Disneyland Paris: Visit the Land of Dreams for a Magical Price

Jul 31, 2018

Who said Disneyland is an off-limit destination when you are on a budget? True, it won't make it on any "Cheapest Destinations" list, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for overpriced hotels and full price tickets!

First of all: TICKETS!

Photo Courtesy of The Irish Sun Your tickets are, perhaps, the biggest expense you'll face when traveling. The starting price for a 1-day ticket alone ranges from little over £40 (in low season and when you’re lucky) up to over £70. The best way to go about tickets is to have a relaxed attitude: if you're desperate to go on a specific date, you can probably forget about good deals. Needless to say, low season is the ideal time to start hunting for tickets. Many voucher websites or tickets reseller can offer discounts up to 40% off. This means you can easily grab an Adult ticket for about £50 and a Child ticket for at least a tenner less.

Time to Go: TRANSPORT

The most efficient way to travel from the UK is a direct Eurostar from Central London. This only takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, and, if you are careful with your purchase, you can find one-way tickets for £30 or less. However, in this scenario, you will have to buy your tickets a while in advance! One major perk of using the Euro star is that you won't run into hidden or unexpected fees: No airport transfers, shuttles, parking fees, etc.

Another option to consider when traveling as a family or with a large group of friends is to rent a car. This is perfect if you're planning on staying more than one day or if your stop at Disneyland Paris is part of a longer holiday. A daily parking ticket for your car cost £25, which is basically nothing when you share it between 3 or more people. Parking in Paris is free from 6 pm to 9 am and on Sundays - if you plan it well, you might spend very little!

Most Importantly: ACCOMMODATIONS

Savvy savers would probably prefer to make Disneyland a day-trip and avoid having to pay for accommodations altogether (this is also known as a 'touch and go' trip). However, we can't blame Disney addicts for wanting to spend more than just one day in this childhood haven. Hotels inside the park are a big ‘no’ for your budget plan. Even though it’s a good habit to count the cost of transports as part of the hotel fare (in other words, a cheap accommodation far away from the park might end up costing as much as a closer one when you add the train ticket!)

The area between Disneyland and Paris is full of hotel options and are ideal for families, friends, and those who are searching for small apartments. A good price - which is subject to seasonality and early booking - is around £20, which as much as you might spend for a hostel bed in a popular capital like London or Stockholm.

The Necessities: SOUVENIRS

Last but not least, we can't talk about Disneyland Paris without mentioning the hundreds of souvenirs, toys, and merchandise that can be found there. If you're planning a vacation with little ones, or if you're a kid at heart, you will definitely end up spending a pretty penny on souvenirs.

One major way you can save money is to decide, in advance, what is worth splurging on and what is worth skipping. While some Disney fanatics can't go to the magical theme park without buying a new stuffed animal, they can easily give up on pricy, character-themed snacks. If there is a special souvenir that you have in mind, be sure to set aside a budget and plan your purchases around it. Another money saving tip is to buy Princess dresses and Star Wars shirts at home before you ever set foot inside the park. You'll find that Target and Walmart sell almost identical clothing to what can be found inside the park, but the prices are much more affordable.