How to offer to pay for Disney

[coulditbeme2323]

Long story short we went to Disney couple of years ago - kids wanted to go back so will be going for two weeks in October half term.

Sister's kids are desperate to go, but as a family it's out of their budget. We have a great relationship with sister and BIL, but don't want to offend them (well him I know sister would be delighted)

How do we go about offering, I was thinking probably speak with her first?

I have no idea how much that’d cost for a family of four - 10k? More?

In OP’s shoes I’d have a quiet chat with the sister - not telling any of the children - and let her broach the topic with her husband.

which Disney is it?

I think coming from the point of view of the kids wanting their cousins there is best, and obviously only ask your sister first before mentioning to any of the kids.
Please be fully prepared for them to say no though, and respect that choice. There is no way in a million years I would accept this offer. I wouldn’t even accept a £700 package deal to Europe being paid for by someone else, let alone a 2 week trip costing thousands of pounds.

Oh my lord! Some people here will turn absolutely anything into an excuse to be mean and bitter!

OP, it's a lovely thing to do. It's hard to say without knowing the guy but most people wouldn't resent generosity.

Why don't you go for self catering accomodation?- share the grocery cost but your friend can do the shopping and cooking- she won't feel so beholden and you still get a catered holiday.

Quite the opposite. She’s trying to do something kind without offending anyone and some posters are being vile.

It’s her sister.

just message your sister ‘the kids are desperate to have their cousins come with us to Disney so we thought we could surprise them by having you all join us. What do you think? Would be completely our treat. No offence taken if you would rather not.’

If I was your sister I’d say yes and would make sure I paid for treats etc that I could afford and offer to babysit all the kids while there so you and DH could have some nights out etc

Someone woke up on the wrong side of bed! 🤣

Sometimes people can want to do nice things because they are nice people. As a kid I never went on holiday, and my friend's family took me with them to Disneyland Paris. I never once felt they were 'stealth boasting', just bringing their kid's best friend along on a lovely experience because they could afford to extend that kindness.

I personally would never be able to accept such a gift, you paying for them all to go would feel way too awkward to me.

Just a warning that you said she could probably pay meals- Disney is horrifically extortionate- if you’re paying for them you’d have to speak to her seriously and make sure they can pay for anything there, because imagine you being her and the first day even her whole budget could be burnt through and then secretly you’re irritated they have no money to help out. We had a small sharing type meal in one or two places for six of us and couldn’t get it below €150

Surely part of the issue now will be if it’s for this October a lot of people will already have booked out their annual leave and may not have 2 weeks left .

I would say that you've had a bonus, won some money on the lottery or something to that effect...I think it's always easier for people to accept money if they think it's extra money if that makes sense? Also, what a lovely thing to do...I hope you have a fab time

How does that change anything? Most people would still feel beholden .

I just wanted to pop on and say you are a lovely sister. I often pay for things for my sister because financially I can.

I would speak to your sister and say how it would make you and your children happy to have them there with you. That way you're almost making it as though she's doing you a favour by coming.

Nothing at all.

Florida

We like to stay on site, we have a preferred hotel.

Thank you x

This is a lovely thing to do and I would be thrilled if somebody offered this to me. I feel like I have to warn you though so you can discuss the budget amongst yourselves. Disney is our family holiday, so we go pretty much every other year. Our last one was in November 2025 and we noticed a considerable increase in prices on everything even compared to 2 years ago, and I really do mean everything! Even though we know we are going to spend a lot while there and budget accordingly, we were shocked at the prices of things and even our daughters were putting things back on the shelf when they looked at the price. And usually they don't question it when we are paying 😂

It was silly things like looking at gifts and souvenirs, there was very little coming under $40 and that's before tax. The one night we went to the Christmas party and while waiting for the fireworks to start, I felt chilly so went into one of the shops to see if I could grab a little blanket for us. I expected the blanket I had seen to be around $40 and probably would have even paid $50, but it was $70!!

And even if you have the Disney dining plan, so meals 'paid for', you still have to pay service charge on what the total cost would be and because the price of everything has gone up, we found service charges felt really high compared to 2 years ago when we had last been there. They have also changed the rules on the Dining plan, so years ago if you had any unused meal credits, they would convert them to snack credits so on our last day we converted any meal credits into snacks and used them to buy some Disney sweets, biscuits etc that we could take home as gifts for family and kids friends. But they've stopped allowing this now, so make sure you do actually use up all your meal credits otherwise you lose them.

You could phrase it that they would also be doing you a favour because the cousins could all entertain each other, so you would have some chance to relax a bit (Disney is a bloody tiring holiday!!).

So lovely of you to think of yoyr family OP I really hope they take you up on it.

So do I!

I mentioned it to her over lunch and she was delighted.

Will speak to her husband tonight but can't see an issue.

All being well will book tomorrow.

Thanks all x

Agree. It's very kind, but I would feel so awkward.

But it seems your sister is happy, so that's great.