Spill your secrets on affording Disneyland!

[Vanvmom]

We're just stinkin' filthy rich.

I can't say that, but I can say that with 4 "men" in the house that sometimes we're just stinkin'!

 

[klh94]

Well... this is how we do it for a family of 3. (Me 40 DH 37 and DS 6)

Airfare - DING! Need I say more on getting low airfare (we fly Houston to Orange Co. for +/- 215.00 pp) - there are bargains out there if you are willing to invest the time and research.

Hotel - Now...do you REALLY need ot stay at DLH!! We have stayed there and enjoyed it -- but when reality hits and you want to come back make concessions - DHL @ $300 per night is highway robbery in my eyes - Yes, it is nice and you get immersed in Disney but really... are you going to DL for the ROOM or the PARK??!!! The CCI or other Good Neighbor Hotels are just as close (or closer) to the park as the DLH and cost <$140 per night -- you could get 2+ nights for one! We are getting the HOJO (DL view) for $69.00 per night!!!

Hope this helps!!

Let me start out by saying thank you all for such good and vaulable info for planning our first DL trip. We are going Aug. 5 through Aug. 12 2007. Carter'smommy or anyone else who can help, I am specifically interested in knowing where you are going through to get the HOJO (DL view) for $69.00 per night? I have looked on entertainment.com but got rates twice of what yours is. Do I need to call them direct with my entertaniment ID number? The other assumpution I am making and may be wrong is that this rate you quoted is in fact for your August 07 trip as well? Any advise will be greatly appreciated as I am trying to get the best bang for our buck on our trip. TIA

 

[bouncy54]

I can't say that, but I can say that with 4 "men" in the house that sometimes we're just stinkin'!

You people crack me up!

Here I am, totally engrossed in these seriously, good ideas for saving for DL, and then someone pops up with an off-the-cuff remark and makes me laugh so loud that my son jumps out of his chair.

Seriously, though....we have done the mouse on both a very low budget and without worrying about money at all. More than once we came home with literally pennies left in our pockets...but we sure made some wonderful memories.

Most of the time, it's the budget plan all the way. For our upcoming trip in November, my daughter and I started saving last November. Coming from Seattle, it's a bit of a drive to Anaheim...especially with an overactive 5yo. Plus, with me just starting back to work a couple of years ago, I only have 1 week of vacation so we will by flying this time.

We began to watch Alaska Airlines fares closely in March and when the prices finally dropped, we had just enough money in the bank to purchase our 8 tickets leaving us $4.00 in our savings.

Next, we saved for our Park-hopper Tickets. That took us approx. 2 more months. Over the next 6 weeks, we purchased our Universal, Knott's and Midievil Dinner Show Tickets. DD already has $900.00 saved for her family's spending and food money, and we have most of the hotel money saved as well. With careful budgeting between now and Nov., my family should have a free paycheck the day before we leave...that's our car rentals and spending money.

We're having a yard sale next weekend. I was going to use the proceeds from that for DL, but DD, youngest son, and 2 grandchildren are going to Victoria BC to tour the Titanic next month so I'll be using some of the money from the sale for that. Come on now...admit it...there really are some fine things in this world to see and experience besides DL.

I would be going crazy with the waiting for November if we didn't have plans made for our camping trips this summer. The weekend after next, we're going to Deception Pass State Park on the Strait of Juan De Fuca....one of the most beautiful places on God's Green Earth! Then at the end of August, we're going over to our favorite fishing spot, Fish Lake, which is near Lake Wenatchee in the Cascade Mts. After that 4 day mini-vacation, it's going to seem like a long 9 weeks until we head for DL.

