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One family’s Disney trip was reduced to “criminal activity” when they found themselves heavily fined for something most families would consider totally normal.
Credit: Brian McGowan, Unsplash
It is by no means news that a Disney vacation has become unbelievably expensive for many many Disney fans.
A complaint that arose most prominently during former Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s time and then has remained constant even with the return of Chapek’s predecessor and now successor, Disney CEO Bob Iger, going to a Disney Park—whether one at Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida or Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California—has become out of reach for many families who once enjoyed the chance to immerse themselves in the Disney experience.
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney
Because of this, many families have found ways around the pricing issues by going in the off-season. As in, they take their kids to Walt Disney World during the school term, seeing as it saves them thousands of dollars.
Related: Cheaper Disney Vacation or Education: The Ultimate Parental Dilemma
But most recently, one family was actively penalized by their school for taking two Walt Disney World trips during the school term.
Paul Benson and his family are from Redcar in North Yorkshire, and in order to take an affordable Disney vacation, he took his family to Walt Disney World in September of 2018 and 2022.
Credit: Disney
Benson’s children’s school fined them £480 in total for two trips to Disney World in Florida; moreover, the primary school “ostracized” their children, and the family was made to feel like going on a Disney trip was a “criminal activity.”
The 35-year-old father told Metro, “It wasn’t so much the fine that bothered us, but because of the fine, it meant it was a criminal activity to be able to spend time with our family.”
Tusker House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park / Credit: Disney
Benson continued, speaking on the lack of equality when it comes to vacationing, “My wife said to me it feels like only the privileged people can have a holiday—the super earners who can afford to go. It’s not an equal opportunity.”
The school even escalated the issue to the local councils, informing Benson that it “informed Redcar and Cleveland Council about the unauthorized holidays.”
Taking the time to go on a family vacation is certainly reasonable, but one can’t help but question why so many families have to have their children skip school in order to be able to afford a Walt Disney World vacation.
What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments below!
I’m a uk teacher and if we took time out in term time to go on holiday I can guarantee the parents would have something to say about it! The education the children miss will not be caught up on and the teachers work hard to educate the children, it’s always the children who need it the most who miss so much! I get it I’m a Disney fan too but I have to pay the high prices for my family at wdw. It is what it is.
Similar circumstances, I contacted their teachers who supplied us with their books/chapters/homework/projects due. We used our travel time and downtime to do the work. No fines no falling behind & a gift souvenir to show appreciation.
They way some schools are today. Kids learn more at Disney in a week then at school for the same week.
Lots of educational rides and shows to do at Disney.
Lots of history and knowledge gained about other countries. Even science is taught at Disney.
Best part is your kids do not even know they are learning.
It seems to me that the schools and the government are vastly overstepping. They can take a hike, families do not need permission to take their kids out of school, for whatever reason. Parents that do this have thoughtfully considered the impact the mussed time will have on their kids. Schools and government need to mind their business.
Oi! You got a liocense for that!