Saving Money at Disneyland

[lola55]

Hi Everyone!

I've been to WDW quite a few times and DL a bit too. I've noticed that DL is a bit more expensive than WDW. The food is a little more, the character meals are a bit more, and the on property hotels are a lot more. I'd like to save some money here and there on our upcoming trip. Do any of you DL veterans (or newbies) have any great suggestions on saving money? I have a hotel rate that I'm happy with and some of those Disney rewards dollars (whatever they call them). But I'm looking to for ways to get cheaper or free meals, especially on property, and ways to get cheaper tickets. I'm all ears to any suggestions you have :wink:

Thanks!!

[PsychoAlice]

ohh man i wish that you would have come sooner! I am the queen of going to DL on a budget as it is 109 miles from my home and I have AP's. www.hotelkingdom.com is the best place to get a hotel. In my adulthood I have not stayed on DL property as it really isnt worth it. Most hotels have transportation to the DLR. Or it is just a quick drive to the parking structure. I stay at the Super 8 on Disneyland drive. Pop a right out of the parking lot over the overpass and BAM you are in the parking structure clean cheap hotel but i dont need anything fancy while i stay over night. You can also see the fireworks from outside of your room too.

Now food...Tradition always points me to Riverbelle terrace (Frontierland) for breakfast. with my kids (DS12 and DD7) and myself i usually spend about $20 but, Blue ribbon bakery (Main Street) has also a wonderful assortment of pastries if you arent a big breakfast person and you can get espresso there too. Much cheaper too. Lunch time is when we do our BIG meal. Usually we do The French Market (New Orleans Square) and get fried chicken (shhh and the fried cheesecake is to DIE for but usually too much greesy food for me! Make sure if you eat here to get a mint Julip as this is the only place (besides the mint julip bar on the side of the french market by the RR station) to get it! We have also done Pizza Oom Mow Mow at DCA for lunch or Golden Horse shoe revue or The Hungry Bear so we can feed the ducks! For dinner we mostly do a bit of snacking, Turkey legs, Corndogs, popcorn, or some fruit from the carts. We have also brought in snacks from home to tide us over. We ALWAYS save our water bottles and fill them up inside the French Market. Cold good water in there!

Hope that helps you a bit!

[dcfromva]

Hi Everyone!

I've been to WDW quite a few times and DL a bit too. I've noticed that DL is a bit more expensive than WDW. The food is a little more, the character meals are a bit more, and the on property hotels are a lot more. I'd like to save some money here and there on our upcoming trip. Do any of you DL veterans (or newbies) have any great suggestions on saving money? I have a hotel rate that I'm happy with and some of those Disney rewards dollars (whatever they call them). But I'm looking to for ways to get cheaper or free meals, especially on property, and ways to get cheaper tickets. I'm all ears to any suggestions you have :wink:

Thanks!!
lola55,
Have you looked at the packages on the DL web site? I noticed for Jan 05, there are some packages which include adult park hoppers at the child's price. (I'm not sure where you are staying?)

-DC :ears:

[lola55]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I did check out the packages and the deal I have is slightly better. Thank you for the idea, though!! :)