To think a (not Paris) Disney holiday is possible for the average working family?

I suspect many of the people who are saying it’s rubbish haven’t been, or at least haven’t been to Orlando. I was never particularly interested in going, thinking it was a bit tacky and preferring to do road trip type holidays and city breaks focusing on culture, then my eldest got really into rollercoasters and we decided to give it a go. We loved it, the bubble really is quite something - everyone there to have fun, it’s a genuinely very positive atmosphere. I would recommend going when it’s cooler - we’ve been in July and January and the latter was much better - I also recommend staying on site if you can.

We've been to Tokyo too, and far prefer Orlando - the American positivity and friendliness really make it. I absolutely loved Japan otherwise (and FujiQ highland is an incredible theme park) but no one does Disney like America.

I wish my kids had preferred our Greece holidays over Florida, but alas Florida has been their favourite and the one they want to return to most. We are compromising by doing California instead as I’d prefer to go somewhere new if we are spending over £10k! But im sure we will do Florida again.

Please don’t write off a Disney/Universal holiday. We got back yesterday and booked an amazing deal only four weeks before we went for the first week of the Easter holidays. It was actually cheaper than holidays to Turkey/Spain and weather far better too. Park tickets are extra of course but many websites offer discounted tickets and join the Facebook site It’s Orlando Time for tips.
We shopped In Walmart, often took sandwiches, drinks and snacks to the parks and my dc aren’t interested in buying merchandise really.
There are budget resorts that offer free transportation to the parks so you don’t need a hire car either. It’s our favourite holiday and whilst we don’t go every year, I would forego other things in life to be able to go.

We love Greece, but ended up going to Florida twice last year instead as it was cheaper to do so! We got two fab last minute flight and accommodation deals which were far better value than the European options available at the time.

It's true that adding theme park tickets bumps the price up, but if you just want one day in Magic Kingdom it is possible on a budget. The last two weeks of August tend to be a good option as most US schools are back, ticket prices drop and the queues are more manageable.

And, there is plenty to do that doesn't cost £££. For example, you can park at Disney Springs for free and get free transport to any of the Disney resorts....Art of Animation has loads of Disney theming for little kids, you can watch the magic kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. Animal Kingdom Lodge has savannahs full of animals and all the hotels do free activities including movies under the stars and smores around the camp fire.

We have been to Disney a few times (Florida, California and Paris). We have done the big blow out trip which was great fun, but have equally enjoyed a more relaxed experience on a budget.

Look at Tui. They had a great deal early April. 7 nights for 4 in a mid range Universal hotel, including Virgin flights at decent times for £3.8k. You’re on site so transport was by boat to the parks. You’d need to add tickets and meals, but it seemed a great deal.

Paris really isn’t comparable to Florida though, it’s a very different holiday, and pound for pound, really not sure it’s any better value. Cheaper sure, but most holidays are compared to Florida so you could say that for any holiday.

By the way, I know that the OP said that they don’t want to do Paris which is fair enough, but I was just commenting to say that a Disney holiday of some type can be doable for average families, obviously very much dependent on circumstances! It would be at least 1/3 of our savings if not more for the 4 of us to go to Florida, which for us wasn’t worth it when we could do Paris for such a lot less. Again, just for perspective, not for OP personally.

I consider us to an average family and we go every year.

Florida, California and Paris this year, but its my big bday so have saved extra.

I love the Disney bubble.

Nothing that’s expensive but isn’t highbrow seems to rattle a certain type of mumsnetter.

What’s your budget OP?

Firstly, I’d look at Los Angeles rather that Orlando. You can do a custom package with BA Holidays with a week in Anaheim (for Disney) and a week in LA or Universal City (for Universal) for under £6k for a family of 3 for 2 weeks in mid-August including car hire.

Obviously you need to add park tickets to the price but LA is better weather and you will have a more rounded holiday than if you go to Orlando.

If you are saving hard for a week in Spain then you would need to not go on holiday for a year minimum and keep saving or look at cutting the budget/making extra to save quicker.

Totally agree. I especially love the people who are desperate to tell you they they could absolutely afford to go but choose not to 😂

This must be costing you over 10k, though. That’s a huge amount of money for a single parent cater, however frugally you live!

I couldn't afford to bring my DS to Disney, but my ex brought him, literally a Disney Dad!

