The other benefit of eating lunch in our room is that my toddler gets to lay down and take a real nap. We feel so much more relaxed and spend more time sitting together and talking than if we ran from place to place all day. It breaks up the day for my 5 and 2 year old daughters. We really hope to be able to find a nice place close enough to Disneyland that we can go back and forth during the day on our next trip.

I also will buy fruits and chips because in case of snacking, sure it costs more to buy a bag not on sale, BUT you won’t have to buy ice cream, etc.

Yeah, I thought we could get some churros or something in the park as a treat. I need that too since eating out is so overly tempting to me.

Thanks for your comments everyone!

Steve: I think 4 or 5 is the best age. The first time we went my daughter was 5 and she LOVED it. Old enough to understand, but young enough to still be blown away. The look on her face during the parade was just precious, eyes popping out and mouth agape. I didn’t even watch the parade… I just watched her since she was freaking out so much.

I remember one of the better tips was: Go to the outlet stores before you go in the park. Get the kids a toy each from there — where the prices are a LOT cheaper. I’d suggest letting them carry them into the park, if I were you, since a lot of kids live in the present. If they see a toy they want and they’re holding a toy, it’s a lot easier to remind them that they don’t need another. If it’s off in a hotel room somewhere, it’s abstract in their minds. (That’s assuming, of course, that they are young enough to want to carry that stuff with them.)

My husband and I got married in May and went to Orlando to visit theme parks. We overindulged a bit in the souvenir department, but at least a lot of them came from outlet stores. Heck, there were Disney outlets in the outlet mall! so it’s definitely worth a look. They’re usually a couple of miles from the park gates.

As for an affordable lunch idea, I think you want to focus on things that will last, obviously. PBJ (or apples and peanut butter) are good because they provide both some quick sugar and slower-burning protein. Another idea is granola bars with low sugar content. Or trail mix that you make yourself. If they eat it, you could consider some beef jerky. Most of the food in the parks, as you may know, is pretty basic: pizza, chicken fingers, burgers. So I think you’re on the right track. If you don’t buy lunch, you can indulge them (if you choose to) buy buying them a sweet treat in the park. In Orlando, Dippin Dots were everywhere, as were slushies, because of the heat.

And whatever you do — okay I’m sure you know this but just in case — be sure you bring at least two extra sets of batteries with you every morning for your camera. And always be sure you’ve packed your sunscreen. Once you’re in the park, it takes forever to get back to your, then back to the hotel. So they can really charge you for the sunscreen and batteries.

*Upgrade - I’d suggest calling a day or so before you arrive to see if they’ll give you a discount on an upgrade. I remember reading somewhere that Disneyland ticket sales are way down so I would assume this is affecting businesses around the Park as well. It never hurts to ask, especially in this economy…heck, I work at a luxury hotel and we get people asking every day for a free upgrade or discount!

If they turn you down over the phone, you can always ask again when you check in since chances are it will be a different person and they’ll never know you’ve already asked once.

*Breakfast - You’re probably already looked, but check to see if the hotel has a continental breakfast included in the price. If they offer such a thing but it’s not included in your base room, you might ask to have this included in your upgrade (especially if they turn you down for a discount). They don’t know you’d upgrade anyway and while you’d be paying the $60 at least you’d get breakfast for free.

*Toys and souvenirs - Since it sounds like you’re driving, you might want to secretly bring along toys that look like those you’d buy in the Park. Glow-in-the-dark bracelets/necklaces are cheap at dollar stores and you can buy other toys that resemble the Disney-brand toys for cheap at Walmart. Your kids sound young so they’ll never suspect if Dad goes around the corner and suddenly surprises them with toys he “bought.”

*Meals - Sorry, I have no kiddos so I have few ideas for quick, easy-to-carry meals other than PB&J…but, I know you can leave the Park after entering (they stamp your hand) so maybe google nearby fast-food restaurants to see if anything is within walking distance. I seem to recall there is a strip mall nearby with a Subway, Pizza Hut, etc. and lunch for 4 at either of those places would be much cheaper than the same kind of food anywhere in the Park.

Have fun and if you pick up any more savings tips, let us know!