Here you'll find out how to get a discount on all the "extras" that can really add up when you vacation at Disneyland -- items like parking, stroller rental, Internet access and lots more! Discounts are available for a lot of the "small" things at Disneyland, but sometimes it can be hard to find those deals. Search no more!

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FREE Maps of the Disneyland Area

Click here to get free downloadable maps of the Disneyland area, including:

• Map of The Anaheim Resort District

• Map of Orange County

• Map of Southern California

Provided courtesy of the Anaheim/Orange County Convention & Visitor Bureau.

Souvenirs

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Tips for Saving on Disneyland Souvenirs

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Buy in Advance

If you have kids, you know that they will probably be seized with a case of the "I wants" when they get to Disneyland, because there is all kinds of neat merchandise cleverly placed at the conclusion of every ride. One solution is to take advantage of sales and outlet specials at DisneyShopping.com before your trip and put your purchases away. Then pack the goodies in your suitcase and dole them out to the kids when you get there. Click here for current DisneyShopping.com discount codes and coupons.

Give Your Kids a Budget

One way to do this is to give them Disney Dollars or Disney Gift Cards for birthdays, Christmas, etc. before your trip. Encourage grandparents to do this, too. You can't spend Disney Dollars or Disney Gift Cards anywhere but Disney, and kids will have a lot of fun picking out souvenirs from their own "money."

• Disney Dollars are "cash equivalents." One Disney Dollar = one US dollar. They can be used at Disney Store locations in the US and at almost all locations in Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line. Disney Dollars can be purchased at any Disney Store or Disney theme park, or by letter from Walt Disney World Ticketing, PO Box 10140, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. You must pay in advance. Shipping is $10.00 for express delivery. Include shipping charges with the check. Thanks to Deborah R for update.

• Disney Gift Cards can be used online at DisneyShopping.com, Disney Store locations in the US and participating locations at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line (includes most shopping and dining locations). You can buy Disney Gift Cards at Disney Stores, Disney World, Disneyland and DisneyShopping.com You can order in denominations from $25-$500 and shipping is FREE. Once you have a Disney Gift Card, if you'd like to reload money onto it by phone, call Disneyland DelivEARS at 1-800-362-4533 and press "1" to speak with a Merchandise Guest Services representative. Thanks to Linda P for info.

A variation on this comes from MouseSavers.com reader Linda: "One thing I am doing before we go, is paying my kids half their allowance in Disney Dollars. I know there will be things they want to buy and I won't, so this way, they are saving (forcibly) to buy the things they will want. The kids love it, and some weeks request all Disney Dollars!"

Mr. Potato Head Hints

A popular souvenir is the all-you-can-fit-in-a-box Disney-themed Mr. Potato Head toy. This is available at Engine Ears Toys, just inside the entrance of Disney's California Adventure, and possibly at other locations within the resort. For a flat fee you get as many parts as you can manage to fit into the provided box, as long as it closes and is not bulging. Here are some hints for getting the most for your money when buying this toy:

• If possible, buy one or more basic Mr. Potato Heads while you're still at home. You can get one cheaply from a discount store (or even a thrift store or yard sale, if you're really frugal). The head sold at Disneyland is the same as the standard ones sold elsewhere, and it's the bulkiest part. Since will take up a lot of room in the box, skip it and load up on the Disney-exclusive parts! You may be able to make up multiple complete sets if you buy the heads separately.

• If you do buy the head at Disneyland, be sure to open up the back and fill it up with parts! This is allowed.

• Be sure to get plenty of arms at Disneyland. The arms are different from the standard arms that you can get elsewhere, and they allow you to attach special Disney items like Mickey ice cream bars, video camera with Mickey ears, balloons and autograph books.

FREE Pin With Purchase

Several people have reported that on the first Sunday of each month, you will receive a free pin with a purchase of $20 or more in pins and pin accessories (after any applicable discount and before tax) at shops throughout the Disneyland Resort. This appears to be an unpublished offer. Thanks to Jodi F for updated info.

