Visiting and Purchasing Guide for Disneyland LA Tickets
There are few things that can make you more happy than saving money while visiting the happiest place on our planet. A trip to Disneyland can be an expensive one, but there are plenty of ways to keep the expenses to a minimum and still get a ton of enjoyment out of the trip.
We’re here to help you with saving money on tickets, hotel reservations and the trip itself. With the help of great sites like Get Away Today, you can get Disneyland tickets and hotel reservations at lower prices. Continue on to learn about all the best ways to save money at the Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland Tickets: Prices and Options
For those who are planning a trip to Disneyland, the first place to start involves tickets to the park. After all, it’s wise to know what the prices are where you’re planning to go. Not to mention, you may have heard that tickets to Disneyland can be a bit on the expensive side.
A Brief Overview of Ticket Types
The price you pay for Disneyland tickets is based on two aspects. These include the kind of tickets you want and the number of days you plan to spend in the park. Here, we’re taking a brief look into the differences that are available to choose from while you shop.
Park Hopper and One Park Per Day
When you’re purchasing tickets, you can make the choice between tickets that allow you to jump back and forth between the parks and those that limit you to one park per day. Depending on your goals, you may find that either option may provide a better experience for you.
For those who are looking to pay the lowest possible prices, the one park per day tickets may be the ideal option. However, if you want the freedom to go wherever you want at any time of day, then you may get more value from the Park Hopper tickets.
Tickets by the Day
The prices of tickets can also change based on how many days you’re planning on going. Naturally, the more days you purchase tickets for, the greater your savings per ticket will be. While you’re planning your trip, you can get the most value out of going to the park for 4 or 5 days rather than 1 or 2.
Not only do you get lower ticket prices, but you will also have plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny of the parks. That includes things like free shows and other activities, so it’s going to be worth the extra time overall.
Common Disney Ticket Questions
It’s only natural to have questions if you’re shopping for Disneyland tickets for the first time, or haven’t done it in a while. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions you may have when it comes to Disneyland tickets. They should help to get you headed in the right direction.
Do I Need a Ticket for Each Park?
This is really going to depend on whether you want Park Hopper tickets or to stick to one park per day. If you choose one park per day, then you’ll need to choose which park you want to spend each day in, and then you’ll remain in that park until it closes, or you’re done for the day.
On the other hand, the Park Hopper tickets allow you to go wherever you want, whenever you want. With those, you’ll be able to get into either park at any time with one ticket. While they are a little more costly, they can also allow you to get more value.
Can I Get Bundles of Tickets for Multiple Days?
Absolutely! In fact, it’s recommended that you aim to spend more days in the park, as that can result in a lower price per ticket. At the same time, you can also combine those Disney tickets with things like hotel and airfare.
For the most part, tickets are available in ranges of one to five days. If you’re going for a single day, you’ll want to pay attention to the level of demand on the day you’re going, as that can result in price changes.
Why Should I Buy Tickets Ahead of Time?
The concept behind this is really the same as purchasing tickets for any big event ahead of time. If you plan ahead, you can skip the process of purchasing tickets at the ticket booth when you reach the park. Instead, you can go straight to the ticket takers and make your way into the park.
When it comes to a trip like this, it’s a good idea to help things to run as smoothly as possible. You never know what kinds of issues might pop up during a trip like this anyway, so preventing problems where it is possible is a fantastic idea.
How Can I Buy Tickets Ahead of Time?
There are a variety of ways that you can compare and purchase Disneyland tickets prior to actually taking the trip. To begin with, the official Disneyland website and app are both places you can easily make your ticket purchases. In addition to that, there are resellers like Get Away Today that are approved by Disney.
Furthermore, tickets can be found at some stores, like Costco, at certain times of the year, through calling Disneyland customer service and with other booking services like City Pass. Just make sure that the method you use for buying tickets is a reputable one!
What are the Prices of Tickets?
The Disneyland ticket prices can vary depending on the kind of tickets you want as well as how many days you want to attend.
For a quick look at the current Disneyland ticket prices, you can refer to the table below:
| Standard Disneyland Ticket Prices | ||
| Number Of Days | 1 Park Per Day | Park Hopper |
| 1 | $129* | $179* |
| 2 | $225 | $280 |
| 3 | $300 | $355 |
| 4 | $325 | $380 |
| 5 | $340 | $395 |
| * 1 day prices vary based on the demand for a given day. | Value – $104
Regular – $129 Peak – $149 |
Value – $154
Regular – $179 Peak – $199 |
When Do Disneyland Tickets Expire?
