When Louisiana resident Destini d’An received a spontaneous offer to join a Walt Disney World trip last October, she leapt at the opportunity. With a green light from her supervisor and a hastily booked flight, she found herself amid the magic in just eight days. Financing the $1,500 five-day adventure on her credit card, d’An spent nearly three months paying off the debt. “Considering the amount of fun I had and the memories I made with my cousins, I would do it all over again,” she reflected.
Destini’s story is far from unique. According to a June 2024 survey by LendingTree, nearly a quarter of Disney park visitors have gone into debt—be it through credit cards or loans—to experience the magic. For families with children under 18, that figure spikes to 45%. LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, Matt Schulz, notes that many parents view a Disney trip as a rite of passage. “So many parents see Disney World as a rite of passage for their kids,” he said. “For a lot of families, there’s a window when it’s the optimal time to take your kid.”
Cincinnati cybersecurity engineer Josh Lane shelled out $16,000—far exceeding his $10,000 budget—to bring joy to his 11-year-old daughter and her grandmother, following a family bereavement. Although he’s still $800 away from paying off the remaining trip debt after three years, Lane has no regrets and is even planning another visit during the holidays next year.
Similarly, Indianapolis resident Carrie Clayburn celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with a lavish $10,000 loan-funded Disney trip, staying at the upscale Boardwalk Inn. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” she said, highlighting how showing Disney magic to her husband, who grew up in poverty, was priceless.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the average cost of a Disney trip has skyrocketed, outpacing inflation dramatically. Len Testa, president of Touring Plans, highlighted that a family of four now shells out $4,200 for a four-night stay at a value resort, up from $3,200 just five years ago. Factors like the introduction of costly add-ons, such as Lightning Lane passes, have significantly contributed to the price hikes.
What makes it all worth it? For many, it’s the unquantifiable value of escapism and family bonding. Cincinnati parents Taylor and Kelsey Farmer, for instance, have perfected the art of budgeted Disney trips, visiting up to ten times a year with strategic cost-saving measures. “We just love the escape,” Taylor said. “You are not in the real world when you’re at Disney.”
Have you ever financed your Disney dreams, or found creative ways to manage costs? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this story with your fellow Disney enthusiasts.
Source: Shauna Muckle
