It might be a dream trip for the kids, but it can be a nightmare for your wallet. It’s not just the price of tickets that’ll set you back. It’s also the cost of on-site food, souvenirs and attractions. Is it possible to have a budget-friendly trip to Disneyland Paris?
If you’re thinking of going, but have no idea what to expect, then bear in mind that the Paris park is on a much smaller scale than its Florida cousins. It’s split into two Disney theme parks — the original Disneyland Park, with 41 attractions; and Walt Disney Studios Park, which has 13 attractions. There’s also the free Disney Village entertainment complex, with a 15-screen cinema, 16 restaurants, nine shops and a concert area.
How long you spend visiting will also affect how much cash you spend. You can save a lot on tickets, food and hotels by making it a day trip, but most people prefer to visit over two days. If you have the choice, it’s always best to avoid going in the school holidays. But whether you’re visiting in peak summer season or in the depths of winter, these money-saving tips should help you and your family make the most of your trip to Disneyland Paris on a budget.
Main photo: the Toy Story crew in TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure, at Disneyland Paris (Disneyland Paris)
1. Buy dated Disney tickets
Never buy undated park tickets, which are €105/£94 for one park or €130/£116 for both. They cost up to 40 per cent more than dated tickets. On the latter, you can change the date of your tickets up to three days before arrival. Even if you want to give Disneyland Paris tickets to someone as a gift, it’s a no-brainer to just pick a date in the future for the ticket, then let them change it to whatever they like.
Advertisement
2. Use reseller ticket sites
Buying from the official Disneyland Paris website (disneylandparis.com) is safest, but authorised ticket resellers offer the same dates at discounts — sometimes up to 20 per cent less. But be warned — they also sometimes sell them for more, so always check the official Disneyland Paris ticket site before buying from a reseller. Unfortunately, Disney doesn’t list its authorised resellers, so check Trustpilot and similar sites before handing over your credit card details — and, as always, never pay by bank transfer.
3. Do the day-trip ticket trick
If you’re only going for a day, you’ll save £20 or more by getting a ticket for the original Disneyland Park only. Even with an early start and late finish, you won’t have time to see all of Disneyland Park, let alone the few rides and sites at Walt Disney Studios. But the maths changes as soon as you look at a two-day trip. Two-day tickets for both parks, even if you only plan to visit one park each day, are cheaper than two separate single-park tickets.
4. Check if you’re eligible for discounts
Before hitting “buy”, check if any members of your group are registered disabled or are in the military. Both are eligible for discounted tickets of at least 25 per cent — plus one person accompanying a disabled guest can get the same discount.
5. Use the Disney annual pass hack
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a die-hard fan, the annual pass can be good value if you’re planning to visit for four days or more — whether in one trip or over multiple visits — but also if you need on-site car parking and can use some of the other perks, such as discounts for family and friends. There’s no set rule, because it depends on the prices of the entry tickets on the day of your visit, and these vary greatly throughout the year.
But check the validity period — the cheapest annual pass starts at €229 (£195), but doesn’t give you access during peak periods, so if you’re tied to the school holidays, you’ll need the pricier options, which start from €319 (£272). But as peak-season pre-booked four-day tickets are often around the same price, or more, it can still be a money-saver.
6. Don’t overload on souvenirs
Advertisement
Chances are you’ll be lured into making some impulse purchases in the park, especially if you’re going with children. Before you go, set a maximum budget for souvenirs, and limit the number and size of items you buy so that you don’t end up having to buy an extra bag and pay for additional luggage on the return trip to hold your Elsa costume boots, Lion King cushion and Lego Home Alone set.
If your children already have Disney costumes, bring them so you aren’t pestered into buying duplicates when they see other kids dressed up.
If you have one of the top three tiers of annual passes, you’ll also get a discount of 10-20 per cent in most park shops, so that’s worth factoring in when you’re working out if the annual pass is worth it. And there’s free on-site wi-fi at Disneyland Paris, so before you make any of the pricier or bulky purchases in the shops, it’s well worth doing a quick check online to see whether it’s cheaper to order the item online and have it delivered to your door at home, saving you money and the cost and hassle of transport.
