Monzo: The Bank Card That Saves Us Money at Disneyland Paris

If you’ve ever tried to get rid of leftover euros on Main Street on your last day at Disneyland Paris, you’ll understand exactly why we switched to Monzo.

Back in the day, we’d take out a chunk of cash, tell ourselves it was sensible, then end up overspending just to avoid bringing coins home. Or we’d use Callum’s Lloyds card and silently hope the fees wouldn’t be too brutal when we eventually check the app. Not exactly a winning strategy.

Then we discovered Monzo. And…game-changer.

No fees, no fancy conversion system, and every euro tracked in real time on the app. It’s made sticking to a budget (and avoiding the end-of-trip spending spree) so much easier.

In this guide, I’ll explain why we love using our Monzo bank card at Disneyland Paris – and why it’s probably worth adding to your packing list too.

Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and sign up for Monzo (or book anything else through my links), I may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site running (and keeps me stocked up on Mickey-shaped snacks). Thanks for your support!

What Is Monzo?

Monzo is an online bank that works a bit like a prepaid travel card, but without the hassle of topping it up. You get a proper UK bank account, a bright coral debit card, and manage everything from an app on your phone.

We signed up thinking it would just help us budget better on holiday.

Now, it’s the only card we bother taking to Disneyland Paris – but I’ll explain why below.

And just to be clear, this post isn’t sponsored by Monzo. It’s free to open an account with them, and no monthly fees.

We’re sharing this because we genuinely use it ourselves and think it’s worth knowing about if you’re heading to Disneyland Paris.

💡 Want to Try Monzo For Free?

If you’re thinking of signing up, you can use my referral link to get a little reward. It’s completely free to open an account, and if you make a purchase within 30 days (even just a coffee), we both get a little bonus—anywhere between £10 and £50.
Easy win all round.

Why Monzo Is Great For Disneyland Paris

Here are all the reasons we think Monzo is a winner. 

No Hidden Fees (And No Wasted Money)

One trip, we checked Callum’s statement and realised we’d spent nearly £35 just in transaction fees. That’s money we could’ve used for actual treats—not wasted on charges.

Traditional banks tend to sneak in fees every time you spend in euros, usually around 2-3% per transaction. It doesn’t sound much, but it adds up quickly at Disneyland Paris when you’re paying for meals, coffees, and souvenirs throughout the day.

With Monzo, there are no foreign transaction fees.

You pay like normal, and the money comes out of your account using the current Mastercard exchange rate. No extra charges and no nasty surprises.

Just make sure that if a shop or restaurant asks which currency to charge in, you always choose euros. That way, you’re charged at Monzo’s rate, not whatever conversion rate the shop picks.

At Disneyland Paris everywhere takes cards, so Monzo easily covers most of what you’ll spend.

Real-Time Notifications (So You Actually Know What You’re Spending)

This is one of the features we didn’t realise we needed until we had it. Every time you tap your Monzo card, your phone pings straight away with exactly how much you’ve spent—in both euros and pounds.

You also get the real Mastercard exchange rate on the day you spend, with no extra charges or confusing conversions.

Everything’s clear and easy to track, so you know exactly what you’re paying, without guessing or trying to do the maths in your head.

We usually set ourselves a rough daily budget in the app before we go. Seeing the totals in real-time really helps avoid the “how did we spend that much?” moment at the end of the trip.

Spending Pots (Perfect for Budgeting Your Trip)

One of the things we love most about Monzo is how easy it makes budgeting. Before each Disneyland Paris trip, we set up a dedicated spending pot in the app—basically a mini savings pot just for holiday money.

You can move money into your pot before you travel, then use it as your budget for the trip.

It’s great for keeping park spending separate from your usual day-to-day account, and stops you accidentally dipping into your food shopping money mid-trip (which we’ve definitely done before).

You can also set goals and track how close you are to hitting your budget as you go. It’s simple, but it really works for keeping your Disneyland Paris spending under control.
You can find more tips in my How to Do Disneyland Paris on a Budget guide.

Fee-Free Cash Withdrawals (Just in Case)

While nearly everywhere at Disneyland Paris takes card, it can be handy to have a bit of cash on hand, just in case. 

If you’re planning to head into Paris for the day (like in my Paris day trip itinerary), it’s even more useful.
Little market stalls, local shops, and some cafés still prefer cash, so it’s safer to have some ready.

With Monzo, you can withdraw money abroad without paying fees, up to a set limit depending on your account.

If you’re using the free plan, that’s up to £200 per month. If you choose Monzo Plus, your allowance is higher.
Once you go over your limit, Monzo charges a small fee of 3%.

To avoid unexpected charges, make sure you:

• Use an ATM that shows the Mastercard logo.
• Check that the ATM itself won’t charge you a fee before withdrawing (it will say it on the welcome screen).

We don’t rely on cash, but it’s reassuring to know you can get some when you need it without wasting money on extra fees.

Monzo for 6–15 Year Olds (A Handy Option for Kids)

Monzo offers free accounts for ages 6 to 15, which can be a great way to get kids involved in saving for their trip.

They’ll get their own bright coral card and a simple version of the app, with spending limits already built in.

It’s ideal for helping them save up pocket money before your holiday and giving them a bit of independence when paying for their own treats in the parks.
You can send money directly to their account from your app, and they’ll see their spending in real-time too.

If they know they’re using their own money, it might even help avoid a gift shop tantrum.

FAQs: Bank Cards at Disneyland Paris

Can I use Monzo as my only card at Disneyland Paris?

Yes! We do, every trip. That said, it’s always smart to pack a backup card just in case (we usually keep one of Callum’s old bank cards in our bum bag just to be safe).

Does Monzo work with Apple Pay and Google Pay?

Yes. You can add your Monzo card to your phone wallet and tap to pay just like you would at home. It’s handy when you don’t want to dig around for your physical card. 

Do you need Monzo Plus or Premium?

No. We just use the standard free Monzo account, and it’s perfect for travel.

Can I save Monzo as a payment method in the Disneyland Paris app?

Yes, you can. We’ve added our Monzo card directly into the Disneyland Paris app (check out our ‘how to use’ guide here) for things like mobile food ordering and in-app purchases, and it works just like any other Mastercard or Visa debit card.

Final Thoughts: Is Monzo Worth Taking to Disneyland Paris?

For us, it’s a no-brainer. Monzo’s helped us save money, stick to a budget, and avoid those classic “let’s just spend the leftover cash” moments at the end of the trip.

It’s easy, reliable, and stops you wasting money on fees—exactly what you need when you’re in a place like Disneyland Paris where spending can creep up fast.

We originally signed up thinking it’d just be useful for holidays.
Now? It’s the only card we bother packing.