Top 8 Trip Disneyland Splurges that are Worth the Cost for Your Vacation
There is so much to see and do while visiting Disneyland. There are beautiful resorts, astounding restaurants, fun merchandise, informative tours, and delicious dessert experiences. There are lots of options where Disney fans can spend their money. Here are the top eight Disneyland splurges!
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1. Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel
There are three resorts in the Disneyland resort area: the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The Disneyland Hotel is the original flagship hotel. Guests can stay in the Adventure, Fantasy or Frontier towers, which are uniquely decorated and pay homage to the park’s original lands. The Disneyland Hotel features two retro-themed pools with two Monorail slides. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has a fun, beach-theme and celebrates California beachfront boardwalks. Guests can enjoy a rooftop pool as well as dining, shopping and recreation opportunities.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a five-start resort and features stunning architecture with Craftsman-style elegance. Guests can enjoy special theme park entrance to Disney California Adventure Park. Be sure to check out the Redwood Pool which is home to a 90-foot-long waterslide and the tranquil Fountain Pool.
There are plenty of perks to staying at these luxury Disney owned hotels like early entry, on-site Disney magic, on-site character dining, and more! For many guests, these perks make a Disney owned hotel worth the cost for the list of Disneyland splurges!
2. Dine at Signature Restaurants
There are a few high-end restaurants that serve delicious food in beautiful settings. The Blue Bayou Restaurant is one of the park’s most popular dining experiences. The Blue Bayou is an indoor, upscale restaurant with a view of Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests can enjoy Cajun and Creole cuisine that includes bone-in ribeye steak and roasted chicken maison as well as the famous Monte Cristo sandwich. Prices range from $35 to $59.99 per adult.
Carthay Circle is in Disney California Adventure Park and has a retro, Hollywood movie feel. Their dinner menu offers entrees such as cedar smoked roast duck breast, holiday prime rib, and sautéed sweet potato gnocchi just to name a few. Dinner prices range from $35 to $59.99 per adult.
Napa Rose is located in the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and has a view of the Disney California Adventure Park. The Napa Rose Wine Pairing Experience is a wonderful way to sample their delectable food and wine offerings. Prices start at over $60 per adult.
The high price tags of these meals may scare some guests away to consider it for their list of Disneyland splurges but the experience and food make the high price tag worth it. It's always great fun to allow yourself one high end dining splurge on your vacation! Looking for something more kid friendly? Kids are welcome at any of these restaurants, of course, but kids also love the character dining experiences which make up for the high price tag with the amount of joy meeting Disney characters brings your kids.
3. Purchase Trendy Clothing
Spirit Jerseys are very popular for Disneyland splurges and come in popular character’s colors, such as Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella, and Minnie Mouse. The parks are constantly adding new and seasonal jerseys. Prices range from $35 to $75 per jersey. The spirit jerseys are sold online in both parks and in Downtown Disney.
Disney dresses are the hottest trend! The Disney Dress Shop in Downtown Disney is a newer store and has a wide selection of vintage-inspired Disney dresses, skirts, handbags, and accessories. There is also a dress shop in New Orlean’s Square called Le Bat en Rouge. Some popular dress styles include Monster, Inc., Mary Poppins, Minnie Mouse, and Fantasyland. Dresses range from $108 to $168 per dress.
Your park pictures will be something you look at for years to come- being dressed to impress can be a fun part of that memory.
4. Book a Tour
Tours still haven't returned to Disneyland since COVID but hopefully we'll see them return in 2022!
Guests can purchase the “Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps” Guided Tour and discover what inspired Mr. Disney when he created the park. Disney fans will experience classic Disneyland attractions before ending with a delicious lunch or dinner at Jolly Holiday Bakery.
Another fun tour is the Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour is a 2.5-hour guided tour that explores Halloween and the legends of various film and park poltergeists, pranksters and other creepy characters. This tour costs approximately $85 plus tax.
For guests that really want to do Disneyland splurges right, they can book a Disneyland Resort VIP Tour with their own “personal concierge”. These tours feature a private tour guide (the ones that wear plaid!) and priority access to 30+ attractions and shows. VIPs also receive unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads for the day and Disney’s world-class hospitality and attention to detail. The tour length can be customized but is a minimum of 7 hours. The tours start at $2,975 for up to 10 guests.
Separate theme park admission is required for all tours. Guests can call (714) 781-TOUR or (714) 781-8687 to make reservations. For everything you want to know about the tours offered at Disneyland, see our full guide here. Adding a tour to your visit can be a great way to learn about the details of Disneyland while enjoying the perks of your tour!
5. Buy Dooney & Bourke Handbags
The designer handbag company, Dooney & Bourke, has partnered with Disney to create some fun and beautiful handbags and wallets. Some of the more fun themes include Mary Poppins Returns, the Haunted Mansion, Disney Sketch, and Disney Dogs. Smaller handbags and wallets start at around $100, and larger handbags can cost up to $468. These handbags are sold online in both parks, and in Downtown Disney. There's no better souvenir that will stand the test of time than a Dooney & Bourke bag!
6. Purchase Minnie Mouse Ears
Minnie Mouse Ears are a fun splurge where guests can showcase their Disney style. Disney fans can purchase headbands with ears in fun themes, such as Minnie Mouse Rose Gold, Minnie Mouse Sequined Ears, Jack Skellington, and The Lion King. Guests can also purchase Minnie Mouse Ears with interchangeable bows. The ears come with a silver, sparkly bow but guests can purchase additional themed bows, such as Cinderella, the Tiki Room, and Up!. Minnie Mouse Ears start at approximately $27.99.
Believe me, after being in the park a few hours your entire family will want them. They make great additions to your vacation pictures if everyone is decked out in their Mickey and Minnie ears. And if you plan on coming more than once, you can save these for future visits.
7. Invest in Art!
Disneyana is a unique gallery on Main Street as guests enter the park. This gallery showcases one-of-a-kind work of limited-edition and original artwork. Here guests can purchase Thomas Kincaide artwork that features scenes from Disneyland and beloved movies. A canvas-wrapped 12” x 12” piece retails for around $100. I personally own a picture of Main Street in the rain with Sleeping Beauty’s castle in the background.
8. Book a Spa Treatment
The Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has a marvelous spa called the Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa making it one of the best Disneyland splurges on our list. This full-service spa and salon offers skin treatment, massages, manicures and pedicures. Guests can choose spa treatments from Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, and New World journeys. Some examples include the Tenaya Stone Coffee Body Polish and Coconut Milk Wrap, and the Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow. Treatments start at $75 for a single treatment and cost up to $415 for a couple’s massage. It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the parks, make sure to take time to relax too!
Ready to Enjoy Your Disneyland Splurges? Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!
There are dozens of ways guests can spurge when they visit the Disneyland Resort. Check out the links below to help guide you in your Walt Disney World vacation needs. Click HERE to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.
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