Budgeting for disneyland paris

[Marion85]

Hi everyone I new to this so please bear with me. I firstly just like to say a major thank u to everyone who post questions its sooo helpful.

I'm a single parent of two boys aged 16 mths and 4. We're planning to go to the sequoia in jan 09. I've booked the half board premium vouchers to cut the cost on food, but was just wondering how much money I'd need to bring and if there's any other costs I'm not considering. I'm only planning to buy maybe 4 or 5 gifts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if its a long winded question.

Your time and effort is greatly appreciated. Thanks all and take care!

 

[mommy2ash]

i found the drinks there very expensive its €2.50 for a bottle of coke. so i would either bring some or go to the esso garage behind the santa fe. you think its only €2.50 but it all adds up. my last trip i spent €550 but that was including my food for me and my dd. dont ask me what i spent it on *** i dont know lol.

 

[cap'njack.]

I'd allow 10 euros per person for lunch so that would give you a generous 30 euros for lunch for you family (you can pick up a meal at most counter service places of 9.95 per person)

You'd then need to allow around 20-25 euros for your dinner and between 10-15 euros per child for their dinner.

As mommy2ash said you can massivly cut down you spending on drink by either buying them at the Garagge (approx 1.80 euro) or buying them at the train station (approx 1.50 euros) instead of the 2.50 euros in the park.

I'd allow 20 euros per person, per day for merchandise and 10 euros per person, per day for snacks.

So I'd suggest 150-175 euros per day for your trip.

 

[lizpat]

hi, when we went with our 2 children (7 & 34 ) earlier this year we spent considerably less than expected. We also did half board which saved loads.

We took snacks for the day which kept them going until a light lunch and filled the childrens big juice bottles with apple juice at breakfast which noone ever seemed to mind. We didn't need to buy the expensive character photos at meet and greets as the cm was always happy to take a photo with our camera, and the children both came home with various pressies that they chose from the shops.I didn't feel the shops were too expensive tho- a soft toy about 8" high was about 8 euros.

I also took a few small, well wrapped bottles of wine to have in the room after the children had collapsed into bed which were thoroughly enjoyed at the end of the day!(the bars in the hotel are v expensive)

At no point did we feel that we were scrimping and saving, just sensible, and we spent about £125 in 4 days!

 

[DLPdaft]

As you're staying onsite, it may be to your advantage to leave your credit card details when you check in, then use that for your purchases. The exchange rate you get from your credit card is usually better than cash, and your transactions only count as one, instead of many, if you use your hotel easypass with your credit card details on, to buy your souvenirs, meals etc.

On our last trip early this month, we had half board vouchers too. We were there for 3 days, bought everything cash (me and DD aged 7) and we spent a total of 90 euros (ie 30 euros per day). This included our lunches, drinks, and souvenirs. Out of that 90 euros, we spent 32 euros on souvenirs.

 

[cap'njack.]

It seems that these half board vouchers seem to save a lot of money.

I wish we could use them in December but you have to buy them for every member of the party and my parents don't want them

 

[Bolanette87]

If you are planning to have a drink at the bar, it can be a bit pricey. Our non-alcohol cocktails (That we think were from a kids menu!) were around 5.50Euro. 'Adult' drinks were a few Euros more.

Things like sweets for the kids can add up too (I overheard one mother on her mobile complaining about the cost of sweets) as can little things like buying Mickey Mouse ears, etc.....

Hope you have a fab time!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[DLPdaft]

I can honestly say, my DD is always so busy chasing characters and doing rides etc, that she has never asked for sweets etc at DLRP. We have a breather at lunchtime when we have a sit-down meal at one of the counter-service restaurants in the parks, and we may have a slushie/hot chocolate (depending on the time of year) while waiting for the parade.

I used to take small bags of cookies, crisps etc with me in my luggage, but I don't even do that anymore, as they are usually not eaten, we're so busy all day

 

[hollymattbenmilo]

hi, when we went with our 2 children (7 & 34 ) earlier this year we spent considerably less than expected. We also did half board which saved loads.

We took snacks for the day which kept them going until a light lunch and filled the childrens big juice bottles with apple juice at breakfast which noone ever seemed to mind. We didn't need to buy the expensive character photos at meet and greets as the cm was always happy to take a photo with our camera, and the children both came home with various pressies that they chose from the shops.I didn't feel the shops were too expensive tho- a soft toy about 8" high was about 8 euros.