 

[dizzyami]

Let me start out by saying thank you all for such good and vaulable info for planning our first DL trip. We are going Aug. 5 through Aug. 12 2007. Carter'smommy or anyone else who can help, I am specifically interested in knowing where you are going through to get the HOJO (DL view) for $69.00 per night? I have looked on entertainment.com but got rates twice of what yours is. Do I need to call them direct with my entertaniment ID number? The other assumpution I am making and may be wrong is that this rate you quoted is in fact for your August 07 trip as well? Any advise will be greatly appreciated as I am trying to get the best bang for our buck on our trip. TIA

Call the hotel directly and make sure you have in - house reservations (not the 1-800 number). Ask them if they are offering the 50% off entertainment rate for your dates. I know it has taken people a couple of calls to ensure they are talking to the right person - and it has to be the hotel itself, not the national chain.

 

[DangerMouse]

You people crack me up!
Come on now...admit it...there really are some fine things in this world to see and experience besides DL.

I would be going crazy with the waiting for November if we didn't have plans made for our camping trips this summer. The weekend after next, we're going to Deception Pass State Park on the Strait of Juan De Fuca....one of the most beautiful places on God's Green Earth!

Ok, I'll admit it but only because my dad lives on Whidbey and we've camped at Deception Pass State Park! It's definitely a nice place to go inbetween Disneyland trips! Last summer we visited Kalaloch Lodge and beach which I think topped Deception Pass for me, but still comes in a close second to Disneyland.

 

[moko]

Credit cards? LOL!

I've decided that in order to go to DL multiple times a year, I'm going to have to move closer to California! Coming from Alaska, I'm in the same boat as you with vacation expense because airfare alone is at least $800 a head. We don't have sweet airfare deals up here and to bring my family of 5, I gotta make sure that we are going to DL for a nice substantial amount of time to get my money's worth out of the airfare. I got the kids fly free deal in May so that helped but then I paid $1100 per adult ticket. Staying on-property sure does add onto the tab but I decided I gotta try all the hotels on-site just for giggles before I start staying off-property. I figure unless we move closer, we'll never be able to go on a cheap Disneyland vacation. I've learned a lot of great little tips here on the boards to save money so I do a little of this and that to scrimp but since I can't go often, I kind of have that mindset that I am going to enjoy the vacation and not worry about the money or budgeting everything. My Disney Visa will just have to suffer.

 

[bumbershoot]

IIt will cost me $150 in gas in my gas hog car, 100 for a relatively cheap hotel close to the property, and since my older boy doesn't have an anual pass it will cost me a 2 day park hopper for him.

Ooh hey, it that estimate round trip or each way?

 

[Master Mason]

Ooh hey, it that estimate round trip or each way?

That is round trip, probably a little less than that actually, but last time I had to fill up at one of the highway robbery sites, because I was tired and missed the first stop, and needed the gas

 

[bouncy54]

Ok, I'll admit it but only because my dad lives on Whidbey and we've camped at Deception Pass State Park! It's definitely a nice place to go inbetween Disneyland trips! Last summer we visited Kalaloch Lodge and beach which I think topped Deception Pass for me, but still comes in a close second to Disneyland.

Kalaloch!!! Oh my gosh! That's our favorite beach! We used to camp there every summer. I've got some great video of those beautiful sunsets there.

When we go to Victoria next month, the plan is to leave Auburn around 6:00 AM and be at Kalaloch around 10. I'm hoping for the tide to be going out so 4yo grandson can get a close look at some starfish and crabs. We're planning on a picnic lunch, then heading over to the Hoh Rain Forest to take the Mossy Tree walk, then make our way to Port Angeles to spend the night before taking the ferry to Victoria on Saturday.

I am so looking forward to this mini-vacation. I head for the coast at least once every summer and I living so close to the Puget Sound. I don't feel alive if I can't breathe in that salt water air from time to time.

 

[bouncy54]

Credit cards? LOL!