There are two points of expiration that you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to Disneyland tickets. The first is the date that is printed on the back. After that date, all unused tickets will be expired, so you’ll want to make sure to use them before then.
If you’ve purchased groups of tickets, like the 2, 3, 4 or 5 day bundles, all of your remaining days need to be used within 13 days of the first use. Keep in mind that “use” refers to any time you use a ticket to get into the park, even if you only stay for a short period of time.
What If I Go More Than Once Per Year?
If you and your family like to go to Disneyland more than once per year, you may be able to save money by picking up an annual passport. These options can provide discounts on tickets as well as give you a percentage off things like dining and gifts.
Here is a brief guide to the annual passport options:
| Annual Passport Prices | ||||
| Passport Type | Days Passport Works On | Percentage Off Dining | Percentage Off Merchandise | Cost of Annual Passport |
| Flex | Select Days | 10% | 10% | $599 |
| Deluxe | Select Days | 10% | 10% | $799 |
| Signature | Most Days | 15% | 20% | $1,149 |
| Signature Plus | Every Day | 15% | 20% | $1,399 |
Top Tips For Saving Money At Disneyland
Not only do most people want to save money on the tickets themselves, but also on attending the park. Just about every aspect of a Disneyland trip can be quite steep (if you let it,) but it certainly doesn’t have to be. Here’s how you can take some steps to save money on your trip.
Saving on Food
The treats are numerous at Disneyland, but the prices can quickly add up. Because of that, you’ll want to have some methods on hand for saving money on food at the park. It may just be easier than you might think to get your meals in without breaking the bank!
Grab Breakfast Before You Get There
This is a tip that is going to be especially helpful if you’re staying in one of the Good Neighbor hotels near the park. Some of these hotels offer free continental breakfasts, which are worth taking advantage of in the effort to save money on your trip to the park.
If your hotel doesn’t offer free breakfasts, then it’ll be worthwhile to locate places nearby where you can get inexpensive breakfasts, like McDonald’s, convenience or grocery stores. Some options can even allow for healthier choices as well.
Bring What You Can
Outside food is allowed in the park, so make sure that you take advantage of that fact. You can bring food for a simple meal at the resort, or at the very least carry along some snacks and water. This can really help to cut down on unnecessary food costs.
The same is true for things like sunscreen, ponchos and more. Essentially, whatever you can avoid having to purchase is worth the extra effort. You won’t even have to worry about carrying all the stuff around, as there are lockers at the park where you can keep the items you don’t need.
Consider Sharing Food
In some cases, you can opt to split food with someone else rather than paying the extra price for individual servings. For example, it may be less expensive to get a single order of ice cream with two scoops rather than getting two single-scoop orders.
Whenever this is a possibility, it’s going to be worthwhile to save a few extra dollars here and there. That saved money will build up, allowing you to keep it in the bank or spend it on something you really want to splurge on, like a huge, stuffed version of your favorite Disney character.
Saving on Tickets
There are ways you can save a decent amount of money on tickets if you look closely. Most of the time, these aren’t going to be obvious discounts but they can certainly still provide great benefits for you. Check out these methods when you’re looking to save money on your tickets!
Look for Discounts
While Disney itself doesn’t tend to offer discounts on tickets, you can find authorized resellers that you can save some money purchasing through. This includes websites like Get Away Today, which purchase large numbers of tickets at special prices and then pass the savings to customers.
Keeping an eye out for special deals and discounts can allow you to get more value for the money you spend on tickets, and it leaves more funds for things like food and merchandise. Finding discounts may require extra effort, but it’s going to be worth it in the end!
Visit in the Off Season
Another way to help with saving money is to visit when demand for the park isn’t particularly high. This tends to be when children are in school and there aren’t any major holidays. Especially for those going for a single day, the prices can be lower when demand isn’t quite keeping up.
At these times, you can also have an easier time getting around the park as there will be fewer crowds. Because of that, it’s an ideal time for those who feel uncomfortable in large crowds, but still want to experience the joy that is Disneyland.
Use Deals on Credit Cards
Some credit cards can also help you with saving money on purchases like those you’ll make on Disney tickets, food and merchandise. Depending on the card you have, the benefits you receive may differ.