Disney's Character Warehouse Outlet

You can get great deals on Disney merchandise at this outlet store a little over 3 miles from Disneyland. For basic Disney souvenirs, such as t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs, you can't beat the prices. Disney's Character Warehouse is located at 243 Orangefair Mall. You can call (714) 870-9363 to check hours, etc.

To get to Disney's Character Warehouse from Disneyland, go north on Harbor Blvd and cross Hwy 91. Make a right at Orangethorpe and another right at Pomona, which is a street that goes right into the Orangefair Marketplace shopping center. A Michael's store is right in front of you; drive toward it and then go left to get to the Character Warehouse, which is at the corner of the building.

• The Anaheim Chamber of Commerce web site has a printable 10% off coupon for the Character Warehouse!

• You can also get a printable 10% off coupon for the Character Warehouse from the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau web site. Thanks to Jon F for info.

Coupons and Membership Discounts

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Printable House of Blues Company Store Coupon

House of Blues in Downtown Disney has a printable coupon for 10% off. Some exclusions apply. Expires 3/31/09.

Birnbaum Guide Coupons

Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2009 includes the following coupons that you can use toward souvenirs:

• 10% off a purchase of $50 or more on merchandise throughout the Disneyland Resort (excludes some locations, collectibles, etc.) Expires 12/31/09.

• 10% off at Anne Geddes (excludes limited-edition prints), valid 1/1/09-12/31/09.

• 10% off selected merchandise (some brands excluded) at Sunglass iCon in Downtown Disney, valid 1/1/09-12/31/09.

Disney Rewards® Visa® Card Discounts

Disney Rewards® Visa® Cardholders can save 10% on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at the Disneyland Resort. Offer is valid at select Disneyland Resort stores and pin cart locations for most merchandise (see below for exceptions). A $50 pre-tax minimum purchase is required.

Present and use a valid Disney Rewards® Visa® Card at time of purchase. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase.

Not valid on purchases of original or limited edition artwork, food or beverage, Disney Dollars, Gift Cards, Ticket Media, Park Admission, Arcades, shipping or taxes.

Discount does not apply at the following locations: Midway games, Fairytale Arts, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, Parasol Cart, Heraldry Shop, Crystal Shops (Crystal Arts & Crystal d'Orleans), Face Painting, or at any Downtown Disney District location other than World of Disney store, Marceline's Confectionery, and Disney's Pin Traders.

Also, see below for information about a FREE souvenir available to Disney Rewards® Visa® Cardholders.

Annual Passholder Discounts

		Please note: The Annual Passholder discounts listed below are for 2008. Details of the 2009 discounts have not yet been published. However, usually the previous year's discounts continue to apply until the new discounts come out, and the discounts seldom vary much from year to year. When 2009 discounts are published, I will update them here.

Disneyland Annual Passholders get nice merchandise discounts at the Disneyland Resort. A single $10 transaction required before tax. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or promotions or on purchases of original and limited-edition artwork or selected collectibles. Excludes the following locations: Names Unraveled, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Artist, Portrait artists in New Orleans, Parasol cart, Heraldry shop, Crystal shops on Main Street and in New Orleans and Blast cart.

Premium Annual Passport holders get 10% off merchandise at most shops in Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure and Disney hotels as well as Downtown Disney shops, including World of Disney and Marceline's Confectionery.

Southern California Select Passport, Southern California Annual Passport and Deluxe Annual Passport holders get 10% off merchandise at most Downtown Disney shops, except World of Disney and Marceline's Confectionery.

Must show valid Annual Passport to receive Passholder benefits and/or discounts. An Annual Passholder must present his/her valid Annual Passport prior to purchases to receive any applicable benefits and discounts. Benefits and discounts are nontransferable. Subject to change without notice. Thanks to Darkbeer for additional info.

Be sure to click here to see Annual Passport holder discounts on food and drink.

