Disneyland Paris

Most people know that a trip to Disneyland doesn’t come cheap. However, one couple have shared a money-saving hack to anyone who is visiting Disneyland – head to the Primark that is just 10 minutes away from it

Quite a few parents may be planning to take their kids to Disneyland Paris now that’s it’s half term in the UK. With many children getting a two-week half term break from school, it’s the perfect time for a holiday to the magical destination in Paris to celebrate Halloween and have some Autumn fun.

However, most parents know that a trip to Disneyland doesn’t come cheap – especially when you’re spending out on accessorises in the park. However, one couple have shared a money-saving hack to anyone who is visiting Disneyland – head to the Primark that is just 10 minutes away from it.

Sofia and Arran, known as @sofia.and.arran on TikTok, shared the tip with their 119,000 followers on the app.

The video began with Sofia seen outside the Primark as she said: “The Disneyland Primark is unreal, it’s huge… let’s go see what they’ve got.”

Sofia then told her followers that she “really wanted some Mickey ears”, which will set you back around €25 (£22) inside Disneyland.

Arran then said the Primark had “so much Disney stock” due to the fact that it’s so near to Disneyland. “We always come a day before a visit,” he said.

The first Disney product Sofia spied was some Stitch character slippers, as Aran said he’d ‘never seen them in the UK’. Sofia exclaimed: “I need them.”

However, they later revealed that there was a “whole wall” of Stitch products, what with the Lilo & Stitch film recently being released.

Sofia also saw some cute pyjamas based on the film ‘Up’, as the pair said they “loved” the movie.

The next product was some Halloween-themed Mickey ears and pyjamas.

Some Mini Mouse slippers were also available in the shop, as were some Flinstones pyjamas.

The pair then grabbed some Mini Mouse ears as well as some more Halloween-themed Mickey ears.

The couple didn’t reveal the prices that the products were, however, they did say the ears were only €5 (£4.35).

Many people were excited about the products, as one person wrote: “I love the Halloween ears.”

While another added: “Wait, I never knew this, I just left Disneyland.”

A third chimed in: “Yes love the Primark! I got a bag when I went in October.”

However, not everyone was as enthralled, as one person moaned: ” I was there in March and they had nothing good.”

While another added: “The majority of this stuff (excluding the ears) can be bought at UK Primarks.”

The Primark the couple are referring to is located in the Val d’Europe shopping centre, which is a short 7-minute walk from the park.

The Val d’Europe centre is located directly next to Disneyland Paris and is accessible from the resort.

Melissa Higgins took her family on a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris on funded by Make A Wish Foundation with her 14-year-old son Anthony Higgins on August 27

A schoolboy was left in tears after easyJet staff allegedly forced him to abandon his wheelchair battery or risk not being flown home from Disneyland.

Melissa Higgins took her family on a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris, a journey funded by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with her 14-year-old son, Anthony (AJ) Higgins, on 27 August.

Anthony suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and leaves him unable to walk. Melissa says his £10,000 power-assisted wheelchair is his ‘life’ as it provides him with independence.

The mother-of-four claims a pilot refused to allow the wheelchair battery onto the return flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Manchester airport on 29 August because the wattage wasn’t visible.

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The full-time carer insists she’s never encountered problems before, including on their outbound flight with easyJet, and maintains she had paperwork stating it was safe to fly – but was compelled to leave it in Paris.

Without his wheelchair, the teenager is now ‘stuck’ inside his house and unable to go to school, the family has claimed.

Melissa, 37, is still hopeful that the £1,000 battery will be returned to them and she has since received an apology over the phone from the airline.

The mum, from Speke, Liverpool, said: “I was in shock on the plane and thinking, ‘What’s going on?’. We’ve not had this problem before. I don’t get why all the commotion’s gone on for nothing. It was a lifelong dream of AJ’s to go to Disneyland. He was able to fly to Disneyland with no problems.”

Melissa explained how, on the way home, a pilot spotted the battery and told the family they couldn’t travel with it.

“It went through customs perfectly fine. If there was something wrong with it they would’ve known. He was like, ‘It hasn’t got a wattage on it’ but these batteries don’t have a wattage on them because they’re dry and not liquid,” Melissa said of the pilot.

“We were there for about an hour and a half and he was trying to get this wattage for the battery, but I explained ‘it doesn’t have a wattage, we have all the paperwork from the manufacturers’. He said it puts the other travellers at risk.”

