Cheap Tickets To Disneyland

Brett writes:

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Cheap airfare. Discounts on lodging and park admission. Short lines. No crowds. Sunny weather that's not too hot.

Those are just some of the reasons to consider taking your trip to the Magical Kingdom in the winter instead of during summer or spring break, like most people do.

Bob Deuel, public relations director for Disneyland, declined to release specific attendance figures, but he acknowledged that after the New Year's Day festivities wind down, the park is at its slowest until spring break.

Besides personal space, the length of lines for rides makes or breaks a trip, particularly with small children. That said, there is a slight chance of rain in Southern California from January through March. Deuel said Alaska Airlines Vacations and the park's own travel service, Walt Disney Travel Co., are the two most popular providers for customers coming from the Northwest.

Expedia.com and other discount travel Web sites also offer deals, depending on how much browsing one wants to do. A search on Expedia shows round-trip air fare to Orange County ranging from $235 to $318 for mid-January.

Packages start at $247.

A: The smaller the children, the closer the hotel needs to be. If the budget allows, stay in one of the three lodges on site: The Disneyland, The Paradise Pier and The Grand Californian hotels, with the last being the closest, the most beautiful, the most extravagant and the most expensive.

When rental car costs and parking fees are figured into the equation, the cost of staying within walking distance can be the same or cheaper. The Disneyland brand doesn't allow for disappointing stays. Plus, those who stay at the Disneyland hotels get early access to the parks, use of any of the three hotels' pools and free delivery of purchases to their rooms.

Hotel shuttles don't require them, so parents don't have to bring them, even for infants. Travelers renting a car should just plan to bring their own child seats, rather than mess around with the rental companies'. The rental version at the park is a costly $10 per day. The contraption doesn't fit portable infant seats or multiple children.

A: Dining at the park is really tricky. Everyone tends to want to eat about the same time of day, so restaurants draw clusters of cranky customers. And prices are high. So it's best to pack some peanut butter sandwiches, nuts, raisins, carrots, fruit and water. Opt for more memorable and enjoyable dining experiences at the park's restaurants that take reservations. Q: There are about 100 rides and attractions inside the two theme parks, Disneyland and California Adventure, plus shows and parades. It's easy to get distracted, or defer to the ride with the shortest lines, but some things are worth the wait. That's why everyone is waiting.

A: Simply searching the Web for "Disneyland coupons" can produce a variety of printable slips and cost-saving tips for your trip. I found a printable coupon there for $5 off every $50 purchase and $10 off every $100 purchase at Disneyland retailers, and I could copy it as many times as I wanted.

For the parents, a little bit of the joy, too, is saving 10 percent on the purchase.