Disneyland may be magical, but it’s not cheap. In 2016, a trip for a family of four averaged $1,624 for airfare, $2,128 for a four-night stay, and $1,010 for park tickets — not including food, souvenirs, and extras.
Good news: With smart planning, you can save big. Here are five tips:
- Use travel points: Travel credit cards like Barclaycard Arrival Plus or Capital One Venture let you earn points to offset flight and hotel costs. Richmond Savers even mapped out how to visit Disneyland nearly free using these cards
- Earn with Shopkick: Courtney Cole used the Shopkick app to earn Target gift cards, which she converted into Disney gift cards — covering meals, toys, and even a princess makeover without guilt
- Bring your own food: Save on meals by packing snacks and drinks. Disneyland allows coolers (up to 18″x25″x37″) and hydration backpacks. Just no alcohol
- Find discounted tickets: AAA members, military families, and youth groups may qualify for special rates. For others, MouseSavers recommends aRes Travel for legit discounts
- Travel off-season: Visit during Disney’s “Value Season” (Jan–Feb, early Oct–Dec) for lower prices and smaller crowds. Avoid peak pricing by skipping holidays and summer.