While a trip to Disney World is meant to be full of joy and wonder, organizing and paying for such a getaway is no small task — especially when you have more than twenty children.
British parents Noel and Sue Radford, who are well known from their TV show and social media presence, decided to take their large brood to Florida for what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime family celebration. However, what began as a magical adventure ended with an unexpected fine that added even more cost to their already expensive trip.
The family spared no expense for the special occasion. The trip reportedly cost around $70,000 and was planned as a grand celebration for Sue’s 50th birthday back in April 2025. They paid for everything from flights and hotel stays to park passes and meals, ensuring every family member had the full Disney experience.
But after returning home, the couple faced legal trouble. They were taken to court and fined for pulling their younger children out of school without permission, despite the trip’s significance to the family.
As a result, both parents were fined $88 per child and ordered to pay $160 in court costs. Altogether, the penalties added roughly $1,024 to their overall Disney trip expenses, making the holiday even pricier than planned.
The family later shared photos from their time in Florida on Instagram, including a cheerful picture of them posing with Donald Duck — a post that now carries an ironic twist after the court’s ruling.
They said: “Ensuring young people receive a good education and have a good start in life is one of our key priorities. Evidence shows that attainment is linked to attendance, so supporting our schools with this issue is important.”
“The decision to authorize absence or not rests with the headteacher of the particular school and Penalty Notices are an enforcement option that are available to local authorities, if requested by schools. It is the court that determines whether a fine should be issued.”
“We always encourage schools to work closely with parents to reduce unauthorized absences and our aim is to ensure that children and young people attend school and receive a good education.”
