Disneyland Budget Super Thread

[prettyprincessbelle]

I know everyone is always asking what are the best budget tips for a great trip to DLR and there are about 3723059 threads with the same answers. So here we can compile all our budget tips to one easy to find thread.

My tip: Adults can order off the kid's menus. The kid's meals have a lot of food and don't cost as much as the normal menu items. An easy way to save a few dollars off your meals..

Your turn!

 

[davidsprincess]

Bring in your own water!! The cost of water will make you .

Bring in some of your own snacks.

 

[pim]

Bring in your own water!! The cost of water will make you .

Bring in some of your own snacks.

YES YES YES.

God, I cannot stress that enough to the people I know that ask for tips when they go.

Disneyland gets all of their beverages for free from cocacola, so Disneyland is allowed to slap any price onto it they want. It's extremely expensive, and so the smartest thing to do would be to bring your own water.

Bringing your own snacks is smart, as well, but if you're saving money by not buying water, then there's money left over to buy snacks.

 

[bumbershoot]

Get free water (ice water, too) from restaurants, even if you aren't buying anything else; they are very kind about it.

If you're relatively light eaters, share meals (even if there's a split plate fee). You won't waste food, you won't feel stuffed, and it allows for you to eat more (buy more from Disney, which makes them happy) later.

If you think you'll be back inside a year of the start of a trip, seriously consider buying an AP. During the trip if you are enjoying it so much you start planning your next trip, consider upgrading to an AP. You have to do it while you're still there (though I've heard of the rare exceptions) and while your ticket it still "good", not used-up. Not only can a thought-out upgrade to an AP save on ticket purchases for the next trip, you get discounts on most food (and most merchandise, too, if you upgrade to the Premium).

(though that's not always budget, b/c some of us start making up reasons/excuses to go back far more often than you would have...see my sig!)

 

[DangerMouse]

As long as we are all talking about water . . .

The very best FREE water can be found at the Baby Center and First Aid stations in DL. The water is filtered and cold, and they will let you refill your empty water bottles for FREE!!!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

As long as we are all talking about water . . .

The very best FREE water can be found at the Baby Center and First Aid stations in DL. The water is filtered and cold, and they will let you refill your empty water bottles for FREE!!!

This is good to know, DM! Usually the water throughout the parks at the fountains is kind of yucky.. I drink it! Because it's hot and I'm thirsty, but it's still yucky..

Awesome tip!

 

[avalon451]

'nother tip: If you're flying in, and not renting a car, order groceries from Von's or Albertson's. They'll deliver to your hotel room and the bell desk will hold it for you till you check in. You can get your snacks, cheap bottled water, etc. and whatever you need for breakfast, snacks or other meals in your hotel room if it has a fridge. Sometimes you can find discount codes that will waive the delivery fee, too!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Also bringing snacks into the park. The food at DLR is a MAJOR part of the experience for me, but bringing small snacks into the park does save us a bit of money. And that's more money saved for a Tigger Tail for dessert!

 

[toocherie]

If you're relatively light eaters, share meals (even if there's a split plate fee). You won't waste food, you won't feel stuffed, and it allows for you to eat more (buy more from Disney, which makes them happy) later.

Totally agree Molly--I always figure if I split that just means I get to eat 1/2 of something else yummy that much sooner~

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

the fruit stand is a GREAT place to get cheap, healthy snacks!!!

Get a Disney Visa, use it for everything you can pay off & use the rewards to pay for your tickets and meals. And to get discounts at meals, stores and the free stuff you get for having the card.

Buy your trading pins from ebay.

Buy your t-shirts, etc. from the nearby Disney outlet.

 

[DangerMouse]

Buy cheap ponchos from the dollar store to use on GRR and then hand them off to some scared looking lady with a purse and camera bag that obviously doesn't know about the free lockers right next to the FP machines. ;-)

 

[DLR29]

Eat breakfast at the hotel or bring it with you to eat while sitting in line waiting for the gates to open. You don't want to waste your precious morning touring time eating a more expensive breakfast in the parks.

 

[daisy_77]

I send for free samples (walmart has a great free sample section) and use the items for some of my toiletries.

