California locals—it’s time to embrace the magic in your backyard with a Disneyland staycation. You know the place, you know the drill but maybe it’s been a minute since you’ve actually considered a Disneyland staycation, making it more than just an Orange County day trip.
Why a Disneyland Staycation is Perfect for Locals
Staying close to home doesn’t have to mean boring, and even if Disneyland is a regular thing for your family it’s time to amp up the magic with a full staycation.
I’ll share how you can:
- Maximize the convenience of a Disneyland trip
- Save money and plan a cost-effectiveness Disneyland getaway
- Discover unique opportunities and experience Disneyland in a new light
We’ll also cover:
- How to avoid long travel times
- Exclusive ticket deals and discounts
- How to maximize the in-park experience
Timing a Disneyland Staycation
Everyone always asks “When is it least crowded at Disneyland?” and tries to plan their trip around potential crowds. Focusing on that one aspect alone can really mess with the staycation idea.
I say—go to Disneyland when it works for you and don’t worry about the crowd levels! Seriously, we can work around that with planning and strategies. Plus, crowd predictions are often wrong.
But, as you look to plan and if you have flexibility, keep these things in mind:
- Try midweek visits since most people head to Disneyland over the weekends.
- Off-Peak season is filled with promotional discounts to fill in the crowd gaps.
- Special Events sometimes bring lower crowds for certain things- prime example, the first weekend of the 70th celebration people packed the lines for merchandise, but ride lines were mostly walk on!
Discounts for California Residents
Disneyland loves welcoming locals with special pricing on multi-day tickets. To get these perks you have to prove residency and use them within a specific date range.
But, they often don’t come with restrictions on using all the dates within 14 days, making a staycation or even two staycations an option.
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My ticket partners also offer bundled deals that include accommodations and park tickets.
Top Hotel Picks for Locals
If you really want to make your Disneyland staycation special and magical, consider spending 2 nights or more on property. Did you know you can also stay at one of the Disney owned hotels without going into the parks? That alone can be an incredible locals getaway!
- Disneyland Hotel: Classic Disney charm with convenient park access and an amazing, magical pool set up
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: Luxury accommodations with direct park entry into Disney California Adventure Park
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Pixar Place Hotel: Fun and Pixar with bright, playful atmosphere and kid-friendly vibes.
- Off Site Hotels with tons of perks: Courtyard Theme Park Entrance, Cambria, Westin
- Budget hotels nearby and in nearby cities
Budget Tips for Disneyland Staycations
- Advance Planning: Book tickets and reservations early to secure the best rates—plus, if a better deal comes out you can always get that better price when you purchase with Get Away Today.
- Meal Strategies: Bring snacks and drinks in a soft-side cooler, then look for larger meals families can share like the Fried Chicken Plate made to order salads at Plaza Inn on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Transportation Savings: Look for hotels with free or reduced parking rates through my partners at Get Away Today, often these parking deals are only offered here.
Special Experiences Locals Love
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Character Dining: Reserve unique dining experiences with your favorite Disney characters. Most of these are offered outside the parks, which means no tickets needed!
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Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Make it even more magical with a new perspective. Book a VIP Tour Guide or a guided group tour for more savings.
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Seasonal Events: Participate in limited-time offerings like holiday celebrations, themed nights and SoCal favorite—Food & Wine Festival.
Enjoy Disneyland Without Park Admission
I’ve already mentioned a few things you can do without a park ticket like stay at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels and book character dining. Here’s a couple more things to add to the list:
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Downtown Disney District: Shop, dine, and enjoy live entertainment without a ticket.
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Fireworks Viewing: Find strategic spots outside the parks to watch the nightly fireworks.
Convince the Fam to Do a Disneyland Staycation
It’s time to rediscover the joy of Disneyland, even when you’re close to home. It’s easy, it’s nearly effortless (once you get there!) and affordable when you take advantage of discounts and long weekends!
Need some help convincing the family or your significant other? Here’s a few ideas to send their way.
