Average Disnleyland trip costs for those non-locals that go often

[Luvmy2Js]

For those of you that make multiple trips throughout the year how much do you usually spend? Sorry if that is too nosy. I am just trying to figure out how to plan a bunch of trips. I want to go more often than I think my pocket book does. I think part of my problem is that I want to stay at disney hotels and I need to just get over that.

When we were there in February we upgraded to season passes. Well we haven't been back yet and I am itching. We live about four hours away so a day trip is impossible. My inlaws are in San Diego but we don't want to travel that if we went for a few days. I was wanting to go in May or June, September or October and in December to see the xmas decorations. Probably again in January also. Ummm yeah I am obsessed. Seriously though my daughter loved it so much and the experiance just rubbed off on me.

Any tips you guys have would be much appreciated.

 

[Ella1]

We don't make multiple trips to DL, but this will be our 3rd visit in 4 years.
Coming over from England does cost us quite a lot of money (this trip is costing around $3,500, thats just for flights and hotel) but it is worth every single penny!!!
Love Ella

 

[Barbday62]

We live in Arizona and drive about 5 1/2 hours each time we go.

Our pass is paid for so we dont have to figure that cost into any trips until next December

The hotel runs us $100 a night at Best Western Park Place in with taxes and all. (We get standard King room at Government rate, its the same as AAA rate I noticed) We usually drive over after work Friday and Stay until Sunday. SO its about $200 total

The food runs us about $10 for breakfast and $15 lunch (YUK for the free continential breakfast at the hotel. lol) and the dinner runs us about $20 - $25 because we often do a sit down. we do share meals at all meals. (About $50 a day for two of us but often less)

We carry water and ocassionally buy a pop in the parks. we buy snacks every day at least once a day or more so I put this at $20 a day for two of us. Gotta have a carmel apple or marsmallow on a stick every day you know. lol (Another reason why we share meals. More room to snack)

Gas is about $100 round trip.

We try to buy souvineers with our Visa rewards. So I dont always get anything until its at about $100 or more.

Since December 2005 we have gone 3 trips and will do the 4th trip in May. Currently our pass is blocked out on Saturdays so we wont go on a Saturday this time. Since its my birthday we will go in the middle of the week. If we go on a Satirday it would add $30 each to the cost on the black out days.

We never pay for parking since the hotel is directly across the street from Disneyland.

I would put each of our short two day trips at about $350 to $450 each time

 

[HydroGuy]

We drive to SoCal each summer to spend time at a beach condo and visit the folks. We tend to go to DLR once every couple years for several days at a time. We went last August for four days, and last November for a day trip on the day before Thanksgiving. On the day trip we did stay the night before at a local hotel to get an early start in the morning.

Last year we stayed both times at the Best Western Park Place Inn. We have four boys (14, 13, 11, 10), and we got a suite with two queen beds and a queen couch bed. The suites had a small fridge and microwave. We brought tons of food - sandwich stuff, spaghettios, hot dogs, cereal, instant oatmeal, fresh fruit, soft drinks, etc. We did eat one full meal at the parks when we lunched at the Blue Bayou. That cost nearly $100. Every other meal was either at the hotel room or "on the go" at the parks (e.g., hot dogs). We carried lots of snack food in fanny packs to ward off hunger - granola bars and rice krispy treats.

So, we had five nights at the BWPPI in August at high season rate - we payed $140-150 a night including taxes for the mini-suite. We got four day hopper tix for the six of us for about $800 total - you have your AP so this is N/A for you. Food cost in our room was about $150, but we had a bit of leftover stuff we used later. Then we had the BB for $100. And then we had ice cream and hot dogs on the go, etc., another $125 over the four days. If you add in the Splash pictures, etc., and clothing items my DW bought for everyone it increased the cost further. Not counting that or gasoline we paid under $2000 for the four days. If you take out the DLR tickets, we paid $1200 for the four days.

 

[MrShiny]

We went one year, ended up buying AP's (mainly because I miscounted our days!), went back the next year, I ended up geting picked for the Disney Creative Advisory Council, went back by myself for theHaunted Mansion Holiday event, and of course we had to go for July 17, 2005!

And we live in Chicago! An unusually DL intensive year!