She added: “Doing this in front of everyone was humiliating and everyone on the plane was moaning. We were all crying. In the end we just wanted to get the kids home so we had to leave the battery behind and had to come home without it. Obviously we wanted to bring the chair back with us because it’s his life.”

The mum says her son has lost all of his independence without his wheelchair and is hoping to be reunited with the battery to avoid having to fork out £1,000 for a new one.

An easyJet spokesman said: “Safety is easyJet’s highest priority and airlines must follow the safety regulations for the carriage of batteries, which are allowed to travel on the aircraft as long as the required information for safe carriage can be provided, and we advise customers of these requirements ahead of travel.

“Unfortunately, as the necessary information could not be provided for this battery, in line with safety procedures, it was unable to travel. However we fully understand the frustration this will have caused and are in contact with the family to offer further assistance and have arranged to return the battery to them today.”

Disneyland and Disney World will deny entry to visitors who don’t follow these simple rules, but don’t worry, a TikToker has listed them for you ahead of your visit.

The magic of Disney World and Disneyland is what many dream of experiencing. Known for its beloved characters and xx rides, it’s the place where dreams can come true.

Despite being a space where all visitors are welcomed to be themselves, there are a few rules to follow. If you break any of these rules, you could see yourself walking out towards the exit.

Sophie, a travel influencer with nearly 300,000 TikTok followers, warned those planning a visit to Disneyland Paris that not following the rules could result in you being “shown the exit.”.

“We all know that planning your Disney outfit is an essential part of your trip,” she explained. “They want children to believe in real Disney-trained characters… Not Susan, who’s wearing a full Elsa costume, chain-smoking outside Hyperspace Mountain.”

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The joy about visiting Disney World and Disneyland isn’t only seeing your favourite characters, but also dressing up as them. However, it seems that this is no longer allowed – unless you’re 12 or under.

Disneyland Paris states that they have “the right, at our own discretion and at any given time, to refuse a visitor to wear any type of costume.”

Secondly, Sophie said that “any clothing that drags on the ground” isn’t allowed in the park. It includes “anything with excessive fabric, like capes or long trains”. She then further explained that the reason was a safety risk on rides and impractical for walking in a crowded space.

“You have to wear proper clothing at all times – so no, you can’t walk around in a bikini top even when it’s hot. And shoes are required at all times, so please, keep your dogs under wraps.”

Looking out for the safety and positive experience of their guests, the park has also outlined that clothing is not allowed to “offend, shock or scare children and a family-oriented public.”

Last but not least, the park prohibits the entry of taboo tattoos. The official park rules from the Walt Disney World Official Rules say: “Visible tattoos that could be considered inappropriate, such as those containing objectionable language or designs, are not permitted.”

By following these five simple rules, all guests will have an unforgettable best time. But don’t worry, nothing can stop you from wearing the Mickey Mouse or Mini Mouse iconic ears.

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here are 6 blunders that an expert encourages visitors to avoid when going to Disneyland.

A travel agent who specialises in Disneyland has shared the ultimate no-nos for Brits jetting off to meet Mickey at the happiest place on Earth.

A Disney getaway represents a significant financial commitment, and for many families, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Therefore the important thing to do is pre-prepare so that all of the wonderful opportunities available are not missed.

Hannah Westphal from byHannah Vacations is a travel agent to specialises in Disneyland and Disney World. She says on her website: “The Most Magical Place on Earth will be the most stressful vacation planning you’ve ever done.”

So to that end, here are 6 blunders that the expert encourages visitors to avoid . . .

1. Dressing inappropriately

Hannah warns against impractical clothing choices, stating: “It’s easy to forget, but comfortable shoes are essential for a fantastic Disneyland trip. High heels, flip-flops, and brand-new shoes might not be the best choice after a day of exploring rides and soaking up the magic.”

2. Lingering too long over meals

Additionally, don’t spend ages dining when you could be enjoying attractions. Whilst Disney offers an incredible array of dining options, Hannah advises striking a balance between eating and entertainment

She explained: “If you’re tight for time exploring the parks, a long, leisurely meal might not be the best way to spend your day.

“It’s a shame to see visitors feeling deflated after a lovely meal, only to find they’ve squeezed themselves out of time for their top ride.”

The specialist recommends that guests should either set aside sufficient time for dining or choose swift bite-sized options to maximise their park experience. For those curious about food budgeting, Disneyland has published comprehensive details of all its dining establishments online, including pricing brackets and full menus.

