Can Americans afford a Disney vacation?

Many Americans will take on debt this summer for a family trip to a Disney theme park. So why is the happiest place on earth breaking their bank accounts? Teo takes Clare on a fantasy trip to Disneyworld to find out, and see if Clare can have a truly magical experience on a budget.

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Sources in this episode:

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Raises Prices, CNN News Room, 2014 Disney and the Decline of America’s Middle Class, New York Times, 2025 Can America Afford Disney?, Disney Tourist Blog, 2025 How Much Disney Can America’s Middle Class Afford in 2025?, Touring Plans Blog, 2025 The U.S. Economy Depends More Than Ever on Rich People, Wall Street Journal, 2025 Even Disney Is Worried About the High Cost of a Disney Vacation, Wall Street Journal, 2025 Why do people keep coming back?, USA Today, 2026 Consumer Expenditure Surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023 How Do People Afford Disney?, Reddit, 2026 Earnings Report, Walt Disney Report, 2024 Summer Travel Survey, Bankrate, 2025 Disney Survey, LendingTree, 2024 Global Attractions Attendance Report, AECOM, 2023 The Walt Disney Company, 2026 What’s The Current Disney Commission Rate For Travel Agents?, Mainstreet Agency Travel, 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.