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I mentioned that we are heading back to Disneyland this winter, so we can see the resort all decorated for the holidays. We have never been at Christmastime, so we are very excited. We have had this trip planned for several months now, and I think planning in advance is one of the biggest ways you can save money.
Here are a few things we have done to save money on our Disney vacation this time around:
Airline Tickets – We flew JetBlue for the first time in April and we loved it! It was such an enjoyable flight. We knew we wanted to take JetBlue for our trip to Disneyland, so we applied for the JetBlue American Express and earned 2 FREE round-trip tickets, just for applying and using the card. Not too bad! We are also really close to another FREE ticket that we can use on a future trip, because we used the card to buy our airline tickets. We watched the airline rates every week until the price dropped to what we were hoping to pay and then we purchased them.
Airport Parking – The biggest way to save money is to have somebody drop you off at the airport. We have family close by, but we have 7 people in our family, and a 7 seat van, so that doesn’t really leave any room for an extra person, which means we have to park our car at the airport. I was so excited to see this deal pop up on Groupon for airport parking. Yes, I seriously got excited – you can ask my husband, because I am pretty sure I woke him up at midnight to tell him about the deal! Since I had Groupon credits I was able to get our airport parking for FREE.
Paying for the Hotel & Admission – I have said several times that one of the major ways to save money on a Disney vacation is to stay at a non-Disney hotel. This is very easy at Disneyland, because there are so many hotels that are within walking distance of the Park. However, we received a “Pin Code” for 40% off the regular rate of a room at a Disney hotel, so we are staying at the Grand Californian Hotel this time around!! This will be the first time we are within walking distance of the parks, we normally have to drive in and park our car or ride the transit. Our family is giddy! I am hoping my family doesn’t get too attached to the Disney hotel, because I am pretty sure I will go back to my non-Disney hotel ways the next time we visit.
I took advantage of the Albertsons gift card promo they had awhile back, and the one they had recently and I purchased several gift cards that we could use to pay for our hotel and admission into the park. I used money I already had saved for the trip and was able to get a couple of hundred of dollars worth of Catalinas and gift cards that I used at Albertsons for groceries. I took the money I would have normally spend on groceries and added it to our Disney vacation fund.
Money for Meals – I have a Disney Visa that I use to earn Disney Rewards. We currently have $300 in Disney Rewards that we can use for meals. This is FREE money that we earned, since we pay off the bill every month and never pay interest. The credit cards wouldn’t make much sense if we were paying interest. We make the card work for us, not the other way around. I also have plans to bring some cereal and granola bars from home for a quick and easy breakfast a couple of mornings. We also will bring our own snacks into the park like we usually do. This is a shorter trip than our other ones, so we will probably be eating out more than usual, that way we won’t have to worry about running to the store and heading back to the hotel to eat. I am OK with that!
Extras – They have an AMC theater in Downtown Disney, so I took advantage of the movie deal HERE, so we can see a movie on the last day. We have several hours before we have to catch our flight home, but it’s now enough time to warrant an extra day at the parks. I was able to purchase the tickets with credits I had, so the movie will be FREE for all 7 of us. Love that!
I do my best to save money in the planning stages of the vacation, so when I get there I don’t have to worry about pinching pennies on the trip. I can just go, and enjoy! I save money where and when I can beforehand, so we can spend our money on the things that matter most to us, like Dole Whips, Mickey ice cream bars and some fun Disney souveniers!!
We are getting closer, and I can’t wait! Anybody else have a Disney trip planned soon? I would love to hear what you are doing to save money on your trip!
Kristl Story says
Great ideas! It really proves that planning ahead PAYS!
Beth says
We went May 2010 and one thing we did was make food in the hotel (sandwiches, chicken salad wraps) and take them into the park for lunch. Breakfast at hotel, lunch in park, snacks and water taken into the park, too. Saved a ton! Then we could splurge and eat out in the park or at a nearby restaurant.
Also, the Disney photographers take great pictures, but the price for those pictures can be high. However, they are more than happy to use your camera, too… so just hand it over (I found this out the last day so I’m not in many of the pictures) and they’ll take those posed pictures with the characters for you on your own camera! Come home, wait for a free/cheap printing code from Target or Walgreens… and you’ve got your pictures!
Becky says
We pre-purchased Disney gift cards (through the school script program) and used them for incidentals and treats in the parks. It really helped us stay on budget.
Maddy says
MMMMMMMMM. Dole Whip . . . I am about to cry on my laptop. I would do just about anything or a Dole Whip . . .
Kelly V. says
At Disneyworld, if you stay in a hotel on the property, they run dining plan specials at off times of the year. Last year we went Thanksgiving week and got free dining the whole time. We only had to worry about breakfast.
Kelly V. says
Oh and allears.net is the best website for ALL things Disney. If you can’t find it there you don’t need to know about it!
Kim S. says
Explain the pincode that got you the 40% off at a Disney Hotel?
Kristen says
I’d love to hear about that “pincode” as well!! Even at 40% off Grand Californian is not “thrifty” 🙂
hollie bearden says
I would love to hear about that pincode deal too!