First, as regards the Disney Hotels. I've stayed at all 3, and would definitely go back again (in fact, thinking of the GC for Thanksgiving 2007). That being said, there are so many nice motels CLOSER to DL than those that are so much cheaper. We've stayed at several on Harbor - my favorite was the Del Sol - right behind the Denny's. Back from the street, spacious rooms, clean. The pool was a bit over-chlorinated, but other than that, great. Candy Cane is a good choice too - a bit further down the block, but if you walk you don't have to cross Harbor (and they do have a shuttle too).

Also used Priceline once - got the DoubleTree over by the Crystal Cathedral. Very nice - toofar to walk, but I had rented a car.

Don't feel you have to stay at a DL hotel - they are great, but save them for special trips. You can always dine at them and hang out in the lobby without staying there (GC definitely only lobby worth hanging out in, though).

Stay cheap and use the saved money to pay for part of the next trip!

 

[Luvmy2Js]

Thanks for the tips guys. You guys are totally making me see that it is doable to take the trips I want to take as long as I am willing to cut some things. I am going to start looking at the hotels across the street for our May/June trip and see what rates are there. Maybe save the Disneyland hotel trip for later in the year. Ideally I would love it if we could get there once a month. If I cold manage to just stop shopping that goal would be much easier.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the tips guys. You guys are totally making me see that it is doable to take the trips I want to take as long as I am willing to cut some things. I am going to start looking at the hotels across the street for our May/June trip and see what rates are there. Maybe save the Disneyland hotel trip for later in the year. Ideally I would love it if we could get there once a month. If I cold manage to just stop shopping that goal would be much easier.

This link may help you find a good neighbor hotel:

http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

 

[mommabo]

This is our 4rd trip in 6-1/2 years (Wow, I hadn't realized this until writing it down just now. And I don't even consider us huge Disney fans. Hmm, perhaps I have been in denial)

First, we were in SoCal for a wedding and last minute decide while we were here why not go to DL for a day. Cast at that time: Me (preg with 3rd child), DH, DD3 and DD6. Honestly could not even guess as too cost - 4 one day tickets and hotel ..... inexpensive.

Second over 4th of July, 2002 to DL again. Cast at that time Me (no longer preggers), DH, DD8, DD 5, DS2. This was our ULTRA cheap vacation. Disney had a special for free kids tix with adult purchase. So only 2 adult 3day park hopper ....... all kids were free. Good deal for 4 nights Extended Stay America mini suite and full kitchen. So all our meals were prepared and eaten at hotel. Therefore, I don't count the groceries as I would have had to feed the family at home anyway. Finally, a couple of tanks of gas with some left over. Oops almost forgot misc spending. We allowed ea child only 10 bucks (and even that was actually not our cost as grandma gave them $) and a few very small treats while watching parades.
Add it up: Tickets approx 225, Hotel 250, gas approx 75 (prices not as crazy as now and still half a tank left), and misc spending 50. So for a family of 5 and 3 days of Disney, grand total 600.

3rd trip this last January '06 to WDW. Same cast as before only 3-1/2 years older. This was our big blow out trip, staying on-site at Fort Wilderness cabins and AKL, some eating out, some in cabin, car rental, flights (free since hubby had enough Southwest rapid rewards for all of us) and 8 day park hoppers. I haven't actually added up receipts ..... too scary, but as planned before we left, approx 4000.

Which brings us to this summer. I wanted to go San Francisco, but kids really wanted the beach and we might actually enjoy it more when they are a couple of years older. SoCal, here we come. Because we are in AZ, SoCal is an easy destination for us. We are doing the SoCal city pass, SW, zoo, USH, DL and DCA. Rough estimates thus far. SD hotel 4 nights-450. DL hotel (off site) 5 nights 750 - both suites with some cooking abilities and tax incld. 5 City passes from Costco 825. Again, I won't count groceries we prepare in room as we would have to eat at home. Meals out (this is very rough estimate) 500 and gas approx 120. We bought souveniers in WDW so won't be getting any this time. So this should cover it. And the total is approx 2550. I can't really separate LA from San Diego as the tickets are combined, but this gives you an idea.

 

[TSRE]

If we go on a Satirday it would add $30 each to the cost on the black out days.

If you have an AP that has days blacked out, can you pay extra and go on a blacked out day, or am I misreading this? We are buying Premium APs with plans to use them on only 3 Saturdays - this could save us money. More shopping .