Inexpensive/FREE Souvenirs

• Pressed pennies are fun to collect. Each location (and there are many throughout the parks and resorts) has a different design, and the process of "squishing" a penny is fun to watch. Cost is typically 51 cents (you supply the penny and pay .50 to press it).

• Postcards - Susan H of Port Neches, TX suggests that a fun and inexpensive souvenir is to let your "kids send themselves postcards from each park. Buy your postcards off property for something like 3/$1.00 and bring along lots of stamps. A really fun way to do this would be for the child to write themselves a note about who they met that day and mail the card late in the day. Or, you could get a character to autograph the card..."

• FASTPASSes and other paper memorabilia - MouseSavers.com reader Jeff has another great suggestion: "Fastpasses are great to collect, as well as old passports and vouchers etc. You can try and collect them all, get the holiday passes, blank end-of-roll Fastpasses, Fastpasses printed upside-down, etc. At the end of the day with unused Fastpasses you can collect them for free and even have a relevant character sign it. (Sharpie markers work best so they can use the whole Fastpass for the signature because, obviously, it's hard to sign with big gloves.) The Mickey credit card wallet at Disneyland is a great buy to hold all of this neat and free stuff. I like the wallet because it is leather and has tons of credit-card-sized slots."

• Silhouettes - One of the best souvenirs at Disneyland is a silhouette. These are a true bargain, and totally personalized, too! Visit the Silhouette Shop on Main Street and watch as they hand-cut a silhouette of your head (or your kids' heads). The result is charmingly old-fashioned, and the cost is surprisingly low -- under $10 per person for TWO identical copies of the silhouette. There is a reasonable extra charge if you want them framed.

• Personalized storybook - Here's an idea for a relatively inexpensive, yet personalized souvenir. If you will be attending a character meal, purchase a storybook featuring characters that will appear at the meal. For instance, if you will be eating breakfast at Storytellers Cafe, get a book with Chip and Dale in it. (Alternatively, get a single book with lots of characters in it, so you can use it as an autograph book throughout your trip.) Buy the book in advance and take it with you. BookCloseouts.com often has beautiful hardcover Disney storybooks at 50% off or more, or consider Disney's Junior Encyclopedia of Animated Characters, which lists all the major characters you may meet. When you go to the character meal, or as you tour the parks, bring along a big pen and have the characters sign in the book. Later you can also paste photos of your child with the characters into the blank pages at the back of the book. Now you have a nice souvenir that you can actually use after the vacation (unlike the Disney autograph books), because you can talk with your kids about the characters who signed the books and look at the pictures when you read it! Thanks to Sulan D for the idea.

• FREE keepsake photo - Disney Rewards® Visa® Cardholders get access to an exclusive Character Meet 'n' Greet with a FREE keepsake photo. Cardmember Meet 'N' Greet takes place in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot at Disney's California Adventure starting at opening and running for 90 minutes. Must present a valid Disney Rewards® Visa® Card for entry and limited to 6 people per card. Operating time, days of the week, location and appearance of Characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to availability and location capacity. Offer includes one complimentary 5x7 Disney Friends Portrait per valid cardmember account.

Disney's PhotoPass

Disney’s PhotoPass presents Disneyland guests with a way to capture treasured moments. Using professional digital equipment, photographers take photos of guests throughout the theme parks. Instead of receiving a paper claim ticket, guests receive a Disney PhotoPass that links all of their vacation photos together into one online account for easy online viewing and sharing. Guests can use one PhotoPass for their entire vacation or get a new PhotoPass each time they take a photo.

MouseSavers.com readers report that the quality of PhotoPass shots is highly variable, since some of the photographers are better than others. Occasionally there is a glitch and photos are lost by the system (or the photography equipment fails). So if it is really important to get an excellent shot of a particular event or experience, be sure to take your own photos, too! Also, reader David F points out that "every photographer (and just about any other cast member) was more than willing to use our camera to take a picture after they did the PhotoPass shot.  They do not seem to be restricted to only doing the PhotoPass pictures."

