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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
herewegoagainy · 16/02/2024 21:09

I think this is tied up with going with your gran and getting lots of her attention and special times together.
We took our children. They enjoyed it, but I honestly think they preferred Butlins. They LOVE Butlins.

rwalker · 16/02/2024 21:09

Even if it would of been an option for us I co justify spending that much money on a holiday

minipie · 16/02/2024 21:13

I never went as a child. I did go to Eurodisney (as it was) once, about age 11, it was ok but I certainly wouldn’t pick it out as an amazing memory. We went to Greek islands a couple of times and those I remember as magical. Probably cost less than Eurodisney and definitely far less than a Florida trip.

Is it possible your magical memories are more to do with what age you were and memories of your granny and a holiday in general- rather than the specific place?

Didiplanthis · 16/02/2024 21:15

I went with my dd aged 9 as we were there for something else.. she was thoroughly unimpressed ! She couldn't see the point of the massive queues with very quick rides, thought the food was meh and merchandise ridiculously over priced... that was with me trying to big it up and let her buy stuff 🤣. She loves center parks though... she would far rather we saved to go there.. she has far more happy memories there then Disney !

NeedToChangeName · 16/02/2024 21:18

Disneyland Paris would be far easier and cheaper

10 mins by train from Charles de gaulle Airport

Stay at ibis hotel at Val D'Europe

catsnore · 16/02/2024 21:18

Never been and never want to go - even if I could afford it. It's just not something I feel like I need to do. I love Disney films but can't get excited about some people dressed up as characters and queuing for rides. My BIL and his family go every year. They never go anywhere else!!!

I think you can make 'magical' memories of wherever you go as a child and it's more to do with the people you are with and having fun together.

BadgerFace · 16/02/2024 21:25

If your kids aren’t into Disney look at Efteling in Holland. Much cheaper, you can stay onsite or lots of self catering accommodation nearby, 4 hour drive from
calais or fly to Eindhoven. A fantastic theme park but much less busy and expensive than Disney…

Lilyhatesjaz · 16/02/2024 21:30

Never been as my DC were never into Disney and couldn't have afforded it anyway. We had a lot of fun at Woodlands in south Devon and Crealy in Devon and Cornwall.

lalaloopyhead · 16/02/2024 21:35

We have been to Disneyland Paris 3 times and we have great memories, to a point the kids would go now as adults given the chance. Its more expensive now but coat us about £1-£1.5k for 5 days. That was more than enough time and I certainly wouldn't pay £10k for the experience in USA.

TeenLifeMum · 16/02/2024 21:36

I first went when I was 20 with dh (who was just a boyfriend then) and again when I was 24. We took dc to Florida last summer (2 adults and 3 teens) for £7k but didn’t go to Disney, we went to universal (house of Harry Potter fans) and dc loved it but I wouldn’t go into debt for it. A campsite in France with static caravans and a great pool with slides makes for a fantastic holiday (Loire valley is beautiful).

I don’t know many people who’ve gone to America at all (we do because we have family there).

Garlicdoughball · 16/02/2024 21:38

We did a day at Eurodisney when the kids were smallish, they’ve never asked to go back and loads of their friends have gone to there and Disney in the States since.

notknowledgeable · 16/02/2024 21:39

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.

Plenty of other wonderful experiences to have with your children for less money or for free

Narwhalsh · 16/02/2024 21:43

There are literally billions of people in the world who will never experience Disney. I’ve never been myself and can’t say I feel like my life is lacking in any way! it’s not held me back from having a happy and successful life 😂

They don’t sound particularly into Disney either so it’s definitely just you projecting.

EmpressSoleil · 16/02/2024 21:50

Curious to know what Florida Disney has over euro Disney? Other than maybe its bigger. I took my DC to euro Disney a couple of times. Never could have afforded Florida back then. We did 2 day coach trips (so 1 day in the park) and they loved it and still have fond memories of it and it wasn't overly expensive. And mine were massively into Disney at the time. If yours aren't even that into it I don't know what you're fretting about!

Humdingerydoo · 16/02/2024 21:52

I think the clue there is that it was your grandma, not your parents, who took you. So maybe look forward to being able to take your own grandchildren one day instead :) It's hard to save up money for an expensive holiday when you still have mortgage payments, after school clubs, swimming lessons etc to worry about paying for.

I've never been to Disney but still had a great childhood!

Agapornis · 16/02/2024 21:55

It's a false comparison. She was your grandmother, with 1 child. She was not your mum, with 3 children. Did she have the same financial commitments as you? Was she working, or a SAHM with wellpaid husband? Was her mortgage paid off? Retired on a good pension?

Perhaps their gran could take one of them? (Can't imagine that going down well...)

StarDolphins · 16/02/2024 21:56

I just remind myself that actually most kids don’t get to go to Disneyland. I might be able to stretch to Disneyland Paris in the coming years but if I don’t, I won’t be getting upset about it. My DD has a lovely life anyway & plenty worse and off.

Flowerfairie · 16/02/2024 21:56

I went at 11 and it was ok. Don’t feel it’s worth the 6k or so to take my daughter too. It’s just a fleeting moment of capitalism.

Pllystyrene · 16/02/2024 21:57

We have been for considerably less, Tui have the occasional last minute deals, last summer 14 nights flight and hotel was £340pp. Hotels often have free shuttle buses to the parks. Park tickets are expensive but you can take packed lunches and have cereal in your hotel room. All in we spend around £1000 pp Example below of last years prices.

Never afford Disney
PizzaPastaWine · 16/02/2024 21:57

We did Disney and Butlins within a year or so. DC talked about Butlins for what seemed like and still so now as teens. Never Disney.

You're attaching memories and an adult perspective to this OP. You're going to have to come to terms that it's not going to happen and understand that your DC will be completely fine with this.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 16/02/2024 21:58

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.

Yes, YABU. Our "holiday" was a day trip to the seaside.

Very few people can afford to go to Florida.

WonderingWanda · 16/02/2024 21:58

Of course they can feel that joy but just doing something else. You can't miss what you don't know. I've never been but I can assure you I have plenty of joyful and exciting childhood memories as will my kids. A few to mention which won't have broken the bank...and some of which I would not consider remotely joyful now are going to see shows in London, surfing in Cornwall, my first camping holiday, the excitement of going on a ferry for the first time (wtf?), getting a cabbage patch kid for Christmas.

Anneta · 16/02/2024 22:02

We went to Disney at Paris with my grandchildren at age 8 & 6 and their parents. They enjoyed it but they much preferred CentreParcs. (Which is also expensive tbh)

ShareTheDuvet · 16/02/2024 22:02

Kids only love Disney because their parents hype it to them - we’ve never mentioned it to our kids because we know there’s not a snowflake’s chance in hell we could afford it. They’ve never once mentioned it. We holiday in the UK and they talk fondly of many of our holidays.

Dont let this spoil your kids’ childhood memories - it’s so unimportant in the grand scheme.

Dixiechickonhols · 16/02/2024 22:03

We’ve just taken 200 girlguides to Disneyland Paris via coach/ferry. Was £380 a girl paid over 18 months. Some had for birthday/Christmas presents or paid for by grandparents. It was magical when we walked in and saw castle.