4 Disneyland experiences you can enjoy for free
Disneyland has more to offer than just a theme park.
The cost of visiting the happiest place on earth is becoming more and more expensive.
Disneyland recently increased menu prices throughout its Southern California resort. For example, popcorn currently costs $7.
Of course, you don’t have to purchase food or drinks when you visit. Disneyland and Walt Disney World both welcome guests to bring their own into the parks. But for many guests, food is an important part of their Disney vacation.
Disneyland told USA TODAY it is continually evaluating and making adjustments to its offerings and pricing. They note that their current prices are in line with the industry, with many products being priced lower than their competitors.
However, even if your expenses increase, here are some ways to snack and save as much as possible.
How much does it cost to eat at Disneyland?
Prices vary by item and eatery, but on average, MickeyVisit.com found menu prices increased by 8% resort-wide, with some items like wedge salads increasing by more than 20%.
The Disney Tourist Blog shared the following example to introduce travelers to ThemeParkIQ for a searchable index of other items.
- Popcorn – now $7, was $6.50
- Mickey Beignets – $7.49, formerly $6.49
- Dole Whip – currently $7.49, formerly $7.29
- Bengal BBQ Beef Skewers – $7.99 to $7.49
- Pepperoni Pizza Slice – $9.99, formerly $8.99
For comparison, at Universal Studios Hollywood, popcorn costs $7.59 and a personal-sized pepperoni pizza costs $10.99.
Check the latest Disneyland prices on the resort’s website and app.
Why is Disneyland raising prices?
Unlike Costco, which has kept its hot dog combo prices the same for 40 years, theme parks regularly raise menu prices every year.
“It happens about twice a year at Disney World, and you see it once or twice a year at Disneyland as well,” AJ Wolfe, owner of fan sites Disney Food Blog and AllEars.net and author of the best-selling book “Disney Adults: Exploring (And Falling In Love With A Magic Subculture),” told USA TODAY. “Everything typically increases by a few cents or a few dollars, depending on the original price of the item. This often reflects increases in raw materials and purchase prices that Disney is passing on to the end user, but may also reflect increases in shipping and shipping prices elsewhere in the industry.”
How to save money at Disneyland
The easiest way to avoid overspending on food and drink is to not buy anything at all. I’ve gone on many Disney trips where I bought my groceries off-site and packed my own lunches and snacks to go to the parks. Also, water is always free at drinking fountains and locations where fountain drinks are sold.
If you’re interested in Disneyland’s iconic treats, you can save money by sharing them with friends and family. Dishes like Plaza Inn’s famous fried chicken and Café Orleans’ Monte Cristo are big enough to share. We also shared an extra-large chocolate smash bar from Pimm’s Test Kitchen and rich garlic-cheese pretzel bread from Morris Treat or Edelweiss Snacks.
Another way to save money is to purchase slightly discounted Disney gift cards from warehouse retailers like Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club and use them to purchase food and drinks at parks and resort hotels.
You can also save money on your entire trip by being strategic about when to visit. Through September 7th, children ages 3 to 9 can purchase Park Hopper tickets for $50 per day. This is almost half the starting price of a standard one-day, one-park child ticket.
Adult, one-day, one-park tickets typically start at $104, but can reach up to $224 for this year’s most popular dates. Disneyland recently offered special evening tickets for $59 on select nights through August, but those appear to have sold out. Checking your resort’s price calendar and offers and discounts page will help you time your trip to suit the cheapest days, and you’ll save much more money than skipping snacks.
This story has been updated with new information.