 

[hlbtimes2]

Our last trip (March) was about $2000. That included round trip air from seattle, hotel, park hoppers, money while there, etc. We were in the parks 3 days, with a travel day on each end.

The trip before that was in Oct. It was about $3500. The extra $1500 was to stay on site (conc. level), and have 2 more partial days in the park. It wasnt worth it! We probably wont stay onsite again unless we get great ap rates or something. I would rather have more spending money, an extra day or be able to visit more often.

We loved the candy cane on our last visit. It will be our #1 choice from here on out.

 

[eduk8r26]

If you have an AP that has days blacked out, can you pay extra and go on a blacked out day, or am I misreading this? We are buying Premium APs with plans to use them on only 3 Saturdays - this could save us money. More shopping

The difference between a deluxe and a premium pass is $120 if that helps any. Plus a premium gives you free parking--another consideration.

 

[TSRE]

Oh, I thought it was more than that. I tried to get on the Disney website & look, but that part is down. The free parking doesn't matter to us, because we stay on site, but the discounts are better, too. I'm still curious if you can pay extra and go on a blacked out day, if anyone knows. Thanks!

 

[Perdie]

TSRE-
You CAN pay extra to go on Black out days. We have deluxe AP's and all saturdays from like April to August are blacked out. We plan on going in May and will pay 60 bucks total for the two of us to go on a saturday...we figure it was not worth paying the estra 120 per person (240 total) for a premium becuase we never need parking (always stay at Hojo-walking distance) and the number of times we would pay extra on a saturday would not add up to 240 dollars....we try to go when there are no black out dates...but it's harder in the summer time! We went in Decmber and last month with no black outs.

Also, we stay at HoJo's (you can get a great rate on mousesavers as an AP holder) for about 100-115 dollars a night and it's walking distance to DL.

We usually stay 3-4 days, and our total with hotels, food, gas and souvenirs is usually around 700 dollars for four days.

 

[mareed]

We'll end up with 3 family trips, and one Anniversary trip without the kids this year. We're from TX, so we definitely qualify as non-local! We buy AP's (Premium for me and Deluxe for DH & 2 DS's). I split the cost of the AP's between the trips. We accumulate Southwest Rapid Rewards, so occasionally have free flights. We don’t usually stay on-site unless there’s an AP offer that’s just too good to pass up. When we’re with the kids, we like to be within walking distance, but when it’s just DH & I, we’ll stay a bit further away and drive and park (parking included on my PAP).

I keep very detailed cost records for each trip, and compare my actual to budget, and have gotten to where I come in within about $50 of my budget. I apologize for the length of this post, but maybe it will help with someone else’s planning!

Jan 06, we went for 7 days/6 nights with all 4 of us. I didn't allocate any of the AP cost to this trip because it was a sort of extra one that we added in because the kids had an extended XMAS break, and we decided to start our AP's early and go New Years week. We were able to take advantage of the great $89 AP rate at DLH ($109 for one Fri night) for a total of $706. Had to pay for airfare which was $800. Full-size car rental $133. Dining & food for some breakfasts at hotel was $540. Souvenirs were $150. Parking for car at home airport was $32. All inclusive (except for "free" tickets) was $2350 or $75 per person per day.

Mar 06, we went for 10 days/9 nights with all 4 again. AP costs were allocated at $540. Had Southwest award tickets for 4 one-ways, so only had to purchase 4 one-ways at a cost of $290. Full-size car rental was $172. We stayed at the HoJo with Entertainment Card rate of $64 for Premium, Disney view room for total of $662. Dining & food for some breakfasts at hotel was $750. Souvenirs were $230. Parking for car at home airport was $45. All inclusive (except for 4 "free" one-way flights) was $2700 or $68 per person per day.

June 06, DH & I will go on our own for 11 days/10 nights. AP costs allocated at $250 including 2 blockout day passes for DH. 2 roundtrip flights on SW for $388. Mid-size car rental for $147. Priceline reservation at Doubletree Hotel in Orange for $630. Dining and breakfast food $660. Souvenirs estimated at $180. Parking for car at home for $55. All inclusive for $2311 or $105 per person per day.

