Disneyland on the cheap cheap

[beamer5]

Staying at a hotel that offers free breakfast will help a bunch too.

 

[GrandBob]

Have a couple of questions, though... Are you really allowed to bring food & drink into the parks??

Yes. Officially, the policy is no, except for special needs (diabetics, baby food, etc). But like in so many things, their unofficial policy is just the opposite. They'll let you take almost any premade food, but not components to assemble it in the park (e.g. you can't bring in bread and sandwich meat, but you can bring in sandwiches). We frequently bring in sandwiches from Quizno's. Typically, we get a comment from the bag checkers like, "Hmm, looks good. Can I have one?". Then they wave us through.

As far as drinks - water, soft drinks, etc, in plastic bottles or cans. No glass allowed, and no alcohol.

Coolers - has to be relatively small. 6-packers are OK, large coolers not. If it has wheels, it's too big and won't be allowed.

HTH,
Bob

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hmmm, staying at the DLH but wanting to eat cheap. All we do is sleep in our room, we're really looking forward to the HoJo next month *$59 per night* + Goofy's Kitchen, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and Blue Bayou!

 

[Gina]

Yes. Officially, the policy is no, except for special needs (diabetics, baby food, etc). But like in so many things, their unofficial policy is just the opposite. They'll let you take almost any premade food, but not components to assemble it in the park (e.g. you can't bring in bread and sandwich meat, but you can bring in sandwiches). We frequently bring in sandwiches from Quizno's. Typically, we get a comment from the bag checkers like, "Hmm, looks good. Can I have one?". Then they wave us through.

As far as drinks - water, soft drinks, etc, in plastic bottles or cans. No glass allowed, and no alcohol.

Coolers - has to be relatively small. 6-packers are OK, large coolers not. If it has wheels, it's too big and won't be allowed.

HTH,
Bob

Awesome! Thanks so much! Since I'm renting a car, I'll probably just hit a local grocery store, then, and get some bottled water and Uncrustables and such, and pack my little softside cooler.

Next newb question: How much do lockers cost there?

 

[hlbtimes2]

Hmmm, staying at the DLH but wanting to eat cheap. All we do is sleep in our room, we're really looking forward to the HoJo next month *$59 per night* + Goofy's Kitchen, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and Blue Bayou!

thats what I was thinking.

 

[julieheyer]

Hmmm, staying at the DLH but wanting to eat cheap. All we do is sleep in our room, we're really looking forward to the HoJo next month *$59 per night* + Goofy's Kitchen, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and Blue Bayou!

Yep, this is what I thought too! I'd stay somewhere cheaper and eat myself silly in the park! That's just how I roll .

 

[01spirit750]

White water snacks at GCH has a microwave. When we had leftovers from The Blue Bayoo lunch, we went in and asked if we could use their microwave (white water snacks), they said yes.

The microwave is out in the seating area for anyone to use.

Chris

 

[pixiewings71]

Lockers vary in price based on size. I don't have a chart but I believe they start at $7 and go up from there, we rarely rent a locker.

Here's a cheap meal idea, get some some lettuce, cheese, salsa and pre-cooked chicken, use the lettuce as a wrap and make a chicken wrap. Can do the same with turkey, cheese, cream cheese and veggies, you use the turkey as the "meat" (aka outer layer) and put the cream cheese inside, add a slice of cheese and veggies (lettuce, onion, tomato etc) and roll it up, put it in a baggie and there ya go. You can also do either of the above with a tortilla as the outer layer if you want to. No need for a microwave for those, they are great cold.
Muffins for your room for breakfasts, milk and those cereals in bowls for easy eating and clean up, get a small pack of plastic utensils and you can even wash them in the sink if you needed to.
One trip we were on an extreme budget, we took all our food (we drive so we just used a cooler) with us, we had enchiladas from Trader Joe's, soups, mac & cheese, sandwiches, muffins, hot chocolate and tea, milk, cereal......we did buy fruit from the parks and we did eat a few lunches at the parks but otherwise it was all in our room.

 

[jen541]

Yep, this is what I thought too! I'd stay somewhere cheaper and eat myself silly in the park! That's just how I roll .

I usually stay somewhere cheap too and don't worry about food cost but this times it's theDLH on the Gay Days rate (awesome deal!). I feel like its our only opportunity to stay on properly so that's why we're eating so much on the cheap...

Anyone know if a drink called Kombucha is sold at Vons or Walmart by chance???

Thanks everyone!

 

[starry_solo]

There is a microwave at Whitewater Snacks (Grand Californian hotel) - it's a really quick service place near the pool (closer to the DCA side).

They may also have a toaster (haven't looked closely) but they also sell a 6 pack of plain bagels for $3-4 so they probably do (have a toaster).

 

[jen541]

They may also have a toaster (haven't looked closely) but they also sell a 6 pack of plain bagels for $3-4 so they probably do (have a toaster).

Toasted bagels would be sweet! Can anyone confirm if White Water has a toaster available for use??????

 

[8timesblessed]

Hmmm, staying at the DLH but wanting to eat cheap. All we do is sleep in our room, we're really looking forward to the HoJo next month *$59 per night* + Goofy's Kitchen, Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and Blue Bayou!

