When you go to Disneyland Paris, among all the organizational questions, there is the issue of accommodation. Is it better to book a hotel inside the Disneyland park, to book a hotel near the park, or to make the trip in a motorhome?
Here you will find some tips to make the most of your stay at Disneyland in a motorhome. You can not only enjoy your stay for less money than if you booked a hotel room, but you also have a certain freedom.
Disneyland Paris provides you with a parking lot of 1,000 spaces, reserved only for motorhomes, at a price much lower than a hotel room. This parking lot is the Pinocchio Parking.
It is obvious that the budget for your trip is an essential point in your planning. The motorhome is a good way to save money on your stay at Disney, to have a certain independence to move around, and to save on restaurants since you have the means to cook on site (which avoids having to eat in the park)…
You will only have to manage the gas and the toll. And know that the majority of motorhomes weigh less than 3.5 tons, so they fall into the same category as cars, meaning the toll price is the same as if you were coming by car.
The trip to Disneyland Paris in a motorhome
If you have decided to hit the road to Disneyland in a motorhome, you should know that there are two different parking rates: one for motorhomes and one for converted vans. Your ticket is valid for the day and night until 10 a.m. the next day. Note that no matter what time you arrive, you must vacate the spot by 10 a.m. the following day.
If you have certain Disney annual passes, you can access the parking lot for even cheaper. The parking fee gives you access to toilets and showers initially reserved for bus drivers. You also have access to gray water drainage, toilet cassette disposal, and the possibility to refill water. However, these facilities are closed when there is frost. And the parking lot is secured 24/7.
The fact that you come by your own means and not by public transport gives you the opportunity to extend your Disneyland trip to the entire capital.
The parking lot is also equipped with a moving sidewalk that goes from the parking lot to the two parks: Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios, as well as to the Disney Village.
The parking toll for entry to the Eurodisney park opens at 7:30 in the morning and closes 30 minutes after the Disney park closes.
Some tips and tricks to make the most of your stay
Arrival
As I mentioned earlier, on the day of your departure, you must vacate the spot by 10 a.m. To make the most of your Disneyland ticket, you can arrive as early as possible, either when your spot has been vacated by previous travelers or simply when you are able to access your spot.
There is a space on the side in front of the toll where you can wait for the toll to open. Or you can park in the gas station parking lot near the toll. Moreover, this gas station is convenient if you want to fill up on gas.
Once on site
Also, when you go through the toll, you will be given an invoice that justifies the payment for your spot. If you want to avoid getting a note from Disneyland’s control team asking you to justify this payment, consider placing your invoice on your windshield so that it is visible.
You have access to three areas for draining gray water. There is also a tap for potable water not far from the drainage areas.
If you want to extend your stay, you can go to a specialized counter where the bus arrival counters are located. If this counter is closed, you can go to the kennel right next to it. This saves you from having to go back to the toll.
Where sleep
As for the moving sidewalk that gives you access to both Disneyland parks and the Disney Village, it’s better to choose a spot that’s quite far from it, as the music and announcements may prevent you from sleeping and could wake you up in the morning.
On the other hand, closer to the toilets and showers, the parking area is much quieter and in the early morning you will likely appreciate being just a short walk from the showers.
Pets
If you are traveling with your four-legged companion, you have access to a kennel within the Disneyland Paris parking lot. There is a daytime rate and a nighttime rate. And it is free for subscribers of certain annual passes. Dog food is provided, but you can bring your own if your pet requires a special diet.
There are three cage sizes depending on the size of your pet. If the kennel is not busy, you can request that your pet be placed in a larger cage.
Convenience store
Across from the Disney Village (in the TGV station) there is a small Relay Casino store that opens early in the morning and closes quite late in the evening. You can find a wide variety of food and drinks there for dining or picnicking.
Conclusion
In other words, if you have chosen to go to Disneyland Park in a motorhome, you have access to a reserved parking area. And this parking area provides access to a number of services: draining of gray water, access to potable water, and a moving sidewalk to take you to both parks and the Disney Village.
And you have access, not far from the park, to everything you need for dining and filling up on gas. In other words, your stay at Disneyland in a motorhome is just as easy to organize as a “classic” stay.