Save Money at Disneyland: DIY and BYO Tricks

Photo of homemade Disneyland tee, power bank and toy coins by Disneyland tickets with title “DIY Swaps, BYO Tips and Money Saving Disneyland Tricks.

Save money on your Disneyland Resort visit with do-it-yourself and bring-your-own tips and tricks. We have five discount alternatives to expensive offerings at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Keep reading for our top five Disneyland things to skip and replace with budget alternatives.

Skip the Restaurants: Bring Your Own Food into Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park

You can bring your own food and water bottle to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. We like to spend our Disney vacation budget on unique treats and special meals while keeping our energy high with healthy snacks we have brought from the grocery store. We always bring snacks and reusable water bottles to the Disney parks to save money.

Skip PhotoPass: Ask Disneyland Photographers to Use Your Camera or Phone

Disneyland offers PhotoPass for purchase (it also currently comes with Lightning Lane Multi Pass), but you can also ask Disneyland PhotoPass photographers to take your photo for no charge. Find the PhotoPass photographers stationed at picture-perfect spots around Disneyland Resort, and politely ask them to snap a photo of you; then hand them your camera or mobile device and strike a pose.

Cast members accompanying characters around Disneyland Resort are also usually ready to take your photo as well. Just make sure you have your own device ready.

Skip Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: DIY Your Own Disney Princess Outfits

You do not need an expensive makeover from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to dress like a princess in Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Instead, bring your own princess dresses and accessories from home. Better yet, DYI a comfortable princess look with our post How To (Comfortably) Dress Like a Princess in Disneyland.

Skip FuelRod Kiosks: Bring Your Own Power Bank Portable Charger

All of the useful and time-saving features on the Disneyland app can really drain the battery on your mobile device. It may feel like your only choice is to visit one of the vending kiosks for a new power bank (aka back-up battery, portable charger etc). Instead, plan ahead and bring your own power bank for half the price. We have an article about it here.

If you know you want to use the park kiosks to swap out your portable charger, you can still save money by buying your FuelRod in advance. Again, check out: Why Use a Power Bank in Disneyland

Skip Lightning Lanes: Join Disneyland Resort Virtual Queues

We actually think that Lighting Lane Multi Pass offers pretty good value at Disneyland Resort (we would not say the same for Lightning Lane Premier Pass or Lighting Lane Single Pass), but you can certainly save money by skipping this ticket add-on. Instead, you can join a virtual queue and reserve a time to experience a select few attractions or shows at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. You can find our guide to virtual queues here, just remember this trick only applies to a few offerings at any given time.

Thank you for reading. We hope this post saves you money on your next visit to Disneyland.

Remember to read our posts on Disneyland tickets here and here to choose the ticket that is the best value for your visit. To get the latest post in your inbox, be sure to subscribe below. Thanks again for reading!