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Do You Need an eSIM for Disneyland Paris?
For us the biggest benefit was not saving a few pounds. It was that our phones simply worked.
Roaming worked. It just did not work well enough for us
Before using an eSIM, our UK network would connect us to a French partner network when we arrived. Inside Disneyland Paris we regularly found the data slow or unreliable.
We ended up going into the phone settings, switching off automatic network selection and trying different French networks to find one that performed better around the parks. It was irritating, particularly when so much of a Disney day now relies on your phone.
With the eSIM we did not have to do that once. The data was quick, reliable and became something we stopped thinking about.
Why it helpsThe Disneyland Paris app, wait times, maps, virtual queues and messaging are much nicer when the data connection is not the problem.
It is simply a digital SIM for your phone
An eSIM is a digital SIM profile on a compatible phone. Instead of taking your normal SIM out and putting a French SIM card in, you install the travel eSIM digitally and choose it as the line your phone uses for mobile data.
We installed ours before travelling and activated the travel data when we arrived in France. At the end of the trip, we switched it off again.
You should always follow the instructions for the particular eSIM provider and your phone, because activation and roaming settings can vary.
Why it helpsSet it up before you leave home while you have reliable Wi-Fi and time to check the settings.
We bought one for each person who actually needed data
We bought separate eSIMs for the three of us who had phones. Our youngest did not have a phone, so obviously did not need one.
That meant everybody with a device could use the Disneyland Paris app, message if we split up and use their phone normally without depending on somebody else keeping a hotspot running.
Back at the hotel, unlimited data also meant we could watch TikTok, YouTube or whatever we wanted without relying on hotel Wi-Fi.
Why it helpsDo not automatically buy one for everybody. Buy them for the people who will genuinely use mobile data independently.
Your existing UK roaming might already be good enough
An eSIM is not automatically the cheapest answer. Check your UK mobile plan before buying anything.
Our own Sky Mobile account now includes roaming because of the loyalty benefits attached to our wider account. Previously there was a daily roaming charge. Even with that benefit, we still preferred the eSIM because the data performance was so much better for us at Disneyland Paris.
Your network, tariff and roaming benefits may be completely different. Check what France costs on your plan and what data allowance you already have.
Why it helpsThe reason we would buy an eSIM again is reliability and unlimited data, not because every UK network charges for France.
Make sure the travel eSIM is actually the line using mobile data
If you keep your normal UK SIM active as well as the eSIM, check your phone settings carefully. Select the travel eSIM for mobile data and make sure your home line is not quietly using chargeable roaming.
Internet-based services such as WhatsApp will work over the eSIM data connection. Depending on your phone and setup, services such as iMessage can also continue to work while the travel eSIM supplies the data.
If you are not confident with the settings, follow the current instructions from your phone manufacturer and eSIM provider rather than guessing.
Why it helpsA travel eSIM does not magically prevent your other SIM from roaming if you leave the wrong settings enabled.