Disneyland on a Dime

Disneyland on a Dime is way too good to be true, so how about Disneyland on a Benjamin?  Benjamin, as in $100.

Now, don’t get too excited, there is no way you can even get more than one foot in the door of Disneyland without spending at least $100, but let’s let this be about once you are in the park, deal?

 Okay good, here we go then…

Five Ways to do Disneyland on a Dime (aka a Benjamin):

1. Pack enough food to keep your kids fed for the day and snacks to keep the grown ups going too!
2. Go to the Disney Store or Online, or anywhere that sells Disney products and buy some souvenir like items for about a third of the price.  Hide them in a bag or tuck it away under a stroller and when your kids get the “I want’s”, magically pull out a souvenir for them!
3. Bring a cute Disney notebook and pen that you can pick up at the 99 Cents Store before your trip…ta-da!  Now your kids have an autograph book and pen and you have saved at least $15.  (The pens and autograph books seemed to range between $8-12 in the park).
4. Bring your Mouse Ears.  If you have been to Disneyland before, most likely you will have a pair of Mouse Ears lying around somewhere.  If this is your first time earning your ears, you can still manage to get the classic (and personally I think these are the coolest) Mouse Ears for as little as $12.  Totally worth it and you can rock your ears all day and on future Disney adventures!
5. If you have Princesses like I do, have them wear a princess dress up outfit from their collection so they won’t want to buy one when they see other little girls all done up as a princess!  If you have Princes, encourage them to wear their Toy Story or Cars gear.  And if you happen to be a grown princess (or just a Disney fan) wear your Disney attire there so you don’t feel like you need a new Mickey shirt or something to that effect.  I have been guilty of this in the past.  Right before we went on this trip I found a super cute Mickey Mouse shirt at Wal-Mart for only $9!  I’m pretty sure that saved me $40!

Here is the food I packed:

• Lunchables (the healthier ones, not gross ones), that were a total of $2.50 and lunch was covered.
• Grapes.  I froze them the night before so they would be perfect throughout the day
• Gogurt, also frozen
• Crackers
• Applesauce pouches
• String Cheese
• Water Bottles
• Fruit Snacks, for when they wanted candy

This total was under $20 for food that we brought, but I’m cheating because I’m only going to count money spend in Disneyland.

What I spent my Benjamin on:

• Flip-Flops:  My day didn’t start off on the right foot since my flip-flop broke in the parking garage as I was taking my first steps away from the car!  Note to self:  Always have an extra pair of flip-flops in the car.  $13
• Princess Sweetie Pie’s first Mouse Ears:  She earned them as you read in yesterday’s post Earning Your Mouse Ears.  $17
• Grown Up Lunch:  I had to try the Mac and Cheese Hot Dog…yep…Mac and Cheese on top of a Hot Dog!  $10
• Ice Cream for the girls: $8
• Two overpriced stuffed animals for the Princesses P: $40
• One Trading Pin for myself:  $8

Total: $96

***Note:  These are estimated totals, but accurate on what was actually purchased.

 

I’m really proud actually.  I usually spend a lot more on a Disneyland trip.  I was very mindful of my spending and keeping my girls into having fun at the park and not going into the shops and buying things.

Honestly,   the memories are priceless.  Every time is magical and I am so lucky to be able to experience it with my Princesses P!

Do you have any budget tips to share when you go places with your family, I would love to hear about new ideas with Spring Break coming up next week.  Please leave your comment.  Pretty Please?

Tootles,

Related Posts:

(other posts about Disney and Disneyland)

• All Signs Point to Disneyland
• Do It Well
• Dream It, Do It
• Earning Your Mouse Ears