Their wallets were in a Disney World of hurt.
A Florida father left online viewers speechless after revealing that he paid nearly $1,400 to take his family of five to Disney World for just one day. A video detailing the exorbitant price tag has amassed over 7.7 million views on X.
“Here’s what a day at Disney cost me for a family of five,” explained the unnamed patriarch, who documented the price of tickets, parking, meals and snacks, along with items at the souvenir shops.
Before even embarking on the money-hemorrhaging adventure, the dad reportedly shelled out $30 for all-day parking at the attraction, which is located 20 minutes southwest of Orlando by car. The total cost of tickets for the quintet, including a child under 10, clocked in at an eye-popping $974 — approximately the cost of a round-trip flight from New York to Rome.
The dad said they would’ve paid more had they opted for the Lightning Lane pass, which allows guests to skip the regular line for up to three attractions for $35 per person.
Snacks also took a big bite out of the fam’s finances. After their first ride, they bought two water bottles and three ice creams, which set them back $29.50. Meanwhile, a pretzel for the kids and a beer for the dad cost another $19.
The family also visited the souvenir store, where the father put the kibosh on his son’s request for a $44.99 lightsaber.
“That was a hard no,” declared the dad, who said they also spent a pretty penny on lunch at Pizzerizzo.
Each family member ordered a personal-sized pizza, a side and a small soft drink, costing them a total of $44.35.
After lunch, the family visited the Star Wars: Galaxy Edge park, where they dropped an astronomical amount on various cash-in products.
These included a “Star Wars”-themed Coca-Cola ($6.50), a churro, margarita and water ($36), and some special blue milk ($10.29) that first appeared in “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope,” bringing their snack expense total to a shocking $101.29.
Just when the dad thought the spending spree was “finally” over, the “rest of the family” decided they wanted to go to dinner at Disney Springs, the resort’s outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment complex.
“This place was my literal hell; it was shoulder-to-shoulder in every store and restaurant,” lamented the bedraggled dad.
They settled on the Frontera Cocina — a Mexican restaurant by multiple James Beard award-winner Rick Bayless — where they ordered carnitas, carne asada, soft drinks, margaritas and more. Total cost: $245.27.
He said the family then wanted to go shopping, but luckily, “it was getting late” — and they decided to call it a day.
The grand total for the day was $1,391.91, per the disbelieving dad, who asked viewers, “Would you spend that much on a day at Disney?”
Many commenters were flabbergasted over the price tag, with one calling it “outrageous” and another incredulous writer posting, “I stopped at the tickets being almost $1,000, no point in watching the rest. Walt Disney would be rolling in his grave.”
“Disney is unattainable for most families now, sadly,” rued another.
Others pointed out that the trip would be a lot more if they’d flown there or booked a hotel, with one claiming it costs up to two times as much to stay at the resort.
However, some critics ripped the family for spending so much money on food.
“Heaven forbid they’re not constantly eating lol,” scoffed one naysayer. “Could have eliminated most of those meals with intermittent fasting or just eating in the car on the way there.”
Others claimed that the price actually seemed cheaper than they would’ve expected for a group that size.
“$1,400 that’s not bad for a family of 5 tho,” said one. “Looks like they had a nice time tbh — I was thinking the total was about to be $3,500.”
In February, Walt Disney Company officials who work in pricing for its theme parks admitted that the experience has become unattainable for many average Americans, blaming executives at the Happiest Place on Earth for getting “addicted to price hikes,” per a startling report.
Meanwhile, a report from 2024 found that food prices at Disney World soared by an average of 61% over the past decade — nearly twice the rate of inflation during that period.
