It’s a thrifty world after all …
In the smackdown between America’s Magic Kingdoms, I’ve always wondered whether it’s cheaper for travelers to visit Disneyland in Anaheim or Disney World in Orlando, Fla. For Southern Californians, Disneyland is a no-brainer — it doesn’t require an airplane ticket or a long, long drive.
But travel booking site Hipmunk analyzed data and came up with this wisdom: The biggest savings at either park can be achieved by staying at a hotel that isn’t inside the Disney realm.
For those staying in Disney resorts, Hipmunk declares Disney World the winner (that is, in terms of savings) by more than $900; for non-Disney hotels, Disney World still bests Disneyland by $244.
You can save more than $1,400 on four nights of fun if you stay at a non-Disney hotel near Disneyland, Hipmunk said. That would come in handy, because four tickets for four days cost about $1,010.
Several hotels, including lodgings in Costa Mesa (www.lat.ms /1NPLORr) and Newport Beach (www.lat.ms/1U2DViF), are giving guests one free ticket to Disneyland per reservation. The booking window closes in early September, so if you’re interested, check out the hotels and the restrictions, which can vary from property to property.
But it’s the airfare that really makes a difference in your overall budget. A recent quick check on Kayak for mid-September nonstop flights for four from LAX to Orlando found prices starting at $1,860. That’s a significant addition to the cost for Southern Californian travelers.
Sometimes, though, it’s also the little things that can put your costs into orbit. Four days of, say, ice cream cones for four people at the Tiki Juice Bar in Disneyland will set you back $60.64, Hipmunk said, never mind the calories. It’s about $80 for smoothies for four.
Smart parents know (and parenting blogs confirm) that taking water bottles and filling at restaurants will save a bundle over paying for endless soft drinks for you and the kids.
Plus, of course, you always need to stay hydrated, no matter whether you’re in Southern California or Florida.
Occasionally (or maybe more than occasionally, depending on how much you’ve been tromping around the parks), it’s not even about money; you just need a break from the nonstop action of things that go too fast and crowds that are too large.
In that case, discount ticket seller Undercover Tourist (www .undercovertourist.com) points to free park activities that offer a bit of a break. In the Animation Academy at California Adventure in Anaheim, an artist gives free lessons in sketching Disney characters. Inside Big Thunder Ranch at Disneyland are tables and chairs with coloring pages and crayons for children.
Kids are kept busy, and Mom and Dad can put their feet up for a few minutes. Priceless.