How "cheaply" have you done Disneyland?

[disneychrista]

So I am in the mist of planning a trip with a friend on an extreme budget...How cheaply have you done a trip? As many details as possible? Where did you stay, eat, etc.

 

[ConnieB]

Well, cheap you definitely have to stay off site. I've been looking at different places and for our trip (Nov/Dec) I've found places as low as $50 a night....and some with a kitchenette.

So...with a kitchenette you eat breakfast before you go to the park. You carry in snacks (nuts/trail mix is a good choice as it's easy to snack on in line, no mess, and high protein so you feel full). Bring along a lunch. Any counter service will give you a glass of ice water free....if you don't like plain water bring along those little packets of flavor to add to the water (Walmart brand is the cheapest, but Crystal Light is probably better known and only a little more expensive). Go back to your room or at least off site for dinner (fast food is within walking distance of the parks). Eating on site is ridiculously expensive.

There is very little in the way of cheap tickets, so I would think that room and food are the only places to really save big.

If you're driving, pack a lunch in a cooler so you don't have to stop along the freeway....if you're flying, pack light enough to not pay baggage fees (or fly Southwest so there is no fee).

 

[Dobie]

Free flight (miles) Free Sheraton (hotel points) Counter service only--900 for four nights for 3 people.

 

[CADisneyMom]

I fly for free (work for Southwest), I get hotel discounts (travel industry discounts) and stay at a place that offers continental breakfast (grab fruit for later) and I've gotten tickets off of eBay (no problems), I get a discount for the shuttle with a shuttle code (sorry can't remember it but it was on mouseplanet). I always bring snacks with me wherever I go so I have that to snack on. I always have to get a corn dog and popcorn when I'm in the park and I usually hit like Denny's or McD's after the park. For 2 of us I can go as cheap as $200-300 for 2 days.

 

[Funball]

oh once i did go disneyland cheaply. i stayed for one night at the hojo, brough sandwiches to eat to the parK (every room has a mini fridge so that helps costs of meals).

and i didn't buy any pins or souveniers.plus i also was saving on parking by walking to the park(8min walk).

 

[specialks]

We have stayed offsite at the Homewood Suites for $99/night (senior or AAA rate - can't remember which one). They have a free hot breakfast and a kitchen in the room. They offer free grocery service so you can have your kitchen stocked for you (you pay for the groceries). We then took snacks, sandwiches and waters/drinks into the parks. They offer a free manager's dinner on certain nights and we left the parks early (we had 5 days) and enjoyed those 2 of the nights. We only had to buy 3 meals in the parks.
If you buy your park hoppers through AAA you get free parking. Or you can pay and ride the ART shuttle.

 

[skiingfast]

Hotels across the street have free breakfast. I stayed at Del sol for $75 a night including the tax. It's almost across from the entrance and parking is free at the hotel and not needed at the park.

The hotel was fine the breakfast was minimal on choices but ok.

 

[Funball]

HOJO has free parking also. and with an ap discount the room is 75!

 

[Jazziered]

Free flight from Utah, 100 dollar car rental split in half, so $50.00, 25 dollars for gas, split the cost of a room with a friend, three nights cost me around $100.00, two day park hopper was around 120 ish at the time, and 150 for me for food and misc. stuff, 50 dollars for each day at Disneyland and 25 dollars a day for coming and going... Soooo... About $450 dollars total for two days at Disneyland, and worth every penny and more.... For me, just standing at Snow Whites Grotto is worth the price of admission....

I eat before going to the park, I left park mid day for a nap because I like to go opening and closing.. So I got el pollo loco for my big meal of the day, eat in my room, nap, and I bring in a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich and a piece of fruit in case I get hungry in line.. I usually buy my first water bottle in Disneyland but fill it for the rest of the day myself, and I carry those flavor packs with me, if I get tired of water. I buy snacks at Disneyland, a treat from Pooh Corner, a dole whip, a frozen lemonade.. And maybe something to share, like a turkey leg.... I got the Disneyland pins that they give out for free as some of my souviners... And I brought a couple of inexpensive presents at the park.. The egg rings, and such...

 

[disney_dreaming_mom]

We drove but check out airfare watchdog for inexpensive flights from your area. Sharing meals at counter service places in the park cuts down costs. Stay at a lower priced hotel such as a Motel 6 or Days Inn. We have done a weekend for 3 (including Tickets) for about $600.

 

[Judy from Boise]

cheapest trip

free flight from miles on Alaska (both me and DD)
free 3 nights at Hilton on points
2 adult 3 day hoppers for the price of child's pass.

no souvies, and counter service.

 

[disneychrista]

Here is our plan....so far....

Driving down - Gas will be less than $100 ($50 each). If we need to rent a car that will be about $200, hoping to avoid doing this.
Staying at Days Inn & Suites. I have stayed here before and the breakfast while not gourmet is plentifull. We just changed dates and now the hotel is $30 more dollars for the 4 nights (UGH!). I tend to book rooms as soon as we have dates and then cancel change if needed.
Food - Breakfast Free at hotel, Lunch in the park (Corn Dogs!!), depending on park hours dinner will something quick outside the park or kids meal counter service. Budget is <$50/day for 1 adult/1 child, I am thinking that they will spend closer to $35/day...less depending on when the park closes and what we eat for Dinner.
Park Passes - We will get 3 day hopper from AAA, hoping for a special but not expecting.

A couple questions regarding food, outside the parks:
There is a Subway on the corner of Ketella/Harbor right? Do they do the $5 foot longs?
Shakeys Pizza, behind the Days Inn - anyone know the cost of medium/large pizza?

 

[Peri]

This is not helpful, I know, but I had to share that my "cheapest" visit was in 1971 - I drove over with a friend. We slept in the CAR (Ford Pinto) parked on the street - lol. We went to see Pirates - saw it several times until we ran out of money for the E tickets. We just took some sandwiches and ate nothing on site.

Well, it was cheap . . .

 

[skiingfast]

Here is our plan....so far....


Food - Breakfast Free at hotel, Lunch in the park (Corn Dogs!!), depending on park hours dinner will something quick outside the park or kids meal counter service. Budget is <$50/day for 1 adult/1 child, I am thinking that they will spend closer to $35/day...less depending on when the park closes and what we eat for Dinner.
A couple questions regarding food, outside the parks:
There is a Subway on the corner of Ketella/Harbor right? Do they do the $5 foot longs?
Shakeys Pizza, behind the Days Inn - anyone know the cost of medium/large pizza?

I'm not sure about Subway having deals. McDonalds is not cheap as another Mcdonalds off of Harbor for example.

You might try getting a large adult meal and sharing it. I think this is the best value in the area for lunch and dinner.

When I went with my son we ate some in park and some out and kept it under $50 a day. But $35 will be tough if you are getting asked for a snack at every popcron cart.

 

[Funball]

does it count if you have gone with someone and there friend who is cheap and had to fork out money for them?? RFLOL