15 Tips For Booking A Last Minute Disneyland Paris Trip

15 Tips For Booking A Last Minute Disneyland Paris Trip
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Planning a last minute Disneyland Paris trip can be a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation, but sometimes it can be hard to pin down all the details without blowing your budget. As an Infinity Passholder at Disneyland Paris I’ve been on trips of all shapes and sizes; some have been planned within an inch of their life, while others were spur of the moment.

Yes, I am guilty of booking more than one last-minute trip with only a few weeks or days to go. Sometimes the next trip is booked as soon as I get home—FOMO and the Disney blues are real. I’ve found that throwing caution to the wind and going with the flow can result in some of the most memorable trips and moments. 

Now I’m here to sprinkle a little magic on your spontaneous adventure with top tips to help you book your perfect last minute trip with ease and within budget. So let’s dive into our ultimate spontaneous Disney Trip guide, chocker blocked full of Disneyland Paris last minute tips!


How To Find Last Minute Disneyland Paris Deals

Deciding to fly off to Disneyland Paris at the last minute isn’t always a conscious decision. Perhaps you were curiously playing around with dates online when one popped up that made you click “Book”. 

But if you have decided that you want to go away in the not-to distant future, finding the best deals is the first step to a successful spontaneous getaway. On the flip side, it can also be the first hurdle and leave you feeling deflated at the potentially sky high prices. 

It isn’t impossible, though. All you need is some insider know-how to bag those last minute Disneyland Paris deals.

Check Out The Disneyland Paris Website First

Whenever I stay on-site, I book directly with Disneyland Paris to maximise the Disney magic throughout my trip, not just while I’m in the parks. Since Covid, Disneyland Paris hasn’t run special offers or last-minute deals on packages, but there are usually some bargains to be found. 

Booking an onsite package direct, which includes your hotel and park tickets as well as any extras you select, can often work out cheaper than booking separately. Park tickets are included in a package with an automatic discount, meaning booking a Disneyland Paris hotel with tickets can come up the same price as the room-only equivalent.

Perusing the price calendar on the website is one of my hobbies, and sometimes the price is too good to resist. The colour coded calendar provides a quick overview of which days will be cheapest and which Disneyland Paris packages may have a premium price tag. 

Checking this calendar and inputting your dates should always be your first port of call, and give you a baseline of whether your budget stretches to meet your Disneyland Paris last minute dreams.

While on occasion, booking your hotel and tickets separately can come in under budget, be careful about falling into the trap that booking separately may save you money. I’ve noticed that on several occasions an offsite partner hotel with day tickets can come in the same price or more compared to an onsite package. 

And of the two, I’d take onsite everyday; the ease of walking back to your hotel, options to send shopping from the parks back to your hotel shop, and Disneyland Paris Hotel guest exclusive extra magic hour are invaluable in my opinion. 

There are a couple of ways you can make your budget go even further, of course. 

  • Better Together: Consider roping friends into traveling with you to split the cost. Sharing the magic with like minded pals is one of the best feelings. 
  • Compromise & Compare: Check the “Flexible Dates” options under each hotel to see if shifting your stay by a day or two may leave some money on the table for other magical extras. Look closely at the prices of each hotel as well. Sequoia Lodge and Cheyenne regularly display the same price, but Sequoia Lodge is closer to the parks and has a swimming pool. 
  • Parties & Events:Take note of any special events which may be taking place during your trip within the Disneyland Paris parks, as these can drastically increase the price. Halloween, Christmas and New Years tend to fetch the highest prices, so are the key times to avoid for a budget Disneyland Paris trip. 

READ NEXT:
▪️ Disneyland Paris Tickets Explained
▪️Where To Stay Disneyland Paris


Travel Websites

While I don’t generally recommend travel websites straight off the bat due to the rigidness of the bookings, if you prefer the done for you option, I would suggest sticking to Magic Breaks, The Walt Disney Travel Company, or Fly Mickey. 

These are some of the most reputable sources that offer complete Disneyland Paris packages including flights, accommodation, and park tickets. 

When looking at quotes for your trips through a Disneyland Paris Travel website, make sure to check your travel times closely. That bargain, too-good-to-be-true-3-day-deal might actually mean losing most of the first and last day to travel, and leave you heavily out of pocket. 

