A tourist who visits Disneyland Paris every year on a budget has revealed her six tips for saving money.
Disney fan Portia Jones has offered advice on a number of expensive aspects of a visit to Mickey and Minnie, including why visitors should avoid staying at theme park hotels.
It has also revealed what is the cheapest way to travel to Disneyland and how expensive food can be in the park’s restaurants and shops.
Continue reading below for her top tips to help you enjoy a magical Disneyland experience.
Disneyland Paris is a destination that attracts millions of tourists every year, being one of the most popular theme parks in the world (File image)
Visit Disneyland Paris when it’s quieter
In an article for WalesOnline, Portia said her first money-saving tip would be to book out of peak season.
He warned that this would mean traveling during the week in quieter months, such as September to January, when the weather may not be as favourable.
However, he said you can benefit from cheaper prices and shorter lines as a result of going when there is less demand.
Avoid staying at Disney hotels
Moving on to her next tip, the Disney veteran said it would be best to stay somewhere other than one of the major Disney hotels, as they can cost considerably more than others due to their convenient location.
Instead, he advised staying in nearby towns such as Serris or Chessy, and also recommended the budget hotel Moxy Paris Val d’Europe, which is just one stop on the RER train that serves Disneyland Paris.
Use the RER to your advantage
Speaking of the RER, Portia said it is a great affordable way to get to Disneyland Paris as it connects central Paris to the park.
Staying close to the theme park also means you can avoid exorbitant parking fees and the stress of driving, plus the fact that an RER fare pales in comparison to the cost of a Disney hotel.
Try not to splurge on food at the venue.
As is common with other event venues, food prices at Disneyland Paris are high, with many dishes costing over €20.
In order to save more, the Disney fan recommends bringing your own food and drinks, which she says can be useful to have on hand if there are long lines.
Disney veteran Portia Jones said it would be better to stay somewhere other than one of the main Disney hotels on site. In the photo: The Disneyland Resort Paris hotel
Stay away from gift shop temptations
Another tip was the temptation of gift shops and their high prices, which can make you feel cheated.
Instead, Portia suggested purchasing Disney-themed souvenirs before their trip, which she noted “can save you a small fortune.”
Plan your day to avoid unnecessary expenses
Portia shared her latest tip, writing: “One of the easiest ways to avoid overspending at Disneyland Paris is to plan your day in advance.”
With this in mind, he said it would be best for visitors to download the Disneyland app to check attraction wait times, show times, character breakfast reservations and restaurant menus.
He went on to say that this will help you plan your day more efficiently, “avoiding expensive meals and long lines.”
The Disney superfan also said you should consider starting your day early and taking advantage of the shorter lines in the morning to ride more rides and save money on extra snacks since you won’t have to wait as long.