For example, those who have a Disney Visa can receive discounts of 10% on various purchases, such as dining and merchandise. In addition to that, they can get credit. If you don’t have a Disney Visa, but do have a Target Card, you can get discounts on items like Disney gift cards, allowing you to save a little money by using discounted gift cards rather than paying the full cost for items at Disneyland.
Try MaxPass
One of the top souvenirs that people want to pick up during their visit at Disneyland comes in the form of photos. Disney is aware of this, and tries to provide a number of opportunities where you can get pictures taken at the park in ways you may not be able to get yourself.
These might include photos on rides, photos with special touches or special photos with some of the characters. Disney uses a program known as PhotoPass to allow customers the ability to purchase these photos to take home. However, it can be tricky either carrying around photos or remembering to return to the picture spot to buy them later.
Instead, one member of your group can get an addition to their Disney ticket known as MaxPass. Using this tool, everyone in the group can get free, unlimited copies of the photos taken at PhotoPass stations.
Saving During Your Trip
While you’re on your trip, temptation is going to be likely. Having a plan before you go can really help you to spend money where you want it, and save it where you need it. Take a look at these useful tips for keeping your trip fun without emptying your wallet.
Plan Your Budget
When you’re setting aside funds for the trip, you’re likely to find that there are going to be some limitations. Because those limitations are different for everyone, you’ll want to decide what you want to be able to splurge on and what you can get by without, or in minimal doses.
For example, some may want to splurge on food and have no problem with making their own souvenirs, like Mickey Mouse ears. On the other hand, others may prefer to bring food into the park and save their splurging for souvenirs that will remind them of the trip for years to come.
Buy or Make Souvenirs Prior to Going
There’s no denying that buying souvenirs is a lot of fun, but at Disneyland it can be quite expensive. As a result, it can be a good idea to buy or make your own souvenirs instead. Things like Mouse ears can be made on your own, and you can design them just the way you want.
When it comes to clothing items, costumes or other souvenirs, you can purchase them before going in order to save some money. Odds are, you’re much more likely to find them at lower prices outside of the Disneyland area.
Request Gift Cards
While you’re working on saving, there may be opportunities to receive gifts along the way. For example, if you’re planning and saving for a year before your trip, you may have a birthday or other holiday in which gifts are received.
If you opt to receive Disney gift cards for those events, then you’ll have extra money on hand to spend while you’re in the park. The more you can get without having to spend your own money, the easier the trip will be overall, and the more you’ll be able to relax and worry less about what you’re spending.
Get the Whole Family Involved
A trip to Disneyland can be the perfect opportunity to teach your children how to save while they’re getting excited for the trip — even something as simple as keeping a community piggy bank that everyone can add to can add up.
This can really be a great learning experience, and it can teach children the benefit of saving money for the future. If they get birthday money or an allowance, you can give them the opportunity to save some or all of the money by adding it to the piggy bank. You can even make it an exciting thing by talking about what the money goes to and even celebrate with a mini dance party whenever money is added.
Use FastPasses Carefully
When most people think about Disneyland FastPasses, they think about rides. However, these passes can also be used for things like shows, which can help to save money in some cases. For example, you can use a FastPass for something like Fantasmic.
Fantasmic is something that customers can pay to see, through the use of a dining package. However, these packages can be on the expensive side. Instead, you can also use a FastPass to get in and see the show without that added cost.
Bring Your Stroller
For those who are looking to travel light, strollers can be rented out at Disneyland. Typically, the rental costs run at about $15 for each day; that’s a price that can quickly add up when you’re visiting the park for 4 or 5 days in a row.
Instead, bring in your own stroller to avoid that added cost. If you bring in a small stroller, you’ll be able to make use of it in the park quite easily and it won’t add too much to your carrying load. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with the size limits on strollers in the park.
Never Pay Full Price for Hotels When Visiting Disneyland
Disneyland tickets are expensive alone, but it can get really pricey when you need to factor in the cost of a hotel. Careful planning here is hugely important to ensure you get the most value for the amount of money you feel comfortable spending.
Here, we’re going to cover the best methods for saving money on hotels and finding options that are outside the high costs of Disney hotels themselves. We understand that not everyone wants to pay the prices involved in the Disney hotels, so we’re going to provide some more options for you to avoid that extra expense.
