Are People Going Into Debt for Disney?
Here’s my confession upfront. Dave Ramsey grew up in the same area as me and went to the same college.
Even though we both sing Rocky Top off-key and loudly, I wouldn’t know him if I saw him.
(Photo by Anna Webber/WireImage)
However, we do share some mutual acquaintances, including a friend of my family who was in his wedding party.
As such, I would never speak ill of Dave Ramsey, as he’s a friend of a friend.
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That bias will make this conversation a bit challenging, as Ramsey’s show just stated something I find a bit dubious.
A reporter on The Ramsey Show just posted a YouTube video with an interesting take.
Photo: Playbuzz.com
Are people going into debt for Disney? Let’s discuss a nuanced topic.
A Reporter Learns What He Already Knows
I don’t pay any attention to Dave Ramsey’s show, but I know the shtick.
The people involved with this program admirably attempt to inform Americans to save more.
And I’ve got an Amazon Black Friday deals window pulled up when I type that.
So, I’m part of the problem, but I’m far from alone in American society.
Our entire economy is driven by debt and lending, which allows people to buy things before they can pay for them.
Ramsey sent one of his reporters, a popular YouTuber named George Kamel, to Disney Springs. Here’s the clip:
Nothing about this video indicates a blatant attempt to attack Disney or claim it’s not a worthwhile vacation.
Photo: Getty
Instead, the focus involves how much debt the average American holds at any given time.
The first and second duos who participate in these interviews reflect many Americans.
Photo: Wikimedia
Two students in their late 20s have incurred tens of thousands of dollars in student loans.
The following duo is driving cars they probably can’t afford, but life is short.
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These cars seem to make them happy. Kamel acts rather incredulous that they’re not adding to their 401(k)s instead.
In theory, he’s right. Since we don’t know these people, it’s not our place to define what brings them joy, though.
Photo: Disney
To his credit, Kamel does offer them access to a budgeting app that will teach them better money management.
Of course, from a certain perspective, he’s selling something to people he has marked as rubes.
Photo: Wikimedia
We’re probably not supposed to think about the situation that way, though, which is the point.
This entire clip seems like a public service message, but…
A Common Refrain
Still, the conversation hearkens back to one we had earlier this year based on a LendingTree report.
At the time, LendingTree surveyed a large group of people taking Disney vacations.
According to the headline, “45% of Disney-Going Parents With Young Children Have Gone Into Debt for Trip.”
Something I pointed out about the data didn’t make the headline for obvious reasons.
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Based on LendingTree’s own survey, “Only 24 percent of those surveyed said they had (gone into debt).”
So, the conclusion they referenced required a focus on a niche demographic.
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Many parents with young children are obviously a bit cash-poor because…well, have you SEEN the price of diapers?
If you’re a parent with a young child, THOSE are what you should be shopping for on Black Friday.
Photo: Disney
See? Now I’m doing it. There’s something in human nature that makes us want to give others advice.
Buy what you want on Black Friday, as long as you can afford it, and it makes you happy.
Disney
I’m about to post weekly holiday gift guides from now through Christmas, just like I have since 2017.
This is the holiday season, and we should all enjoy it, especially after a rough 2025.
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The other thing you should keep in mind with this YouTube video is that it’s not a livestream.
So, they’ve edited it to craft a narrative that plenty of people are taking on debt to go on vacation.
Are People Going into Debt for Disney?
Photo: Pexel.com
In reality, the woman in the fourth segment likely reflects many Disney tourists.
After all, Disney’s CFO just stated that the company attracts more financially sound customers.
Photo: Washington Post
Even this video reflects that, as three of the six interviews feature people without debt.
Also, I should emphasize that you should never purchase an automobile while high. That’s my financial advice.
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The final person being interviewed didn’t quite make a prudent investment there, as his girlfriend seems to know.
That’s the beauty of a Disney vacation. Since everybody wants to go, nobody complains about the idea.
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Still, some muckrakers have turned this interview into clickbait. Here’s an example.
Benzinga offers some sound financial advice while painting the story quite differently.
Photo: skillastics.com
The point I’d like to make is that several of these consumers aren’t paying for Disney on credit.
Not coincidentally, the ones who are fall into the same category as the LendingTree headline. Two of the three groups are younger couples with student loan debt.
Overall, the only duo whose financial behavior is indefensible is the couple with the mutual car fetish.
Disney
None of these people are going into debt for Disney except for arguably the one being smart about it.
One woman indicates that she’s paying for the trip using the Chase Disney Visa.
Chase Disney Visa
She’s getting six months same as cash, which gives her a timeline to pay for her trip without interest.
Nobody else explicitly states they’re going into debt for Disney, even though that’s what The Ramsey Show and Benzinga both imply.
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That’s the conclusion I draw from this video. Your mileage may vary.
Even so, I reiterate that the real enemy here is Big Diaper. Never trust those jerks at Pampers.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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