Booking Disneyland Paris on a budget

So you want to go to Disneyland Paris but you just don’t know how to book it or it looks really expensive? Well don’t worry as I am here to help! I believe that Disney is for everyone, so I have worked out cheaper ways to visit Disneyland Paris without having to skimp on magic and fun. Below I am going to explore my top tips and tricks into booking a holiday at Disneyland Paris resort without breaking the bank.

First you’ve got to know where to book what. I always book the majority of my stay through the Disneyland Paris website, that way you know you can trust everything you book and it will include financial protection. You also get the benefits of booking through Disney; this includes ease of getting tickets, all information to do with your booking at the front desk for when you arrive, extra magic hours and more. I will always book my accommodation and tickets through Disney, you can easily get a great deal and you can trust everything is in great hands!

If you’re looking for a budget DLP stay then I’d suggest going for 3 days/2 nights, staying at a Disney Value Hotel and finding an offer that includes a dining plan or gift card. Disney also has partner hotels that can be a little cheaper but they just don’t have the same kind of theming and service as Disney, and they can be a little further away from the parks than one would like for ease. My favourite value hotel is Hotel Cheyenne (check out my Hotel Cheyenne review), but there are a few choices for budget options. Hotel Santa Fe is a Cars themed hotel right next to Hotel Cheyenne. It has a few less amenities but is a family favourite for DLP stays as it is cheaper than other Disney hotels. If you are going to rely on Disney transportation or walking to and from the parks then these two hotels are the best for a budget stay. Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch is fantastic for a budget family stay if you have a car. This Disney property has many little wooden cabins within a forested area which each sleep up to 6 people. The cabins are self catered and cheaper than other Disney resorts, just be aware you will need a car as there’s no shuttle service and the parks are a 15 drive away.

The Disneyland Paris website holds many offers all throughout the year. I’d suggest visiting at quiet times of the year as it’s normally cheaper and the parks are quieter, meaning you’ll be able to get more done. My favourite times to visit are early December and late January through to mid March. Yes it can be a little colder but you’ll definitely be getting more for the money you spend. When you book with Disney, an offer will normally include accommodation, tickets and a dining plan of some sort. If on a budget the half board dining plans are great value: these include a buffet restaurant meal and a snack each day of stay. The buffet restaurants have good options and are very filling so are great when needing to fill up for the whole day. You can also get stays including breakfast in the parks, which is normally a set breakfast which could include a hot and cold drink, small pastry and a breakfast sandwich. This is also a great way of saving a little bit of money, because even a little Disney snack can cost a lot more than you’d anticipate. Therefore, if on a strict budget, I’d highly recommend an offer including a dining plan as then you can limit your spending when in the parks.

Ticket prices for DLP can be a little on the pricey side but I always go through Disney when buying just to make sure the tickets are valid. If buying tickets on a package offer with Disney, you will get a good price and you’ll be able to receive your tickets in the post before you arrive or at your hotel, depending on your preference. Also by buying your tickets through Disney themselves, it means you can collate all of your booking together so if anything happens Disney is in charge of everything and can easily be contacted.

Travel can be an issue for a lot of people when it comes to being on a budget. I think there is no point in buying your flights on the Disneyland Paris website as they can normally be quite expensive. I’d definitely suggest, if flying, to book your tickets directly through a budget airline such as EasyJet or Ryanair. Yes these are not luxury flights but the flights are short and much cheaper than the companies listed on DLP’s website. You can also book a Disney bus to take you from the airport to your chosen accommodation for a fee of around €40 per person. Just remember the bus journey does take around 1-2 hours depending on traffic and the amount of drop offs. Another travel option is the Eurostar which can be a little bit more expensive than a budget airline flight. Even so, this is a good option as you will not need to pay the extra bus fare as the Eurostar has trains that go directly to Disneyland Paris. This also means that there’s less faff when it comes to getting to the actual resort and you can make use of Disney’s Luggage Service; where you can drop your bags off at the stations and a cast member will escort them to your room, meaning you can get straight to enjoying the magic!

Budget Disney trips can be done if you look at options. Don’t have set dates or a hotel as you need to browse for the best offer you can find. You can also make the most out of your money if you use the full room occupancy as the rate is split between more people. When booking, just remember that this is your magical trip so do what you think is best and be aware of the ways you can save some money when booking. I hope I have helped you in some way when looking to book a more budget friendly DLP holiday. Have a magical time!