Many Think They Have to Stay in a Disney Resort Hotel
Especially when you’re looking to bundle your hotel with your Disneyland tickets, it may appear that bundling is only possible when you opt to stay in the Disney hotels. However, this simply isn’t true.
In the area, there are plenty of other hotels that you can bundle with Disney tickets, Universal tickets and tickets for just about any other major attraction in the area. It’s always worth shopping around to make sure that you can save money on your hotel stay as well as the rest of your trip.
Disneyland Hotel Pros
The Disney hotels can truly be magical places, meaning that your entire vacation is soaked in the Disney magic we all love. From character experiences to fantastic restaurants and even rooms that allow you to enjoy the Disney fireworks, there’s a lot to love about these hotels.
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about how you’re getting to the park, as they are often quite close. That also means you can catch a little bit of extra shut eye and still be at the park in time for opening. There’s truly a lot of convenience.
Disney Hotel Cons
While staying at the Disney hotels can be a delightful experience, it’s not typically one for those who want to save money. The cost can be quite high, and that’s on top of actual park tickets, travel, food and any souvenirs you or your family members may want.
For those who have young children who need to get to bed early, the nearby fireworks may present a problem. Keep in mind that fireworks often take place in the parks, and they can be quite loud. That said, if you don’t mind staying up a little later, they can be a magical experience.
Stay in a Good Neighbor Hotel
Instead of paying the added price for a Disney hotel, you can also opt to stay in what’s known as a “good neighbor” hotel. These are hotels that aren’t owned by Disney, but are located relatively near the park. If you don’t mind walking a little farther, these can be a great way to save money.
Many of these hotels are within walking distance. Even if a hotel you’re interested in isn’t, you may find that the cost of travel to the park still saves you money over staying in a Disney hotel. Furthermore, you can get reservations for many of these hotels alongside bundles for Disneyland tickets.
Get Away Today Hotel Deals
Get Away Today is a great place to look for Disneyland deals. On this site, you can find discounted Disneyland tickets, hotel reservations and tickets for other attractions as well. No matter what you’re looking for, odds are you’ll find it there.
Keep in mind that Disney itself doesn’t typically offer discounts on tickets outside the realm of getting a lower ticket price when you visit for more days. Because of that, it’s worthwhile to check out any savings offers you can courtesy of Get Away Today. Any little bit helps to make your trip easier.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
If you haven’t found enough reasons to get started planning your trip to Disneyland, this one is sure to have you convinced. What’s more exciting than a new world within the park? Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a great way to create new memories in a never-before-seen Disney world.
Check Out This New Land
New worlds in Disneyland are always exciting. They bring to life modern franchises or updated takes on franchises we’ve loved for many years. The latter applies greatly to the new Star Wars world, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Galaxy’s Edge is a world that brings to life the newest films in the Star Wars series, making it a great place for new and old Star Wars fans alike. Because it’s such a new world, you’ll want to make sure you’re familiar with the guidelines in place for introducing it to the fans.
Rules on Reservations
For early experiencers, reservations are going to be needed for coming into the new world. This is largely just to make sure everything runs smoothly before allowing the masses in. That also means that if you’re planning on heading to Disneyland soon, you can be one of the first to take it in.
At this point, the time period for reservations is nearly over. Having started on May 31st, this trial period will be over June 23rd. Up until that date, reservations will be needed for visiting that area. After the 23rd, visitors will be able to head into the area freely with a digital reservation.
What’s Available in Galaxy’s Edge?
A new world in Disneyland is truly exactly that — a new world. When you step into Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll be transported into the planet Batuu, where you can have all new experiences. Here, you’ll find yourself in a land where the battle between the resistance and the first order is real.
You’ll be able to meet all kinds of unique alien creatures, getting to know each one in a friendly, safe environment. It’s truly a space where you’ll be able to see the effects of the battle, but certainly won’t be affected by it!
When you want to get creative, you can also opt to put together your very own droid. Then, with the hard work of droid-building finished, the Cantina will be the place to go to relax with a nice drink. There’s sure to be all kinds of alien delicacies to choose from!
Conclusion
Overall, finding Disneyland tickets doesn’t need to be a stressful endeavor. There are plenty of ways out there to both save money and have fun. It’s all about having a plan and making the most of what you have available to you. In addition, doing plenty of research on discounts is key.
With the help of the tips listed here, you’ll be able to save quite a bit of money that may otherwise have gone to avoidable expenses. As a result, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience without having to worry about having enough money for food or other necessities.