3. Failing to utilise the Disneyland app

To elevate your enchanting adventure, visitors can download the Disneyland app, which the specialist describes as a “fantastic tool” for your trip. Yet countless guests fail to harness its full potential.

“The app provides everything you need to know, from current ride wait times to character meet-and-greets and show schedules,” Hannah explained.

Visitors can also browse their PhotoPass snaps and attraction photos, store their park tickets conveniently on the app, and pre-order meals to avoid lengthy queues.

The specialist recommends downloading the app and establishing your profile well in advance. This approach allows you to familiarise yourself with its capabilities before arrival, preserving valuable park hours for what truly matters – soaking up the enchantment.

4. Standing in line for treats

Few things prove more frustrating than developing an appetite whilst trapped in an endless queue for refreshments at Disneyland (or whilst awaiting an attraction). Thankfully for visitors, there’s a clever strategy to sidestep those interminable waits – pre-ordering your snacks.

Disneyland has come a long way from the days of our childhood, now offering a host of conveniences to its visitors. One such convenience is the ability to pre-order food and drinks via the Disneyland app, allowing guests to bypass queues and spend more time enjoying the attractions.

Hannah explained: “Simply place your order and pay through the app. Once you get a notification that your food’s ready to collect, you can swing by and grab it.”

5. Watching fireworks inside the park

When it comes to the nightly fireworks display, a favourite among park-goers, Hannah cautioned about the typically large crowds that gather to watch.

“While the fireworks are stunning from within the park, you might find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowds,” she revealed. “For a more relaxed experience, you might want to consider alternative viewing spots outside the park.

6. Not exploring beyond the rides

Hannah also highlighted that there’s more to Disney parks than just the rides; they’re brimming with amazing performances by talented cast members.

She encourages visitors not to overlook these experiences simply because the thrill rides seem like the main attraction.

Hannah advised: “The way I see it, it wouldn’t be a good idea to miss out on a fantastic show just for the sake of a short ride with a lengthy wait.”.

She recommends guests make the most of the parades, spectacular evening shows, and captivating daily events that only Disney parks can provide.

Social News Assistant Editor Samantha Bartlett took her toddler to Disneyland, Paris, and didn’t expect that she’d have to fork out so much cash for some bubbles

11:00, 15 Jul 2025Updated 11:12, 15 Jul 2025

Samantha Bartlett is an Assistant Editor of Social News across all Reach Plc titles. She frequently covers viral and lifestyle topics such as driving, money, cleaning, gardening, parenting, shopping and travel. Previously she has written for Daily Star.

Taking your child to Disneyland, Paris, is something most parent dreams of when they have kids. However, if you’re planning to take your little one to Disney anytime soon, then I suggest you start saving up for the trip now.

Of course, we all know the accessories on sale at Disneyland aren’t going to be cheap, but I was left a little startled by just how expensive a few things were when I went there with my toddler last week. Getting prepared, I ordered us some mouse ears online before we went there as I knew my three-year-old would want some and they would be expensive in the theme park. However, when I went to pack, I had completely misplaced his ears – something I knew would be a costly mistake.

Of course, as soon as we started walking up to the park and he saw everyone wearing mouse ears, he had to have some. I offered him mine but then when he saw the other sparkly versions on sale, he decided he wanted to pick his own. These will set you back €25 (£22) each, so they don’t come cheap – especially if you have more than one child.

He was happy with his ears, however once he saw some other kids with the Disney bubbles he just had to have those too. He is madly into Spider-Man at the moment and had his heart set on those bubbles, which were again another €25, plus another €2 (£1.70) for a bubble refill.

As he chomped his way through an €8 (£7) popcorn and a €4.50 (£4) ice cream, things were starting to add up.

It was then onto lunch and my little one and his dad had hotdogs, which were €10 (£9) each and then €3.59 (£3) for fries and a €3.49 50cl drink. Meanwhile, I opted for a vegan chilli, which was €8 (£7), but was very tasty.

We also treated ourselves to some chocolate-covered waffles later in the day, which I think were around €5 (£4.30) each.

The only other thing we spent out on were some fast passes for one of the rides. You can pay €90 (£80) to get you on all of the rides quicker, however we didn’t bother with that, considering our toddler couldn’t go on everything and that’s nearly the same price our ticket cost. Instead, you can also buy individual fast track passes for a ride of your choice, which we did for Orbitron, which cost us €5 (£4.30) for both adults.

