Disney does not do “sales”, but from time to time they will make a limited ticket offer. Currently, California residents can get a three-day one-park ticket for $83 per day (excluding Friday, Saturday and Sunday) for visits through September 15. Sometimes Disneyland will offer similar deals for slower travel seasons, such as between Labor Day and the holidays. If you’re an active member of the military, Disneyland offers discounts year-round; more information is available on the Disneyland website, but keep in mind that you must purchase your tickets through a participating military base, not through Disney.

Be careful with third-party websites or resellers on Craigslist, eBay, etc., that claim to offer discounted Disneyland tickets. Do your research and contact Disney customer service if you are unsure if the seller is legit. If you buy a ticket from a third party and there are issues scanning it at the gate, Disney is much less likely to be able to help. A small discount is usually not worth the risk.

Finally, if you’re really looking to save money, consider a one-park-per-day ticket. Adding the park hopper option, which lets you start at one park and move on to the other at 1 p.m., adds $60 per ticket. It adds up fast for a family. While the convenience of being able to hop between Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure is nice, it’s certainly not essential to enjoying your vacation.

How to Drive or Fly at Disneyland on a Budget

Gasoline is ridiculously expensive right now, but if you have a big family, it will still be cheaper to drive than to buy individual plane tickets for everyone. It’s also easier to pack essentials in the car, like food and drink (more on that later). However, bringing a car will add parking fees to your trip. Disneyland Resort hotels charge guests $35 per night (or $50 per night if using valet), and parking within the Disneyland grounds is $30 per day. Many non-Disney hotels in Anaheim also charge daily parking fees for guests.

If you don’t want to rent a car — and you certainly don’t need one given the Disneyland Resort’s compact size — you could save money and time by flying into the two airports closest to Anaheim. Santa Ana John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport are both about 20-25 minutes from Disneyland, which means your Uber, Lyft, or taxi ride will be much cheaper and shorter. Plus, traveling through massive, crowded LAX is a surefire way to put extra stress on your vacation; smaller airports are easy to navigate and usually have short TSA lines. You can see nonstop destinations from John Wayne Airport on its website; Long Beach Airport also lists the cities it serves nonstop on its website.

If you can, try to be flexible with your travel days. Flights on a Monday or Tuesday can be significantly cheaper than Fridays or weekends, and giving you a little wiggle room allows you to wait for a bargain. The Southwest, in particular, holds regular ticket sales; recently they offered 40% off tickets for summer and fall trips. Be sure to add up all the fees before determining which airline is truly the cheapest. Budget airlines like Frontier can work very well if you only need to pay for one piece of carry-on, but if you have a lot of luggage, it might actually be more expensive than other airlines.

How to find a cheap hotel in Disneyland

Unlike Disney World, where the parks are miles apart and Disney offers free transportation for hotel guests, staying off-property is just as convenient in Anaheim. Many non-Disney hotels are as close – or closer – to the park gates than the Paradise Pier Hotel, Disney’s cheapest option. Non-Disney hotels may also offer free breakfast, free parking, or kitchenettes for meal preparation, which also keep costs down. Check out some of our favorite Anaheim hotels. I like to book hotels in Anaheim through Expedia, where I can use points for additional discounts and perks, or by using travel points from my Chase credit card.

If you’ve got your heart set on staying at the Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel, or Grand Californian, be sure to book your room when there’s a sale. Disneyland regularly offers room discounts of 10% to 25%, although there are usually strings attached. Their current promotion only offers the 25% off offer for stays of four nights or more. They also made sales only for Disney Plus subscribers or for specific times of the year.

For my money, the Paradise Pier was not worth the price. It’s about a mile walk from the park gates, rooms are lackluster, and Disneyland has cut its best hotel perk, pre-pandemic ‘Magic Hour’ early entry for guests, just 30 minutes back . If you’re going to stay on Disney property, you might as well splurge on it and save for the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian, which are closer to the parks and offer a lot more Disney magic.

How to save money on Disneyland food and drink

The biggest cost saver on a day at the parks? Bring your own food. Disneyland allows you to pack your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. You cannot bring glass containers or bottles, so make sure these items are wrapped in plastic. They even have a picnic area if you want to use it for meals. There’s no point in buying basics like fruit or granola bars when you can get them much cheaper outside and bring them in.

If there are some Disneyland specialties you care about, consider sharing them. Starters are – unsurprisingly – often heavy and decadent, and splitting portions is a good way to cut costs and ensure you don’t get a sour stomach on Soarin’ 20 minutes later. My favorite starter to share is the Plaza Inn’s Fried Chicken Meal, which is a big serving of three pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and a biscuit. For $18.99 you can feed two adults or one adult and a few children.

Can you bring water to Disneyland?

Yes! I always have a reusable water bottle in my backpack and refill it throughout the day as needed. if you ask a cast member at a quick service restaurant, they’ll give you free cups of water and ice. There are also water fountains throughout the park, as well as dedicated water bottle refill stations at Rancho del Zocalo, Red Rose Tavern, Pioneer Mercantile, outside the restrooms at Galaxy’s Edge, Autopia, Tom Sawyer Island and near the Avengers Campus Sanctuary at California Adventure.

Opt for cheaper but more personalized Disney memorabilia

It’s not hard to drop $100 in a snap at Disney gift shops. To avoid racking up huge shopping bills, look for more unique and inexpensive souvenirs. At Plaza Point, you can choose holiday decor and personalize it for just a few extra dollars, creating a special family heirloom that’s yours alone. (Remember to get there early if you want one, once the performers are booked for the day they cut out new orders.) Custom silhouettes haven’t returned to Disneyland yet, but they are. at Disney World, which portends his return one day. For around $10 you can get a handmade silhouette of yourself or even your pet – just bring in a clear profile photo of your beloved creature and the artists will use it to create a portrait.

If your child absolutely needs a new toy while on vacation, consider buying one at your local Walmart or toy store and packing it in your luggage to give away on the trip. Disneyland’s toy selection isn’t particularly unique; similar playsets and items like toy swords can be found at big box retailers. You can also buy bubble wands on Amazon before your trip and avoid the sticker shock of the nearly $30 Disney wands that are ubiquitous in the parks.

Another budget tip? Purchase a Disney Gift Card online or at Target before your trip. (If you have a Target RedCard, you’ll also get 5% off your purchase, which means a $100 gift card will cost you $95.) Use the gift card instead of a credit card , and when the money runs out, you’ve reached your preset budget.

Do you need Genie Plus at Disneyland?

For most people, Genie Plus isn’t a necessity for a great day at the parks. If you’re willing to wake up early and be at the park by opening time (also known as “rope drop”), you can knock out the heavy rides before the big crowds arrive around noon . Disneyland also tends to be busiest in the evenings when locals show up after work or school. Early risers can skip the crowds without having to pay an extra $20 per ticket per day to skip the lines with Genie Plus.

There is a big caveat. If this is your one-time trip to Disneyland, it might be worth it for you. Your chances of getting every ride your heart desires are better with Genie Plus than doing queues alone. So if that’s a priority for you, shelling out the extra cash can make the difference to your dream vacation.