On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video showed a Florida dad calling a Disney World visit a ‘punishment’ after spending $1,400 on a family day trip.
Florida dad voices frustration over Disney World’s skyrocketing costs
On TikTok, a user named @flyingwheels shared a video showing a Florida dad’s frustration over Disney World’s skyrocketing costs.
A Florida father, Craig Stowell, went viral for expressing his frustration after spending $1,400 on a Disney World day trip for his family.
His viral shared his disappointment with the cost-to-enjoyment ratio at the Orlando theme park.
“I don’t want to say it this way, but if you do the average cost per ride, it probably isn’t really worth it,” Stowell said
Stowell and his wife, along with their three children, were subjected to long lines and high expenses. This led him to question whether the experience was worth it.
The breakdown of the cost for one day at Disney World for a family of five
In the footage, Stowell revealed that the $1,400 spent for the day included $974 for five single-day tickets.
This was even after applying the Florida resident discount.
Beyond the ticket costs, additional expenses quickly added up.
The family had to pay $30 for parking, which Stowell described as just the beginning of the “cash cow” experience at Disney World.
He expressed frustration at the high costs throughout the visit.
Stowell also mentioned the option of Lightning Passes to skip long lines.
However, those would have cost him an additional $400.
This led to Stowell feeling like he was being punished for opting for a one-day trip rather than a multi-day stay.
Social media reaction
Stowell’s post went viral, with many people expressing their shared frustrations.
In the comment selection, many sparked sconcerns about the increasing costs of theme park visits.
One person said: Disney is the embodiment of vacation misery.
A second wrote: Disney has to recuperate the losses they’ve had at the box office
While a third commented: lol! This guy is behind in times it’s nothing new of the prices there.
Guess he didn’t think this trip out properly!! I don’t feel bad for him one bit. Next time save the money first then go! Someone else said.
Another added: Has he been to a major league sporting event??? And they only last a few hours!!!
Has he been to a major league sporting event??? And they only last a few hours!!!! Someone said.
The financial strain of Disney trips on working families
Disney has raised prices for its theme parks in recent years.
For the 2025 season, single-day, single-park tickets now range from $119 to $199.
This increase follows internal surveys showing a decline in return visits by guests in 2023.
Additionally, Disney announced that prices will rise further for several dates in 2026.
Stowell pointed out that Disney seems to favor long-term guests who stay for multiple days. He claimed that day-trippers, like his family, are not a priority for the company.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think those day-trippers are what Disney wants,” he said. “They want you to never leave the park. They want you there for five days, and they want you to drop 10 grand. So, I think that one-day trip I’m actually being punished for it.”
The video resonated widely with viewers, Stowell expressed surprise at the overwhelming response.
He said: “It’s very relatable. It’s family-friendly. Disney’s always a hot topic and we’re all trying to pinch pennies.
“So, I kind of had an idea that people would be able to relate to it, just maybe not so much.”