I do Sunshine Rewards (sunshinerewards.com) and have been able to get a pretty decent amount of money put towards my trip. Last trip I was able to save about $300 and this trip I have about $100. This money is used for souvenirs.

I bring stuff from the last trip. Mister fan, pins, mouse ears, Belle costume...

I try to make the trip as fun as possible without breaking the bank. When we go to WDW we are on the Dining Plan...DL we pay everything OOP and it can add up real fast. We only do one character meal during the trip, this time around it is Ariel's Grotto.

It is easy to be on a budget with a small child. It seems the older kids get the more they are aware of things to buy.

 

[rentayenta]

If you are in need of cash buy Disney Dollars instead of using the ATM. There is no fee and if you have any leftover, which I usually find impossible , go to guest services keep your receipt and they'll give you cash back.

 

[kaoden39]

Can you bring in sports bottles? That something I have always wondered. I figure they are going to let you bring in bottles that have never been open. I f anyone knows I would appreciate help. on this one I have a camelback sports bottle I am partial to.

Michele

 

[ORMom2Four]

You can not only bring in waters, but soda too.

Security only wants to make sure you don't have glass or alcohol (that's what the friendly SO told me). They don't care what kind of drinks OR food you bring in

We make PB&J sandwiches, and use the ice bucket from HOJO's (with the lid) as a great way to keep them from getting smooshed. We give the kids a PB&J, an apple and some free water from counter service.That saves us $5.99 per kid on lunch! (they serve Uncrustables, and our sandwiches are much better)

Buy light up sticks at the dollar store and give them to the kids when they are begging for the $15 light up toys at night.

 

[avalon451]

If you're not doing a package through DL Travel and you're not staying in one of the DL hotels, get your park hopper tickets (3 day or more) through GetAwayToday. This is the only travel agency in the US where you get 2 MM with your tickets, as opposed to one. You can use the discount code "podcast" to get the $10 processing fee waived, as well. They are the same price there, as the online price for DL travel.

 

[Princesses3_bythesea]

Great Thread!

Ok, if you have a kid small enough (for Disneyland...even a 6-7 year old not used to the walking) -- you can use a Disney Visa to get free stroller rental, but my favorite is to buy a cheap umbrella stroller (like $15) at Walmart or Target...check in on the flight still boxed), unbox and use from the time you arrive...and then just before you leave for home...hand it off to some bewildered looking parent trying to carry/drag their small kid around at the park. (I once handed one of ours off to an unsuspecting person visiting from England...by herself w/ three kids...she actually cried she was so grateful) (*adding a note here* -- bringing your own is AWESOME if you are staying within walking distance...I've always hated handing in my rented stroller at the end of the night and having to haul a kid to the hotel on foot...we love the proximity of the Best Western Park Place Inn for walking, but even that's to far w/ a kid that's knocked out)

Always choose a hotel that has free breakfast (we're a group of 7, so this is a HUGE savings)

For less expensive souvenirs for the kids...get them excited about smashed pennies...there's inexpensive books to hold them in (think I paid around $6.50 each)...and where else are you gonna get a fun, lasting, $0.51 souvenir? Also, pin trading is great if you get the pins cheap at garage sales, ebay, etc...so that the kids have a "starter kit"...very expensive to buy them in the park.

 

[kaoden39]

I love the pennies we started doing the pennies on our first honeymoon 16 years ago. I saw a list on the Disney website of where to find the machines and where the new ones are. When I remember where I saw it I will post it. I love your stroller idea it's very sweet. We don't need a stroller anymore but wow what a way to make someones dayeven brighter.

Michele

 

[ironpig70]

as posted before we use our disney visa regulary for daily stuff ie gas and groceries(just take it out of your check book imediately so theres no balance)

snacks and water for the kids

free breakfast or breakfast in room or at the gate

we do shopping usally the last day of the trip. we pack the car and walk to dtd and do an hour or so of shopping. this way the kids have seen everything and its not "i want ..." then in an hour its "i want ...". this way they can pick up 2 items and then choose the one they really want.

go early, nap mid day and close the park.

rescearch here alot.

and finally have some idea of what you truely want to see and be realistic about it.