Save Money at Disneyland: 5 Easy Tips
Our family just loves Disneyland! It's kind of our thing. We have passes and take the kids a couple times a month for special family time. Having annual passes is nice because the monthly cost is already built into our budget. The hard part is that all the spending in the park can add up fast. I've figured out a couple of quick and easy ways to save money at Disneyland that takes little to no effort at all! With these tips we keep our spending down and the fun factor doesn't even take a hit!
1. Get Disney Princess Dresses at Clearance Prices
The best thing I ever did was hit up Walmart the morning after Halloween and snag every princess dress they had left in Kennedy's size. They were marked down 50% since Halloween was over, making most dresses $7.50! We bought 6 and saved them to give her throughout the year on Christmas, her birthday and potty training.
2. Buy 1 and Ask Them to Split It
This tip has saved us a ton of money and actually gets you more bang for your buck in most cases. My kids love the popcorn on main street, but to buy 3 would cost a fortune so I buy just 1 and ask them to split it into 3 different boxes. We usually end up with 3 boxes that are more than halfway full. We also do the same with drinks. We buy 1 frozen lemonade and have them split it in 3 cups. If you are really frugal you can also pop your own popcorn and ask for boxes to fill your own. My kids have gotten wise to this one though an can now tell the difference.
3. Buy Disney Swag at The Dollar Store
We love Disney, their entrepreneurial spirit is unmatched! I mean where else will you get people to fork out 5 times what an item is worth and not even blink twice?! I don't know if you have been in a Dollar Store lately, but they have a ton of Disney swag for just pennies! We stopped there the other day and found princess autograph books and pens for a dollar. They are up to $20 at the park! That is a huge savings. We have also found Disney popcorn boxes which we brought to fill on our own at Disneyland and they have great water bottle and sippy cups too!
4. Pack a Lunch or Dinner
There is something magical about eating at one of the restaurants in the park, but there is no need to eat out for every meal. Disneyland is one of the few parks that lets you bring in your own food and drink. We always make PB&J sandwiches and pack them in a small insulted lunch bag with a little ice pack. We through in string cheese, yogurt, chips, juices boxes and some fruit. Our kids are so picky they actually prefer meals brought from home. When you pack your own lunch you don't feel so bad splurging on a treat or dessert afterwards, make sure to ask them to split it though lol.
5. Take Your Own Photos
Sometimes your iphone photos just don't do these happy memories justice, but the digital images the park sells are $15 or more for just 1 photo! If you have a handheld camera bring it with you every once in a while. We don't lug it around every time we go, but it's so worth it to have nice photos of your kids at Disneyland. The colors, decor and characters make for amazing shots! I bring my camera in a backpack so it's easy to carry around especially on rides. I love looking back at those special memories and seeing how the kids have grown. There is nothing like a great photo to keep your happy memories alive!
The kids darling Tanks are from Mason Blake Apparel. They have the cutest tees for your little ones and they even have some great pieces for mama too! Check them out HERE.
Hope you enjoyed these simple ways to save money at Disneyland. They save us hundreds of dollars a year!