I also took a few small, well wrapped bottles of wine to have in the room after the children had collapsed into bed which were thoroughly enjoyed at the end of the day!(the bars in the hotel are v expensive)

At no point did we feel that we were scrimping and saving, just sensible, and we spent about £125 in 4 days!

I think this mkaes alot of sence. Its about being sensible, esp with children. even going out to the zoo for the day its the same... if you take a picnic..alot cheaper then buying food etc there... facepainting etc.
I will be taking 1 year old and 4 year old. And am going to take bits in my main luggage for them. raisens, drinks. going to take advantage fo the juice etc at brek etc and will eat sanwiches etc, rather then meals.... we have to do this anyway... as i have allergy problems... and cant risk it. I want to really enjoy my holiday, so i wont let the saving take over... but i also dont want to throw money away on taking a 4 year old to restaurant etc... when he will prob be either too excited or too tired to eat it all. So will do what we can. I have scrimped and saved and sold things in order to save £250 for this holiday. And at the ned of the holiday if i have money left I will buy some christmas presents etc and take them ice skating!

 

[Marion85]

Thank u soo much for your comments.** I think I've just been so worried with every1 else saying how much they've spent, but it depends on the person.* If I set myself a limit and stick to it I'm sure we'll fine.* At the end of the day I'm sure just being there and seeing all the sights is enough to make kids happy with all the frills that go with it.* Thanks for the tips will defo be using all of them.* If anyones got anymore would be greatly appreciated.* ThanksMarion and the boys **

 

[mommy2ash]

Thank u soo much for your comments.** I think I've just been so worried with every1 else saying how much they've spent, but it depends on the person.* If I set myself a limit and stick to it I'm sure we'll fine.* At the end of the day I'm sure just being there and seeing all the sights is enough to make kids happy with all the frills that go with it.* Thanks for the tips will defo be using all of them.* If anyones got anymore would be greatly appreciated.* ThanksMarion and the boys **

i definately agree with that i have seen first hand that it suits all budgets. i wasnt exactly scrimping but when my dd wanted a teddy for thirty euro i was like no look at this lovely keyring instead lol

 

[DCLMan]

hi, when we went with our 2 children (7 & 34 )

God, you've got a big gap between your children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lizpat]

meant 4!! Would have been arrived 2 yrs before me!!!

 

[Ware Bears]

 

[PJackson]

Marion

If your children will drink water (I know most like soft drinks these days!) we took a bottle of water into the park and once empty just kept filling them at the water fountains - saves a fair bit of money and the water is completely safe to drink Every little helps

Have a great time

 

[aobh]

DLRP is definitely as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. On our first trip we spent far too much especially on gifts for family etc. But last time we budgeted 100 euro a day including merchandise and still had a ball and we didn't even have half board vouchers. We wrapped up a few ham rolls at breakfast time and brought a few bits and pieces from home like kitkats and hula hoops to snack on mid morning then we'd walk over to the shop at the train station later and buy sandwiches or filled baguettes for lunch. DH even brought DD (4) to auberge for lunch last time and we had tea in the rainforest cafe and Plaza Gardens so we didn't feel like we'd missed out on anything food wise. Our next trip is in December and we'll be bringing DS (6mths) with us and were still budgeting 100 euro a day. My niece (25) and nephew (17) are coming too but they'll be paying for their own stuff ... i hope!

 

[mandy5796]

Having read the tips i'm taking a water bottle and either filling it up at breakfast or at the fountains during the day, and will also have a couple of bought hot drinks!!! i hear the hot chocolate is good

 

[DCLMan]

The train station has a shop which is much cheaper for snacks and drinks. They also do baguette rolls for 3.40euro. They also sell cheap beer.

 

[Tillybud]

We have never used the half board vouchers but by all accounts they do help you save quite a bit. I was a bit naughty at breakfast time and I would fill one of my daughters cups with juice and I took a spare one which I emptied some into and then during the course of the day I just diluted it with water and that saved a bit of cash. I also found that my daughter would share a meal with me (she is 2) and neither of us went hungry and we brought lots of snacks from home, crisps, biscuits, etc and it all helped. I always set a daily budget and I was quite surprised how well we did at keeping under it and it meant on our last day we could buy some extra bits and pieces.

I have never tried the sandwiches from the station but there is a sandwich/deli bar next to the sports bar in the village which sells sandwiches/panini's as part of a meal deal and these are filling and quite reasonable.

 

[Marion85]

All these tips are sooo useful and am defo going to set myself a daily limit of 100 euros per day and see what I'm left with at the end. Thanx for putting my mind at rest all of you!!!