We’ve just come back from a weekend at Disneyland Paris and, as you guys already know, we absolutely love it here! We’ve visited so many times over the years, but there’s something about Disney that keeps us coming back. This time, we decided to do things a little differently. We travelled from London to Disneyland Paris on an overnight FlixBus, stayed at an affordable hotel just outside the parks and flew home with easyJet.
We also visited during the opening weekend of Disney Enchanted Christmas 2026, which meant we got to experience all the festive magic alongside the incredible new World of Frozen! I’ve had so many questions about our trip, particularly the transport, hotel, ticket prices and how we managed to fit so much into two days, so I thought I’d put everything together in one blog post. If you’re planning a Disneyland Paris trip from the UK, especially on a budget or with children, hopefully this guide will help you save some money and make the most of your visit.
How much did our Disneyland Paris weekend cost?
Before I get into everything, here’s a breakdown of our main expenses for two people.
Expense
Total
FlixBus from London to Disneyland Paris
£57.98
easyJet flights from Paris CDG to London Gatwick
£94.26
Hôtel AKENA Serris, one night
£84.20
Disneyland Paris tickets, two days and two parks
£356.00
Tourist tax, approximately
£7.00
Total
£599.44
That works out at approximately £299.72 per person for our main travel, accommodation and park ticket costs. This doesn’t include food, airport transfers, transport to and from our London departure and arrival points, souvenirs or any other spending money. I think it’s important to make that clear because those extras can make quite a difference to the overall cost. These are the prices we personally paid for our November 2026 trip, rather than guaranteed prices for future visits.
Travelling from London to Disneyland Paris with FlixBus
Cost: £28.99 per person, one way.
This was actually our first time travelling to Disneyland Paris by FlixBus, and I know quite a few people were surprised when I shared that we were taking the coach. We departed from London Victoria Coach Station at approximately 8.30pm and arrived at Disneyland Paris at around 7.30am the following morning, French local time. The journey was long, but one of the biggest advantages is that FlixBus takes you directly to Disneyland Paris without needing to travel through central Paris.
Our coach stopped at Disneyland Paris Chessy Sud, which is close to the Disney Village entrance, near Five Guys and Vapiano. If you’ve visited before, you’ll probably know exactly where I mean! Being dropped off so close to Disneyland Paris was incredibly convenient, especially as we were arriving early in the morning.
FlixBus coaches offer several useful facilities, although availability can vary depending on the coach. These include reclining seats, onboard toilets, WiFi on supported services, charging sockets and luggage storage. One thing I would recommend is downloading entertainment before travelling rather than relying entirely on the onboard WiFi. I would also take a travel pillow, snacks, drinks, a portable charger and something warm to wear.
Is FlixBus suitable for children?
This is where I think you really need to consider what works for your family. Although the journey saved us money, it’s not necessarily the easiest way to travel with children. On our particular journey, we had to get off the coach for passport control at Dover and then get off again for the ferry crossing. Once we arrived in Calais, we had to board the coach again. All that getting on and off, particularly during an overnight journey, can be tiring.
It’s also worth remembering that children might not sleep particularly well on the coach, so you could arrive feeling exhausted before your Disney day has even started. My advice would be to think carefully about your children’s ages, how well they cope with long journeys and whether the savings are worth the extra travel time. For us, the price made it worthwhile, but I completely understand why some families would prefer to fly or take the train.
One other tip is to check whether an overnight journey actually saves you money on accommodation. If it means arriving in the morning rather than paying for an additional hotel night, the overall savings could be greater than you initially realise. Just make sure you factor in how much sleep you’re likely to get!
Flying home from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with easyJet
Cost: £47.13 per person, one way.
Although FlixBus offers return journeys, the return times didn’t work particularly well for us. Instead, we booked an easyJet flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to London Gatwick. Our flights cost £47.13 each, which I thought was pretty reasonable. These were hand luggage only fares, so we didn’t pay extra for checked luggage.
For reference, easyJet’s standard free cabin baggage allowance is one small bag measuring a maximum of 45 x 36 x 20 cm, which must fit underneath the seat in front of you. Larger cabin bags usually cost extra unless they’re included in your booking. Gatwick is also convenient for us because we can easily get the train home.
Something I always recommend when comparing Disneyland Paris travel prices is checking different transport options in each direction. You don’t necessarily have to book a return journey with the same company. Sometimes taking the coach to Disneyland Paris and flying home can be cheaper than booking return flights. Other times, you might find a good Eurostar fare in one direction and a cheap flight in the other.
