If you’re looking for a great “flop and drop” destination, look no further than Anaheim! Home of Disneyland Resort, this dream destination in Southern California is more affordable than you think.
Between discount attraction tickets and budget-friendly accommodation, you can take the kids to Anaheim without breaking the bank. California’s theme park capital offers great value for money, so there’s no need to spend big to travel to other, more expensive cities.
In fact, there are lots of free and cheap activities to fill out your Anaheim itinerary—the longer you stay, the better value your holiday becomes!
Looking to do Anaheim for less? Add these clever strategies to your toolkit for a slam-dunk family holiday.
Budget family accommodation in Anaheim, California
There are literally dozens of hotels to choose from in and around Anaheim, making it more affordable than many other Southern California destinations. With so much competition, you are sure to nab a bargain if you do a bit of research. There are loads of budget accommodation options for families who know they are going to be out and about most of the time.
Alternatively, opt for a hotel with free facilities for guests to use, such as pools, water parks and games rooms, to save money on extra activities. Some popular options include the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground, Best Western Plus Stovall’s Inn, and Cambria Hotel & Suites.
Or look for options that include kitchenette facilities where you can save by having some meals in the comfort of your apartment. Some options that offer these include the Clementine Hotel & Suites, Element by Westin, and Desert Palms Hotel & Suites.
Kid-friendly Anaheim restaurants for all budgets
Rest assured; cheap eats abound in Anaheim. American staples such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., The Cheesecake Factory, Denny’s Restaurant, IHOP Restaurant, In-N-Out Burger and Raising Cane’s all have outlets in the area.
Anaheim Packing District, which centres around a restored 1919 fruit-packing building, has some excellent eateries and Taco Tuesday deals, while Steelcraft Garden Grove offers a fun place to dine outdoors amid repurposed shipping containers.
Mimi’s Café is a favourite for Aussies looking for American comfort food, while Little Saigon has the largest collection of Vietnamese restaurants outside of Asia. In Downtown Disney District, Earl of Sandwich serves sandwiches, salads and wraps.
There are also some enticing rooftop restaurants which offer a fantastic vantage point for the Disney fireworks. Check out The FIFTH, RISE Rooftop Lounge, and Top of the V.
How to save money on theme parks and attractions
Cheaper tickets to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park
The trick here is to avoid weekends. If you can time your visit to be mid-week (Monday to Thursday), you can often get three-day passes at a much cheaper rate. But if you prefer the flexibility of visiting both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in the same day, you’re going to pay more.
If visiting mid-week isn’t an option, aim to buy a longer pass. For example, the five-day Park Hopper pass costs from US$96 per adult per day, compared to $104 to $194 for a single day pass, depending on the date.
It also works out much cheaper to avoid US holiday periods, like Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Keep your eye out for specials at local travel agencies or websites such as Klook or Attraction Tickets as well.
Cheaper tickets to Knott's Berry Farm
California’s first theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm is another awesome day out, and offers great value for money. You can buy one-day tickets from US$59.99 if you buy online in advance, which is up to US$40 cheaper than buying at the gate. It also offers a Summer Dining Bundle ticket, which includes admission and meals, from US$77.99.
Cheaper tickets to LEGOLAND California resort
LEGOLAND California Resort offers a limited number of discounted Resort Hopper tickets for kids aged two to 12 from US$39 each day, and from US$94 for adults. Again, the cheapest days to visit are Monday to Thursday.
Cheaper tickets to Anaheim baseball and hockey games
Seeing a baseball or ice hockey game is one of those quintessential American experiences that Anaheim does so well. They are also a great value family activity! You can nab tickets to cheer on the Angels at their home stadium in Anaheim from as little as US$6 each, while Anaheim Ducks ice hockey tickets cost from US$36.
Free things to do in Anaheim with kids
There’s more to Anaheim than theme parks—Orange County is home to some fabulous museums, parks and gardens where kids can burn energy. Make your holiday budget go further by alternating ‘big ticket’ attractions with some of these free and cheap activities.
Orange County Great Park
Step aboard the bright orange Great Park Balloon – a tethered helium balloon which carries up to 16 people at a time – at Orange County Great Park. Located on a former air base, it also has a vintage carousel and a rock-inspired playground.
Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton
The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton is a lovely place to wile away a few hours, learning about plants that grow in everything from desert to sub-tropical habitats and looking for colourful hummingbirds. While it’s free to visit, a donation of US$5 is requested.
Bowers Museum
Children aged 12 and under can get free admission to Bowers Museum, which celebrates art and culture from around the world, while adult tickets cost US$18. A free family festival is held in the courtyard on the first Sunday of every month. Each month has a different theme, with activities such as face painting, cultural performances and art.
Go beach hopping or spend a day in LA
If you’ve hired a car, spend a day beach hopping along Orange County’s stretch of Highway 1 from Seal Beach to Dana Point for some spectacular views. Anaheim is only half an hour from Los Angeles, so it’s worth venturing North for a daytrip. If a Hollywood tour is out of your budget, opt for a few hours in Santa Monica before your flight out of LAX.
Anaheim's best outlet malls for bargain shopping
Forget Rodeo Drive – you can save 30 to 50 per cent off of the normal retail price when you shop at Anaheim’s incredible outlet shopping malls.
Citadel Outlets, which is built in the style of an Assyrian castle, is home to such stores as Coach, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, while the open-air Outlets at Orange boasts H&M, Gap and Levi’s stores. Outlets at San Clemente, meanwhile, has everything from ASICS to Vans outlet stores.
If you have a free day before your flight home, the Shop Until You Drop Off… At LAX day tour of Citadel Outlets includes complimentary luggage storage, all-day access to the centre’s VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, snacks and drinks and a US$20 gift voucher for adults and US$10 for kids aged three to nine, plus a transfer to the airport when you’re done.
More tips for visiting Anaheim on a budget
How to get there for cheap
Airlines that fly to from Australia to Los Angeles International Airport include Qantas, Virgin Australia, United, Delta and American Airlines. If you want to save on airfares, consider less direct routes with a layover or stopover. Hawaiian Airlines flies via Honolulu to Long Beach Airport, less than half an hour from Anaheim.
You can also save money on flights by travelling off-peak, joining airline loyalty programs and signing up for e-newsletters to catch limited-time deals.
How to get around on a budget
Many Anaheim hotels offer discounted or free car-parking, so it can be very cost-effective to hire a vehicle. Rather than shifting to a more expensive hotel in Los Angeles, you can base yourself in Anaheim and explore the rest of Southern California on convenient day trips.
Anaheim also has a great public transport network, including affordable public buses connecting attractions like the Anaheim Resort, Anaheim Packing District, The Outlets at Orange and Knott’s Berry Farm. There’s also FRAN – Free Rides Around the Neighborhood, a fun micro-transport service covering Downtown Anaheim.
Cheapest time to visit Anaheim
Anaheim’s theme parks and hotels see the most demand during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the winter festive season and Halloween. Avoid these peak periods to save money on flights and accommodation. Attractions often reduce admission prices for mid-week visitors (Monday to Thursday) and parks will be less crowded too.
Unlock discounts with a free Anaheim Savings Pass
The cheapest way to shop, dine and explore in Orange County is with an Anaheim Savings Pass. It includes discounts and free items at a range of local restaurants, plus cheaper event and attraction tickets, rail travel and airport transfers.
In partnership with Visit Anaheim
Opening image: Meeting Snoopy and the PEANUTS™ Gang at Knott’s Berry Farm
