2 Canadian University Students Trying to do Disneyland on the Cheap

[Larissa]

Hi everyone!
My friend and I are trying to do a trip to Disneyland in February, leaving from YVR Thursday night (no earlier than 8pm) and arriving back Monday evening. We can't really change the dates because we are scheduling around school and surgery.

Because we are both in university full-time and working part-time, funds are short. We're trying to do the hotel, flights, and tickets for close to $2000 (or less if by some miracle that is possible).

We're going for a 3-day non-hopper pass and we will be walking to and from the park.
We're looking for continental breakfast, but that's not a necessity.
We are planning on packing lunch and looking into grocery delivery - has anyone had any experience doing that with Canadian credit cards and delivering it to the hotel (likely before we arrive since we are departing at nighttime?)

This is not our first trip - my friend has gone during the 50th anniversary year and I went last in 2012/2013 over New Years.

We appreciate all tips. Thanks!


-----EDIT------
We have booked a package deal for Friday morning to Monday to evening - staying at the Tropicana for just under $600 including flights. We also used the Entertainment book to book our tickets to Disneyland - 4 days (non-hopper). It was $1 cheaper than the 3-day option directly from the Disneyland website.

 

[starry_solo]

Oh hey, you did make it over here

I know some people like www.getawaytoday.com for planning their trips.

I did a search there. For 2/13 check in (since you're leaving Canada Thursday night, I assume you won't be needing a room until Friday night) and 2/16 check-out, Stanford Inn & Suites comes up with $768 for 2 people, including continental breakfast and 3-day park hoppers.

I know you mentioned not needing park hoppers but I have no idea how to change the search query to exclude those.

A 3-day base ticket (no hopper option) is $452 on the Disneyland website (hopper is $530) for 2 people. So, $240 for 3 nights in a hotel. Hmm, that comes out to about $80/night and includes the continental breakfast. Maybe you can do better?

 

[Indiana Scott]

I think most if not all of the hotels on Harbor have nice free breakfasts that aren't just continental, but enough to fill up on.

 

[TheChapman6]

You might be able to stop at a grocery store? For just the two of you you could bring a bunch on your luggage as far as food goes. Granola bars, Apple chips, fruit leather, candy, trail mix, crackers, chips etc

 

[TinkFan74]

Look at packages out of Bellingham, Allegiant Air usually has some good deals. Alaska also flies out of Bellingham and they might have good deals as well.

 

[DLfan4]

Look at packages out of Bellingham, Allegiant Air usually has some good deals. Alaska also flies out of Bellingham and they might have good deals as well.

Yes I also suggest flying from the USA. Allegiant air package deal.

Also for cheaper tixs, try flight centre

 

[emily94]

Hi everyone!
My friend and I are trying to do a trip to Disneyland in February, leaving from YVR Thursday night (no earlier than 8pm) and arriving back Monday evening. We can't really change the dates because we are scheduling around school and surgery.

Because we are both in university full-time and working part-time, funds are short. We're trying to do the hotel, flights, and tickets for close to $2000 (or less if by some miracle that is possible).

We're going for a 3-day non-hopper pass and we will be walking to and from the park.
We're looking for continental breakfast, but that's not a necessity.
We are planning on packing lunch and looking into grocery delivery - has anyone had any experience doing that with Canadian credit cards and delivering it to the hotel (likely before we arrive since we are departing at nighttime?)

This is not our first trip - my friend has gone during the 50th anniversary year and I went last in 2012/2013 over New Years.

We appreciate all tips. Thanks!

As another poster mentioned, many of the hotels on Harbor Blvd have continental breakfasts and you can sometimes find discounts on the rooms on Expedia or other travel sites. Here is the link to Disney's Good Neighbor Hotels and then I filtered it to "across the street." I have stayed at all of those hotels and have had great experiences. I did not enjoy the Ramada across the street (not on the Disney site) and would honestly not recommend it. The Howard Johnson is another good choice but it is not "across the street" but is a very close, manageable distance. And is a Good Neighbor hotel.

I have never done the grocery delivery before. There is a Vons grocery store in Garden Grove that may deliver. Their minimum delivery purchase is $50. I have never tried this but I hope this helps you out!!

Have a great trip! Sounds like it'll be fun

Edit: I am not sure about shipping rates, but you could consider packing a box full of snacks and shipping it to your hotel.

 

[She Taz]

Another suggestion to keep food costs down is to go to sites like Earl of Sandwich and Mimi's Cafe. If you sign up they send free offers and 2 for 1 coupons. Hint since you need to use a US zip code, use your hotel's.

 

[nannyz]

You mentioned packing lunches. Keep in mind that sandwiches must be pre-made. You cannot take sandwich fixings and bread into the park.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Fly out of seattle to long beach with jetblue. Great airline and always cheap. We can usually fly our family of 4 cheaper than just flying one person out of yvr, plus your first bag is free. Buy your tickets through flight centre. They are usually cheaper especially once you factor in the exchange rate. Have fun!

 

[lk2500]

Fly out of seattle to long beach with jetblue. Great airline and always cheap. We can usually fly our family of 4 cheaper than just flying one person out of yvr, plus your first bag is free. Buy your tickets through flight centre. They are usually cheaper especially once you factor in the exchange rate. Have fun!

If you are considering flying out of Sea-Tac also check Virgin America to LAX; looks like you can fly for about $266 round trip right now during that time period.

 

[Paulakoala]

Bear in mind that unless they've changed recently, you can't do a grocery order with a Canadian credit card.