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Remember the good old days of being able to factor multiple vacations, even family vacations into your plans for the year? If you're still someone who does that, consider yourself fortunate (or travel savvy). For many, some once-popular vacation destinations have now gotten so expensive they don't feel like they're worth traveling to anymore. Here are ten of the priciest places to travel to that have us hesitating these days.
There was a time when the Disney parks were the epitome of family vacations. It was the go-to getaway for family fun, and just about everyone you knew had made the voyage to either Disneyland or Disney World at some point. These days, the most magical place on earth and the happiest place on earth could both share the same, more accurate nickname: the most ridiculously overpriced places on earth.
Listen, we will be the first to admit: There really is no place like the Disney theme parks. The rides are great and the parks can commit to a theme like no other, but the price of a family vacation to either World or Land has landed the destinations in the "Well, that's not in the cards" category for a lot of families.
According to a Disney World travel blog called Mouse Hacking, the baseline price for a family of four to visit Disney World is $6,320 for five days. That's $1,264 a day, guys. Another blog, Pulling Curls, says a Disneyland vacation for a family of four is at least $1,000 a day. That's a serious chunk of change to stand in long lines and shake Mickey's hand.
Related: Cost of Disney Through the Years
The Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas used to have a magnetic pull. Maybe it was the Atlantis movie that came out in 2001 or the theming throughout that's made to look like the fictional sunken city of Atlantis. Perhaps its allure was a combination of both. The promise of a waterpark that spans more than 140 acres does sound like a fun time, after all.
Traveling to the island resort isn't cheap though. A family of four should plan on spending between $900 and $1,700 daily – an average weekly cost of $9,100, according to travel blog, Magic Guides. We're just saying: there are more affordable beaches and waterparks out there, folks. We'll pass.
Related: Classic Vacation Spots We Miss and How They've Changed
This one is sure to ruffle some feathers. We know, we know: Vegas is a vibe. Listen, Vegas is overrated. The city offers the opportunity to make money while you vacation, but let's get real, the average Joe isn't leaving Vegas with more money than they arrived with. You might get free alcohol while you gamble, but you're still spending lots of money while you do it. Veer away from the gambling scene and Sin City is still one expensive place to visit.
Aspen has a reputation as the most expensive ski town in the country. Allow us to let you in on a little secret, though: It's not the only ski town in the country. Yes, there are some stellar resorts. Sure, the views are fantastic. But the Colorado locale is also the third-most expensive vacation destination in the world according to travel site Florida Panhandle, which ran a report on the most expensive vacation destinations in the world. The report shows averaging costs of about $1,478 per day. Time to look up one of those other ski towns.
Related: 13 'Destination Dupes' to Visit for a Cheaper Vacation
Here's where things get a little sticky. Trips to Maui have become more expensive since the 2023 wildfires wreaked havoc on the island. Notably, many travelers have complained about the soaring hotel prices on Hawaii's lush island. The unfortunate reality for many is that while each Hawaiian island does offer something different, there are more affordable ones to visit in place of mighty Maui. Still, the island's economy does need tourism to recover from the turmoil of the fires, so those who can afford to keep Maui in their travel plans would play an important role in those efforts.
Gustavia, on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, has been dubbed the most expensive vacation destination in the world. Florida Panhandle's report puts the Caribbean destination at a whopping $1,852 per day. Unless you have pockets deeper than the ocean, we're thinking there are plenty of other destinations near that part of the globe better suited for affordable travel.
Related: The Biggest Hotels in the World
Lots of people flock to Park City for skiing. Some head to the Utah destination for other outdoor activities and sights. Others stay as far away from the tourist trap as they can thanks to its average daily cost of $1,257.
Related: 11 Mistakes To Avoid the Next Time You Book a Flight
The jury is out for this one, folks. Some tourists say Dubai costs too much and others are able to find more affordable times to head to the bustling city in the UAE. Even so, there are some surrounding areas like India and Vietnam that tend to cost less, but the experience isn't necessarily copy and paste.
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If you know what you're doing and you live and breathe budget travel, a trip to the Cayman Islands isn't un-hackable. But if you ask Florida Panhandle, you'll still be spending a cool $934 per day if you don't do your research before booking a trip to Grand Cayman.
French Polynesia has an allure to it that's undeniable, and Bora Bora has made its way to many bucket lists. These days, it's getting nudged further down several of those bucket lists, however, because it's not exactly cheap to get there. From the U.S., a round-trip plane ticket to Bora Bora generally costs between $1,500 to $2,000. When you factor in your waterside bungalow, amenities, and everything else, it starts to add up to numbers in the "Maybe some other time" category.
