Parents of Britain’s Biggest Family Speak Out After $70,000 Disney Vacation Sparks Legal Trouble

There’s no denying that a Disney vacation can be magical — but for one family, that magic came with a price tag and a court appearance.

Britain’s largest family, Sue and Noel Radford, known from Channel 5’s 22 Kids and Counting, have made headlines again after being fined for taking several of their children out of school to celebrate Sue’s 50th birthday at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Their lavish trip — reportedly costing around $70,000 (£52,000) — included nearly all of their 22 children and 11 grandchildren, with the family sharing their magical memories from Orlando across social media.

Photo credit theradfordfamily

A Disney Holiday Fit for 22

Sue and Noel, who own a family business in Lancashire, spared no expense for the milestone celebration, covering flights, accommodation, park tickets, and meals for nearly their entire brood.

Photos posted to the Radford Family Instagram account showed the family posing with Donald Duck, enjoying time at the parks, and soaking up the sun at Disney’s resorts.

But what was supposed to be a dream vacation took an unexpected turn when the couple later found themselves in court.

The Fine That Followed the Fun

According to AOL News and Bored Panda, the Radfords were charged with failing to ensure regular school attendance for four of their younger children, who had missed several weeks of school during the trip — from late March through early May 2025.

Each parent was fined around $88(£65) per child, plus court costs, adding up to over $1,000 (£756).

In an Instagram post following the verdict, Sue and Noel questioned how the local council had handled their case and claimed there may have been a data breach regarding their children’s school records.

“We also had another child’s details and emails on our form. Now, please tell me if this is okay or not,” Sue wrote, addressing the handling of student information.

A spokesperson from Lancashire County Council reiterated that school attendance is a “key priority” and that vacations during term time are not considered an exceptional circumstance under UK Department for Education rules.

Why The Radfords Went Big for Disney

Sue, affectionately known by fans as “Super Mum,” had shared before the trip that turning 50 was reason enough for a once-in-a-lifetime family celebration.

“Turning 50 is such a big deal,” she told The Mirror. “I said, because I am turning 50, I am definitely having a whole year of celebrations!”

The Disney World trip was meant to mark the start of that festive year — and despite the fines, Sue hasn’t expressed regret for creating those family memories.

A Family Who Loves the Magic

This wasn’t the Radfords’ first Disney adventure.

The family are seasoned travelers who’ve visited Florida eight times in the past three years, and they’ve also traveled in their own £40,000 motorhome across Europe, plus trips to the Maldives and Dubai.

Sue proudly documents the family’s adventures online, sharing both the chaos and joy of managing such a large crew.

Even with the controversy, the family appears undeterred — continuing to embrace their motto of making the most of life and cherishing every shared experience.

The Bigger Picture

While the debate over school attendance fines continues in the UK, the Radfords’ story shines a light on how many families struggle to balance memorable experiences with educational rules.

And for this famously Disney-loving family, the lesson may simply be that the true cost of magic is more than just park tickets — it’s about the choices we make to create memories.