So all in all, we did spend quite a lot, however, having only one child, it did make things a bit cheaper. I didn’t actually know that Disneyland also allows you to bring in your own food into the park, so if you’re prepared, you might want to pack lunch and snacks if you want to save a bit of cash there.

Those who are planning to take a toddler may want to do what we did and take them just before their third birthday as they get in for free up until they’re three. My little man managed to stay awake the whole time we were there from 10:30am to 6:30pm at night and enjoy himself on the rides, but if he was any younger I do think he would have struggled a bit with the long day and would have had to have a nap.

As well as Disneyland, he also travelled on the Eurostar free, which they can do up until they’re four.

So am I a bit sore about paying £22 for bubbles? Well yes, it wasn’t ideal. But to be fair, they made his day and brought him joy, and as parents, we know that’s priceless!

Disneyland Paris has iconic rides, attractions and plenty of fun for the whole family – but there’s one little-known pass that could help you skip the queue

Disneyland Paris is on most families’ bucket lists thanks to its iconic rides (Peter Pan or It’s A Small World, anyone?), incredible fireworks shows and of course those all-important character meet and greets.

Like most theme parks, during the peak school holidays there can be busy queues at Mickey Mouse‘s Parisian home. There are ways you can cut down wait times for example by buying fast passes – dubbed Premier Access – but if you’re on a tight budget these aren’t always the way to go.

However, there’s one little-known Disneyland Pass that not only lets you skip the queues for rides and characters, but also gets you easier access to some of the best spots for seeing the fireworks shows and parades. Dubbed the ‘Bambi pass’ by those in the know, it’s completely FREE of charge. Another perk? Those who hold it can bring up to FOUR people along to the front of the queue too.

The only catch? You’ll need to be pregnant if you want to use it. The ‘Pregnant Woman bracelet’ (we prefer the name Bambi Pass) is a band that you can collect at the information desks, and they’ll give you Priority Access to the majority of what the parks have to offer.

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The pass isn’t actually a secret – in fact, if you know where to look you can find all the details on the Disneyland Paris website. However, it’s one that often gets overlooked by expectant mums who just assume they can’t join in on the fun.

Not only can they join in the fun, but they can bring their family with them – four people on rides, and two for shows or parade viewing spots.

Of course it’s worth noting that there are some rides which you won’t be able to go on if you’re pregnant, so if you are thinking of going, it’s worth checking the theme park website to check exactly which rides and attractions you’d want to do, to avoid disappointment. Still, it could prove useful if you’re thinking of taking your toddlers or older kids to Disneyland before their new sibling arrives – and means you can all still enjoy the bulk of the magic together.

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A guide to the pass on the Disneyland Paris website explains: “Collect this bracelet on presentation of a medical certificate dated less than 3 months (French or English) at the dedicated counters at the entrance to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios, at hotel concierge services or at City Hall and Studio Services.

“The Pregnant Woman bracelet allows priority but not immediate access to attractions, shows and meetings with Disney Characters, as well as to the cash desks of our restaurants and shops. Contact our Cast Members.

“You can be accompanied by 4 attendants for the attractions and indoors shows, and 2 attendants for the parades and outdoors shows.

“Please consult the Accessibility Maps for details of how to access our attractions.”

You can find out more on the Disneyland Paris website.

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Mirapolis was created to rival Disneyland Paris when it opened in 1987, but within four years, the ambitious project became one of the country’s most infamous failures as it now lies abandoned

Once heralded as France’s answer to Disneyland Paris, designed to bring French literature to life, Mirapolis now stands as a ghostly and desolate landmark.

Initially celebrated as “France’s first large amusement park,” the site is now eerily deserted. Strategically located less than an hour from Disneyland Paris, Mirapolis opened its doors in 1987 with high hopes of immersing visitors in the wonders of French literary classics.

However, the lofty dreams were short-lived, as within a mere four years, this bold venture turned into one of France’s most notorious flops.

Created by architect Anne Fourcade, Mirapolis was intended as a cultural foil to Disneyland, marrying historical literature with thrill-seeking. Backed financially by Saudi businessman Ghaith Pharaon, the whopping construction cost was $600 million – a figure that would translate to around £1.3 billion today considering inflation, the Express reports.

