Top 10 Tips for Saving Money when Booking a Holiday to Disneyland Paris
It is that time of the year where we are in limbo between Christmas and New Year and my thoughts have turned to booking a holiday for 2017.
The kids are all desperate to go to Disney as our last visit was 4 years ago. Unfortunately, Florida is out of our reach but I have been busy researching the best deals for visiting Disneyland Paris.
Finding a bargain can be a challenge, but I have I do have some hints and tips for you:
1. Book Direct
Booking directly through Disneyland Paris is the cheapest way I have found to book the holiday and contrary to popular belief, you can pay a 15 % deposit to secure your booking depending on arrival dates. You can only do this by calling Disneyland Paris direct and be aware that calls cost 5p per minute.
2. Be flexible!
Play around with the dates you want to travel, even moving a day either way can save ££’s. We are looking to go in June when the kids have inset days and it is actually cheaper to stay 5 nights than stay 4! Sunday to Thursday or Wednesday to Sunday breaks seem to be cheapest for us.
3. Price Grids
Look up their price grids for the cheapest time to travel. If you have pre-school children then travel in term time for the cheapest deals. Dark blue is cheapest, light blue is value and orange is peak.
4. Book Early
Some of the best deals are done by booking early. Their January sale finishes on 6th February and currently offers children under 7 staying and playing free but there other offers about throughout the year.
5. Check all Hotel Prices
There are seven Disney hotels to choose from – the closest, and most expensive, is the Disneyland Hotel, but I have found the others vary in price wildly depending on when you are visiting. If you have a large family like us, Newport Bay has rooms that can sleep up to 5 and Santa Fe has some that sleep up to 6, but you are more likely to have to book interconnecting rooms if there are lots of you.
6. Meal Plans
Offers on the website are purely room and park entrance. Meal plans are booked separately and cost from £11 per child per night and £19 per adult per night which does add a significant sum to your booking, but some rooms do offer breakfast as part of the package.
7. Consider other modes of transport
You can travel to Disneyland Paris direct by Eurostar which is brilliant as they deliver you directly to the door so you can head straight into the park whilst they take your luggage to the hotel, however, it is significantly cheaper to drive, either crossing the channel by Eurostar from Folkestone to Calais or aboard a ferry. Driving in France is surprisingly easy, but don’t forget the toll charge of €21.70 each way. There is free car parking at all Disney hotels and a paying car park at the actual park.
8. Stay Off-Site
Staying off-site can be cheaper and Disneyland Paris does run a shuttle bus from eight partner hotels. If you’re visiting in the summer you could consider camping – Canvas Holidays operate at La Croix Du Vieux Pont which an hour’s drive to the resort or Eurocamp has a site close by, Val d’Europe, which is a great choice if you want to combine a trip to Disneyland with a day or two in Paris.
9. Self-Drive
If you opt to do a self-drive holiday, make sure you book tickets for the park in advance as they are much cheaper than on the gate. Like many theme parks in the UK, they also offer annual passes which offer a great saving if you are planning on visiting more than once.
10. Check Prices on the French / German WebsiteIt didn’t work for the dates I wanted, but check prices on the French and German websites as prices to vary as they often have different offers and holiday dates to us Brits: www.disneylandparis.fr and www.disneylandparis.de. Please be aware you will need to phone and book to get these deals.
An invaluable source of information with everything related to Disneyland Paris is the Disneyland Paris for Brits facebook page.
Have you been to Disneyland Paris – are there any other booking tips you would recommend?
Grant R
We’re going this Easter! You’re totally right about hunting for deals. A little work will show money-off deals for so may different types of holiday. We took cars last time but this time we’re saving money by using the train too. All good pointers!
Gaby {lifeineight.com}
My little one is only two years old but I’ve already started dreaming with a trip to Disneyland! Bookmarking this post for when the time finally comes 🙂
Ana De- Jesus
Being flexible with your dates is a must! Especially since it can as you said save some mulah!
Angela Key Milnes
What a good tips, I had a hard time to booking on Holiday season, Glad you share this ideas.
Ayesha Farhad
Oh wow these are excellent tips! I am saving this post for next summer! I really want to take the euro star but husband is bent on driving lol! I know we will end up driving but oh well!
Cass Bailey
I definitely agree with booking direct – we saved a fair amount doing it that way x x
Alina
This is actually really useful for me thank you. For my husbands next birthday I’d like to get a quick getaway at Disneyland paris and looking at best prices is so good, thanks! I also love that Stitch, I have two myself – one little one and one large one, he’s the best 😉
Tamason Gamble
Some great tips here. I think that we often forget to look at booking direct prices with all the comparison sites available now. I look for discounts that can be gained booking direct, or free upgrades etc.
Evelina
Great tips! Couldn’t agree more with being flexible with dates. That can really make a huge impact on the overall price.
Sarah Ebner
These are all such great tips – especially checking on the German and French websites. I wouldn’t have thought of that!
Emma
We are looking at Disneyland for next year and was wondering about what is the best way to book so we get the best price. Thanks for the post, it’s really helpful!
Deborah Nicholas
Bookmarking as im trying to sort out a visit with my daughters later on this year!
anna nuttall
Some great tips, my sister in law is thinking of going to Paris Disney World xx
Kerry Norris
Great tips. We do all of these when we go. We always check all different transport and accomadtion
Astrid
Hi Kara,
These are some great money saving tips, even if you’re not planning a trip to Disney. I think being flexible is the important but also planning ahead. So it’s a fine line to walk. These resources you’ve given are great to balance those.
I must admit, I’m shocked at the prices through. I lived in the UK for 8 years and did a lot of travelling in the late 90’s early 00’s. Everything was so cheap then compared to now!