I was going to say the same thing. Stay at the Red Lion or something that offers a great big breakfast, bring snacks into the park and share a dinner from Plaza Inn or some other place. Or just buy kids meals. I would save the money on hotel so you can stay in the park for food. We always order foods and have delivered to our room like water, fruit, milk, bagged carrots and bagged apples. Then we try to bring some cereal and cliff bars or Larabars or something like that. Saved us a ton. The first time we came we stayed in the Villas at the Grand and only ate one meal in the park and we were there 7 days. The meal was our last day and we had already checked out so we splurged at Big Thunder because it was hot out and it was nice and cool back there but the meal was $200 for our family!

 

[jen541]

I was going to say the same thing. Stay at the Red Lion or something that offers a great big breakfast, bring snacks into the park and share a dinner from Plaza Inn or some other place. Or just buy kids meals. I would save the money on hotel so you can stay in the park for food. We always order foods and have delivered to our room like water, fruit, milk, bagged carrots and bagged apples. Then we try to bring some cereal and cliff bars or Larabars or something like that. Saved us a ton. The first time we came we stayed in the Villas at the Grand and only ate one meal in the park and we were there 7 days. The meal was our last day and we had already checked out so we splurged at Big Thunder because it was hot out and it was nice and cool back there but the meal was $200 for our family!

Do you (or anyone else) have contact info or link to where I can "order" groceries to be delivered to our DLH room? Do they bring it right up to your room?? Is the delivery cost much??

 

[robinb]

Pardon me, but why pay so much for a Disney hotel when you are planning such a "cheap cheap" trip that you are considering boiling eggs in the coffeemaker? Save money by staying offsite so you can afford real meals ... and your Kombucha .

 

[yaya74]

There are places online that sell discounted gift cards for Jamba Juice, Rainforest Cafe, etc. There are printable coupons for restaurants in DTD, and on Harbor Blvd.

can u please elaborate on where to find these coupons?

 

[NiceOneSimba]

It's just vons.com. They have a really big selection online.

It's free delivery with your first order. You might want to call the DLH, because I think the on-property hotels are a bit more strict with deliveries.

 

[jen541]

Pardon me, but why pay so much for a Disney hotel when you are planning such a "cheap cheap" trip that you are considering boiling eggs in the coffeemaker? Save money by staying offsite so you can afford real meals ... and your Kombucha .

I hear you, sounds silly I know.

We're staying at DLH because it's $179 a night instead if the normal rate. This is likely to be the only chance i get to and I've always dreamed of staying there since I was a child. Willing to eat cheap for this trip but yes, we do always stay off site and enjoy foods in the park. And seeing as I try to come at least twice a year, thought it wouldn't be a big sacrifices to stay at DLH for once.

Funny, someone did suggest boiling eggs in a coffee pot which, yes, I thought was pretty clever (doesn't mean ill do that)but I was more considering the instant oatmeal idea!

 

[mydisneymoney]

If you are renting a car, then you really do not need to pay to have groceries delivered. Walmart and Target are so close. We always stop there on our way to the hotel and buy what we need. I would also suggest that you might splurge and pay to check a suitcase (as big as you can get). Fill it up with dry food, plastic bowls and spoons to use each morning or whatever else you want. Then when you are done with your trip, the suitcase will be available for suvenoirs or whatever you want to use it for.

People are suggesting using White Water Snacks as a place to use a microwave. It does have one but the distance from Disneyland Hotel and GCH is more then an a little walk with hungry children. So unless you plan it out right, it may not be very practicle. Call disneyland hotel back and ask if they have a microwave available for guests. PPH has one in their lobby area (which may be even closer then GCH).

In the parks you can ask the counter service for a cup of water or ice if you like. I believe a couple of the resturants in the park actually have filtered, cold water available that you can fill up water bottles.

Have fun.

 

[Eddygirl]

We are not regulars to DL and have to travel to get there so we do have special park food and treats budgeted in. This being said we are going to save were we can and when it makes sense to us not to "splurge".

I found we did not drink enough water our last trip. Shelling out almost $3 x4 people x4 times a day = a half decent meal or lots of special DL treats/snacks!!!! Then x's this by 6 DL days......that equals 2 lunches at BB!!!!!!!! This time I bought some Platypus collapsible water bottles for our family. They cost 5 bucks each. I can roll them up and stash them in our sling bag/fanny packs. We will bring iced tea powder and lemonade to make the water palatable to us. Although I am reading the fountains are filtered now...so will see if we need to add the sweet stuff.

I am planning on bringing some protein bars/almonds/dried apples for snacking. I found we made stupid food decisions and spent way more when we were starving......you know, past the point of no return huuungry. The right protein bars along with nuts and dried fruit could be an easy sustaining lunch in the park. Then maybe allow for one treat a day as a reward.

I have made oatmeal out of coffee pot water and I have made grilled cheese sandwiches with the hotel room iron and tin foil I brought from home when travelling on business. Phone the front desk and see if they have a microwave. My SIL has requested one in her room off site as they have an infant that will need a bottle and cereal warmed. She had no problem. I can't see the DLH not having that for it's guests.

Good luck!!!

 

[pharmama]

I've traveled with a portable immersion heater in the past which can be used for oatmeal soups or other items that can be made just with boiling water. Search for travel water heater on amazon or similar. Don't forget you will need a non plastic cup in which to use this device