How to Save Money at Disneyland During the Holidays

Disneyland during the holidays is merry indeed. Make your Christmastime visit even merrier by saving some dough during your Disney getaway. Before you pack up the sleigh and head to the Happiest Place on Earth, check out these eight Disneyland holiday season money-saving tips.

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1. Plan ahead.

The holiday season is a popular time to visit, so booking your vacation as early as possible is best. Although last-minute specials occasionally come up, you usually get the best deal when you plan your vacation in advance.

To maximize your savings, visiting during the least expensive portions season is best. This might mean foregoing seeing Mickey on Christmas Day. Opt instead for the first couple of weeks of December or the first week of January. Not only will this save you money, but also you will see fewer crowds during these times.

The easiest way to save money on planning a Disneyland vacation is to book your vacation with Get Away Today. With their Layaway Lock-in Plan, all you need to do is put $125 down at the time of booking.

You can make as many payments as you want, whenever you want, up until two weeks before your vacation. This will help you whether you want to book a vacation for this December or wait to experience Disneyland during the holidays next year.

2. Buy Disney gear before you go.

Kids love buying trinkets during vacations. However, souvenirs in the parks are sold at a premium and the cost can add up quickly. Buy less expensive Disney gear like t-shirts, stuffed animals, and toys in advance from Amazon. You can find all sorts of Christmas-themed Disney apparel and gear, so you can enjoy Disneyland during the holidays in style. 

Then, you can use the money saved to splurge on special dining experiences like Character Dining or a fancy holiday meal.

3. Find freebies and affordable souvenirs at Disneyland.

While you’re at Disneyland, be sure to take advantage of all the free stuff Disney has to offer. You can get complimentary pins inside City Hall on Main Street U.S.A to celebrate a special occasion like a first visit, birthday or anniversary. Over in Adventureland, ask your skipper for a free Jungle Cruise Map.

Character autographs are another fabulous and free Disneyland holiday season souvenir. Bring along a Disney autograph book and pen to collect signatures.

Meanwhile, smashed pennies make an affordable and fun way to celebrate the Disneyland holiday season. Buy a pressed penny souvenir holder in advance to get kids psyched about finding coin-pressing machines throughout the parks.

4. Save money on your hotel stay.

Sometimes, the hotel stay can be the most expensive part of your vacation, but it doesn’t have to be. You can find hotels near Disneyland that offer a third, fourth, or fifth night for free. This will not only allow you to stay and play an extra day at Disneyland, but also it will save you money that you can spend at the parks.

Additionally, some hotels include free parking, free breakfast or complimentary shuttle service. Make sure to do your research to see which hotels give you the best return on your investment.

You can also save money when you bundle your hotel with park tickets, even Disneyland Resort hotels! If you’ve got your heart set on staying at a Disney property, the most affordable choice is typically the Paradise Pier Hotel.

5. Bring your own food.

While Disneyland has some of the best sweet and savory foods around, eating in the park can be expensive. Luckily, you are allowed to bring in your own snacks and beverages.

Even though you can’t haul in a feast in a cooler, you can toss some granola bars, fruits, sealed bottled waters, and even some PB&J’s in your backpack. Then, you can use the extra cash you’ve saved to indulge in some of Disney’s famous holiday treats, like holiday cookies or their hand-made candy canes.

6. Cap spending with a Disney or Visa gift card.

It’s easy to get so caught up in the magic of Disneyland, that you end up spending more than you originally planned. If you purchase a Disney gift card or a Visa gift card beforehand, though, you won’t go over your budget.

What’s great about gift cards is that you can choose the amount you’re comfortable spending, so you won’t have any unwanted surprises on your credit card when you get home. Disney gift cards make awesome stocking stuffers, too!

7. Give a Disney vacation in lieu of a mountain of gifts.

While presents and stockings are always a glorious sight to see on Christmas morning, it can be stressful knowing what each person wants year after year. And, if your kids are like mine, they lose interest in their brand-new toys from Santa before the New Year. Instead, give the gift of a Disneyland vacation. You will create memories with your loved ones that will last a lifetime.

To add to the fun, wrap up a few Disney gifts to put under the tree and tie an invitation to Disneyland around a Disney character plush toy. Just imagine the look of surprise when that present is opened!

8. Get the best price when booking your Disneyland vacation.

You want to be sure you are getting the very best price when you book your Disneyland vacation, right? That’s why I recommend booking with Get Away Today.

They offer the best deals on discount Disneyland tickets as well as hotel deals. Even if you find a better deal elsewhere, they will not only match the price, but also they’ll beat it. Use promocode TravelMamas to get an additional $10 off your vacation package!

Discover More Family Travel Tips

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Maximize fun with these Disneyland with kids tips.

Explore the best white Christmas vacations for families.

Learn why to give kids the gift of travel at Christmas.

Save These Disneyland Holiday Hacks

For future travels, keep these tips on saving money at Disneyland during the holidays. Just pin the image above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Have you ever visited Disneyland during the holidays? Let us know your questions or comments below!

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