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

[Lilylouis]

DD is nearly 9 and has wanted to go on a Disney holiday for years.

We took her sibling who is 11 years older to Florida, before DD was born (not thinking we’d be able to have another) and it was a once in a lifetime experience and nowhere near as much money back then- we both also had better paid jobs and our mortgage wasn’t as high add onto that the COL.

We wouldn’t do Paris for personal reasons I’d rather not go into.

Do any average families do any Disney holidays?

Currently we have to save hard for a week in Spain!

How do people do Disney?

I think affordability is relative for a lot of people. I'd say we couldn't afford Disney but what I really mean is that it's not a high priority for us. I've spent an absolute fortune on my DC's hobbies over the years however, and plenty of people would think that was mad - horses for courses and all that. I'm sure that careful planning, saving and prioritising the holiday over other stuff is what makes Disney doable for a lot of families.
One thing that has probably already been mentioned is you might consider flying to somewhere else in the US and then getting an internal flight. I have a friend who lives in Florida and she tends to do this when she visits the UK. However my friend is single with no children, tends to travel with hand luggage only, doesn't mind flights at antisocial hours and isn't particularly bothered if her journey takes a bit longer so I appreciate it's probably easier for her to take indirect flights than it would be for a family on a tight schedule. But she tells me that she saves a lot of money that way. I don't think she takes the same route each time, just looks for the cheapest option on each occasion. Likewise prices can vary quite a bit depending on which airport you fly from at this end so it's worth shopping around. Also I know my friend sometimes flies to other European airports first and picks up her transatlantic flight in Amsterdam etc. Of course that's all a lot less convenient than taking a direct flight to Orlando from your nearest airport and additional travel time eats into your holiday too but it can definitely cut the cost.

In 2031?! OP wants to take her child whilst she’s younger

It opens in May..? Epic Universe.

But there is no comparison to Paris and Orlando. None. DW in Orlando is outstanding, all of their parks. Paris is very meh.

Aahh horses for courses eh. Imagine if we all liked the same things. I can't imagine writing off a whole country, one of the birthplace of civilization, a long history, a diversity of geography as "rubbish" and weighing it adversely against DisneyWorld. But someone else does.

V similar to our experience. My kids loved it but didn't really give a toss about the Disney stuff - they just loved the rides and the fireworks.

@noquinoai assumed she meant the U.K. one as it seems unlikely that the OP is meaning she’s wanting to go within the next few weeks before Epic Universe opens and because it was suggested as a money saving idea (I assume)?

We did it by calling it the holiday of a lifetime and taking out a loan. People prioritise different things in life and that was one of our priorities. It’s a pity about Paris as we enjoyed it ten times more than Florida which had more walking and less options as you had to get on buses to get to different sections, much more expensive obviously, was too hot etc etc etc

Why would you pay £25k? I have a family there now, flights transfers tickets and a Disney hotel was £8600

I think you are probably right. And I don’t think it even has planning permission yet, has it? It would be a long wait!

Very true @noquinoa, there’s no comparison, wouldn’t call Paris meh though! It’s magical too, but not in the way that Orlando is phenomenal.

We’re going to Disneyworld a month today. For 2 adults 1 child it’s cost £4,700 for flights, staying at a Disney hotel, park tickets and quick service meal plan (1 meal per person per day), for 14 nights.

Obviously we’ll have spends on top of this, but we’re hoping to not spend a fortune. We’re going to do a supermarket shop to get bits for breakfast and we’ll pay for an extra meal per day.

It’s not meh, you are right. It’s just that I was a bit disappointed. I found it less magical. 😅 And smoking people everywhere, which I hate. I think it’s that everything is so perfect in Orlando, all staff are just so extremely good..
But Paris is of course much closer, so easy to go for a weekend.

@Teaandtwobiscuitsthat seems a good price if that’s flights, hotel, tickets & QS meal plan! Can i asked who you booked with and when? Id really like to be able to go next year (2 adults 1 child as well) , but looking at this year’s prices I can get around £6k but that doesnt include any dining plan!

That sounds incredibly cheap. Where are you staying?

I booked in June 2024 to travel this May. I booked the hotel and park tickets direct with Disney (while the dining offer was on) then booked flights direct with BA. I must’ve booked the flights at the right time as I’ve checked back a few times and they’ve increased in price, including when BA were doing ‘Black Friday sales’.

I did loads of research and priced up staying off site, but the extra cost of staying onsite netted off the cost of needing to hire a car or get Ubers.

We’re staying at All Star Movies, it’s one of the cheaper Disney hotels, but it’ll suit our needs.

Still very cheap! A good deal.

You are not an average family..

I can’t understand people saying they didn’t go on holiday for years to save to go to Disneyland. I’d much rather just have a cheaper holiday once a year and not bother with Disneyland. Went once on a school tour as a teenager and even back then thought it was extremely tacky and expensive. Not something I’d have an interest in at all. There are plenty of cheaper, better, alternatives.

We have been twice and it can be done for less than £10k.I looked again this year and baulked at spending £2k on tickets + £2k for the cheapest on site hotel (we prefer onsite). Plus on top of this is £3k for a family of 4 for flights.

Then you have to add food on top and a few bits of clothes shopping. Plus car hire or Ubers and parking at Disney if not staying on site. For that kind of money I’d be wanting to spend at least part of every day at the park and make sure I got on all the rides at least once.

Personally I didn’t feel it was worth it for us anymore.

Perhaps book early and get a free dining deal which takes the food cost out of the equation.

I can’t understand people not understanding that not everyone is the same. It’s very odd.

But if it’s Disney Land Paris you are talking about, it’s not to compare with Disney World.

I do understand that people aren’t the same so I am expressing my opinion as I am also entitled.
To me, Disney is a ridiculous rip off. Tacky consumerism at its best. There are far nicer places to see in the world.

@noquinoa oh and I must add if it’s America you are talking about wouldn’t go there in the current climate if you paid me

Can I ask why you prefer on site? We have stayed at Magic Village a few times (off site and next to Animal Kingdom) and it’s absolutely great. Four bedrooms, huge kitchen/dining room, four bathrooms, gated, nice pool, and most of all a washing machine.