As a native Californian..who grew up at Disneyland..I never thought I would have to plan a trip that would require working on a budget..but..after moving to another state..I find..in order to be able to visit Disney..and...allow my daughter to enjoy..what I took for granted as a child...required some planning..I go to Disneyland at least once a year..sometimes more often..if I can swing it..but..it takes a bit of planning and discipline..
I begin by making lists..Lists of the time of year I would like to go (definitely spring and fall..are the most reasonably priced) whether or not I want to experience staying on property..or..in a good neighbor hotel..I have done both..The only time I stay on property..is if a special is being offered..which is rare..but sometimes..when you call Disney..they are very helpful in finding specials..
The best way to begin planning is to go to the Disneyland.com website..It is very easy to navigate...play around with it...There is a map..that shows you where the good neighbor hotels are in relation to the parks...All of the ones farther down Harbor Blvd..have a bus service that run on the half hour..to take you there and back...
Regardless..if you stay on property..or..off..you can't avoid walking..Paradise Pier hotel on property..is a farther walk than some of the good neighbor hotels..My last trip saved me almost 1000 by staying at a good neighbor hotel..During some months..you can get free days if you stay 3 or more days..The Disney site as well as some of the airlines will let you know when these specials run..
I usually fly in to John Wayne airport..as it is a much closer bus ride to Disney..Disney has buses to pick you up at the airport..and can be added for a nominal fee to a package..I do recommend buying your package (with or without airfare) because the deals can be better..
I also recommend park hopper tickets..they are a bit higher priced..but..you can go from park to park all day..without paying extra..You can buy daily tickets to individual parks...if you do not think you will be doing both parks..I must say California Adventure is a park that can pretty much be done in one day..unless you like to go back..so..if you do not want to buy a park hopper..you probably need to take that into consideration..
I do not recommend buying the dining plan..At Disneyland..it is not worth it..unless you are going to do a big meal every day..If you have children..I do recommend the Disney resort hotels for character breakfasts or lunch..At Paradise Pier..you can enjoy a Lilo and Stitch breakfast..for around $80 for 4 people..It is a buffet..with everything under the sun to dine on..The children can meet and get photos with a Disney character..and..even learn to hula with Lilo..
Goofy's Kitchen..at Disney Hotel..is also wonderful...same price..delicious buffet meal..and..a chance to meet many characters..usually 5 or 6...
Storybook Cafe..in the Grand Californian..was my least favorite..no buffet..and from my experience..the Cast Members who served..were not as eager to make sure all the characters visited each child..but..I could have been there on an off day..
In the California Adventure park..there is a princess meal at Ariel's Grotto..breakfast to dinner..with the later being more expensive..I always have lunch there..at about $80 for 4..You meet 5 princesses..plus Ariel..and..a professional photo of your child with Ariel..is how you begin your meal...It is reasonably priced and can be included in your meal beforehand if you like to pay in advance..
My very favorite restaurant is Blue Bayou..it is located right in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride..It is a bit costly..and..reservations have to be made in advance..but so worth it..
If you call Disneyland reservations they can connect you to the site that takes your reservations..I always make mine when I make my trip reservations..and can be made up to 60 days in advance..
Parades at Disney are fun..and always crowded..I usually just work my way through the crowd..or..pick my seat(on the ground) in advance...but..Disney does offer a package deal where you can sit and watch the parade in comfort..for a fee..It is a roped off area for ticket holders only..I did this one time..It was much more comfortable..but..I can't justify the added expense more than once...Both parks have parades..Disneyland runs the same parade twice..one in the afternoon..one in the evening..California has two separate parades..A Pixar parade twice in the day..and..a parade of lights..called Electric Light Parade..in the evening..which is worth waiting for..It is spectacular..
There is also a show called Fantasmic..which is amazing..You can stand around in the crowd..to catch a glimpse..or..buy a dessert ticket..in which you get dessert in a special roped off area..for a fee...which is high if you are paying for more than one or two people..
If you have a young girl in your party..the Princess Fantasy Faire..is a must..especially if you do not want to take part in the character meals..It is part of Disneyland..and..your child can get autographs of her favorite princess...make crafts that a princess would admire..and watch a show put on by all the princesses..This area also has things to purchase..that can be costly..so beware..
The Tom Sawyer's Island..has been recreated into a Pirate Lair..so..if you have young boys into pirates..this might be fun...YOu can only get to the island on a ferry across a pond..
California Adventure has a great show in Aladdin..do not miss it if you have children over the age of 5 in your party..
If you are lucky enough to have a Disney Chase Visa card..you can get many perks..including free strollers (up to 2 a day)..THey also will finance your trip free of interest for the first 6 months...so..that might be a way to go for some of you who qualify..You can go to Disneychase.com to see if this might be an option..

The food options for snacking can be a bit disappointing..and..costly at Disney..so..if you are staying off property...there is a McDonalds..an IHOP..and several other reasonably priced restaurants across the street..Downtown Disney has some nice places to eat..including a Rainforest Cafe..which is fun for some children..and..for those of you who do reward sites online..Rainforest..you can trade in points for gift cards..At some reward sites..you can trade points in for Disney dollars....as well...
Look for deals on airfare..For the past 2 years..Alaska Airlines has had a buy one adult fare..get a child fare free..only to Disneyland..(not World) which is a good option..if you can swing the dates available..Alaska also give military discounts..so if that is an option for you..make sure you ask..I didn't get them from Delta ..
Disneyland can be done in a 3 day trip..but..if you want to be able to see the parks.. and.. do all you would like to do..(especially if you live a distance away.. so it will not be something you will be doing often)...a 5 day trip is more recommended..

Recommended: Yes