Although Disney’s PhotoPass replaces the old photo system at Disneyland Resort, guests are still able to view and buy their vacation photos at Disney Photo Centers on property.

Better yet, instead of having to wait in line at a Photo Center for their photos, guests can view, share and order their photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com. At DisneyPhotoPass.com, guests can also add decorative borders and other Disney-themed elements to their pictures. There is no charge for obtaining a PhotoPass or viewing or sharing your photos online. The cost of ordering prints from DisneyPhotoPass.com is similar to the cost of buying the same photo at a Disney Photo Center: it starts at $12.95 for a 5"x7" print.

Be aware that you must register the serial number(s) of your PhotoPass(es) online within 30 days or they expire. Your photos are taken off the web site exactly 30 days after you register, so don't wait too long!

You can purchase all of your Disneyland PhotoPass photos on one CD for $79.95 at DisneyPhotoPass.com or in Disneyland/DCA at the PhotoPass Centers. The CD grants you a copyright release so that you can print the photos yourself. Before ordering the CD, you can crop photos, add borders and character enhancements, etc.

• I received this interesting information about the PhotoPass CD from MouseSavers.com reader Ann F: "it doesn't matter how many photos you take, they will all be on the CDs when you order them. I've ordered one CD with almost 700 photos and I'm ordering one today that has 800 photos. I've heard of someone ordering the CD and there were 1200 photos. They do only put 300 [photos on each] CD, so you'll get several CDs [even if you only place one order]."

Parking

Parking at Disneyland is $12 per day for cars, $17 per day for RVs, campers and autos with trailers.

If you will be visiting Disneyland for 5 days or more within a 365-day period, consider buying an Annual Pass. It's not only a good deal compared with the cost of buying regular tickets or passes, but you can save on parking. The Southern California and Deluxe Annual Passports can add a parking pass for $59 that is good on the same days the Annual Pass is good, or you can buy a Premium Annual Passport that includes unlimited free parking.

If you buy a Disneyland package (or sometimes even multi-day passes) through a California AAA office, you will receive a free parking pass.

Disney sometimes offers FREE parking at the Pumbaa Lot on Disney Way between Harbor Boulevard and Clementine Street. This seems to happen more often on weekends than weekdays. There is no shuttle service from the Pumbaa Lot, so this does involve some extra walking, but it might save you some money. The possible free parking is strictly a "your mileage may vary" situation, but it may be worth a quick drive-by to see if it is offered the day you are there.

You get 3 hours of FREE parking when you self-park in the Downtown Disney parking lot (west of Paradise Pier Hotel). Plus, if you buy a ticket at the AMC Theatre and/or eat at any of the table service restaurants in Downtown Disney, they will validate your parking for an additional 2 hours. After that the cost is $6 per hour.

Internet Access

The Disneyland Resort hotels now offer both wired and wireless high-speed Internet access. The cost for both in-room wired high-speed Internet access and public area Wi-Fi access is included as part of the resort fee.

Guests staying at the Disneyland Resort hotels have wired access to High Speed Internet in all rooms.

Guests who use Wi-Fi wireless technology requiring a wireless interface card can access the Internet in various hot spot locations throughout the Disneyland Resort hotels. Wireless interface cards are available for purchase in the Business Center of each hotel. Hot spots can be found at:

Disneyland Hotel

• Top Brass Bar

• Lost Bar

• Captain's Galley - pool area

• Concierge Lounge

• Business Center

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

• Surfside Lounge

• Good Libations - pool area

• Business Center

• Concierge Lounge

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

• Hotel lobby

• The Hearthstone Lounge

• Whitewater Snacks - pool area

• Business Center

• Concierge Lounge

Internet access is also available for guests who do not have laptops at each hotel's Business Center, where you'll find desktop computers for your use.

Getting Cash

Need cash at Disneyland? If you have your checkbook with you, Chase bank's location on Main Street is on the right as you go in, and you can cash a check up to $300.00 a day with proper ID. Also, most major hotels will cash a personal check if you can show a valid credit card. Thanks to Jayne G and Arnold T for info.

