Disney adult mother purchases Disney tickets for soon-to-be-wed daughter and her family, despite being asked not to for years: 'We really can’t afford this trip’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Dec 22, 2025 6:00 PM EST

A Disney adult purchases Disney tickets for her daughter, her fiancé, and their child, against the daughter's wishes. The daughter and her fiancé are gearing up for their wedding, while Mickey-loving mother-dearest decides to throw her daughter's feelings out the window and purchase the family tickets anyway. Also, she won't be covering any other accommodations.

The wonderful world (and land) of Disney is where the magic happens and where dreams come true. Disney is for everyone, from 3-year-old girls with pigtails to elderly men who use walkers to find their way around town. That's the beauty of childlike wonder; it never truly leaves you. It simply evolves into a fun shared hobby, or worse, a poorly received fixation that makes you go viral on the internet. Our take? Let people do what they want if it makes them happy. We start having a problem, though, when they force their interests down other people's throats. What would Walt Disney have wanted? Your money, probably.

So, Disney tickets are purchased when you really didn't want them to be. What's the game plan? You can sell them on Craigslist and hope the inquirer isn't going to end up being somebody scary, or you can let the ticket-gifter eat the cost. The daughter has told her mother for years that Disney was not on her radar for two reasons: 1. She would rather bring her young child to Disney when they are a bit older. 2. The couple has put most of their money into their wedding, rightfully so, and don't want to worry about extra costs leading up to the big day.

If you're buying a non-refundable ticket, usually the first thing on your to-do list is to ensure the ticket receiver can and wants to go. In this mother's case, it seems as though she knew what she was doing, considering how she was set on going against her daughter's wishes and basically gifted her a negative balance in her bank account via expected hotel and food costs. That's the thing about some people: Their hobbies aren't just allowed to be their own; everyone needs to be in on the fun (or lack thereof). Disney is forever, but a wedding venue is not. Scroll below to read about how one Disney adult tries to ruin her daughter's wedding plans.

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  • 01
    a statue of walk disney and mickey mouse in front of disney castle
    via Nicholas Fuentes for Unsplash

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    "My mom bought my family Disney tickets for Christmas and I’m annoyed."

    Ok THT fam, in need of some advice and opinions. I feel a bit bratty for feeling this way but hear me out.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 03
    Some context, I am 35f with two kids, 4m and 2f. My partner, 33m, and I have been together 10 years.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 04
    We are getting married in May. My parents (both mid 50s) are Disney adults. They go to Disneyland 3-4 times a year and are annual pass holders.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 05
    I enjoy watching the movies with my kids, but I wouldn't be considered a Disney super fan.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 06
    From the moment our son was born 4 years ago, my mom has been trying to convince us to take him to Disneyland.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 07
    Then our daughter came two years later the Disney badgering only got worse. We have told my parents for all these years, "No.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 08
    We don't want to bring our kids until they are older, can travel easier, and we can all enjoy ourselves more." Disneyland is expensive and we don't want to pay a bunch of money to spend three days with screaming, tired toddlers.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 09
    We live in Northern California so we could drive the 8 hours, or fly. Either way sounds stressful and expensive.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 10
    Well, yesterday my mom sent me a text of Disney e- tickets, "Merry Christmas!" Three tickets for my son, partner, and myself for three days.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 11
    disneyland park-goer cards
    via Giorgio Trovato for Unsplash

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    My daughter is free. I was a little shocked at first, neither happy nor upset. Just "wow!" I of course thanked her but was stuck in the mindset of "this was very generous..
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 13
    but not thought out at all." The tickets expire in May, our wedding is in May.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 14
    We are paying for most of the wedding ourselves. The tickets are non refundable. She also only paid for tickets.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 15
    So we are now stuck in a position to have to pay for all our wedding expenses, plus come up with the thousands of dollars it would cost to travel, stay, and eat in Disneyland.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 16
    We don't have disposable income. I am a stay at home mom and my partner works in construction.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 17
    My mom and I have always had a rocky relationship. She is an attention seeker with victim mentality.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 18
    She is often dramatic or "extra." Her and my dad have a history of gaslighting and lying.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 19
    My childhood also wouldn't be considered a delight. I'm not sure where this grand gesture is coming from other than her trying to force. us to take a trip SHE wants us to take.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 20
    So that's why I am annoyed at being gifted Disney tickets. It's an extremely inconvenient time for us to take a big trip.
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 21
    Also, it feels like it is a gift for her, not actually for us. Am I being ungrateful?
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 22
    We really can afford this trip. I'm not sure what to do. Do I tell her we can't go?
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 23
    Do I try to figure out a cheap way to take the trip? Part of me feels very guilty for being annoyed, but the other part of me is thinking "wtf mom?
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 24
    Did you consider our situation at all?" Thanks, THT!
    via ash_etch_1928
  • 25
    divine apprehension Nta. Sell them. Wait til the kids are older.... Family vacations are about the family lol sorry about your pushy parents but try to make the best of it
    via divine_apprehension
  • 26
    SnuggleWinnk Agreed. Family comes first, and vacations should actually be enjoyable for everyone. Selling them and waiting makes total sense.
    via SnuggleWinnk
  • 27
    No_Season_354 Have to agree, total lack of understanding by ur mom, after u told her u didn't want to go to Disney, that should have been enough, like u I say u have to cover additional costs.
    via No_Season_354
  • 28
    LilacPoppie This is what would bother me too. OP, you were clear for years about not wanting to do Disney right now, so this wasn't a misunderstanding. It sounds like she planned the trip she wanted and handed you the bill for everything else. Feeling annoyed doesn't make you ungrateful, it makes you realistic.
    via LilacPoppie

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family drama wedding planning married with children christmas gifts disneyland
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