One important thing to remember is that Charles de Gaulle Airport isn’t actually at Disneyland Paris. You need to factor in the cost and time of getting to the airport. One option is the direct TGV from Marne-la-Vallée Chessy to Charles de Gaulle, which can take as little as nine minutes, although train times and prices need checking. There are also airport shuttle options. Compare the complete journey rather than just the flight price, especially when travelling with children.
Why we didn’t use Eurostar this time
Originally, the plan was to travel by Eurostar. I actually found some really good prices for the dates we wanted, but instead of booking straight away, I decided to leave it for a few hours. Big mistake! When I checked again around lunchtime, the prices had shot up. So here’s your reminder that if you’ve done your research, know your dates and find a genuinely good Eurostar price, it’s often worth booking rather than hoping it will still be there later. Ticket prices can change quickly as cheaper fares sell out.
Another thing worth knowing is that Eurostar no longer operates a direct service from London to Disneyland Paris. You can travel from London St Pancras to Lille and change onto a connecting TGV to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, or travel through Paris and continue using public transport. When comparing fares, check the entire route, connections, luggage arrangements and total journey time. For families with young children, the most convenient journey isn’t always the cheapest one, and that’s something worth considering.
Where we stayed: Hôtel AKENA Serris, Val d’Europe
Cost: £84.20 for one night, plus approximately £7 tourist tax.
For this particular trip, we wanted to keep accommodation costs as low as possible. We weren’t looking for a luxury Disney hotel because we knew we’d spend most of our time in the parks. We booked Hôtel AKENA Serris, Val d’Europe. Our room had two single beds, a television, a private shower and toilet, and towels. It was basic in terms of what we personally needed, but it was clean, comfortable and did the job. Sometimes that’s all you need!
I love staying at Disney hotels, but when you’re trying to plan a more affordable Disneyland Paris trip, staying outside the resort can make a big difference. According to the hotel’s website, it’s approximately 10 minutes by car from Disneyland Paris, 10 minutes by car from Val d’Europe shopping centre, 3 km from Val d’Europe RER station and less than five minutes by car from La Vallée Village shopping outlet.
One thing I’d point out is that although the hotel is in the Val d’Europe area, the RER station isn’t directly outside it. If you’re travelling without a car, make sure you research the local bus connections or cost of a taxi before booking. The location is convenient for Disneyland Paris, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everything is within a short walking distance.
The hotel also has a few useful facilities, including a 24-hour reception, complimentary WiFi, a buffet breakfast option, a bar and snack service, and paid parking. Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is at 11am. One thing we particularly appreciated was being able to leave our luggage at the hotel. We arrived much earlier than check-in time, so we were able to freshen up, leave our bags and head off to enjoy Disneyland Paris.
Honestly, luggage storage is something I would always check when booking a hotel for a short Disney trip. You don’t want to waste several hours waiting to check in when you could already be enjoying the parks! If I were doing another Disneyland Paris trip on a budget, I would definitely consider staying here again. It doesn’t have the full Disney hotel experience, but for the price we paid, I had no complaints.
How we booked our Disneyland Paris tickets
Cost: £356 in total for two people, covering two days and both Disney parks.
We booked our Disneyland Paris tickets through GetYourGuide. For this visit, we chose tickets that allowed us to enjoy both Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World over two days. There are different ticket options available depending on whether you want to visit one park or both parks, and how many days you want to spend there. Prices also vary depending on your travel dates.
I always say this, but please do your research before booking your Disneyland Paris tickets. Even though we used GetYourGuide and I have a discount code available, I would still recommend comparing prices with the official Disneyland Paris website and other reputable ticket providers. Sometimes buying everything separately works out cheaper. Other times, you might find a really good hotel and ticket package. It all depends on when you’re visiting, your family size and the offers available.
If you’re booking through GetYourGuide, you can download the GetYourGuide app using my link below and enter my discount code KIDDOADVENTURES5. It’s a small discount, but every little saving helps when you’re booking a family holiday! The discount code needs to be used through the app and is subject to the offer’s eligibility conditions.
Download the GetYourGuide app.
One important tip: if you’ve bought Disneyland Paris tickets from a third party, check whether they’re dated or undated. Dated tickets normally don’t require separate park registration, but undated tickets must be registered for your chosen visit dates in advance, subject to availability. I would also recommend linking your tickets to your Disneyland Paris app before you arrive.
Is a Disneyland Paris annual pass worth it in 2026?
We actually used to be Disneyland Paris annual pass holders. At the time, it made sense for us because we visited regularly. However, we’ve since been fortunate enough to take trips to Walt Disney World in Orlando and go on multiple Disney cruises, so having an annual pass for Disneyland Paris doesn’t really make financial sense for us at the moment. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t consider getting one again!