Otherwise, if you possibly can, try to get cash BEFORE you arrive at the Disneyland Resort. The ATMs in the parks are operated by Chase bank and they charge a significant "cash transaction fee" (somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 per transaction) unless you are a Chase customer. Thanks to Danny P for info.

Keep in mind that if you're not a Chase customer, your own bank may also charge you a second fee on that ATM withdrawal!

You won't be charged the "cash transaction fee" if you take cash out of a Disneyland ATM using a Disney Rewards® Visa® Card, which is issued by Chase. However, using your Disney Rewards® Visa® Card isn't a good way to get around the fees, because you'll pay a big "cash advance fee" instead. According to the fine print on my Disney Rewards® Visa® Cardholder Agreement, the ATM Cash Advance Fee is 3% of the cash advance, with a $5 minimum! Yikes.

MouseSavers.com reader Craig C has a clever solution for this problem. Disney Dollars are accepted just like US currency at all restaurants, shops and outdoor vending carts throughout the parks. So simply visit any in-park location that sells Disney Dollars, and buy the amount you need with a check card or credit card. The transaction is considered a purchase of gift certificates, so the credit card and check card companies do not charge a cash advance fee. Spend the Disney Dollars in the parks, and if you have any left over when you are ready to leave, trade them back in for US currency. However, be sure to save the receipt, as that is usually required if you want to turn in Disney Dollars for real cash.

Another reader points out that you can use an ATM card at a nearby store to get cash back with a purchase. Buy a small item (gum, for instance) and when you pay at the register, do so with your ATM card. You can usually get up to $50 cash back with little or no fee. There is a 7-Eleven convenience store at the corner of Katella and Harbor Blvd, in the same block as Disneyland, where you can do this. Thanks to Arnold T for the suggestion.

If you don't have any choice, ATMs are available throughout the Disneyland Resort, generally next to the restrooms and telephones.

Special Occasions

Don't be shy about mentioning special occasions -- honeymoon, birthday, anniversary -- to the reservations agent, front desk, waiters and other Cast Members. There is no guarantee that you'll get a special treat, but it does happen.

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As part of the theme "What Will You Celebrate?" everyone who visits a Disneyland Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in FREE!

This offer is available ONLY on your actual birthday. To receive FREE admission to one of the Disneyland theme parks on your birthday in 2009, you must bring valid ID including proof of birth date. The FREE ticket can be upgraded on your birthday to a higher-priced ticket (such as a Park Hopper), but you must pay the difference.

Guests who already hold a valid annual pass or multi-day ticket (such as those included in vacation packages) that they will use on their birthday may choose from other birthday treats instead; however, no cash refunds or credits will be given. The other treat options include:

• A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a One Day/One Park base ticket for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation or fun activities at select participating locations; or

• A special birthday FASTPASS badge for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or

• A nonupgradeable One Day/One Park base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

Guests can get more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at disneyparks.com.

What Will You Celebrate?

In 2009, Disney Parks will help guests commemorate special moments in their lives in a way that the whole family remembers together. Disney will help you celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, graduations, personal triumphs and even your family's first time visit.

For lots more details and ideas, visit the What Will You Celebrate? page.

Birthday Sticker or Button

On your birthday, you can go to Town Hall on Main Street in Disneyland and tell them it's your birthday. They will give you a special "It's My Birthday" sticker or button to wear, and that may bring you some extra attention or freebies from Cast Members. (Again, no guarantees, but it may happen.)

Special Occasion Cakes

Guests at the Disneyland Resort hotels can order special cakes for delivery to your hotel room or to be served after your meal at a Disneyland Resort hotel restaurant. They do not deliver to the theme park restaurants. Cake orders must be placed at least 72 hours prior to delivery.

