By Yvette Armendariz
A Disney vacation is a splurge for most families, but you can do two park days for about $2,000 (possibly less) for four with a strategy.
- Go during slow times. Best single day, single park ticket prices ($104 adults/$98 kids) are Mondays through Thursday in late August and early September (except Labor Day). Prices also tend to be lowest in late January and early February.
- Skip the park hopper ticket. It adds $65 to the ticket price. In theory this is great, but focus on one park per day to get the most value and least stress.
- Stay off property. Good Neighbor hotels can be as low as $109/night, and some include free breakfast. Shuttles may be available, too.
- Check travel sites for package deals. I found several two-night packages around $2,000 via Costco Travel that included souvenir lanyards, three days at the park and Disney gift cards. If you dropped a park day, the packages were closer to $1,600, giving you $400 for food and souvenirs at the park.
- Pack healthy snacks and bottled water. A water bottle on a recent trip was $4.50 at the park. If your hotel offers free breakfast, load up on protein before heading to the park. Bring some healthy snacks and sealed water bottles in your backpack to keep away the hangries and stay hydrated.
- Split park meals to save money and avoid food waste.
- Stick to a budget. You can find souvenirs for under $10 or way over $100. Don’t allow yourself to get swept away.
- Skip Genie+ service. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in all your rides and it can add $30 or more a day per ticket – that’s $120 for a family of four. However, if pictures are important, getting one Genie+ for you party will allow you to download a ton of super cool pics taken by Disney photographers and from rides. This can save you money versus buying individual photos at the park.
- Use a Chase Disney credit card for discounts at shops and some restaurants (rules apply), or buys discounted Disney gift cards at select stores, such as Sam’s Club.
- Gas up in Quartzsite, Arizona, instead of Blythe, California. A quick look at Gas Buddy on April 28 showed California gas as much as $2 more per gallon ($5.59 vs $3.59 a gallon).
At the Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., guests can get into the groove at a high-energy show, enjoy interactive games or pose at photo locations inspired by Disney and Pixar feature films like “Elemental” during Pixar Fest, from April 26-Aug. 4, 2024. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)
Splurge Vacay
- Stay on property. The best place for Pixar fans is Disney’s Grand Californian, as you can just walk into DCA from the hotel. Take a left and you are on your way to Pixar Pier. But prices can easily exceed $700/night. We spotted prices as low as $622 for Disneyland Hotel and $530 for Pixar Place Hotel on random midweek dates in June.
- Get Genie+ Service, starting at $30 per ticket per day, to jump the lines. If you plan it right, you can get in all your rides, but your timed entry can get canceled if a ride closes during your return time. Other bonuses: Get unlimited photo downloads taken by Disney photographers, listen to audio tales, and enjoy augmented reality effects on your phone.
- Purchase individual Lightning Lanes (costs vary) for those must do, highly popular rides – Radiator Springs at DCA and Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland.
- Make a reservation at a nice restaurant. Blue Bayou at Disneyland, and Carthay Circle and Wine Country Trattoria at DCA are great dining experiences.
- Take in a spa experience. We hear great things about Tenaya Stone Spa at the Grand California. It’s on our Disney bucket list.
- Consider a VIP tour. The Land of Dreams VIP tour boasts a personalized itinerary where an escort provides priority access to attractions and premium seating at parades and fireworks. Pricing isn’t posted online, but the perks sound amazing. You may also opt to learn about Walt’s Main Street Story, which is $160 for 90-minute tour.
Yvette Armendariz is a former award-winning business journalist and mom of two young adults. She remains a kid at heart and regularly sets off on Disney vacations.
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