We’re just back from the dream Disney holiday. Yes, it was amazing, and yes, I already want to go back. But as the magic dust settles and the reality of my bank balance kicks in, I’m left asking myself one big question:
Was it really worth it?
I know I’m not alone in this. So if you’ve ever looked at the price of a family trip to Orlando and thought, “Is this actually doable?”, this post is for you.
The Trip of a Lifetime (But at What Price?)
I love Disney. I love Orlando. It’s tied to some of my happiest memories from childhood. I wanted to pass that magic on to my daughter, and I did. But the price of that magic? It’s getting eye-watering.
I was lucky enough this time to lean on the Bank of Dad for help. We stayed in a family villa, so I avoided one of the biggest costs, accommodation. Even with that gift, though, the saving process wasn’t easy. Here’s how it added up.
The Price Tag (Even with Help)
What I Paid (for me and my daughter):
- Disney 14-Day Ultimate Tickets – £1,120 (with a 10% discount. Still similar for 2026 via AttractionTickets.com)
- Disney Parking and Lightening Lanes – approx. £350 (7 days parking and 3x lightening lanes)
- Flights (Fly-drive from Edinburgh with Virgin Atlantic) – £2,221
- Spending Money (food, extras, souvenirs) – approx. £1,500
Subtotal: £5,916
What It Could Have Cost (solo):
- Villa rental (2 weeks) – approx. £1,800–£2,000
Total without family help: £6,996+
The Priceless Bit
This trip wasn’t technically a solo parent adventure, I travelled with my parents, but it was still one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve ever had with my daughter.
Watching her skip ahead into Magic Kingdom, hand-in-hand with her papa, is a memory I’ll hold onto forever. I got to see the people I love most, my parents and my little girl, share something genuinely magical. Seeing my mum smiling on It’s a Small World, hearing my daughter laugh on Barnstormer, watching them at the fireworks and the excitement of spotting Tinkerbell… these weren’t just holiday moments. They were connection moments.
My daughter might not remember every detail, but she’ll have the photos and the stories. She’ll know how loved she was. That’s the part that’s impossible to put a price on.
So… Is It Worth It?
Emotionally? Yes. A thousand times yes.
Financially? Well, that’s where the debate begins.
It could take me three years of scrimping and saving to afford a similar trip again. And now I find myself wondering:
- What else could I do with that £6,000?
- Am I holding onto this idea because it’s familiar and comforting?
- Could we have just as much magic exploring somewhere new, for less?
I grew up with Orlando trips. It’s nostalgic. It’s comforting. But I also know I’m not the same person I was then, and neither is Disney.
What Do You Think?
Are you dreaming of a Disney trip too? Have you taken out a second mortgage to make it happen (kidding… sort of)? Or have you found alternative ways to create family magic without blowing the budget?
I’d genuinely love to know what other parents think, especially if you’ve been through this exact “£6k holiday vs. 3 budget-friendly getaways” dilemma.
Leave a comment or drop me an email. Let’s figure this out together.