Nov 06, we'll be back for another family trip for 4 for 8 days/7 nights. AP costs allocated at $420. Will use 4 round-trip Southwest award tickets, so only have to pay security fees of $20. Full-size car rental for $136. Plan to stay at Best Western Park Place Inn for a total of $843. Dining and breakfast food $600. Souvenirs estimated at $240. Parking for car at home for $40. All inclusive (with "free" flights) of $2270 or $71 per person per day.

My target has been under $100 per person per day, and on our family trips, I’m able to do that with no trouble at all. It’s a little higher without the kids, because there’s only 2 of us to split the joint expenses of hotel & car rental. I think that DL is a great vacation value at these prices, and I doubt that there are very many other vacations that we could do for $68 - $75 per person per day that are completely all inclusive! If you’re within driving distance, I’d think you could do it even more economically. We’re absolutely stuck with flying to CA, but we are planning to drive to WDW for a Dec trip, and I’ve got it estimated at $51 per person per day! That’s just outstanding to me! As you can see from my signature, we alternate between DL & WDW and we’re definitely Disney vacation nuts!

 

[Perdie]

I thought I went a lot! I am so jealous of all your vacation time-my family gives me and my husband a really hard time because we travel "so often" (which to them is more than twice a year!) So I would definitly love to go to DL and WDW that often...although I can't complain, this year alone we went to WDW in Feb for 12 nights, DL in September 05, DL in December 05, DL in March and planning in May...but with the exception of WDW, we only go for 4 days at a time.....I think it's great that you are able to predict the cost so well! My husuband and I usually end up adding an extra night or something and it throws off our entire budget!

We live in AZ, so driving there is pretty easy, about 5 hours...so we do try to get the best use of our APs and go as often as our schedules at work allow.

Have fun!!!

 

[disneychrista]

I budget $1500 for the three of us. We drive from Northern California. Get 3-day hoppers. Stay at one of the Harbor Motels (carousel, tropicanna etc).

Passes $169x3=507
Hotel $100/nightx4nights = 400 (this can be done cheaper, if you shop early and often. Booking cancelable hotels.)
Food $75/dayx5days = 375 (this is usually an area we don't spend our budget)
Gas RT = $125

 

[bstsuda]

We go down about 2-3X / year....usually for 2 nights- and i think each trip runs about $500 - but i would say almost $100 of that is for "DIS" stuff that i "NEED" so $400 for hotel / meals for two of us....when we were at WDW - we typically only had a late b/fast (rather get to the park & on the rides before the crowds) and then dinner - which saved some $$$ and also made it okay to have a late night mocha or whatever....
at DL - it's hard to pass up a morning mocha & cinnamon twist from the Main Street Bakery though!!

 

[RangerPooh]

When DH and I lived in Ca we were only about 5 hours away so we went VERY frequently! We both had Premium APs which saved us money in the long run. This is a sample of our trip budgets, adding extra of course to cover any suprises. HTH

Drive, gas $100
Hotel (Troicana, Dessert Inn and Suites, BW PPI/AH), $100 nte/4 nts= $400
Tickets, APs
Food, $300

Fly, out of San Jose $92/person = $200
Hotel (same as above), $400
Tickets, APs
Food, $300

Total less than $1000 each trip. Usually we'd spend less than $700 each trip as we'd use last minute deals on rooms, and wouldn't be spending $ on suveniers or expensive meals. We would also go just about every other month, and we did this for years. Plus if we wanted a really cheap trip we usually found rooms in the $-50 range (Anaheim Park Inn I think?).

 

[PattiPB]

We do weekends for between $400-500.

Hotel 2 nights ($200 +/-)
Gas ($100)
Food (bring breakfast, lunch in the parks, offsite for dinner) ($150 or so)
Souvie at Disney outlet on Harbor ($50-sometimes less, sometimes more)

Passes are about $1000 for the year. On our best year we went 8 separate weekends.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We drive in from AZ about 5-6 hours depending on traffic.

We have AP's probably one of the best investments we have made when it comes to vacationing.

Gas: around 60 bucks
Hotel: A big fat 0! My brother lives in Los Angeles and we stay with him.
Food: About 100 for all three of us. That includes snacks and stuff in the park. We usually eat outside of the park for the big meals.
Souvenirs about 100 also.

We usually go to the park for one day only. We save the week trip to Disneyland for the summer and even then the grand total for our trip is about 2000.00 total for food, stay and gas.