisation to cover potential incidental charges like room services or upgraded WIFI when checking Disney Resorts. It's not a final charge. You’ll get your money right back after checking out if you don't use any paid services.

3. What Is The $50-A-Day Deal At Disney?

For a limited time in early 2025, kids from 3-9 years old can experience the magic at a Disneyland Resort theme park for just $50 per child per day. This is a steep discount that families don’t want to miss, as the regular pass normally costs $98 - $183. This special 1-Day, 1-Park ticket offer is subject to theme park reservation availability, however.

4. Is 300 Dollars Enough For Disneyland?

Obviously, a $300 budget for a day trip to Disneyland is a tight squeeze. You can basically cover park entry ($150 roughly), 2 meals ($50-$60 each) and small snacks (for example, a churro for $30). That is where all the money can go. So, a $300 Disney trip is basically a short, frugal trip, and you have yet to cover your hotel and transportation. 

How To Do Disneyland Cheapish Recapped

We hope that you've figured out how to do Disneyland cheap. A Disneyland trip on a budget is totally possible for savvy travellers. From saving on park tickets to choosing the right hotels, these tips will help you enjoy the magic for less. Let's face it, money worries can ruin a vacation vibe. The key is to plan ahead and know what to expect before you go. And don't forget to fly with a carry-on approved bag to save even more on baggage fees.

KELSEY