• 6" cake feeds 6-8 guests $18.00
• 10" cake feeds 10-14 guests $23.50
• 1/4 sheet cake feeds 20 guests $ 38.00
• 1/2 sheet cake feeds 40 guests $51.00
• Full sheet cake feeds 80 guests $85.00

Cake flavors are Vanilla or Chocolate. Fillings available are Whipped Cream, Vanilla Custard, Chocolate Custard, Chocolate Mousse, White Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry and Banana. For a dollar extra you can have Raspberry or Mango filling. Frosting choices are Whipped Cream, Chocolate Ganache and Butter Cream.

Edible images are available on 10" or larger cakes. Chocolate Mickey or Minnie figurines are $4.50 each.

You can order in advance through Vacation Planning at 714-300-PLAN (7526) or you can call Room Service on arrival.

Special Surprises: Gift Baskets and More

If you are staying at one of the official Disney hotels, Disneyland Vacation Planning can arrange for gift baskets, cookies and milk and other treats to be delivered to your room. The prices are pretty high but what a fun surprise! Order in advance through Vacation Planning at 714-300-PLAN (7526).

Many florists can deliver flowers and gifts to Disney resort rooms, too. Click here for details.

Strollers

Stroller rental costs $10 per day. There are locations in both Disneyland and DCA where you can rent strollers, but none in Downtown Disney.

		Disney Rewards® Visa® Cardholders get FREE stroller rental at Disneyland. Offer is subject to availability while supplies last. Stroller availability varies based on theme park attendance and other factors. Limit two free strollers per cardmember per day. Available only at the Main Entrance Stroller Rental Locations in Disneyland or Disney's California Adventure theme parks. Annual Passholder Stroller Pass Promotion For just $49*, Passholders can add a stroller pass to their Annual Passport, which allows one stroller rental per visit, per day, while the Annual Passport is valid. *No partial pricing or refunds. Must present valid Pass at Main Entrance stroller rental location and limit of one rental per day. Benefit not valid on an Annual Passport’s corresponding blockout days. Stroller passes are limited in quantity and subject to stroller availability. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Bring/Buy Your Own Stroller

Bringing your own stroller will ensure that you have the stroller available all the time, such as when you're going to and from your hotel. (Bear in mind that you will usually have to take your child out of the stroller and collapse the stroller while on trams.)

Another consideration in bringing your own stroller is the hassles of getting it to Disneyland, particularly if you are flying. (You can "gate check" a stroller, which saves some of the work - just bring your stroller right to the gate at the airport. It will be tagged and put into the cargo hold from the gate.)

If you want to avoid the hassle of transporting a stroller on a plane, you might consider buying a cheap one upon arrival and giving it to another lucky family or a charity when you leave.

Or buy a stroller in advance and have it shipped directly to your hotel. This has the advantage of saving you money AND being less of a hassle (since you won't have to transport it to Disney yourself). At the end of your trip, either give the stroller to someone or put it back in the shipping box and have the hotel ship it home for you. To ship it to your hotel, it should be addressed as follows:

Hold for guest: (write the full name under which you made the reservation)
Check in date: (insert date)
Hotel's name and address (which will appear on your confirmation form)

Most people who bring their own stroller recommend a cheap umbrella-style one. They are lighter, making them easier to get on and off buses, and you won't worry as much about the possibility of the stroller being stolen. (It's not unheard-of for strollers to go missing in the parks, so it's a good idea to put something personal on yours. At minimum, write your last name on it using a permanent marker.)

Electric Wheelchair/Scooter/ECV Rental

If you need to use an "electric convenience vehicle" (ECV) to get around the Disneyland Resort, be aware that the rental is quite expensive (currently $35 per day plus a $20 deposit). Also, there is no ECV rental available for the Downtown Disney District, and the ECVs you rent in the parks cannot be taken into Downtown Disney.

In general it's usually a better deal to rent an ECV from an outside firm. Not only is it less expensive, it also guarantees that you'll have the ECV available all the time. For more great info for those with disabilities who are planning a trip to Disneyland, including suppliers of rental ECVs, I recommend Teri's Disney Travelers' Disability FAQ.

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