Totally Worth It – Extras at Disneyland That Make Sense

Updated March 12, 2024

A trip to Disneyland is expensive. Add flights and other travel costs and you’ve made an investment that you want to feel good about. And, while simply purchasing a park entry ticket will suffice for an amazing day of fun, there are several add-ons that I find are totally worth the money.

My husband (whose favorite ride at Disneyland is the tram back to the car) occasionally questions these add-ons. However, once he sees the end results, he’s always totally excited about pleased with the outcome of these additional expenses.

Consider these extras for your next visit to Disneyland:

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Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

The princess years come and go quickly, so I highly recommend indulging in the boutique if your budget allows. For children ages 3-12, a darling boutique just beyond Sleeping Beauty’s Castle will make over your daughter in all her princess glory. A few tips:

  • Bring your own dress in and purchase the Coach Package, which includes hair and makeup. Your little one will leave with a sash and backpack filled with all her makeover materials to enjoy later on.
  • Schedule your session in the late morning so that you get the most for your money. Your princess will enjoy the ‘new look’ all day and into the evening if you start early.
  • Reservations can be made by calling (714) 781-STYLE (7895).
  • Review my Princess post for more details on the BBB and even more princessy options. (You can never have enough princessy options.)

A Character Meal

When I first started visiting Disneyland, I didn’t know about character meals, nor did I understand the benefits. I encourage you to plan on at least one character meal. Here’s how and why:

  • These meals allow you to accomplish three things in one stop, which will save you lots of time standing in line at the park trying to do the same. First, you’ll get to enjoy a nice meal. Second, you’ll get character interaction and photographs. And, third, you can grab those elusive autographs kids go crazy for.
  • Consider an indulgence at any of the character meal options for your dining experience.
  • Don’t forget to bring your camera and autograph book!
  • Think about other dining experiences, also, at the three DLR Hotels. Non-character meals have their advantages, too.

 A Guided Tour

If you are an extreme Disney fan, one of the tours might be right for you. There are a variety of options and they all have unique extras.

I’ve done several tours including Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps, Happiest Haunts Tour and Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour. I am so thrilled that I did each of these experiences.

At the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps Tour, we toured the park, listened to vintage Walt Disney audio, saw the inside of Walt’s apartment (!!!!!!), ate lunch in the private tour courtyard, enjoyed 3 attractions with no wait and left with collector pins. I can’t say enough about this experience. Visit this link for lots of photos and details from my most recent tour in June of 2018.

Some things to know about tours:

  • Tours have age restrictions and many are not suitable for young children.
  • Absolutely bring your camera.
  • Wear good shoes because you’ll be walking a lot.
  • If you have options for timing, go with the earliest in the day to avoid a hot afternoon.

Classic Souvenirs

I’m a big believer in buying things that will last from Disneyland and Mickey Ears are at the top of that list. They’re timeless, can be personalized and will be something to save for years to come.

I bought all three of our children their ears at their first visit and for several years, I carried them in my backpack for subsequent visits and photo ops. Now, they’re displayed in our children’s rooms and will be for a very long time.

Some tips on buying Mickey Ears:

  • Disneyland has three Mad Hatter stores that sell Mickey ears. You can find one on Main Street, in Fantasyland near the Tea Cups or by Splash Mountain in Critter Country.
  • At California Adventure, find them at Five and Dime on Buena Vista Street or Seaside Souvenirs in Paradise Gardens.
  • Have yours personalized for a small additional fee.
  • Consider the headband variety for yourself. It will actually hold your hair back well throughout the day. Plus, they’re so cute in photos!

PhotoPass

PhotoPass+ photographers can be found throughout the Disneyland Resort. They’re amazing!

And, you can grab unlimited photos with a one day purchase of Disney Genie+

Visit this post for everything you need to know about Disney Genie.

A Dining Reservation

A “fancy” meal at Disneyland (Blue Bayou) or California Adventure (Carthay Circle) is a fun experience, too. Prices are high ($60ish for surf & turf), but for a special occasion, I’d consider these two restaurants.

Leaving the busyness of the park for fine dining feels good and you’ll enjoy the rest of your day afterward.

Wrap Up

In summary, there are a multitude of additional spending opportunities at Disneyland. Know your options ahead of time so you can work some extras into your plan if your budget allows. If not, don’t sweat it. Disneyland is magical with or without the additional expenses. (And, if you don’t indulge now, you’ll have reason to return!)

Just getting started planning? Visit my First Timer’s Guide for a broad scope of the entire Disneyland Resort. This post links off to many, many others that will help you get organized.

Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation

10 thoughts on “Totally Worth It – Extras at Disneyland That Make Sense

  1. For the guided tours you said that “tours have age restrictions and many are not suitable for young children.” I am going to be doing the walking in walts footsteps tour soon and wanted to take my 6 month old daughter. Would you recommend taking her or no?

  2. Hi! I just wanted you to know that the info you provided about the Photopass+ has changed. I was so stoked when I saw your posting and spent forever looking for the rates you provided… they no longer exist. If you go to the Photopass page and click on products you will see there is a Memory Maker option for $169 and Memory Maker Advanced Purchase for $149. When I click on it it takes me into the Walt Disney World site and I cannot figure out if this is available at Disneyland. 🙁

  3. Do you only get one photo pass card? What if we are going with a large extended family? Can we share?

  4. Do u think I should purchase park passes now or later? Going April 2016 .heard poss price increases happen at Disneyland
    …..but not sure.?

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