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  • On May 24, 2024
    Annamarie from AZ Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I want to purchase tickets only, but I want to be able to make payments like when it's a package. Doing that is very convenient is there a way for us to do this, if not that is something that I would like to suggest for families on a budget.

    Hi Annamarie! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney.

    Vacation packages offer Guests increased value and the convenient option of paying a deposit and then making payments until the balance of the trip needs to be paid 30 days prior to check-in. This option is available not only for Disneyland Resort Hotels but also for Good Neighbor Hotels. There are some great budget-friendly choices to explore. The one we stayed at was conveniently located, and we found it to be clean and comfortable.

    If you only need tickets, there are no payment plan options. Standard admission tickets must be paid for in full at the time of your transaction. Prices and terms are subject to change. Never fear though! I do have budgeting ideas, which might help.

    First, Disney Gift Cards are your friend! Admission tickets, Disneyland Resort Hotel Stays, Vacation Packages, and park food and merchandise parks can be paid for with a Disney Gift Card. Purchase in smaller increments and save them up for buying your tickets or the parks. We request them from family for birthdays and holidays. They never expire! You can purchase Disney Gift Cards at several big box or bulk stores with membership cards that offer a discount on the purchase, thus increasing their value.

    There are additional ways to save on tickets. You can elect to skip ticket options like Park Hopper or Disney's Genie+ Service or choose one of those options. If you're visiting for two days, I'd prioritize Genie+ over Park Hopper, and when making my theme park reservations, I'd choose one park for one day and the other for the next. You can also wait and purchase Genie+ after scanning into the parks for the day, subject to availability, and pay for the purchase with a Disney Gift Card. The price of Genie+ might be different from day to day. If you arrive early and get a lot of Attractions done quickly, you might forego Genie+.

    One hint: Theme park reservations are subject to availability and they can fill up, so don't wait too long to purchase your tickets and make those reservations. The earlier you do so, the more availability you'll probably find.

    Food cost is a consideration. When booking a hotel, consider one that offers a free breakfast. We travel from out of state and have basics delivered to the hotel so we can eat breakfast in the room, which is another option. When my kids were tiny, we packed familiar healthy snacks and skipped snack purchases. Bring refillable water bottles to keep hydrated at no cost. If you want to make yourself a picnic lunch, you can do that too. Just be aware of park rules about loose ice, glass containers, and cooler sizes. There are picnic tables outside the main entrance to Disneyland Park, but you'll also find plenty of shady spots to enjoy your packed lunches inside the parks. And again, use those Disney Gift Cards to pay for any food and beverage or merchandise purchases you make during the day. Not only are you saving if you bought them at a discount, but they also help you budget your park spending.

    Finally, watch the Offers & Discounts page. You never know what discount might fit your family's needs. There are some great offers about to become available for the summer. There might be something that magically appears for your preferred dates too! Updating your MyDisney profile to receive all communications from Disney is another way to ensure you'll be among the first to hear news of a great discount or offer.

    I hope this helps!

    Elizabeth
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Meet the Panelist: Elizabeth, Missouri

Hello from St. Louis! I'm Elizabeth, a professor, wife, and mother to two little boys. We love to travel as a family, and Disneyland Resort is the place where we laugh more and make the happiest memories. We've done everything from solo to big multi-generational trips, and I've got the tips and tricks for traveling with little ones to help ensure your experience is truly magical. Learn More About Elizabeth

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