Saving on tickets is a great way to make a Disney vacation more affordable, as Disneyland admission discounts are available almost year-round. If you simply walk up to the ticket gate, you will pay full price for your ticket. A little advanced planning can save you a lot of money—sometimes hundreds of dollars—so it’s worth taking the time to learn about the different ways you can save.
Ways to Save on Disneyland Tickets
Package Deals: Consider booking a Disneyland vacation package instead of purchasing tickets and accommodations separately. You can often save money with a package that combines both a Disneyland resort room and tickets for everyone in your travel party. Special packages are offered throughout the year, especially during the slower months in the fall and winter. Visit the Disneyland website or look out for television commercials and print ads promoting Disney deals.
Order a Free DVD: Sign up for the Disneyland vacation planning DVD and the main Disney website. By providing your contact information, you allow Disney to contact you with special promotions. You can expect to receive discount codes and offerings through both your mailbox and email after you register with Disney.
Buy Multi-Day Tickets: If you purchase a ticket each day, you’ll pay the full price each time. However, if you buy a two-, three-, or four-day (or more) ticket, the cost per day drops dramatically. You don’t have to spend all the days of your trip in Disneyland; you can also get tickets for Disney’s California Adventure.
Buy an Annual Pass: It may seem counterintuitive, but purchasing an annual pass can be a worthwhile investment if you plan to visit Disneyland more than once in the same calendar year. While an annual pass costs more than a seven-day pass, it will save you money in the long run if you return to the park multiple times.
If you live close enough to Disneyland to drive there, you can maximize your ticket investment by taking several short trips throughout the year. Once you’ve paid for the annual pass, you won’t have to pay for admission again. Annual passholders are also typically offered great discounts on resort rooms—up to 40% off.
Even if you don’t live near Disneyland, you can still save money by buying an annual pass. Visit Disneyland during the year of your pass, and then return just before it expires the following year for another trip, effectively getting two vacations for the price of one, and saving 50% on your admission.
Get a Resident Pass: If you live in California, you can purchase a local resident annual pass at a steep discount. While this pass offers a significant price reduction, it may have blackout dates when the pass is not valid. Most blackout dates coincide with crowded times in Disneyland, so you may not miss out on much.
If you don’t want an annual pass, keep an eye on the Disneyland website for deals for locals. In 2011, there were special rates for two-day tickets, allowing access to both Disneyland and California Adventure for a low price.
Check for Employment-Based Specials: Disneyland offers discounts at various times for different professions. If you are a member of the U.S. military, you may be eligible for savings on both your room and tickets. Be sure to inquire about military discounts when booking your trip. Teachers and other service professionals may also receive discounts at certain times of the year.
Volunteer Your Time: Disney occasionally offers discounted or free admission for volunteers. Through the “Give a Day, Get a Day” promotion, you can serve in your own community and receive a free park admission ticket to Disneyland. Keep an eye out for volunteer-based discounts when planning your vacation.
Celebrate Your Birthday: Celebrate your birthday at Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure and receive free park admission. Be sure to let the person booking your reservation know that you are celebrating your birthday and ask if the birthday promotion is available during your trip. As of 2011, this promotion was valid.
Buyer Beware:
No matter how you choose to save on Disneyland tickets, always purchase them directly from Disney or an authorized travel agent. Some select ticket resellers are authorized by Disney and offer discounts as well.
Never buy tickets from unauthorized sellers. Tickets sold on platforms like Craigslist and eBay can be fraudulent or unusable. When you use a multi-day Disneyland ticket for the first time, your fingerprint is scanned at the ticket booth. You must use the same ticket each time, and only the person with the matching fingerprint can use the ticket. So buying someone else’s used ticket won’t get you into the park.
If you purchase second-hand tickets or tickets with leftover days, Disneyland will not replace them. You will need to buy a valid ticket for park admission. No matter how tempting a deal seems, the only way to get Disneyland admission discounts is to buy from authorized sellers and follow the rules.
