Parents who take their kids to Disneyland end up in €1.8k in debt, study finds

A new study by Lending Tree found that 45% of parents in the U.S. taking their children to Walt Disney World have gone into debt from the trip.

In 2022, only 18% of respondents on the same survey reported having Disney-related debt.

On average, parents gained approximately €1.8k in debt on things like transport, unexpected food costs, and accommodation.

"It's understandable that a significant chunk of parents would take on debt for Disney," said Lending Tree Chief Analyst Matt Schulz.

"For so many parents, taking their kids to Disney is a rite of passage, something they remember fondly from their youth and want to experience with their kids."

Schulz said that because of this, parents are "often willing to take on debt to get there.”

Walt Disney World is one of the most expensive theme park destinations, with flights, park tickets, accommodation adding up to a steep total.

Even so, the study found that 41% of visitors used a discount for their trip.

Schulz recommends planning ahead of your trip and prioritising what maters most you. For example, booking a budget hotel and packing lunches in order to buy fast passes, or saving up to book a luxurious hotel for a shorter stay.

Spend the most on what gives you the most joy, and then be judicious spending elsewhere," he said.

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