Couple with 22 Children Face Legal Action Over $70,000 Disney Trip

Family Incurred Fines in Addition to the Expensive Vacation

A UK family, known for being the largest in the country, has been taken to court after pulling their children from school for a luxurious Disney World holiday.

Visiting Disney World is supposed to be a magical adventure, but it can be quite challenging both logistically and financially when you have a large family.

A British couple experienced this firsthand as they attempted a trip to Florida’s Disney World, only to face fines on top of their travel expenses.

The couple, known for having Britain’s largest family with 22 children, took several of them and their grandchildren to the renowned theme park.

Noel and Sue Radford spent lavishly, with the trip costing approximately $70,000, intended to celebrate Sue’s 50th birthday in April this year.

They paid for flights, accommodation, and park passes for their children and 11 grandchildren. However, they faced legal action and fines for taking some of their younger children out of school for the vacation.

The Radford family is recognized as the largest family in the UK, with Sue and Noel having 22 children (This Morning/ITV)

The couple, hailing from Morecambe, Lancashire, were found guilty of not ensuring regular school attendance for four of their children between March 24 and May 1, 2025.

They were fined $88 per child, plus $160 in court costs, bringing the total cost of their Florida trip to $1,024.

The family shared some photos of the trip on Instagram, including a picture of them with Donald Duck.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council defended the decision to fine the family, emphasizing the importance of school attendance for children.

They stated: “Ensuring young people receive a good education and have a strong 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 trip to Disney World was intended as a celebration for Sue Radford's 50th birthday (Instagram/@theradfordfamily)

“The decision to approve or deny an absence lies with the headteacher of the specific school, and Penalty Notices are an enforcement tool available to local authorities if schools request them. The court decides whether a fine should be imposed.

“Attendance laws are very clear, and there are valid reasons why students may not always be able to attend school.

“We always encourage schools to collaborate with parents to minimize unauthorized absences, aiming to ensure that children and young people attend school and receive a quality education."