If you’re planning several Disneyland Paris trips within the same 12-month period, I would definitely recommend looking into the different Disneyland Pass options. For example, as of November 2026, adult Disneyland Pass prices start from €289 for Bronze One, although this pass only allows access to one park per eligible visit date and has a restricted calendar. Other passes offer access to both parks on more dates, with different benefits and prices.
Before buying one, calculate how much you would otherwise spend on individual tickets for your planned visits. Also check the excluded dates, park access rules, reservation requirements and any discounts included with your chosen pass. An annual pass can be excellent value if you’re actually going to use it, but it’s not automatically the cheapest option for everyone.
What’s new at Disneyland Paris in 2026?
We visited Disneyland Paris for a day in 2025, but this time we had two full days to explore, and there have been some really exciting changes! The former Walt Disney Studios Park has been transformed into Disney Adventure World, which opened its new chapter on 29 March 2026. One of the biggest additions is the World of Frozen.
If you’re a Frozen fan, you are going to absolutely love exploring Arendelle. The whole area is beautifully themed, with the village, mountains, Elsa’s Ice Palace, shops, restaurants and character experiences. There’s also the Frozen Ever After boat ride, which takes you through the story of Frozen with some incredible scenes and familiar music.
One thing worth knowing, particularly if you’re visiting with younger children, is that Frozen Ever After isn’t just a gentle boat ride. There are drops and you may get splashed! The ride doesn’t have a minimum height requirement, but it’s still worth researching if your child is nervous about unexpected movements. We absolutely loved exploring World of Frozen, and experiencing it during the Christmas season made it even more magical.
Disneyland Paris Christmas 2026: Is it worth visiting?
We arrived on 7 November 2026, which was actually the first day of Disney Enchanted Christmas. The festive season runs from 7 November 2026 until 6 January 2027. If you’ve never visited Disneyland Paris at Christmas, it really is a completely different experience.
Main Street, U.S.A. is decorated with beautiful festive decorations, there’s a huge Christmas tree, seasonal entertainment and plenty of opportunities to see Disney characters celebrating Christmas. You can also watch Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade, which is one of those experiences that really brings the festive atmosphere to life. For Christmas 2026, World of Frozen is celebrating its first festive season, complete with Nordic-inspired decorations and special entertainment. There’s also the opportunity to meet Santa Claus during the festive season.
And of course, don’t forget the nighttime entertainment! Disneyland Paris now has two major nighttime spectaculars. Disney Tales of Magic takes place at Disneyland Park, while Disney Cascade of Lights is performed over Adventure Bay at Disney Adventure World.
We watched Disney Cascade of Lights and I genuinely thought it was incredible. The combination of water projections, fireworks, drones and Disney music really is something special. One tip that I think is particularly important for anyone visiting for two days is to try to watch one nighttime show on your first evening and the other on your second. Both shows normally take place at the same time, so you can’t simply watch one and then walk over to the other park. You also don’t have to pay extra to watch the standard nighttime shows, as they’re included with valid admission to the relevant park. Paid reserved viewing areas are optional.
How busy was Disneyland Paris during Christmas opening weekend?
Very! But to be honest, I expected that. Everybody wants to experience Disneyland Paris during the Christmas season, particularly when there’s so much new entertainment. Despite the crowds, I never felt like we were constantly pushing through people or struggling to enjoy ourselves.
We managed to get so much done over our two days, including rides, character meet and greets, shows, exploring the parks and stopping for food. I think the longest we waited for an attraction was around half an hour. Now, that doesn’t mean every ride had a 30-minute wait. Some attractions were much busier, but we were selective about when we joined queues.
Personally, I’ve found that queue times can drop quite noticeably later in the day, particularly from around 5pm onwards. Of course, this depends on the season, park opening hours and attraction, but it’s something that’s worked well for us on previous visits.
Rather than spending the entire morning standing in long queues, I like to use the daytime for things such as character meet and greets, shows, parades and generally exploring. Then, later in the evening, we check the Disneyland Paris app to see which rides have shorter waiting times. For example, if a popular attraction has a particularly long queue during the afternoon, I wouldn’t necessarily join it straight away. I’d keep an eye on the waiting time and return when it was quieter.
Another tip is to check ride queues during popular parades and nighttime entertainment, although you obviously don’t want to miss something you’ve specifically come to see! The key is being flexible. Rather than following a strict timetable, we make decisions based on how busy different areas are throughout the day.
