Never afford Disney

[Swordandpanda]

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.

My hubby went to Florida Disneyland as a child and didn't enjoy it! And one or more of your children might not enjoy it even if you did! And they can't miss what they don't know.
The cost is ludicrous and if I had that money to spend on a holiday I would go on two luxurious holidays to somewhere like Thailand.

We've done Florida a couple of times pre-covid when it was a lot cheaper, and Paris recently. Both have their positives and negatives and are very different experiences. I am sad that we are unlikely to ever go back to Florida, but I am very much looking forward to going back to Paris. My eldest has never talked about Florida in the way that my youngest talks about Paris, even though they went at similar ages.

Go to Paris and blow the budget. 😅

(I didn't vote because it feels very personal to you so not sure if you are being unreasonable or not!)

Lots of children never go on holiday. I never went as a child as we simply couldn't afford it. Hasn't scarred me. Has made me appreciate that i can now afford to go away

https://www.gocampfrance.co.uk/destination/camping-les-etangs-fleuris
This campsite is 20 mins from Disneyland Paris

My grandparents took me to florida a few times to do this but we stayed with family who lived nearby and it was always just a small part of the trip.
As exciting as it was, it’s really just a theme park in the sun and absolutely 100% not something I’d ever prioritise putting money towards to take my dc. They never went and don’t feel scarred!
If THEIR grandparents had paid to take them they would have gone but they didn’t so they didn’t!

I never went to Disney as a child. I kinda wanted to, but it just wasn't a thing people I knew did. No one could afford it. I don't think I knew anyone that went. I don't feel like I missed out at all.
I then went as an adult! Absolutely loved it! I still don't wish I'd gone as a child as I don't think I'd have actually have appreciated it. I'm more than happy with my first time being an adult!
(I've done Florida, LA and Paris now. Florida by far the best. Followed by Paris. I didn't click with LA for some reason).

I do think for young dc (8 and under) you can get some of that 'magic' at EuroDisney; if you see it through young eyes, not an adult's eyes, where even Orlando Disney might not seem as 'magical' as you found it when you were young.

Creating that 'magic' comes for free and it is up to you to create it. For your budget of up to £1500 you can have a few days, with Fast Passes and on-site accommodation, etc.

It all depends on how keen your dc are on Disney and how keen you are on 'making it happen'.

Orlando Disney is just a 'knock off' of the original LA Disneyland anyway and designed purely to get as much money out of the 3rd World population as possible. However, The Magic is free....

@Crackoncrackerjack that looks great thanks

When I was a child we went to Disney and other fab places but I remember being jealous of all my friends going to Butlins as it sounded great!

Stbxh and I took the dc to florida, saved for it for 4years each saving £100 per month. Yes it took a long time to save but it was completely worth it. In the meantime we did eurocamp holidays using Tesco Clubcard points so still went away each year.

I never went as a child but did go as an adult. I don't feel like I missed out at all.

It’s where we stayed , went in school hols, there’s a Lidl down the road, kids had a ball and we took the train to central Paris for a day sight seeing too.

Same here, although we lived in California (60-70s) and weren't short of $s, it was somewhere my DPs managed to 'avoid' taking us to, keeping us 'busy' in a myriad of other ways.

AIthough it was worth taking DS7 to EuroDisney for a 'short visit' way back when it was worth putting a bit of 'magic' into our rather difficult and poor lives.

Your gran only took you. So one child? You have 3 so that's triple the cost. Not affordable for most average earning families.

Never went as a child and zero interest as an adult. I’ve been to Florida but not Disney.
Saw the ‘magic’ in my son’s eyes when I forked out to take him to a Champions League match. He told me it was the best day of his life.

Disney isn't the be-all and end-all of life. OK, you loved it. We've never been, our kids have never been, they never expressed any interest in it, and I really don't think any of us have missed much.

I can't ever imagine having the money for that. If I did, I'd never spend it on that! Nothing appeals about it, didn't even as a child.
Teach them to value valuable things - time with you, the great outdoors, different cultures, adventures, managed risk. I know it sounds cheesy but I would rather my kids aspired to take the train to Istanbul, than fly to a huge amusement park.
I can think of many better ways to spend money, and many better ways to spend time.

Go to duinrell for your 1500 including the tunnel and fuel.

Are your kids even massively into Disney? As lots of PP have said go to Disneyland Paris instead. There’s loads of theme parks in Europe that albeit aren’t Disney but make for great holidays. Efteling in The Netherlands is great for a magical few days away and significantly better value for money.

@PSEnny tbf my kids are not huge Disney fans. They watch some Mickey Mouse club house and love Scrooge Mcduck. That is pretty much it.

I have never been, and neither have my kids. I keep reading about it because my husband has been twice and he loved it, we could afford it in theory but I just don't feel it's a nice holiday...maybe it used to be? It looks like it's just not only mega expensive but it requires A LOT of planning and having your day scheduled to the T, lots of queuing etc., it just sounds stressful to me tbh.

YANBU OP. I went when I was 14 and I am always day dreaming about going back with my kids, but the cost is so astronomical it’s just not worth the sacrifice it would take to get us there.

We are very fortunate we are able to go abroad about every other year (we’re going to Majorca for 10 days in June) and I wouldn’t be willing to not go on holiday for the 5 years it would cost to save to go to Florida. Maybe when we win the lottery.

This.
I feel all "hell is other people"

Honestly? I don’t believe you’re missing out, so many better places to go for that money. I don’t get the obsession. I know you have nice memories but you don’t need to try and replicate it. Its a big world , if you have the money ever take them somewhere new for you all.