Things to Do in Anaheim Without Going Broke

A Dance Mom’s Guide to Fun, Memories, and Smart Planning During Competition Week

Let’s be real for a second…

Yes, Anaheim = Disney.

And yes… we love Disney.

BUT.

When you’re traveling for a dance competition, you’re not always trying to:
✔ Spend thousands
✔ Exhaust your dancer
✔ Or cram too much into an already packed schedule

So this guide?

This is about doing Anaheim smart.

Creating memories. Having fun.
Without blowing your entire budget… or your sanity.

🎯 FIRST RULE

Competition Comes First. Always.

Before we even talk about fun…

We need to talk about reality.

I have seen dancers:
✔ Try to squeeze Disney in before competing
✔ Rush back just in time
✔ Show up tired, stressed, and overwhelmed

And it shows.

💬 Real Dance Mom Moment

We’ve all thought it…

“It’ll be fine, we’ll just go for a few hours…”

No. We won’t 😅

💡 The Smart Way to Plan

✔ Keep competition days focused on dance
✔ Schedule fun days separately when possible
✔ Always aim to arrive at least 2 hours early
✔ Build in buffer time for everything

Because when your dancer feels calm and prepared?

That’s when they perform their best.

🎢 THEME PARK TIER

Plan It Right or Not at All!

💸 Budget to Mid Range Options

Knott’s Berry Farm and Smarter Theme Park Days

If you’re looking for a theme park experience without the full Disney price tag…

Let me introduce you to one of our favorite swaps:

👉 Knott’s Berry Farm

We did Knott’s last year instead of Disney for our big “fun day” and let me tell you…

It was one of the best decisions we made.

One of our favorite Anaheim memories… choosing Knott’s Berry Farm over Disney for the day and having just as much fun (maybe even more).

Proof you don’t have to spend the most to make the best memories 💙

✔️ Why We Loved It

✔ Lower ticket prices
✔ Shorter lines
✔ Great rides for all ages
✔ Still felt like a full theme park experience

💬 Real Dance Mom Story

We spent the day riding everything, laughing, and just enjoying being together outside of competition mode.

And at one point…

My daughter may or may not have passed out on a roller coaster 😅

And yes… it was captured in the ride photo.

And no… that photo will NEVER see the light of day because I would like to remain her mother.

But just know…

I laughed so hard I cried. And almost peed my pants 😅

✨ Why This Matters

That day wasn’t about:
✔ Spending the most money
✔ Doing the “biggest” park

It was about:
✔ Letting the kids be kids
✔ Laughing together
✔ Creating memories we still talk about

And honestly?

That’s what these trips should be about.

💡 Dance Mom Tip

✔ Plan this on a non competition day
✔ Give yourself time to enjoy it
✔ Don’t rush the experience

🎟️ PRO TIP

Save Money on Tickets

Before you buy ANY theme park tickets…

Check discount sites like:

👉 https://www.undercovertourist.com

I personally scored a great deal on Universal tickets through them last fall.

These sites can:
✔ Save you money
✔ Offer legit tickets
✔ Help you compare pricing

Always compare before buying direct.

✨ Splurge Days

Disneyland and Universal Studios

If Disney is part of your trip… we get it.

And Universal Studios is another amazing option if you want something different.

💡 How to Do It Without Losing Your Mind

👉 Add extra days to your trip
OR
👉 Keep park days completely separate from competition days

Trying to do both in one day?
That’s where stress lives.

🌊 FREE TO CHEAP

The Underrated Magic of Southern California

Some of the BEST experiences in Anaheim?

They don’t cost much at all.

Beach Days

✔ Huntington Beach
✔ Newport Beach

There is something about letting your dancer:
✔ Run around
✔ Reset
✔ Just be a kid

After long competition days… it’s everything.

☀️ LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY

(Sunscreen Is Not Optional)

We learned this one the hard way.

Sunburn + costumes = not a good combination.

My dancer ended up with:
✔ A painful sunburn
✔ Visible tan lines in her costume

Not ideal.

💡 Dance Mom Reminder

✔ Sunscreen
✔ Reapply
✔ Hydrate

Always.

🏊‍♀️ HOTEL FUN

Yes… But With Boundaries

Pools, splash pads, hotel fun… it’s part of the experience.

And I love that for them.

But…

💬 Real Story

My dancer twisted her foot running near the pool the night before a competition.

And looking back?

I should have slowed that down.

💡 Balance Is Everything

✔ Let them have fun
✔ Protect their body
✔ Be mindful before performance days

Because one small moment can impact everything.

🛍️ EASY, LOW KEY FUN

When You Just Want to Keep It Simple

Not every activity needs to be big.

Options That Work

✔ Downtown Disney without park tickets
✔ Shopping and exploring nearby
✔ Walking, grabbing snacks, just being together

Sometimes those slower moments end up being the best ones.

✨ DISNEY ON A BUDGET

Because Yes… We’re Still Going

We are not skipping Disney entirely. Let’s be honest 😂

But you can absolutely do it smarter.

Ways to Save

✔ Fewer park days
✔ Bring your own snacks
✔ Stay off property
✔ Prioritize must do rides

💬 Perspective Shift

You don’t have to do everything to make it magical.

Sometimes doing less makes it better.

❤️ FINAL THOUGHTS

The best Anaheim trips?

They’re not the most expensive ones.

They’re the ones where:
✔ Your dancer feels good
✔ You’re not stressed
✔ You actually enjoy the experience

Because at the end of the day…

That’s what this is all about.

💬 LET’S CHAT

What’s your favorite NON Disney thing to do in Anaheim?

Or what’s a memory your dancer still talks about from a past trip?

Let’s help each other out 💙

💙 Affiliate + Link Disclaimer

I do have an Amazon storefront, so affiliated links may apply if it’s a product shared through that platform.

Otherwise, unless explicitly noted, links to third party websites such as attractions, activities, or other resources are provided simply as helpful references and are not affiliated links.

If you do choose to shop through my Amazon storefront, I truly appreciate it. You’re supporting small creators and helping me continue to create helpful content for this amazing dance community 💙

Until next time, TCDM Fam. 💙