A British couple with 22 children has spoken out after a costly Disney vacation led to court action. Noel and Sue Radford say the trip, planned for a birthday celebration, sparked unexpected legal trouble.

A Big Family and a Big Trip

First, the Radfords planned a Disney World holiday for Sue’s 50th birthday in March 2025. The trip cost about $70,000, including flights, hotels, and park tickets. They traveled with most of their children and 11 grandchildren. One daughter stayed home because she was close to giving birth.

Travel Problems and Court Fines

Next, travel issues delayed part of the family. One daughter and her children missed the flight due to expired ESTA permits, US travel approval for short visits. After returning home, the couple appeared in court. Judges fined them for taking four children out of school without permission. Each parent paid fines and court costs totaling just over $1,000.

Dispute and Ongoing Debate

However, the Radfords challenged the ruling online. They claimed a school shared their children’s details incorrectly, raising data protection concerns. Local officials said attendance laws are clear and protect children’s education. UK rules rarely allow holidays during school term time.

Finally, despite the fines and criticism, the Radfords continue traveling. They recently returned to the US again and still share family life with hundreds of thousands of followers.