I've decided that in order to go to DL multiple times a year, I'm going to have to move closer to California! Coming from Alaska, I'm in the same boat as you with vacation expense because airfare alone is at least $800 a head. We don't have sweet airfare deals up here and to bring my family of 5, I gotta make sure that we are going to DL for a nice substantial amount of time to get my money's worth out of the airfare. I got the kids fly free deal in May so that helped but then I paid $1100 per adult ticket. Staying on-property sure does add onto the tab but I decided I gotta try all the hotels on-site just for giggles before I start staying off-property. I figure unless we move closer, we'll never be able to go on a cheap Disneyland vacation. I've learned a lot of great little tips here on the boards to save money so I do a little of this and that to scrimp but since I can't go often, I kind of have that mindset that I am going to enjoy the vacation and not worry about the money or budgeting everything. My Disney Visa will just have to suffer.

$1100.00! Yikes! And I thought $312.00 was a little high. You won't hear me complaining about plane fares anymore.

Why so much? Alaska isn't that far from Seattle, is it? (Of course, I'm not a very good student of geography either)

I know Canada is in between, but jeez....

 

[Albort]

uhhhh...

Price - FREEEE
1) Get an apartment near Disneyland
2) work for Disneyland...
3) pay your apartment fee with your salary at Disneyland
4) have fun on your off day.

simple, easy and weeeeee!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

lol that sounds so fun..

 

[bumbershoot]

That is round trip, probably a little less than that actually, but last time I had to fill up at one of the highway robbery sites, because I was tired and missed the first stop, and needed the gas

That is really good to know. I don't know why I thought it would be so much more expensive!

I ask because our trip from San Jose to Anaheim is going to be during part of a bigger trip for my HS reunion there...so first we have to fly from Seattle, and even though a possible Ding fare of $49 is lovely and reasonable, once you're multiplying that by 6 (down and up) and adding in taxes and fees...borrowing a car from my dad and spending some time on the road starts sounding more attractive!

I would be going crazy with the waiting for November if we didn't have plans made for our camping trips this summer. The weekend after next, we're going to Deception Pass State Park on the Strait of Juan De Fuca....one of the most beautiful places on God's Green Earth!

Is it really that lovely?

We've only camped down in Oregon so far; we love Oregon so we just keep going. But if it's nice up there and we don't have to drive 4 hours to get there (doubtful, from Tacoma...hi there in Auburn!), that might be a good idea! And finding reservations is never a problem b/c DH works over the weekends, and has 3 days mid-week every week!

Where's a good loop for tent camping?

 

[Master Mason]

That is really good to know. I don't know why I thought it would be so much more expensive!

I ask because our trip from San Jose to Anaheim is going to be during part of a bigger trip for my HS reunion there...so first we have to fly from Seattle, and even though a possible Ding fare of $49 is lovely and reasonable, once you're multiplying that by 6 (down and up) and adding in taxes and fees...borrowing a car from my dad and spending some time on the road starts sounding more attractive!

I drive a 05 suburban, I get about 16-18 tops on the highway to give you an idea.

 

[bouncy54]

That is really good to know. I don't know why I thought it would be so much more expensive!

I ask because our trip from San Jose to Anaheim is going to be during part of a bigger trip for my HS reunion there...so first we have to fly from Seattle, and even though a possible Ding fare of $49 is lovely and reasonable, once you're multiplying that by 6 (down and up) and adding in taxes and fees...borrowing a car from my dad and spending some time on the road starts sounding more attractive!





Is it really that lovely?

We've only camped down in Oregon so far; we love Oregon so we just keep going. But if it's nice up there and we don't have to drive 4 hours to get there (doubtful, from Tacoma...hi there in Auburn!), that might be a good idea! And finding reservations is never a problem b/c DH works over the weekends, and has 3 days mid-week every week!

Where's a good loop for tent camping?

They have a lot of sites for tents. If you google WA state parks, you can find Deception Pass State Park with maps. We visited, then reserved, a couple of RV sites with hookups. The sites are huge and nestled in among giant Firs. Even the bathrooms are beautiful! They're made of pine and look so clean and new.

Below is a photo of Deception Pass Bridge. The campgrounds are right at the foot of it...but you can't see them in this photo.

