Planning a trip to Disneyland Paris can be exciting, but it can also be a little daunting when it comes to budgeting. A day at the park can be a magical experience for both parents and children, but it can also be expensive. So, how much does a one-day trip to Disneyland Paris actually cost for a family of four?
We made our dream of taking our kids to Disneyland Paris a reality in the summer of 2019. It was part of a larger road trip across France, but we committed to spending just one day at the park. Most Disney enthusiasts will tell you that one day isn’t enough to fully experience everything Disneyland Paris has to offer, but with two enthusiastic little ones aged four and eight, it felt just right for our family. The scorching summer heat played a significant role in this decision too! Here’s a breakdown of what we spent on our family day at Disneyland Paris.
Travel Costs:
We hit the road in our car from south London to the magical land of Disney. Our pre-booked Eurotunnel tickets cost £86, and we needed roughly half a tank of petrol at around £30. For reference, our return Eurotunnel booking (which we didn’t use for another two weeks) cost £93, but we haven’t included that in our total expenses.
Accommodation:
We found a cozy one-bedroom apartment through Airbnb for two nights, which set us back £210.46.
Park Tickets:
We purchased one-day, one-park tickets for ourselves and our children, costing £223. These tickets were non-flexible, meaning they were valid only on the day we had chosen.
Food on the Go:
Snacks and drinks were crucial for our journey to Disneyland Paris. We stocked up on snack bars, fruit, sandwiches, crisps, mints, and gum for £13.55. To ensure a satisfying evening meal, we also bought fresh pasta and sauce.
Additional Expenses:
We encountered a toll road en route, costing €22.50. On arrival at our apartment, we realized our initial dinner plans were a bit underwhelming, so we went grocery shopping. We snagged some bacon, onion, butter, a baguette, beers, croissants, and juice from a supermarket for €10.13.
After a refreshing swim and dinner, we ventured into the charming town of Serris, known for its lovely fountains and jets of water, perfect for cooling down on a sweltering 40°C day. My son, true to his nature, interpreted “don’t go in that fountain” as “jump in and get soaked!” We stopped for drinks (lemonade, apple juice, crémant, and beer) in place de Toscane for €20.37 to give him some drying time. Before continuing our journey through the thick, hot air, we grabbed a box of four ice creams from the supermarket for €1.94.
The Day at Disneyland Paris:
The long-awaited day had finally arrived! It was a surprise for the kids, so we casually asked them if they’d prefer to tour Paris “as we’d planned” or go to Disneyland. Needless to say, they chose the magic of Disneyland. Both kids got ready in record time, eager to experience the park.
Our apartment provided a free shuttle bus service straight to Disneyland Paris, so our transport was covered. With our tickets in hand, we waltzed through the gates, ready for a day of adventure. We made good use of the Fastpass system, which is included with every ticket and allows you to skip large queues by returning at a designated time. This was a lifesaver in the extreme heat! We spent the morning enjoying rides like It’s a Small World (pure magic!), Peter Pan’s Flight, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, and Pirates of the Caribbean (which was a bit too dark and scary for our youngest).
We brought a cool bag with us, packed with sandwiches, snacks, and plenty of water in refillable bottles. The park has water fountains scattered throughout, making it easy to stay hydrated. This kept our food and drink spending relatively low. We bought four Kinder Bueno ice creams from a stall near Main Street for €15.26 before heading to the spectacular Lion King stage show.
For our main meal, we ventured outside the park to the Rainforest Cafe in Disney Village. This restaurant has a rainforest theme, complete with animatronic animals and the occasional thunderstorm. We spent €106 on a meal for four, plus a 10% tip (€116.60). This included six drinks, two portions of chicken nuggets and chips, a large burger, a mixed platter, and two ice cream sundaes.
We returned to the park for more rides but found ourselves spending most of the time under the water sprayers, seeking relief from the heat. Due to the extreme temperatures, all outdoor shows and the main parade were canceled, and there were no characters to be seen in the park that day. We spent a good amount of time exploring the shops and kiosks, which offered a welcome respite from the heat with their excellent air-conditioning!
Could we really let our kids go to Disneyland without letting them buy a souvenir? With a budget of €20 each, they chose a set of Lion King figures and a cuddly Stitch toy. Their combined purchases went slightly over budget, costing €42.98.
After an exhausting day of fun and adventures, we were ready to head home. The free shuttle bus was nowhere to be found, so we took an Uber (€7.07) back to our apartment and dived into the pool for a well-deserved swim.
Overall Costs:
Our total pre-trip expenses came to £563.01, and we spent €229.78 while at Disneyland Paris. As previously mentioned, this doesn’t include the return transport costs to London as it was part of a longer journey.
Our family day at Disneyland Paris was a memorable experience, even though the scorching heat made it a little more challenging than usual. But with a bit of planning and a good dose of fun, we managed to keep our costs manageable without compromising on the magic!
For more family-friendly travel ideas, check out our articles on:
- Best free things to do in London with kids
- Free things to do in Barcelona that kids will love
- 5 destinations to see wildlife with your kids
This article was first published in August 2019 and last updated in February 2020.
