Subsonic Radio

How do you afford a trip to DisneyLand from the East Coast?

We have never been to DL, but would like to go sometime. However the cost is prohibitive. The cost of flights to LAX or Orange County are 3 times higher than to Vegas or to Orlando. And the cost of on-site rooms at DL are MUCH higher than what we pay for mods or values at WDW.

With park tickets, we're looking at $6K to $8K for a trip to DL. But we can make a trip to WDW for $1K (if we drive and only stay a few days) to $3K for a flight and full week during the summer.

So, with it being so expensive, how do you other East Coasters afford a trip to DL?

Where are you coming from, WV? There are alternates to LAX and SNA that are often cheaper. For instance, try Ontario (ONT) which is about 45 minutes east of Disneyland. Southwest flies there and the fares are often more competitive than in Orange County.

Also, where do you want to stay? If you're looking for a Disney All Star value resort in California it doesn't exist - but there are tons of hotels in the vicinity. Tons.

There are other airports around the LA area such as Bob Hope (BUR) and Ontario (ONT). Try sites such as travelocity.com, priceline.com or any other airport/hotel sites that will help you out with your planning.

Also, you don't have to stay on property. That, to me, is the biggest waste of money.

I go at least twice a year. I generally stay at hotels that are within walking distance to the parks. The last trip I took out there was in July and I stayed at the Quality Inn on South Manchester Ave. http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-anaheim ... mo=gglocal They had a rate of $60 per night.

Another way to save is to get an AP, if you get a Deluxe AP $269 it will pay for itself after 7 days in the parks. If you use the 10% discounts in the parks you can make it worth it faster (certain restrictions apply see website for blackout dates and discount locations). Personally everytime I go with my brother I spend less than a grand.

So basically check into off site hotels, AP's, and flights into other locations. Also if you are ONLY going to the Parks this includes Knott's and Universal you can get away with not having a rental car. Look into Super shuttle for transport to and from the airport. It has only cost me $12 roundtrip to use and they are good (6 times and no complaints). And to get to the other parks they have shuttle services that will get you there, granted these aren't as good but they are offered. Another way to get around the Car rental for the week is to rent it for the day or two days. National/Alamo has a location on Katella Ave. very close to the parks.

Yea, definitely look in to the good neighbor hotels around disneyland. There are lots of nice to decent ones around the park. Just like horizons said, there are tons of hotels to choose from.

I can vouch for flying into Ontario. The rental car area is set up nicely--although you do have to take a free shuttle bus from the terminal to the rental car area. Then it's an easy drive from the airport to the Disneyland area.

We stayed at the Ayres Hotel east of Disneyland on Katella. Seemed to be about a 10 minute drive from hotel parking lot to the Disneyland parking lot. We got a pretty good room rate on Expedia.

Overall, a VERY pleasant experience.

It is actually cheaper to fly into LAX then it is to Fly to Orlando for me right now. It's never been that way, but recently it has changed. Heck Orange County isn't that much more which I will pay extra for again when I go back out to Disneyland.