by Shannon Harris
Families of all sizes can budget travel to Disneyland and save big. Certain spending hacks can help you cut costs big-time. If you would like to make memories without spending a fortune, here’s how to plan a cheap Disneyland vacation:
- Time it right.
Visit during the off-season. The months when kids are out of school, major holidays, and spring break are off-limits. Weekends should also be avoided when possible. January, (early) February, and September are three of the slowest months. Go then for shorter lines and smaller crowds—and better deals!
- Deal Hunt.
Disneyland offers packages, deal drops, and discounts. Costco does vacation packages. Deal drops are by surprise, and can be tracked on the official Disneyland discount page. Tickets for military service and AAA (Triple A) members are discounted. California residents who live in zip codes 90000 to 93599 and 21000 to 22999 can request the SoCal Resident Ticket with valid ID.
- Stay offsite.
While staying at a Disney Resort offers benefits like earlier Lightning Lane reservation privileges, staying offsite can cost significantly less and help you save. If you do decide to stay offside, ask if your hotel offers a Disneyland shuttle. Rideshare (e.g., Lyft, Uber) is another option. How important is the Disney atmosphere where you stay? How much time will you spend at your hotel?
- Meal Plan
Rather than dining at expensive restaurants, plan for quick-service meals or bring your own. Order quick-service meals on the app to avoid long lines. You can also bring your own food, as well as a cooler (24in x 15in x 18in max) with solid ice packs—no loose or dry ice. You’ll need a locker for any cooler larger than a 6-pack. Juice boxes, canned beverages, power bars, chips, popped popcorn, pretzels, fruit, beef jerky, peanut butter sandwiches, and much more don’t require a cooler, or a locker, or a reservation.
Disney Fansite 