Random I know - is Disney worth it ?

[Pisssssedofff]

We went when the kids were 8,6,4 and I remember it being horribly expensive, a bit stressful but yes fun with the Ariel photos etc and we loved discovery bay with the Dolphins.
I have an additional child now that never been aged 6, he loved Lego land and they all really enjoyed Disney Paris at Halloween last year.
I'm trying to talk myself into booking but god it's a lot of money isn't it? I'm looking at £6000 for a fortnight I think being conservative and not eating in Disney ever

[VioletBam]

I just can't bring myself to buy into it. I know people love it and I enjoy the films but 6 grand! Nope.

It's a perfect sales pitch...selling "a dream" making people think their child has missed out if they don't go.

My FIL wants to take my DC and he can! But I wouldn;t pay all that money. I'd rather do something else with it.

[MrPony]

Not worth it for me. Yes it's great fun and you have lovely memories but £6k is about the cheapest you can get it and that still makes my eyes pop!
We've plenty of other cheaper holidays that have been just as much, if not more fun.

[Scotmumof2girls]

Definitely worth every penny!!! We've been twice to Florida when dds were 6 and 8 then when they were 8 and 10.

I personally love all things Disney and so do the kids. We're going next year and they will be 17 and 16 then lol.

Disney is magical and it's about the whole experience.

I don't find its the park tickets that are expensive and the meal plans are worthwhile to make it budgetable.

It's the flights and accommodation more expensive I think.

Disneys maps show what restaurants are for what budget and we found we were about 20-30 dollars for 4 of us per meal (lunch and dinner) and paid £60 in advance to book 3 course meal in the castle with the princesses.

It's not for th feint hearted budget wise but worth every penny imho X X if you go enjoy

[Pisssssedofff]

I'd agree about the park tickets etc and Paris was pretty much the same price if you broke it down to a day to day cost. I'm thinking a day in the park, day at the pool that kind of thing, not sure if it makes it any cheaper doing 10 days rather than 14 yet, another option I'm looking at

[FuzzyOwl]

The flights and accommodation are the main expense, IMO. If you are looking to go long haul on holiday for a fortnight anyway, although there are cheaper places/countries to go, it can often be compared to a venue without so much entertainment nearby for the children.

If you think your children will enjoy it, then go. I went as an adult to Disney/Universal and loved it.

[NeedACleverNN]

I think it's worth every penny.

There is something magical about Disney world. Even if you aren't keen on Disney in the first place

It's a lifelong thing to remember and treasure

[Scotmumof2girls]

There are sites where you can get park tickets much cheaper and there's a new Orlando ticket which covers eveything (disneys and the universals)

[Philoslothy]

We loved it when we went, although we balanced it with a week of something else. We are dreadfully common though, I imagine that the average MNer doesn't like it

[Pisssssedofff]

Pmsl - I agree I'd love to pretend my kids would enjoy a fortnight of museums and wrecks but we just about got through Warwick castle without a murder in the family !!! I'm sure they will go back to all that as adults, they do have the travel bug, but can do so at their own expense !

[Mumble29]

Definitely worth it in my opinion, we have lovely memories from when we went 4 years ago, yes it was expensive (we stayed in a Disney hotel) but it has been by far our best family holiday. Magical.

[Pisssssedofff]

It'll probably be our last family holiday with all the kids together too, eldest is off to uni in two years so lots of saving needed for that.

[PaintedDrivesAndPolishedGrass]

I'd ask you DCs how much of your previous holiday they actually remember ( and not just photo related prompts) then decide.

[MidnightAura]

I think it's worth it. But each to their own. We are going next year and I can't wait!

[Mum2Pea]

We went last year after saving for 2 years - family of 4 - stayed outside disney with 14 day disney pass and 3 day US. Total spend 8.5k incl shopping, 3 character breakfasts and 2 wdw dinners. Absolutely loved it - worth every penny and would go back in a shot if we could afford it. DDs were 4 and 7 and totally bought into the magic of it. My favourite holiday ever!

[Pisssssedofff]

Ouch Mum2pea, is £6000 for 5 totally unrealistic ? I e been quoted £3500 for flights and hotel, not Disney. Was hoping £2500 might cover the rest

[TheWitTank]

We loved Florida, but don't rate Disney. We found Universal far superior and this seemed to be the general consensus amongst the other hotel guests too. Our whole holiday cost about ten grand after food/spending money/bits n bobs and was well worth it. We have been 3 times and will go again!

[44PumpLane]

It totally depends on what your family enjoy as to whether it's worth it.
I'm a Disney nut, absolutely love Florida holidays spending time in the parks and surrounding area. It's not cheap but can be done perfectly reasonably (in my opinion which I imagine is very much down to individual circumstance).

i think a lot of people who have never been will tell you it's a massive waste of money, and a lot of people who have been will tell you the same, because it's not right for their families. But if you enjoyed it previously or you "like that sort of thing" then do it. For me it's a great holiday and I think it's great value!

We're expecting now and I'll be going in Less than a weeks time and intend to bask in every minute of it as we now won't be back until the twins are 6 or 7 to make it worthwhile.

[NicknameUsed]

We are in Orlando now, but going home today

We have enjoyed it, but I have found it very expensive. I am glad we have done this holiday, but really don't understand why people come back year after year as it isn't really my thing.

We have found some wonderful, inexpensive places to eat near the hotel, but when you are in the parks you do end up spending a fair amount on food and drink. We didn't have a dining plan because we are staying in Universal. Plus the dining plan would have cost more than the amount of food we would eat anyway.

We have also enjoyed a couple of quieter days away from the parks - at Kennedy Space Centre and going on an airboat ride.

Generally I prefer a slower, less frantic holiday with a bit more sightseeing and fewer crowds.

I have to say that they are brilliant with crowd management here. Efficient queuing systems, loads of refreshment places, loads of parking spaces, loads of public loos etc.

On the whole I have enjoyed this holiday, but once was enough for me.
Each to their own.

[redhat]

We've been a number of times now. It's definitely worth it for us (but of course its all relative and it depends on how long it takes you to save £7k)

We go in October when the temperature is lovely but there are no queues. Costs £7k for a family of four but that includes all spending money and I have one DC who now pays adult prices.

Staying on site in top standard accommodation, all meals and snacks included on free disney dining. 10 nights disney 4 nights universal (also staying on site to get free express passes)

Wait until they do free dining (it's on currently for next year) and book then.

[Pisssssedofff]

If it wasn't for the additional DC and the older kids being able to do more this time, I probably wouldn't go again but I e also been twice as an adult before the kids so I know what you mean. Some of the rides scare me 🙈

[Dixiechickonhols]

Yes from me.
Have a look at the dibb forum, a U.K. Disney Planning forum.

[RufusTheReindeer]

How the hell are you doing it so cheaply

Its costing us Over 4k just to get there...forget a car, or bed, or food!!!

And i really need food...and a bed

[RufusTheReindeer]

We do go in august though

[Pisssssedofff]

The co op travel quoted me that price, I'm still hoping for a student discount or cash back 😂

[Pisssssedofff]

I'm looking at bunking off the week before school holidays in July