How to Save a Couple Bucks on a Disneyland Corn Dog

January 23, 2016, 12:16 AM · Many theme park fans consider a stop at Main Street's Little Red Wagon for a corn dog as important a part of a Disneyland visit as a trip on Pirates of the Caribbean or watching the fireworks show at the end of the day.

Little Red Wagon

But if you pause at the $8.75 price tag, we've got an insider tip for you on how to save a couple bucks on that Disneyland corn dog.

The corn dogs at the Little Red Wagon are freshly dipped in batter and fried to order, elevating these rather humble dogs to something fans crave long after returning home. Disney several years ago famously ditched their all-beef hot dogs for a beef-and-chicken mix, but under this crispy and ever-so-lightly-sweet cornbread shell, they still taste fantastic.

Corn Dog

But Disney sells you more than just a freshly-dipped corn dog for that $8.75. It includes a "small bag of chips," as well, with the option of substituting a bag of apple slices, instead. Yet here's the third option that Disney doesn't tell you about — you can choose neither.

Just tell the host or hostess taking your order that you would prefer not have the chips or the apple slices, and the host will knock the price of the corn dog down to $6.50. That's a $2.25 discount, simply by foregoing a small bag of Lay's potato chips.

Eating a Corn Dog on Main Street USA

This tip works at any Disney food cart or counter-service restaurant that bundles chips or fruit with the main item you are ordering. If you don't really want the side item, just say so, and enjoy a discount. You'll also save calories by not guilt-eating an accompaniment you didn't want or need, anyway, just because you paid for it.

Rate and Review:

Replies (26)

January 23, 2016 at 12:44 AM · I think they're priced similarly, but you can also get them if you're over at California Adventure at the Corn Dog Castle in the Paradise Pier dining area; there, they have the "original" as well as my FAV, the hot link...just as YUMMY...!!!
January 23, 2016 at 1:08 AM · Even by theme park standards, that's a grotesque profit margin on an item that's probably real cheap to make. Such a rip-off that this article is very useful. Thanks!
January 23, 2016 at 1:29 AM · You can also get the yummy hot dogs at "The Golden Horseshoe" . Not everyone knows this, so the line is usually shorter. Also, the "Red Wagon" is not always open. ENJOY! ??
January 23, 2016 at 1:50 AM · its not about profit margins or grotesque profits its about getting the best corn dog you could ever want!
January 23, 2016 at 2:36 AM · Wow, that's an amazing tip, Robert! Will be refusing the chips for sure.
January 23, 2016 at 7:56 AM · Life Hack!
January 23, 2016 at 8:18 AM · Awesome! Thanks for the great tip.
January 23, 2016 at 9:00 AM · Just an update no corn dogs at Golden Horseshoe only at stage door cafe right next door
January 23, 2016 at 9:09 AM · I love Disneyland. I love corn dogs. Heck, I even like hot dogs. But unfortunately, the hot dogs/corn dogs at Disneyland, in my opinion, are terrible. If you see the dog itself it is an unnatural shade of red (even for a hot dog)...it is so filled with preservatives and junk....so filled with nitrates that it stops tasting anything remotely close to the sausage that hot dogs are supposed to be. You can generally find a better, cheaper corn dog in most shopping malls.
January 23, 2016 at 9:44 AM · This is blowing my mind!!!
January 23, 2016 at 9:54 AM · Thanks for the great tip! I have been going to DL for over 50 years, so I am familiar with most tips. However, this is a new one for me! Thanks again!
January 23, 2016 at 10:10 AM · Im a regular at the wagon and this nice to hear. With AP discount, its even better. Thank you
January 23, 2016 at 11:01 AM · Next door at the Plaza Inn, you can also order chicken by the piece and not have to pay for the whole plate. About $2.50 per piece for dark meet.
January 23, 2016 at 11:39 AM · Why not slip in a few corn dogs and hot dogs from 7-11 or AM/PM that charge 2 for $1?
January 23, 2016 at 11:55 AM · The corn dogs are no longer cooked to order. I was just there in large Dec and when I got to the window a emplyee came from the back with a large tray of cooked corn dogs.
January 23, 2016 at 12:10 PM · "How to save money on Disneyland corn dogs?"

Well, believe it or not, I've found a solution; and if you follow this plan, I guarantee you won't just be saving a measly $2.25, oh no, you won't even pay a single cent. Are you ready? Ok...

The real secret to saving money on Disneyland corn dogs is.....not buying Disneyland corn dogs. Problem solved!!!

January 23, 2016 at 12:20 PM · Not sure if this really works at any place they sell the bundles. I tried to get a hot dog without the chips at a cart in DCA but they wouldn't do it.
January 23, 2016 at 12:34 PM · I've never quite understood why people go crazy over corn dogs at this place. Yes, they are good, but they are not so good that I want to wait 15+ minutes for one. If I'm going to get a corn dog, I usually grab one from Corn Dog Castle over in DCA, which serves pretty much the same thing with a much shorter wait.

Anyway, the discount tip is great for those who don't want the side and it does work at every Disney counter service restaurant (at least in my experience). However, it will not work at most other theme parks unless they specifically sell items a la carte.

January 23, 2016 at 3:09 PM · Why didn't you tell us this years agooo!!!! Do you know how many corn dogs I've eaten at Disneyland!!! Lol.
January 23, 2016 at 4:31 PM · Great tip! Now I got a craving for some corn dogs.
January 23, 2016 at 9:38 PM · If you can afford to visit Disneyland, Im pretty sure it dont even matter. Whats $2.25 to folks with money? Come to the house Ill cook you a fresh corndog for 2 bucks and thank you.
January 24, 2016 at 3:58 PM · To the person above me, Disneyland is not just a place for the super rich, and if it were, it would be nearly empty. Lots of people have to save for their Disney vacation and even most passholders don't have an abundance of money. Nobody wants to pay for something they don't want if they don't have to.
January 25, 2016 at 1:30 AM · I work for disney & I have to say that not every single place offers you to have no side. Some possibly might but don't think a cast member is lying to you when they say they can't serve it to you alone!
January 25, 2016 at 8:45 PM · also the cart will honor the annual passholder discount. So it gets even cheaper, under $6.
January 26, 2016 at 3:52 AM · An even better tip for the Red agon. Never buy your beverage there. Instead step on over to the Plaza Inn and purchase beverages there.find a table enjoy your corn dog and your beverages not only include FREE REFILLS but they are happy to give you a to go cup to refill when you are ready to get back to the attractions. And you fellow ANNUAL PASSHOLDERS, always remember to show your pass for additional discounts. They add up substantially for my family of four.
January 26, 2016 at 8:43 AM · Also, if you have a season pass, the Stage Door Cafe, which also serves the same corn dog, will apply the discount!

This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Park tickets

Weekly newsletter

New attraction reviews

News archive