4 Winter Vacation Destinations That Middle-Class Families Can’t Afford Anymore
Written by
Dawn Allcot
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Parents on social media platforms, from Facebook to Reddit, are seeking affordable winter vacation destinations. Unfortunately, it’s harder than ever to find a place with either snow sports or beach weather to celebrate winter vacation on a budget.
Here are some winter destinations that middle-class families are finding unaffordable for 2025.
Orlando
Domestic budget airlines like JetBlue and Southwest Airlines still offer ridiculously cheap flights to Orlando from many major U.S. cities. Snag one-way tickets from Boston, Albany, or New York City for less than $100. Still, that’s nearly $1,000 in flights for a family of four.
Once you get to Central Florida, though, you’ll find the top tourist attractions cost-prohibitive. In 2024, a Disney World vacation for a family of four cost between $4,735 (for a “budget” trip) and $10,696 for a luxury experience at one of the Deluxe Disney hotels, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Tickets for a single day at Disney World start at $109 per person, and that’s without any add-ons such as park hopper passes.
Vail, Colorado
Renowned for skiing and a scenic mountain scape, Vail, Colorado may seem like the ideal winter getaway for families. But lift tickets cost $329 per day in Vail, while lodging starts at nearly $600 per night for a family of four in February.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a stay under $1,000 per night, with most accommodations running $1,500 and up to $10,000 or more per night for a luxury stay.
Poconos, Pennsylvania
You might think you can save money choosing winter sports on the smaller mountains of the Northeast. You’d be right, as accommodation and lift tickets at many Poconos resorts are roughly one-third the price of Vail.
But many families still consider places like Camelback Ski Resort to be unaffordable. Lift tickets at the popular resort with an indoor waterpark, arcade, activities and winter sports begin at $85 for a day.
With that said, accommodations on February weekends can cost more than $1,000 per night. Waterpark tickets are included, but by the time you add in food and other activities, you could spend $3,000 or more for a weekend getaway.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic used to be a hot destination for middle-class families seeking to escape the cold at an all-inclusive resort. But winter is one of the most expensive times to travel to the Dominican Republic, due to sunny weather and temperatures in the ’80s.
However, costs can add up, with round-trip flights costing an average of $400 to $500 and up in February, according to Kayak.com data. According to EverythingPuntaCana.com, a family of four can expect to spend $300 daily on an average trip, and more than $500 per day for luxury accommodations and paid activities.
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