The best Disneyland Paris deals provide the maximum park time possible. Normally that means travelling to France early or travelling home late. As long as you are prepared to compromise on a little sleep, they can be a great option. 

Things I’d suggest double check when booking a Disneyland Paris Package through a third party are:

  • Hotel location: A hotel may be titled “Marne-Le-Vallée” but this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s on Disney’s doorstep. Pop the hotels address into your maps app and check out the public transport routes or drive time to the parks. 
  • Travel times: If driving, factor in an additional 4 hours to your French arrival time to allow for travel to the parks. If flying, add 2 hours and for Eurostar to central Paris, an hour. For your return trip as well, make sure to consider what time you’ll be leaving the parks on your final day. 
  • The Small Print: Luggage allowance, park tickets and shuttle bus availability are just some of the finer details that can sometimes be missed in the excitement of finding an epic last minute Disneyland Paris deal. Check, check, then check everything again. 

Best Time To Book A Last Minute Disneyland Paris Trip

Being flexible with your travel dates can save you a lot of money and hassle, making all the difference when spontaneously booking Disneyland Paris. I normally approach my Disney Trip window “shopping” with a range in mind, rather than specific date. The ability to adjust my travel plans to fit my budget means booking Disneyland Paris becomes a breeze. 

And if you have the flexibility to do this too, you won’t just make savings on your hotel and park tickets, but your travel too. I’ve saved hundreds in the past by simply moving my trip forward a day. 

Unlike some attractions Disneyland Paris doesn’t have a set high and low season. While the beginning of the year is generally cheaper–with Halloween onwards sporting the highest price tags–there are “peak” dates throughout the year. 

Avoiding them is vital to securing a last minute budget friendly Disneyland Paris booking. Here’s how to make the most of flexible scheduling to save on your booking:

  • Mid-week Travel: Disneyland Paris, and travel to France, is almost always cheapest with arrival dates that land on a Monday or Tuesday. While weekends will cost significantly more. 
  • School Holidays: I’m not just talking UK here. Disneyland Paris is (shockingly) within France, and see’s guests visiting from throughout Europe. European school holidays factor heavily into ticket prices and crowd levels. Checking the European school holiday schedule can help you avoid the busiest, more expensive times.
  • Local Events: In 2024, the Olympics is taking place in Paris which means higher visitors are expected, not just in the French Capital, but at attractions nearby too. However, as travellers from around the world avoid Disneyland Paris during the Olympic frenzy, prices may drop to encourage bookings. So don’t write off a visit just cause an event is happening. Keep a watchful eye on prices instead. 

Essentially, in the world of last minute Disneyland Paris tips, flexibility is king. 

Best Transport Options to Disneyland Paris for Last-Minute Trips

Choosing the right (or wrong) transport to France can have a significant impact your experience. 

Not all travel options are equal to everyone. As with your hotel and ticket package, booking transport is a balance act between time and money. 

Select the wrong one, and it can cost you dearly in both. I’m fortunate enough to leave a relatively equal distance to my preferred airport, the Eurostar and Eurotunnel. But each trip has been different, meaning I’ve travelled differently each time. 

When I visited the parks with my family of 5, we drove. The cost of petrol to drive the total 7 hours to Disneyland Paris was a fraction of what flights would’ve set us back. But if I’m travelling solo, I’ll either fly from Manchester or hop on a train to London before settling into the Eurostar. 

For me, regardless of how I travel–plane, train or automobile–I’m looking at around 10 hours total travel time. Which is why I prioritise price, travel times and luggage above all else. 

In particular, I strongly advise a dedicated travel day or evening to get to France. Then resting for the night in a budget friendly hotel near to the parks. A good nights rest after a long day of travel is essential for magical moments. 

Dedicated travel days are also a life saver if you’re unlucky enough to be struck by a delayed departure. You’ll be less stressed about “missing out” on park time, and have the space to make new arrangements if necessary.

I’ve also tested out early morning flights vs. evening flights and prefer evening every time. I can get all my travel out of the way and wake up fresh for Disneyland Paris the next morning. Otherwise, I’m running back to Starbucks or Market Street Deli for a caffeine fix every hour. 