 

[Hound 109]

Someone posts asking how they can save a few bucks at Disneyland & you guys are talking about Pine Bathrooms in Wash. St. Parks.

This is one eclectic & well traveled board.


hound

 

[Dobie]

Someone posts asking how they can save a few bucks at Disneyland & you guys are talking about Pine Bathrooms in Wash. St. Parks.

This is one eclectic & well traveled board.


hound

When you gotta go, you gotta go. . .

 

[clcb13]

We (family of 3) are heading down mid july for $1400.00. That includes everything (hotel, flight, transfers, park hoppers) but food and gifts to take home. And this a rather high amount for us this year since we are including our 5 year old on this trip. When it was just hubby and I in college we could do DL for around $900.00 during off season.

Like everyone else says...it's about priorities. We would rather spend extra money on better flight times and closer Airport than stay at Disney hotel.
I have never stayed onsite except when going to DW. We stay at a hotel with free breakfast and never do character meals (unless it came as part of a package deal). We just do counter service for one big meal during the day. Rest of the day we find ourselves stuffed anyways from snacks we might eat at the parks. Any gifts and such are only bought on the last day and I try to keep in mind what items are really worth my money and not going to end up at Goodwill in a year.

Overall...I do my research way before hand to determine the best price on everything....One time it might be a package deal or I book everything individually. It takes work to be cheap!!

 

[joeysmommy]

Our first trip as a family last year was expensive. $2600 (airfare, DLH 4 nights and park hoppers). That doesn;t include food, souvenirs etc.probably another $1000.
I promised my DH this year would be econo.

I wanted to drive to save $550 in airfare, but he insisted on flying so we wouldn't have to hear "Are we there yet?" for 6 hours.

We are staying offsite across the street for $93 per night for a suite that sleeps 6, also includes breakfast.
Last year we got 2 rooms and that was a waste of money for DLH.
We will order groceries to be delivered to our hotel again..huge money saver!!

I use my Disney Visa for everything and pay it off like a debit card, so far we have 75 points to use while at DL for our Sept trip.
Also use my Disney Visa for discounts at certain stores and restaurants at DLR, and my AAA card.
10% here and there really adds up.

My kids choose old toys and books to take to a toy consignment store, as their toys sell they have money in the store account. Once a month I cash out and go to the Disney store to buy them Disney dollars to use for our trip. So far they have $50 each to spend.
Works out great, they are more willing to get rid of toys they don't play with since they know they will get Disney dollars in return.
I of course put money in their savings accounts each month too..I'm not a bad mommy

Last year with it being our kids' first time, we went a little crazy on souvenears, but this year not so much.

This year's trip will probably cost about $1200 for airfare and hotel, then I'm buying our park hoppers at my credit union, cheaper than ANYWHERE else.
A 5 day adult park hopper is $170. I will probably upgrade to an AP while there to save even more for next year's trip.

DL is basically our only big vacation(also camping, Lake Tahoe for a week etc.) for the year, so it's not like we go jaunting down to DL on a whim. I love trip planning, so I'm also working the budget in the process.

 

[cjhampton]

Can't say that I have experience with going to DL more than once per year, but plan on it during this upcoming year. Since I am a teacher, our longer vacations are ALWAYS during prime season and if I wasn't such a budgeter would cost us big bucks.

My general ideas for making DL (or any vacation) affordable for us include:

Photos are our main souvenior. I am photo crazy and have not yet found anything that can top them for bringing back memories!

Both my kids get a budget for free spending and this includes snacks. Since they are 16, they also have some of their own money to spend. I try to guide them into only making one meaningful purchase instead of a bunch of little stuff.

We eat cheap using all the before mentioned tips: bring our own water, counter service and sharing meals.

We stay at Motel 6... cheap and clean.

But mainly, I'd say what keeps it inexpensive is we all remember that it is about being where ever we are, not what we buy.

We leave in about a week for a 13 day trip to San Diego and Disney, all on a budget of about $3000. All our vacation money comes from my second job and it is so worth it!