How much does it cost to go to Disneyland in 2022 from Australia?

I know I'm not the only one with a Disney trip on their mind. A lot has changed over the past few years since we haven't travelled, so I thought I would create a post on how much it costs to travel to Disneyland in 2022 from Australia and all of the main travel requirements.

Now, I like to book everything myself. I like to have full control over all of my bookings to amend them, watch prices (most allow price matching) and cancel them myself if needed. I've found booking via an agent, this all has to be done by them, and it's not an easy process if you do it yourself. I always recommend you check out prices via an agent and then also when booking yourself and see what's best for you (I've never had an agent get close to my DIY pricing).

All of the pricing is for September 2022. Pricing and travel requirements will change, so I will try and keep this post updated for you. Hopefully, COVID testing won't be required for international travel soon (fingers crossed).

If you're travelling to the USA for the first time, here is my post including everything you need to know about travelling to America from Australia and planning a trip to Disneyland.

Pre Travel Requirements

ESTA - Purchase via the official site only! I can't tell you how often I've read stories of people paying over $50 for their ESTA through random sites, so make sure you apply via the official website only! They should only be $14USD each (around $19 AUD). What is the ESTA? The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Covid Testing - Rapid Antigen testing is $59, and PCR is $79 via Hisopath at most major Australian Airports. Make sure you book a spot online before departure. Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 1 day before travel for everyone over the age of 2. Viral tests must be completed at a testing centre (you can't do an at-home rapid test). Please see the CDC website for up to date testing requirements. Update May 2022: You no longer require testing before returning to Australia.

Travel Insurance - I recommend you look at the travel insurance that has the best coverage for COVID related issues. Most of the big ones have included COVID coverage, but only for limited things. One Cover, BUPA and CoverMore all have COVID options.

Flights

Right now, flights to the USA are quite pricey, but there are deals to be found if you don't mind a stopover. Hopefully, as people travel more frequently, more flights will be added, and prices will drop.

Brisbane - Los Angeles (return)
Direct Flight Qantas $1943 pp
Stopover Fiji Airways $1130 pp
Sydney - Los Angeles (return)
Direct Flight Qantas $1699 pp
Stopover Fiji Airways $1224 pp
Melbourne - Los Angeles (return)
Direct Flight Qantas $1978 pp
Stopover Fiji Airways $1455 pp

Accommodation

Disney Properties in Anaheim
The below pricing is direct via the Disneyland website. If you're booking a Disney property, I recommend looking at renting DVC points to save money. I'll get up a blog post on how this works soon.
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel (standard room sleeps 5) $539 AUD per night
Disneyland Hotel (standard room sleeps 5) $732 AUD per night
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa $970 AUD per night

Non-Disney but with close walking distance in Anaheim Pricing is based on booking via hotels.com
Tropicana Inn sleeps 5 (right across the road and a 5 minute walk to the gate) $2318
Howard Johnson sleeps 5 (10 minute walk to the gate and has a water park) $2162
Anaheim Marriott Hotel sleeps 4 (15 minute walk or shuttle available) $1705

Rooms that sleep 6 in Anaheim
Radisson BLU Anaheim $2569 sleeps 6
Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim $2208 sleeps 6
Anaheim Portofino Inn $1872 sleeps 6
Hampton Inn Suites Anaheim $1903 sleeps 6

Park Tickets

We like to purchase the 10-day park hoppers, only available to Australian and NZ residents. The pricing has increased, but it's still great value if you want to take your time exploring the parks. I have included all of the park ticket options for you. Please remember that you must make a reservation to visit the parks and just purchasing tickets doesn't guarantee you a park reservation. Dates get booked up, so don't skip this step.
2 day Park Hopper - Adults (10+) $427 Child (3-9) $406 AUD
4 day Park Hopper - Adults (10+) $569 Child (3-9) $542 AUD
10 Day Park Hopper - Not currently available, but hopefully they will be again soon (I will update when I have more information).

Car Hire

We like to hire a car directly from LAX airport to save extra money on transport from the airport to our hotel. We drop the car back at the airport, making things a lot easier. A shuttle regularly comes from outside of the terminal and drops off at the car hire locations close to the airport. We use Rentalcars.com each time and never had an issue using them. Tip, watch prices and if they drop, let them know, and they will match it.
5 seater car for 7 days $790 AUD
7 seater car for 7 days $1230 AUD

Spending Money

This is hard to predict as everyone will have different budgets and spending habits, but we like to budget $500 AUD per person per week to buy extra goodies.

Food

To save money on food, we stop at Walmart and stock up on snacks, food and drinks. We aim to budget around $200 USD a day for food and try to select hotels that include breakfast. Some days we spent way less, and some days we spent more depending on how many times we ate out or just had food in our room.

Pricing Summary in AUD

Family of 4

ESTA - $19 each x 4 = $76
COVID Testing - Outbound $59 each = $236
Travel Insurance - Family cover included some COVID coverage = $303
Flights - $1130 BNE-LAX (stopover in fiji) x 4 = $4520
Accommodation - Anaheim Marriott Hotel 7 nights = $1705
Car Hire - 5 seater car for 7 days = $790
Spending Money - 4 people = $2000
Food - $271 AUD per day x 7 days = $1897
Park Tickets - 4 day park hopper 2 adults & 2 children = $2222
TOTAL = $13,749

Family of 6

ESTA - $19 each x 6 = $114
COVID Testing - Outbound $59 each = $354
Travel Insurance - Family cover included some COVID coverage = $303
Flights - $1130 BNE-LAX (stopover in fiji) x 6 = $6780
Accommodation - Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim = $2208
Car Hire - 7 seater for 7 days = $1230
Spending - 6 people = $3000
Food - $271 AUD per day x 7 days = $1897
Park Tickets - 4 day park hopper 2 adults & 4 children = $3306
TOTAL = $18,838

I LOVE talking about Disney travel so if you have any Disney trip planning questions, let me know and I will do my best to answer them.