To strike the right balance for you and your Disneyland Paris budget, consider: 

  • Travel Times: I don’t just mean what time your crossing or flight to France is, but the time it takes you to get to your transportation. If you found a bargain 6 AM flight, but the airport is 3 hours away, you’ll be looking at a 1 AM wake up call to leave home and arrive on time.  
  • Night Offsite: Depending on how far you live from your departure location, there’s two ways that could work to ensure you avoid sleep deprivation. You can opt to arrive their the night before and sleep before an early morning departure, arriving to the parks mid-morning; or you can travel over to France the day before you Disney booking and get a good nights rest nearby. Either way, don’t underestimate the strain travelling can take.  
  • Transport Bargains: The Eurostar from St Pancras to Gare Du Nord is often a cheaper option than flying. However, remember to factor in the time and cost of the RER train from Gare Du Nord to Disneyland Paris. The convenience and cost-effectiveness of the Eurostar make it a popular choice, especially during their £39 each-way sales. Flights are often cheapest when their first released, with EasyJet regularly selling seats for under £20–just be prepared for extra costs for luggage and seat allocation. 
  • Budget for Extras: Every transport method comes with potential extra costs, whether it be train and buses to London or airport parking. When booking Disneyland Paris last minute, every penny can count so make sure to factor in the following to your budget:
    • Flying: Petrol/Taxi to the airport, and/or airport parking. In France, transfer cost to and from Disneyland Paris
    • Eurostar: Travel to St Pancreas in London, currently the only operational UK station for the Eurostar. To Disneyland Paris, either the increased price of the indirect route via Lille; from Gare Du Nord, the RER train to Marne-Le-Vallée station or a taxi/Uber to your hotel. 
    • Driving: Petrol, European breakdown cover, European driving kit, and tolls–both in the UK if coming travelling to Folkestone via the Dartford crossing, and in France. Tolls in France cost around €24 each way. 

Check out offsite hotels near to Disneyland Paris and flights to France through LastMinute.com


The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Trip Planner

There is a lot to consider when booking Disneyland Paris, especially when it’s a last minute trip, which is why I recommend keeping track of all the options you compare. You can use your notes app or a spreadsheet–however your brain best processes information. 

But even the most organised spreadsheet can get misplaced or confused when noting multiple quotes, travel costs and extras. 

Which is exactly why I created The Pixie Dust Planner, using my expertise after 13 trips to the park to ensure your Disneyland Paris trip will go off without a hitch. 

Organise your last minute Disneyland Paris trip with the Pixie Dust Planner

The Pixie Dust Planner includes everything you need to record quotes for hotels, tickets, and travel options that can easily be compared side by side digitally on a device, or in print out form. 

But The Pixie Dust Planner isn’t just your dream Disneyland Paris trip research tool; it is full of additional tips, tricks and must know details that will make your trip stress free and sensational. 

Whether you’re thinking of booking a last minute Disneyland Paris trip or are getting ready to jet off to the parks, The Pixie Dust Planner is the essential downloadable companion your need for a magical getaway. Check out the Pixie Dust Planner here.

Wrapping Up Your Magical Last Minute Disneyland Paris Adventure

Booking a last-minute trip to Disneyland Paris can be a magical and exhilarating experience, especially with the right preparation and resources. Embracing spontaneity doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of your trip; with these tips and a bit of flexibility, you can find great deals, efficient transportation options, and ideal accommodations without breaking the bank. Whether you’re navigating travel plans, snagging tickets, or packing smart, a little bit of planning can go a long way in ensuring your adventure is nothing short of enchanting. So go ahead, let the magic guide your way, and create unforgettable memories at Disneyland Paris!

About the author

Sam Doyle is a Disneyland Paris expert and the founder of Pixie Dust Wanderlust. As a Mum of three and a passionate Disney lover, Sam has helped countless families, solo travellers, and Disney veterans alike confidently plan their dream trip to Disneyland Paris. With years of experience and insider knowledge, she shares practical tips, hidden gems, and expert advice to ensure every trip is truly magical.

Her Mission: to help Disney fans—whether first-timers or seasoned pros—plan seamless, stress-free trips to Disneyland Paris. 

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