Going to Disneyland or Walt Disney World This Summer? 5 Money Saving Tips and 5 Splurges for Your Next Vacation

Summer vacations are here, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, remain popular destinations. From families to friend groups, these theme parks continue to enchant millions of guests.

However, not every guest has the same budget. Some need to keep vacations as affordable as possible, while others have larger budgets and can afford more perks.

Some park goers try to balance between money-saving tips and a handful of more expensive options. After all, vacations should be fun and have at least a few splurges.

Of course, whether something is “worth” the thriftiness or splurge is all subjective and up to each individual. But with years of experience and research, I’ve got a handy guide of ways to save money, and the things that warrant spending more. If you have a healthy mix of both, your next Disney trip has the chance of being fun, without breaking the bank.

When it comes to the Disneyland Resort, people have varying ideas about Park Hopper tickets. Many prefer them because of the flexibility of going between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. And if it’s only a day trip, then a Park Hopper may be appealing.

However, for a multi-day vacation, skip the added expense of Park Hopper tickets. This allows you to focus on one park at a time, cuts down on walking, and obviously will save you the extra $70 to $90 per ticket.

As far as I’m concerned, Park Hopper tickets for vacationers at Walt Disney World are a huge waste of money- And money better spent elsewhere. The entire Walt Disney World Resort is 40 square miles and encompasses four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping district, and numerous hotels. For comparison, that is roughly the same size as San Francisco.

Whether walking or utilizing transportation such as a bus, ferry, or the Skyliner, getting anywhere in Walt Disney World takes time. That’s why Park Hopper tickets become pointless. Are you really going to waste precious time going from one park to another? Doing so would be a big mistake, and, like Disneyland, focusing on one park per day remains a more efficient strategy.

Disney Vacations, while very fun, also come with their fair share of stress. One of these is waiting in long lines for attractions. It can feel even worse during the summer months because of the unrelenting heat. For those who want to spend less time in line, especially when Disney vacations are infrequent, Lighting Lane will be worth the splurge.

Indeed, it definitely will be a splurge, especially for families. However, the time saved makes a tremendous difference and creates a less stressful overall experience.

Disneyland offers Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, which gives guests a shorter wait time on over 20 attractions. The price varies by day and time of purchase. If you purchase a Lightning Lane Multi-Pass at the same time as your ticket, it costs around $34, but if you purchase it the same day as the trip, it could be up to $45. It’s best to purchase ahead of time to save some money.

Walt Disney World also offers a Multi-Pass, with varying prices between the parks, but a range of $15 to $45 on peak days. A major difference with the Walt Disney World Multi-Pass is the ability to book up to three in advance. They just must come from the different tiers set up for the attractions.

Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World also offer Single Pass Lightning Lanes for a handful of attractions. In Disneyland, these include Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers. At Walt Disney World, they are TRON Lightcycle Run, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Avatar Flight of Passage, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Additionally, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts offer an even bigger splurge: Lightning Lane Premier Pass. Although guests will still have a short wait, this option eliminates the need to book a Lightning Lane. Without that requirement, guests can get into any line they please, at any time. Of course, this pass comes at a hefty price, so it won’t be a feasible splurge for everyone.

A major expense on Disney vacations will always be food. Guests will frequently underestimate how much they’ll spend, and often waste food. To save money, park goers of both resorts can do a few simple things.

One, sharing meals proves to be a terrific option for breakfast or lunch, particularly at sit-down restaurants, but also at quick-service restaurants. This saves money and prevents waste when the portions are large. For example, the fried chicken plate at Plaza Inn is more than enough food to split between two people.

Eating lighter also works twofold. Having either a lighter breakfast or lunch, opting for a smaller option for one of these meals, helps cut down that daily food cost. Likewise, it prevents guests from overeating and possibly feeling stuffed or sluggish, which slows down the rest of the day.

For breakfast, you can have a cinnamon roll from Main Street’s Jolly Holiday at Disneyland or a breakfast Ronto wrap at Galaxy’s Edge. Instead of a heavy lunch, try a Lime Chicken or Barbecue Beef Bao Bun at Disneyland’s Tropical Hideaway, or a Cheeseburger Spring Roll at Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland Cart.

Lastly, bringing in portable snacks will help save some cash, especially for families or picky eaters. Churros or popcorn are great treats, but getting snacks constantly adds up. To remain frugal, bring in things like granola bars, crackers, and even fresh fruit to munch on in between larger meals.

While breakfast and lunch can and should be your lighter meals, in my opinion, dinner is another story. At the very least, visitors should have one upscale dinner during their vacation. And by upscale, I mean a sit-down restaurant, preferably with a reservation.

Which restaurants one chooses will be up to individual budgets and how big a splurge it can be. At the Disneyland Resort, restaurants like Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Wine Country Trattoria offer excellent food at a still reasonable price, which places like Carthay Circle, Blue Bayou, and Napa Rose will be more expensive. It all comes down to your food and ambiance preferences.

At the Walt Disney World Resort, the sheer number of restaurant options can be quite overwhelming between the parks and hotels. A moderate splurge could be Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom, Le Cellier Steakhouse at EPCOT, or The Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios. A more significant splurge would be Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom or California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

The best approach for vacationers is to research and plan their meal options before their trip. The Disneyland and Walt Disney apps have menus for every single restaurant, which help you choose a restaurant that fits your budget.

Staying at one of the on-property hotels at the Disneyland Resort can be appealing. But it also comes with a sizable price tag. However, the nearby hotels, especially the official Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels, offer excellent accommodations at considerably lower rates.

