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What child doesn’t dream of a trip to Disneyland? Taking a trip to the happiest place on Earth ends up being the trip of a lifetime for most families. It also ends up being one of the most expensive.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to take this dream trip with your family without having to give up taking another vacation for years after. Here are a few things you can do to make a Disneyland vacation more affordable:
Buy a Timeshare
One of the most expensive components of your Disneyland trip is lodging. Even the cheapest hotels around the area charge expensive rates thanks to their proximity to one of the hottest tourist attractions in the world. The longer you stay, the more rapidly your costs will add up.
Investing in a timeshare can help you save money while also giving you a nicer place to stay. For instance, a Welk Timeshare offers villas and suites with up to three bedrooms and 1,400 square feet. You’ll feel like you’re staying in someone’s home rather than living out of a hotel for the week. In many cases, you’ll end up paying less than you would for a hotel room for the same amount of time. Check out this Welk Timeshare review for more direct hotel information.
Invest in Annual Passes
A single, one-day ticket for Disneyland costs $99. Add another $40 and you can visit all the parks in the system. Now multiply that by the number of people in your family. It adds a hefty price tag to the cost of your vacation.
You can save a great deal of money by investing in an annual pass, which starts at $599, depending on the options you choose. This may seem like a lot, but it gets you into the park on most or all days of the year (again, depending on which options you choose). If you don’t think you’ll go that often, at least invest in tickets that last several days instead of buying them by the day.
Cook and Bring Snacks
Investing in a time share has the added benefit of allowing you to prepare and cook your own meals. You will save a lot of money by purchasing groceries and cooking in your suite than eating at restaurants every night.
You can save even more by packing up snacks and bringing them with you into the park. A simple ice cream cone can cost $5 in the park. A whole package of granola bars costs $3 and can last you all day. Budget for a few treats, but have the snacks on hand to cut down on the overall expense.
Bring All Essentials
Don’t forget the aspirin and wind up paying $10 for a few pills because you got a headache while you were in the park. Bring all essentials with you so you don’t end up spending needlessly. Some examples include sunglasses, sun block, sun hats, band aids, aspirin, and a toothbrush and toothpaste (if you’re the type who likes to brush after every meal). Think ahead and pack a bag before you go.
Take Your Own Pictures
Official Disney photographers wander throughout the park all day looking to capture family moments. They actually give you a card with a number ID on it that allows them to tag any photos they take of you during the day. You can then go to a photo booth and buy any that you like. You can easily spend a lot of money on these photos.
Instead, bring your own camera and take your own photos. You will find plenty of friendly staff members and visitors who will be happy to take a family photo with your camera.
Don’t let the cost of a Disneyland trip keep you from taking the family vacation of a lifetime. Use these easy tips to help you bring down the cost and make it more affordable. You may even find that you’ll have the budget to take several trips with the right savings strategy.
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