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Even Jacques Chirac, then Prime Minister of France, graced the park’s opening and kicked off the excitement surrounding its 29 attractions. According to AD magazine, the new amusement park had high hopes of welcoming as many as 600,000 tourists a year.

Yet despite the buzz, problems loomed from day one – relentless rainfall marred its debut season, leading to frequent closures of its open-air rides.

Mirapolis did find a silver lining in its theatre, which hosted a popular children’s musical with grand puppetry, but insufficient foot traffic persisted. Seemingly lacklustre market research and overzealous financial predictions meant that the park was destined for closure, sealing its fate in 1991 without ever turning a profit.

It is said to have been sensationally labelled one of the biggest financial failures in France.

By 1993, the demolition process had started, with most of its structures being removed or sold off. The park’s iconic centrepiece, a towering statue of Gargantua from French folklore, stood firm against dismantling until 1995, when its head was finally destroyed with dynamite.

Nowadays, all that’s left of Mirapolis is some entrance fences, pathways leading to former attractions and a park featuring a small lake. Over time, various plans to breathe new life into the site have been proposed and then abandoned.

Many residents of France still remember the amusement park today, with various comments emerging on X, formerly Twitter, over the years. One former visitor wrote: “This is the France we love”, while a second added: “With Gargantua as the figurehead. I went there once with my school. It was pretty awesome. And the ruins remained for years.”

A third noted: “I remember this park offering wins on TV shows like The Price Is Right and others. It was a dream come true…” Another penned: “Apparently the characters scared children and that’s understandable.”

In response, someone added: “It was awesome, I went mainly for the ‘gravitron.’ I don’t remember being scared of the characters, but they probably terrified others.”

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MOLLY-MAE Hague is celebrating turning 26 in serious style – by jetting off to Disneyland Paris in a private plane.

The former Love Island star is pulling out all the stops for her big day, whisking herself away for a magical trip full of fairy-tale fun and first-class luxury.

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Molly-Mae gave fans a glimpse into the lavish getaway – complete with champagne on board and a Mickey Mouse cake.

Wearing Minnie Mouse ears and a designer outfit, the star looked every inch the birthday princess as she soaked up the magic of Disney in VIP style.

The influencer shared snaps of the her and her daughter Bambi posing in the park, calling the trip “the most perfect birthday eve.”

It comes just days after she was rushed to hospital after returning from a Dubai holiday with Tommy Fury.

In a YouTube video, Molly-Mae described the ordeal as a “weird bad dream”  and how it was completely out of character for her to speak about it so candidly.

She also told how it came just hours after she’d been pictured rowing with fiancé Tommy, 26.

The former PrettyLittleThing creative director explained that after arriving back in the UK, she had very little movement for two days – first due to the long-haul flight, then sitting through a seven-hour hair appointment.

Along with dehydration and stress from travelling with her daughter Bambi, two, this led to severe pain in her left leg.

Molly-Mae said at the time: “Basically yesterday I thought I had a blood clot and half of today I thought I had a blood clot in my leg.

“Obviously flying home from Dubai I was on the plane for like nearly eight hours… I didn’t drink like hardly any water. You know when you’re in mum mode and you’re just not really thinking like you’re trying to tame your child.”

She began to panic after feeling excruciating pain in the back of her knee that moved into her calf and foot.

After turning to ChatGPT to query the symptoms only made her more anxious, she then phoned 111.

From there, Molly-Mae was then told by a doctor to go straight to A&E.

She continued: “I was in so much pain, like it was in the back of my knee, so so strong. Like it didn’t feel like a dead leg, it was like a sharp stabbing pain…

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“Then it’s moving down into my calf, into my ankle, into my foot, like my whole calf is just in so much pain.”

The reality star described the hospital as “absolutely packed” and “such a sad environment”, saying she waited four hours before being told it would be another hour for a blood test – and then three more hours to get results.

Despite being advised by staff to stay, Molly decided to leave, worried about getting home in time to look after Bambi.

She said: “I need to leave. Like I can’t stay here any longer… We had like nothing with us this morning.”

Molly-Mae admitted upon waking up the the next day, the pain had mostly subsided, and she tried to carry on as normal – until she was hit with a wave of dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath later that afternoon.

She described: “I had this awful awful like dizzy spell where the room was spinning. I thought I was going to vomit… I had this really really funny time where I was like I couldn’t breathe properly… almost like a bit of a panic attack but like it was just horrible.”

The star went back to hospital and underwent a full round of tests, where, thankfully, everything came back clear.

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