Some are within walking distance, such as the Anaheim Hilton, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground, Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance, and The Anaheim Hotel. Others will require you to drive yourself and park at one of the lots or parking structures, or take a taxi/Uber/Lyft. These will have even lower rates and offer excellent accommodations as well. Some of the finest include the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Anaheim, Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove, The Viv Hotel, and the Element by Marriott Anaheim Resort Convention Center.

At Walt Disney World, staying on-property is the way to go to remain in the “Disney bubble” and be within walking distance to the parks or transportation to each. However, the Value Resorts will be your best bet to save money.

The highest rated value resorts remain the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts, both of which offer the bus and Skyliner as transportation to the parks. The All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports Resorts also have low rates and keep guests inside that “Disney bubble.”

While Value will be the way to go for many, the Moderate Hotels are terrific options too, especially the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. The slightly higher price still pales in comparison to the Luxury Resorts but offers accommodations closer to the parks, and more sophisticated theming.

What’s a vacation without souvenirs? Everyone should get at least one thing from their trip, especially when you don’t go very often. How much merchandise one purchases will depend on personal taste and budget.

It’s easy to find some less expensive options, such as magnets, t-shirts, mugs, picture frames, postcards, and plushies. Going this route, guests can possibly purchase a few different things instead of just one.

More expensive items, such as sweaters, sweatshirts, spirit jerseys, artwork, collectibles, signs, and lightsabers, may limit your purchase to just one item. Whatever the choice ends up being, few will regret splurging on merchandise, as it brings the Magic home and helps keep the memories and fun alive.

One money-saving tip that many guests forget is to bring their own water bottles and fans from home. It’s important to stay hydrated and cool, especially in the summer, so remembering these is key. Of course, the park sells these items, but at a higher price than they should. At the same time, the parks also offer free water and have refillable stations. So instead of spending the money on water, bring your own, and refill if necessary.

As far as portable fans go, they can be a real lifesaver during the hottest hours of the day. I’ve brought this fan with me during summer trips to Disneyland, and it helped keep me cool in lines. But, of course, many options are out there, and at much more reasonable prices than those sold inside the parks.

In addition to at least one general sit-down dinner, dining packages and dessert parties can be worth the splurge if having a guaranteed viewing area for nighttime entertainment is a top priority.

At Disneyland, Fantasmic dining packages are available at Rancho del Zocalo, River Belle Terrace, and Cafe Orleans. Plaza Inn also offers a package for the Paint the Night parade. Disney California Adventure offers two packages for World of Color: a dining package and a dessert party. Eric D. on YouTube gives all the details on the Fantasmic Dining Packages, and on on the World Dining Package and Dessert Party.

At Walt Disney World, guests can book various dining packages and dessert parties for their nighttime shows. Magic Kingdom offers a pre-fireworks dessert party called “Seats and Sweets.” Ideal for families, it’s located at Tomorrowland Terrace, with a designated seat on the outside patio to view “Happily Ever After.” Disney’s Contemporary Resort also has “Celebration at the Top- Sip, Savor, & Sparkle.” An upscale cocktail party, this dessert party, complete with alcoholic beverages for those over 21, promises a fancier experience and primo views of the fireworks show.

EPCOT offers three dining options for its fireworks spectacular. The Rose & Crown and Spice Road Table offer prix-fixe menus and designated seating areas, while Geo-82 is an adults-only package with light bites and sparkling beverages.

Hollywood Studios offers packages from four restaurants: 50s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, The Hollywood Brown Derby, and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Each includes an entrée, dessert, beverage, and voucher for a guaranteed seat for Fantasmic.

The important thing to remember about any dining or dessert party is planning ahead. Advance reservations are recommended, and the only guarantee you won’t miss out on Disney’s spectacular shows.

Having a day or two in between theme park visits to just rest is a no-brainer. On vacations that are five or more days, park goers need a day to just relax and chill at their hotel. Of course, these rest days save more than your aching feet. You’ll obviously be saving money by not going into one of the parks.

Beyond park admission, you typically won’t be spending as much on food and merchandise at your hotel. Although that isn’t always a guarantee, depending on where you stay, saving a ticket price for at least one day is worth it.

On your rest day, you can enjoy the pool, sleep in, enjoy the hotel’s amenities, relax, and recharge for the following day, as these rest days should be in the middle of your trip.

Guided and VIP Tours fall into the splurge category, but how much of a splurge depends on what type you book. Disneyland typically offers a few themed tours throughout the year, each lasting a few hours, costing between $120 and $170 per person (in addition to your theme park admission), and including a few special treats. Currently, the park offers the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Guided Tour and A Story of Celebration: A 70th Anniversary Guided Tour.

Walt Disney World’s guided tours vary in price and size compared to Disneyland’s. Available to guests 16 and up, Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom tour takes guests on a 5-hour, in-depth experience, including backstage areas, costing $169-$189. EPCOT has a few smaller tours: Behind the Seeds and Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses. These take you on a walking tour of the Land Pavilion, and cost between $39 and $49.

The VIP Tours are a horse of a different color and very different in scope and cost. These truly embody the VIP experience and are the epitome of the ultimate splurge. At Disneyland, a private VIP tour includes up to 10 guests, lasts anywhere from 7 to 10 hours, grants you expedited access to every attraction, and reserved seating for parades and fireworks. Your experience is led by an expert tour guide who helps create some theme park magic.

The Land of Dreams Tour is more intimate, with only 6 guests maximum, but more time spent in the park- up to 12 hours. You also receive everything from the other tour, plus one table service meal and one quick service meal, behind-the-scenes PhotoPass experience, and more. Walt Disney World’s VIP Guided Tours are similar to Disneyland’s options, but can be more intense with multiple theme parks.

Information about these private tours can be found on the official websites. One thing remains certain with these tours. The unique experience will be worth the splurge.