ORLANDO, Fla. – A new study by Lending Tree earlier this week gave some insight into how many people take out debt for a magical Disney vacation.
According to the data, 24% of surveyed American visitors to Disney’s theme parks have gone into debt for the trip — and that number rises to 45% when considering only parents with children under 18 years old.
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The study did not ask people about which park they visited.
“Among (these parents), 59% say they have no regrets,” the study reads. “Additionally, 90% of parents who’ve taken their children to Disney say it was a treat. Overall, parents of young children took on an average of $1,983 in Disney-related debt.”
When asked which expenses cost significantly more than planned, survey respondents who’d taken on debt said the following:
- In-park food and beverages — 65% of respondents
- General transportation costs — 48% of respondents
- Accommodations — 47% of respondents
On the other hand, most survey respondents who’d never visited a theme park said trips are just too expensive. Over 30% say these parks are too far away, and around 25% can’t stand the lines.
Data from the study indicates the percentage of Disney-goers who took on debt for a trip are as follows:
| Type | Demographic | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| OVERALL | Disney-goers who took on debt for a trip | 24% |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| BY GENDER | Men | 32% |
| Women | 16% | |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| BY GENERATION | Gen Zers | 39% |
| Millenials | 36% | |
| Gen Xers | 20% | |
| Baby Boomers | 7% | |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| PARENTAL STATUS | Parents with children under 18 | 45% |
| Parents with children 18 or older | 10% | |
| Adults without children | 16% | |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| HOUSEHOLD INCOME | Less than $30,000 | 14% |
| $30,000 - $49,999 | 18% | |
| $50,000 - $99,999 | 26% | |
| $100,000 or more | 33% |