Cheap flights to Anaheim are abundant from all east coast cities. With Los Angeles the gateway to the United States for many airlines there are a host of options to choose from. If dates are not a major issue, specials are always on offer, especially packaged with a trip to Anaheim, the home of Disneyland. Once landed at LAX there are many cheap ways to get to Anaheim. The Airport Shuttle, known as the Disneyland Resort Express, costs around A$12. If trying to getting to Anaheim from LA city, about a 42km trip, there are two bus options, with LUXBUS and Greyhound both offering services. Amtrak and Metrolink run rail services to the Orange County city. Amtrak run 10 trains a day and a ticket costs around A$11, making it a very cheap way to get to Anaheim.

Anaheim Resort Transportation runs buses on 19 routes around the area, taking in all the attractions. Buses leave every 30 minutes and you can purchase 1, 3 or 5-day passes. They even have 15 and 30 day passes. But be warned, the multiple day passes are valid for consecutive days. The passes start from just under A$5 for a one-day adult pass. It pays to note that in Disney town an adult is 10 years or older. The Orange County Transportation Authority also runs a bus service which is slightly cheaper and operates a very user-friendly online journey planner to help identify the best bus route to get to your destination.

Putting Mickey Mouse to one side for a while, travellers with a desire to unleash their inner Top Gun should visit the Flightdeck Air Combat Centre, where an F-16 fighter jet simulator awaits. It is a cheap thrill for $A55, as visitors tackle air combat missions, experiencing realistic aerial manoeuvres at 600 knots. The more conservative “pilots’’ can take the controls of a Boeing 737. For sporting nuts, take in a baseball game at Angel Stadium or head to the Honda Centre, home to the Anaheim Ducks ice hockey team. A slice of nature in the urban jungle can be found at Yorba Regional Park, a 1.5km stretch of parkland which hugs the Santa Ana River. Bicycle trails meander through the park, and connect to the nationally recognised Santa Ana River Trail, which runs 32km to the Pacific Ocean. And of course there is Disneyland, where visitors walk down Main Street, USA on their way to seven magic worlds, including Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland and Frontierland.

Finding a meal is not hard in Anaheim. The Anaheim Resort’s restaurant precinct boasts award-winning fine-dining establishments such as Mr Stox and Anaheim White House, as well as famed steak houses like Morton’s and Ruth’s Chris. There are also heaps of family fare, with many restaurants having a “kids eat free’’ policy. If you are looking for a cheap meal check out Orange County’s Farmers Markets. There is a vast array of shopping options with high-end centres such as South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island. Those looking for a cheap way to fill a wardrobe should visit The Outlets at Orange, which is a one-stop centre for discount shopping. When the inner-child has had enough of Pluto and Mickey, it is time to head to Downtown Fullerton where trendy wine bars and lounges allow visitors to kick up their heels.