Parents are shelling out thousands of dollars and going into debt to take their children on once-in-a-lifetime Disney vacations.
Johnny Esfeller and his wife, who live in Alabama, told the New York Times that when their daughter was born, he wanted her to experience the same love he had for Disney as a child.
Esfeller believed himself to be a good budgeter. So in February 2022, when he, his wife and daughter, then 4, visited Disney World in Orlando, Florida, he was shocked to learn he spent $2,500 more than the $6,000 he had set aside for the trip.
'You're there, you're not sure when you're coming back, and it's like: "Fine, I'll just bite the bullet. We'll worry about the cost later," ' he said. 'I just didn't want my daughter to miss out on anything.'
Johnny Esfeller was shocked to learn he spent $2,500 more than the $6,000 he had set aside for a trip to Disney WorldDaytime fireworks launch over Cinderella Castle during a performance of Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World
The Esfellers, who both work full time and describe themselves as upper middle class, ended up in debt after the visit.
An analysis from NerdWallet shows just how cost-prohibitive a trip to Disney World's Magic Kingdom can be.
The average price for a family of four is nearly $6,500 for a weeklong stay, but some families can drop well over $15,000.
Inflation-weary Americans have responded by putting less dollars in the pocket of Disney, which reported last week that theme-park operating profit was down 3 percent in the last quarter ending June 29.
Disney still made $2.2 billion off its various resorts and amusement parks during that time.
A recent LendingTree survey found that 45 percent of families with kids under 18 borrowed money to go to Disney.
Among those who went into debt, 59 percent said they had no regrets.
Johnny Esfeller and his wife, who live in Alabama, told the New York Times that when their daughter was born, he wanted her to experience the same love he had for Disney as a child.
Esfeller believed himself to be a good budgeter. So in February 2022, when he, his wife and daughter, then 4, visited Disney World in Orlando, Florida, he was shocked to learn he spent $2,500 more than the $6,000 he had set aside for the trip.
'You're there, you're not sure when you're coming back, and it's like: "Fine, I'll just bite the bullet. We'll worry about the cost later," ' he said. 'I just didn't want my daughter to miss out on anything.'
Johnny Esfeller was shocked to learn he spent $2,500 more than the $6,000 he had set aside for a trip to Disney WorldDaytime fireworks launch over Cinderella Castle during a performance of Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World
The Esfellers, who both work full time and describe themselves as upper middle class, ended up in debt after the visit.
An analysis from NerdWallet shows just how cost-prohibitive a trip to Disney World's Magic Kingdom can be.
The average price for a family of four is nearly $6,500 for a weeklong stay, but some families can drop well over $15,000.
Inflation-weary Americans have responded by putting less dollars in the pocket of Disney, which reported last week that theme-park operating profit was down 3 percent in the last quarter ending June 29.
Disney still made $2.2 billion off its various resorts and amusement parks during that time.
A recent LendingTree survey found that 45 percent of families with kids under 18 borrowed money to go to Disney.
Among those who went into debt, 59 percent said they had no regrets.
Families go in debt to take their kids to Disney World as prices soar
Parents are shelling out thousands of dollars and going into debt to take their children on once-in-a-lifetime Disney vacations. These trips have never been more pricey, costing $15,000 on the high end.
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going into debt for a Disney vacation is stupid