7. Consider the package perks
If you don’t mind paying a premium to stay on site, then it’s worth taking a look at the official Disneyland Paris package deals page. These are rarely great value for those on a budget, but they do sometimes come with perks, such as free experiences or early entry to the park, that can make it worthwhile for mega-fans.
8. Stay outside the park
Staying on-site in one of the Disney hotels or a partner hotel comes at a premium. The perks include an extra hour to explore the park before everyone else arrives and less travel time, but you’ll pay 30-70 per cent more for that privilege than if you stayed elsewhere.
Advertisement
If you’re looking to save money, choose one of the hotels and campsites a little outside the park area. It’s difficult to compare prices directly since Disney only sells hotels as part of whole-trip packages on its site. But in most cases, going just one RER train stop away can save you £100 — and often much more — on a bed for the night. The train ticket from nearby hotels to the park will cost less than £5, or from Paris less than a tenner.
FAQs
How can I get to Disneyland Paris?
Eurostar scrapped its direct trains from London St Pancras to Disneyland Paris in June 2023. You can still go by train, but it’ll mean a change at either Paris or Lille.
If you’re flying, the official Disneyland Paris Magical shuttle from Charles de Gaulle Airport will cost you around £22 for adults and £9 for kids (free for babies up to age two). Those driving over will pay £28 a day for on-site parking, although this is included in the top tiers of the Disneyland Paris annual pass.
Factor the total cost into your travel pricing when you’re trying to decide how to get there. Often, that cheap flight from Manchester or driving from Surrey — add in tolls, petrol, ferry and parking — can cost more than getting the train to London, then hopping on the Eurostar.
What should I eat?
Good news — Disneyland Paris lets you bring your own food and drink into the park. And it’s just as well since the on-site prices for food and drink can sometimes take the Mickey.
Advertisement
In even the cheapest on-site self-service restaurants and kiosks, you’ll pay £7 or more for a sandwich and £3 for a 50cl bottle of water. Plump for a table-service meal and you’ll shell out upwards of £20 for a kids’ meal and £30-40 for an adult.
If there’s one single way of saving money — and beating the heat — it’s to bring reusable water bottles and refill them from the water fountains or bathroom taps. Carry a little bottle of squash in your backpack if your kids don’t want to drink straight tap water.
The price of snacks is generally high but visitors can bring their own lunch, drinks and snacks and save a packet — but remember what you bring has to be small and portable (anyone toting cool boxes will be turned away).
Don’t forget about dinner. Do yourself a favour and browse their menus online in advance so you know which is the best-value option. For sit-down options, you usually have to book ahead. On the other hand, you can pack your own dinner, too. If you don’t want to carry it all day, you can pay around £6 to leave a small bag at the Guest Services desk when at the entrance to both parks — still a huge saving on the price of a cheeseburger (from £15).
Should I buy the PhotoPass?
Unless you’re a diehard Disney fan and want lots of professional photos of your group on the rides and with the characters, then PhotoPass+, which costs around £70, isn’t worth it. You are allowed to take photos yourself anywhere you like in the park, including with Elsa, Minnie, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the Disney characters you’ll meet.
Advertisement
If you just want a single official shot, pick up the free PhotoPass (minus the “plus”) as you enter the park. You’ll get all the same pictures taken as you would with PhotoPass+, but you must choose and buy each one you like for around £13 at the end of the day.
Should I get the Disneyland Paris app?
Yes — the Disneyland Paris app is free and can tell you how best to plot your way around the different rides. It also lets you order food, buy fast access to shows and attractions and begin your Disney Hotel check-in if you’re staying there.
Should I bring a buggy or pushchair?
Yes — if your kids are little, make sure to bring your own buggies or pushchairs so you don’t have to rent them on site.
Additional reporting by Qin Xie and Siobhan Grogan.
• Best affordable hotels in Paris
• Best things to do in Paris with children
• Best free days out for kids in the UK
Take me there
Inspired to visit Disneyland Paris but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui and AttractionTickets.com.
Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here.