Download the Disneyland Paris app before your visit
I cannot recommend this enough. The official Disneyland Paris app really will become your best friend during your visit. You can use it to check live ride waiting times, show schedules, character appearances, restaurant information, park opening hours and interactive maps. The map is particularly useful if you’re travelling with children because it can help you locate toilets, restaurants and attractions without spending ages walking around trying to find things.
I would recommend downloading the app before your trip, creating an account and linking your park tickets in advance. This is especially important if you’re hoping to meet certain Disney characters.
Something that’s really useful at Disneyland Paris is the virtual queue system for selected character meet and greets. Instead of standing around for ages in a physical queue, you can join a virtual queue through the Disneyland Paris app. The Anna and Elsa character experience in World of Frozen is called Rencontre Royale, also known as A Royal Encounter, and requires a free virtual queue reservation.
According to Disneyland Paris, new reservation slots are currently released at 9.45am and 2pm, subject to availability. You’ll need to have entered the park and had your ticket scanned before you can join the virtual queue. Once you’re booked, you can check your estimated waiting time and continue enjoying the park until it’s your turn.
This is such a useful system when you’re visiting with children because you don’t need to spend your entire day waiting around. A few things worth knowing are that availability is limited, you can only hold one virtual queue booking at a time, and some popular experiences fill up quickly. Make sure notifications are switched on, keep your phone charged and check the app for the latest arrangements.
Disneyland Paris money saving tips you might not have thought of
After visiting Disneyland Paris so many times over the years, these are some of the things I’d recommend considering when planning your own trip.
- Compare different transport options for each direction. You don’t have to fly both ways or take Eurostar both ways. Mixing transport providers might work out cheaper.
- Compare one night and two night hotel stays. An overnight coach can potentially save you paying for an extra night, but only if the journey is manageable for your family.
- Don’t assume a hotel closer to Disneyland Paris is automatically the cheapest overall. A cheaper hotel further away could end up costing more once you add taxis and other transport.
- Always compare Disney hotel packages with separate hotel and ticket bookings. Sometimes the package is better value, especially when you consider included tickets and any hotel benefits.
- Look at the actual park opening times before choosing your ticket dates. Two days with longer opening hours can give you more time in the parks.
- Don’t automatically purchase Disney Premier Access before checking the queues. If you’re flexible, you may find that you don’t need to pay extra to skip them.
- Use Single Rider queues when appropriate. Selected attractions have separate queues for guests willing to ride individually. This can save time, but isn’t suitable if you need to sit together.
- If you’re visiting with younger children, ask about Rider Switch. This allows parents to take turns on eligible attractions without both having to join the full queue.
- Take your own snacks and refillable water bottles. Buying snacks throughout the day can quickly add up, especially for families.
- Eat outside the busiest lunchtime and dinner periods when possible. You can also use Click & Collect through the Disneyland Paris app at participating restaurants to order food in advance on the day.
- Buy Disney outfits and accessories before you travel. We’ve found some lovely Disney clothes and accessories in Primark over the years, often for much less than similar items cost inside the Disney parks.
- Check the weather carefully and bring your own waterproofs. A lightweight poncho can be much cheaper than having to purchase rainwear inside the park.
- Check hotel luggage storage arrangements before booking. Being able to leave your bags before check-in or after check-out can give you several extra hours of exploring.
- Don’t forget about tourist tax and airport transfers. A cheap hotel or flight might look like a bargain until you add all the additional costs.
- If you’re planning a longer stay, look at whether a Disneyland Pass would work out cheaper than individual park tickets.
My biggest piece of advice is to compare the total cost of the trip rather than judging individual prices in isolation. A flight that costs £30 might look cheaper than a £60 train ticket, but if you need to add baggage, airport transfers and other expenses, the train could actually work out better value.
Visiting Disneyland Paris with children: Check ride height restrictions
One thing I would absolutely recommend before travelling with children is checking their height. Disneyland Paris has loads of family friendly attractions, but some rides have minimum height requirements. You can find this information on the Disneyland Paris website and app.
I would check your child’s height before you travel, then look through the attractions to see which ones they’re able to enjoy. This avoids the disappointment of getting to the entrance of a ride and discovering they’re not tall enough. It’s also worth researching what the rides actually involve. For example, some attractions might not have a minimum height requirement but could still be quite dark, loud or have unexpected movements. Every child is different, so knowing what to expect can make the experience much more enjoyable.
Disneyland Paris in November: What to wear
I cannot stress enough how cold it was during our November visit! We knew it was going to be freezing, so we came prepared with warm coats, scarves, hats and gloves. And we were still cold!