I am super excited to say we are headed there NEXT month for Halloween, and I have been planning ahead like crazy. We will have groceries delivered from Safeway/Von’s to our hotel, and I have spent a good amount of time considering that grocery list in order to save money.
I got a great tip that the Anaheim convention center offers coupons, so I went there and printed up 10% off at La Brea and some Rainforest Cafe coupons. I also took advantage of Rainforest’s Kids eat for 99 cents deal that I think you posted, and I got in on that Albertson’s catalina deal too!
We are flying Jet Blue & I didn’t know about the AmEx card–thanks for that tip I am going to look in to it!
Christy says
This article over at The Affordable Mouse explains what a pin code is: https://theaffordablemouse.com/tuesday-disney-tips-what-is-a-pin-code/
Laura W says
I love going to WDW for cheap! Each time my family has gone its been through a pin code deal and we always get the dinning plan free or deeply discounted. Disney CAN be a lot of money, however when it comes to souvenirs I have that covered! My husband and son usually want t-shirts or stuffed animals (my son, not my husband!). I will shop and hunt around at the Disney stores or online store for clearance or sales for T-shirts, etc. I usually pack my gifts and hide them in the hotel. At the end of the day, if my son is still alive from walking all over the ‘world’ he comes back to the hotel to find a little present waiting for him from ‘Mickey’! Of course now he knows that true…but he still likes the surprise! Also finding cheap pins on line for trading, like on ebay. Just becareful that they are not fakes- do some research!
For food; I pack in my check in bag; snacks and candy for the inbetween meals for a little pick-me-up. We LOVE the dinning plan and how easy it is! But some of their snacks are a little lacking, so I’d rather use it on ice cream or a dessert from main street bakery! For drinks in the park; our last few trips we ended up bringing small BYO cooler/lunch bags since they are flat and can be squished into luggage. Instead of renting a mini fridge we tried something a little different, macgyver style! We would fill out the lunch bags with ice and put our extra bottled drinks (that we got from the hotel meal) and use those for our next day at the park. We always had extra drinks when we ate at our hotel since we used our refillable mugs. At least this way nothing is wasted – including $10 a day on a mini fridge!
I can’t wait to go back to WDW in Oct 2012 with our daughter! I still think 9 month is a little young… but ya gotta start em early!!! <3
Shelly S says
@ Hollie My kids are dying to go to the Rain forrest cafe in Oct when we go, where are the coupons located on the page? Any help woulb be GREAT thanks! Shelly
Shelly S says
Ok So i figured ou t the rainforrest cafe 99 cent kids meals!! 🙂 Any advice on local coupons for other dining options?
Karen says
Anyone know of any discounts on a one day hopper pass for Disneyland?
Sia says
Great post Christy. The California Lodge is one of my faves, you guys will have a blast. I know your kids are older, but if you still have any young ones they have a great story time in the evenings in front of the fireplace. Its a great break for the whole family. Get some hot chocolate and relax for awhile why the kids get entertained.
We also loved taking a mid day break at the pool and ordering burgers. Not cheap, but reasonable for Disney, and you get refreshed for a second round in the park in the evening.
When we were there you could also pick up pastrys and espresso in the bar area in the morning. Find a spot around the fire to enjoy them and its a great affordable way to start the day.
I am a little envious, but hope you all have a wonderful trip!
Mallory says
We head to Disney this week to go Trick or Treating! So excited!
We always try to stay at the Fairfield inn or the Park Vue Inn right across the street the rooms normally go for 90-110 a night and we can just walk to the park without having to catch any other modes of transportation. I know the Park Vue has rooms for 6+ people and breakfast included! Anyway I am completely jealous and excited for you to stay at the Grand. It will be so much fun! Are you going during candlelight? I hear very good things about it if your dates line up you will be in for a treat!
Another way we save is if we are going multiple times in a year we get annual passes that way the expense just happens once and the other times we visit it feels cheaper.
Kristen says
Oh and don’t forget about restaurants.com deals. The last 90% off deal I was looking for House of Blues in downtown Disney. Instead, I found the 2 restaurants located in my hotel!! I bought $125 in gift certificates for $6!! (you have to spend $35 to use the $25 gift certificate) But what a deal!
Stacie says
We do a couple trips to Disneyland every year and we stay at the Carousel Inn and Suites. It is clean and (for the most part) quiet. The staff is generally helpful and you can’t beat the price and location. It is an easy walk to the front gate, and actually closer than the Disneyland Hotel to the park entrances.
We pack snacks and water in as well, and I found when I give my son his own Disney gift card to use for treats and snacks, $10/ day, he does a pretty good job of self monitoring and likes not having to “ask” every time he wants a snack (he is 12 years old). 🙂
Check restaurant.com for deals at House of Blues in downtown Disney.
I have never used a travel agent, but I know a person who did and they offered a 20 percent discount on Park Hopper tickets (versus the price online). We are going in February….can’t wait!!!
Beckie says
I saw that you purchased the Disney gift cards. I saw that our grocery store has the cards, but I worry that they will not be accepted at Disney World. Anyone have any negative experiences???
Thanks
Christy says
Disney Gift cards are accepted at Disney World. I have used them on several occasions. The only place they aren’t accepted is a few of the snck carts inside the park that only accept cash.