Disneyland Discount Tickets

No matter what you might see in online ads or blogs, here's the truth about Disneyland discount tickets: Getting them isn't easy. And when you do find discounts, they are usually small (less than 5%).

You may think the writer is misinformed to say that. You've seen those online ads make claims like "Up to 55% Off Disney Tickets or "Big Sale On Now!" However, no amount of hype or hoping, wishing or praying will get you into Disneyland at more than a few percent savings. What those ads will lead you to is cheesy, so-called comparison sites that are more lists of links and none of them will deliver anything close to the promised discounts.

The good news is that you can still get some Disneyland ticket discounts, and you'll do best if you plan in advance. You can also check out if there are any package deals available.

More Ways to Get Discounts

Disneyland specials: From time to time (usually in the offseason), Disney offers special discounts and it's always worth checking their website first. The most common discount is adding a couple of extra days to a multi-day ticket for free or reduced prices for kids.

Get Away Today: Try online ticket seller Getawaytoday.com. They offer hard-to-find ticket discounts, in the form of e-tickets which you can print or display on your mobile device. They also have frequent sales that can save you even more.

CityPASS: The Southern California CityPASS was once the best way to save money on your Disneyland tickets, but they have discontinued their multi-attraction pass and now offer only modest discounts on Disneyland tickets that are less than Getaway Today.

Stick to one park a day: Reduced-price tickets called 1-Park per Day cost less than a Park Hopper ticket. You can use them for only one park per day. Multi-day versions allow you to switch parks on different days, though, so you could spend 2 full days at Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure with a 3-Day, 1-Park per Day ticket and save money.

Shorten your stay: Another way to save money is to spend fewer days in the parks. That doesn't mean you can't do everything. Most visitors spend more time in line than doing anything else, but you know better. With an inexpensive subscription to Ridemax, you can stay out of line and easily, do in two days what it takes most people three to four days to cover.

Stay away from auctions and unauthorized sellers: Some people buy 5-Day passes, use two or three days and try to sell the remaining time in online auctions. However, Disneyland photographs each ticket's user, making these tickets useless. Other people selling tickets through Craigslist or other websites may be selling counterfeit or expired tickets.

Get dapper: Twice a year, a group of stylish folks gets together for a trip to Disneyland, wearing their most "dapper" clothing. It's a lot of fun, but it also comes with a ticket discount. Sign up for their newsletter on the Dapper Day website, and you can find out how to get discounted, convention-rate park tickets for the event.

Go for a walk: Get your exercise and a Disneyland discount at the same time. Participate in the Children's Hospital of Orange County CHOC/Disneyland Resort Walk in the Park held in August. For registering, helping a good cause and walking just 3 miles, participants get an entrance discount when they show their wristband at the ticket booth.

California Resident Discounts

Southern Californians: If you live in zip codes 90000-93599, Disney offers frequent special deals and discounts for online purchases along with discounts on annual passes. Your local Costco, Von's or Ralph's store may also offer lower-priced passes.

Southern California University Students: Some area universities offer discounted, one-park, one-day Disneyland discount tickets for their students. Check with your Student Union.

Employee Discounts: Some large corporations and government agencies in Southern California also offer discounted, one-day, one-park Disneyland discount tickets to their employees. Ask your Human Resources department.

AAA and CSAA Members: The California automobile clubs sometimes offer discounts, but that's not guaranteed. Know the regular prices and grab your calculator before you buy. Some of their "packages" can cost the same as the individual parts at full price.

Other Ways to Get Discount Tickets

Some area hotels offer discounted Disneyland tickets with a room rental. Don't get tunnel vision on this one. Get out your calculator to be sure your total cost for tickets and hotel are the lowest possible.

Military Discounts: Active duty, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, and DOD employees can buy Disneyland discount tickets, with the amount depending on the time of year. Check with your base MWR for information. You often have to buy these in advance and bring your military ID to show at the gate when you use them.