The thing you have to remember about Disneyland Paris is that so much of your day is spent outside. You’re walking between attractions, watching outdoor parades, queuing for rides and potentially standing around waiting for nighttime entertainment. Even if you’re wrapped up, it can get uncomfortable after several hours.
I would definitely recommend wearing layers, a warm waterproof coat, comfortable shoes and thick socks. Gloves are particularly useful if you’re going to be holding your phone while checking the app or taking photos. For younger children, spare gloves and socks are worth considering, especially if rain is forecast.
And here’s something else I would recommend during the colder months: plan some indoor entertainment into your day. Indoor shows can give you an opportunity to sit down, relax and warm up before heading back outside. It’s a great way to take a break without feeling like you’re wasting valuable Disney time.
Food at Disneyland Paris: How to save money
Food is one of those expenses that can quickly add up during a Disneyland Paris trip. We enjoyed things like waffles, nuggets and other snacks throughout our visit. I did bring snacks with us, but because it was so cold, I also made sure to budget for hot food and drinks. Honestly, the hot chocolate and coffee were definitely needed! When you’ve been outside for several hours in freezing temperatures, sometimes you just want something warm.
If you’re trying to save money, I’d recommend bringing snacks for between meals and deciding in advance how much you’re comfortable spending on food. Another option is eating at Disney Village or checking what’s available near your hotel. If you’re staying around Val d’Europe, there are plenty of shopping and dining options in the wider area, although you’ll need to factor in transport depending on where you’re staying.
If you’re hoping to eat at one of the more popular table service restaurants, I would also recommend booking in advance rather than hoping for a walk-in table. Disneyland Paris generally allows restaurant bookings up to two months ahead, with an earlier booking window for eligible Disney hotel guests.
How to plan a Disneyland Paris trip without feeling stressed
This might sound strange considering how much research I do before travelling, but when it comes to actually visiting Disneyland Paris, I don’t like planning every minute of the day. I know some people love having a full itinerary, but that’s never really been my style. I prefer knowing the important things, such as showtimes, character experiences and any must-do attractions, and then going with the flow.
If we see a ride with a short queue, we’ll go on it. If there’s a character nearby, we’ll stop for a photo. If we’re cold or tired, we’ll take a break. And if we don’t get to do absolutely everything, that’s fine too.
I think sometimes there’s so much pressure to make the most of every penny you’ve spent that people end up rushing around trying to do everything. But for us, Disneyland Paris is about having fun, enjoying the atmosphere and making memories together. You don’t need to go on every single ride for it to be a successful trip.
Is two days enough for Disneyland Paris?
Personally, I think two days can be a really good amount of time, especially if you’re happy to prioritise the things you most want to experience. We managed to fit in plenty of rides, character meet and greets, shows, food stops and time exploring both parks. Having two days also meant we could enjoy the new World of Frozen without feeling like we needed to rush through everything else.
However, if you’re visiting for the first time, travelling with very young children or visiting during an especially busy season, you might benefit from an additional day. Three days would give you more flexibility to explore at a slower pace, particularly if you want to experience both parks, meet lots of characters and enjoy the nighttime entertainment. It really depends on your priorities and budget.
Would we do another budget Disneyland Paris trip?
Absolutely! Although the overnight FlixBus journey was long, it was a really affordable way to get to Disneyland Paris. The hotel worked well for what we needed, our easyJet flights home were reasonably priced and we managed to enjoy two brilliant days in the parks.
Of course, there are lots of different ways to visit Disneyland Paris. We’ve travelled there in different ways over the years, stayed in a range of accommodation and experienced both shorter and longer visits. And one thing I’ve learned is that there isn’t one perfect way to book a Disney holiday.
Sometimes a package holiday is the cheapest option. Other times, booking transport, accommodation and tickets separately can save you a considerable amount of money. Research really is key!
If you’re planning a Disneyland Paris trip in 2026 or 2027, my advice would be to decide what matters most to your family, compare your options and work out your complete budget before booking. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a Disney hotel or expensive extras to enjoy the magic.
And if you want more Disneyland Paris advice, I’ve already got a whole Disney section on my blog covering Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, including previous trips, reviews and money saving tips.
We’ve done Disneyland Paris by so many different transport options now, although driving is still one thing I refuse to try because I am not driving on the other side of the road!
Hopefully this guide has answered some of your questions about our latest Disneyland Paris weekend. Have you visited Disneyland Paris before, and would you consider travelling there by overnight coach to save money? I’d love to know!