Paris is the obvious answer for your DD - if you won't go there can she go with her Dad or big sister for a couple of day? And make the ticket her Christmas or birthday present.

We prioritise holidays over anything else “fun”. That’s how we afford it. Plus we both work 2 jobs, it used to be that all of job 2 was “spare” for savings, holidays, Christmas etc, but that’s less so now. It’s got harder but we still manage.

We’re going tomorrow to Disneyland Paris. We’ve paid £3000 for flights and hotel with breakfast for 5 nights, family of 4. Anticipating £1000-£1300 to spend on food and merch plus transport. I’d say we’re average income wise and I’m a SAHM but we have paid it monthly since October. We could’ve used savings to pay for it upfront though.

Am amused by the PPs who are desperate to share how they would HATE Disneyland, and don't want to go anyway! The OP didn't ask any of you whether it was your thing or not. The cultural snobbery on here is rife.

We are going in a month. Costing about £7k excluding spending money for 2 weeks.
We’ve saved hard. We went to Paris disney a couple of years ago and LOVED it so this will be even more magical.
No it’s not compulsory, nor is it everyone’s cup of tea. But it’s always been a thing for kids even when I was a kid 40 years ago.
We prioritised this holiday over a new kitchen because making memories with our children means more than having a nice house to us.

I don’t think the average family can afford Disney no.

We went a couple of years ago. We could afford it but we’ve done it and wouldn’t go back. Had a great time, but I don’t want to visit the USA again.
If I were you I would be going to Disneyland Paris rather than Florida. Don’t give any of your hard earned cash to the USA

Disney is cheaper this year due to Epic Universe opening. Disney bookings are down so they've released various discounts. For example one of their on-site hotels is on offer for $99 a night.

We managed it by saving for four years - had very cheap local holidays during that time), staying off site, self-catering as much as possible, and not buying anything relating to queue jumping (we were very strategic about what parks and rides we did in what order on what days).

I enjoyed it but much preferred Universal. But I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. It's not a holiday I'd rush to repeat, we only really did it for my step kids.

@BabyRuthless That's exactly what we have done we have now both retired by 56 and have just bought a Motorhome and will be off out and about all over the UK for 3 months out of the next 5, then off to Europe for Jan/Feb.

There are so many variants.

Go on somewhere like the DIBB or DIS forums. They will give you tips and ideas and will also be able t9 help with budgets.

That said, there is no doubt that Disney has become more expensive in the last 8-10 years and not just against inflation. They have added extra costs that used to be free and taken away offers that, imo, helped British families with the cost.

I think these additional costs and removed offers does make Villa/car hire or off site hotel/shuttle/Uber/Lyft more attractive as less to lose (previously on site would get your bigger windows to book free fast passes for rides and often gave you free dining plans but now there is no such thing as a free fast pass and the dining offers aren’t as comprehensive).

Staying off site will significantly reduce your food bill too. But be aware of the eye watering high car parking fees at the parks.

If you are entirely stuck to English school holidays, avoid Easter and Christmas. Look at the last two weeks of August when American schools are generally back . If your term starts first week of September, try and push the return into that too as flights will be cheaper.

From age 10 you child will be a Disney adult (tickets and food).

Look at flying into Melbourne rather than Orlando. Or consider indirect flights.

Unless huge Harry Potter fans or love a fast roller coaster/ride, don’t bother with Universal (although I think Universal is much better value but obviously won’t give you the Disney feel that your daughter seems to be looking for). Day tickets are so expensive for both Universal and Disney so tickets for 5/10/14 days are usually better value.)

If only doing a few days in the parks avoid the weekends, look out for American holidays and plan your day around opening times, show times and work out whether Lightening Lanes (previously free fast passes) or are worth paying for. And look at Busy Day Guides. All these things help you budget to make sure you get the most for your money. (Doesn’t make it cheaper, I know, but help you work out if X is worth the cost.)

Consider a week doing Disney and week on the coast (if doing last two weeks in Aug, maybe do the coast first as I think by the last week of Aug/into Sep, you will go into the realms of mid season rather than high season thus reducing the cost.

But still taking all the above into account, I think it is an expensive holiday. Only you can answer if worth saving for a couple of years and forgoing other holidays to do it.

Many families don’t go.
We saved for 3 years to go and took on extra work.