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Original poster

Never afford Disney

187 replies

Swordandpanda · 16/02/2024 19:48

When I was 10 my Grandma took me to Disneyworld Florida. I remember it being the most magical experience of my life. I now have 3 kids 8 years and under. I would love to take them so much but 10k-12k for a holiday is completely impossible. We are doing average money wise and we prioritise house maintenance (roof repairs, plumbing) and the children’s hobbies. Am I bu to feel sad that my kids will never get to experience the joy I felt.

OP posts:
Crishell · 16/02/2024 19:51

Why never? Do you live in a particularly old house? Surely you don't need to be paying for such big house maintenance projects all year round?

Hunkyd0ry · 16/02/2024 19:53

It’s fantastic that you felt it was magical and it is obviously very special to you.

my grandparents did the same and it was fun but I won’t be taking my children or grandchildren. Instead we go to Dorset every year and build sandcastles.

it’s easy to compare but your kids don’t know everything they are missing out on. I also read “Don’t try to make a happy child happier “

Woodstocks · 16/02/2024 19:55

Yes you are being unreasonable. You are over idolising something which I am sure is great fun but surely not the only key to a happy childhood! You have to make your own traditions and things that they feel special about when they are older.

Slanketblanket · 16/02/2024 19:56

Do you go on holiday every year? We do Disney but only once very 3 years because of the cost. We don't have holidays in other years. When we do go we go for longer (3-4 weeks) as the biggest cost is the flights.

I wouldn't chalk it up to being the be all and end all though. You found it magical, I bet your grandma was hot and found it tedious. With 3 DC it could end up being hot long days with lots of arguing.

tttigress · 16/02/2024 19:57

No suggestions really. I was only able to go as an adult.

I went to the one in LA, to be honest I didn't find it that magical as an adult, especially when I found out I had to pay separately for each park (the Original and California Adventure I think it was called). I guess it was one thing ticked off my bucket list though (some of these bucket list things aren't as fun as you think they will be).

Octavia64 · 16/02/2024 19:57

I took my kids to Disney.

They don't remember it.

(They do remember the alligator place we went to to in the same holiday)

Icannotbudget · 16/02/2024 19:58

It’s lovely that you have such fond memories OP but honestly nostalgia and the relationship you had with your Grandmother are the lens you remember through.
We took our two boys and apart from a few rides they recall it being overwhelming and some of the rides they were actually terrified of.
We offered to take them back now their older (13 and 17) and they firmly and politely declined). Make your own magical memories working in your own budget x

Beachcomber74 · 16/02/2024 19:59

Drive to Paris if you’re that desperate for the kids to experience it but no kid is desperate to go to Disney.

peakygold · 16/02/2024 19:59

YANBU

PuttingDownRoots · 16/02/2024 20:00

Mine enjoyed Disney land Paris.

They have no desire to go the big American ones. They prefer other stuff.

LaCasaBuenita · 16/02/2024 20:01

I loved Butlins as a child. I’m not taking my kids and I don’t feel any guilt about it.

Sonora25 · 16/02/2024 20:01

Take them to Paris for two days.
florida will be hot and exhausting with 3 under 8 and hours spent queueing!

orangeleopard · 16/02/2024 20:02

The only way my family was able to take us to Disney (Florida) was because of the make a wish charity. I was a very sick child and am very grateful I got to experience it otherwise I would have never got to. But in all honestly, as incredible as it was - I think no matter where you go it’s about the company and your mindset. I had just as great, if not better, holidays in caravan parks in clacton than I did at Disney. I think a holiday is what you make of it.

Advice400 · 16/02/2024 20:02

Kids do love Disney but they equally loved camping and paddling in the river by the tent making dams. My son remembers the ruins in Cyprus. My daughter remembers being stuck on Lundy Island for an extra day due to storms and inviting her friends and family to sleep on our accommodation floor because their tent had blown away.

It's fab you had a wonderful holiday but you can do other things that children love. Adventures come out of experiences which don't have to all cost the same. That budget is crazy!

Sonora25 · 16/02/2024 20:02

We are going to Florida every 2-3 years to see family and will never go to Disney. Not our thing and the kids are not that bothered/too small to care. They still have happy childhoods.

Zanatdy · 16/02/2024 20:03

You’re looking at more than 10-12k these days realistically. Florida is great and I’ve been a few times but I didn’t pay for it all as I couldn’t have afforded it but I did pay for a couple of Disneyland Paris trips when kids were young and they loved it. That far more reasonable cost wise, especially if you drive.

Herdinggoats · 16/02/2024 20:04

they are so heavily branded inside just go to the one in Paris

3peassuit · 16/02/2024 20:07

Go to Paris and stay at an Ibis hotel or something similar. Florida is great but Paris is much easier on the pocket.

Maray1967 · 16/02/2024 20:09

We’ve done Disneyland Paris about 4 times - once for a day trip from a nearby caravan site and others for 3-5 days stay. We loved it and I thought the DC would be keen to go to Florida - but they’re not bothered at all. We had a big holiday in 2018 - did 3 weeks in the US at New York, Washington DC, cape cod - whale watching , and we did one trip to a Six Flags theme park and a few rides at Coney Island and we all loved it. Can’t see us bothering with Disney Florida now.

Kemblefordsnice · 16/02/2024 20:09

We're in our 60s.
We've never been to Florida and we never took our children there.
We could have afforded, just, when they were at primary school but we chose other priorities.

They're still alive and couldn't care less about Florida now.
In fact they're very environmentally concerned and glad that we didn't foist it on them.

Original poster
Swordandpanda · 16/02/2024 20:13

@Slanketblanket we go on holiday each year but to family in Wales or a Haven camp site. None of our holidays cost more than £1500. We would have to not holiday for 10 years to afford Disney.

OP posts:
Hols24 · 16/02/2024 20:15

I've never been and don't feel I've missed out at all. My fondest childhood memories aren't of expensive things.

BaroqueInterlude · 16/02/2024 20:15

Take them to the Paris one? You could stay in a budget hotel and get a day pass for the park.

Crackoncrackerjack · 16/02/2024 20:15

We did Paris for a grand for a week, drove, ferry and camped 1 junction down from Disney. Bought a 3 day pass when there - 2 adults, 2 kids

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/02/2024 20:17

How old are you? I am early forties and hardly anyone went to the USA when I was growing up. There was the odd better off kid whose family took them to Disney world and it was talked about for ages and they usually saved up for years.

Holidays were usally UK based or ferry to France.