Couple With 22 Children Taken To Court After $70,000 Disney World Vacation

A family famous for being the largest in the United Kingdom has found themselves in court after taking their children out of school to go on a dream vacation to Disney World.

While a trip to Disney World is meant to be full of joy and wonder, organizing and paying for such a getaway is no small task — especially when you have more than twenty children.

British parents Noel and Sue Radford, who are well known from their TV show and social media presence, decided to take their large brood to Florida for what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime family celebration. However, what began as a magical adventure ended with an unexpected fine that added even more cost to their already expensive trip.

The Radfords, who are recognized as the parents of Britain’s largest family with 22 children, brought several of their kids — along with their grandchildren — to the world-famous Disney World resort in Florida.

The family spared no expense for the special occasion. The trip reportedly cost around $70,000 and was planned as a grand celebration for Sue’s 50th birthday back in April 2025. They paid for everything from flights and hotel stays to park passes and meals, ensuring every family member had the full Disney experience.

But after returning home, the couple faced legal trouble. They were taken to court and fined for pulling their younger children out of school without permission, despite the trip’s significance to the family.

The Radford family is known as the largest family in the UK, with Sue and Noel sharing 22 children This Morning/ITV

The Radfords, who live in Morecambe, Lancashire, were found guilty of failing to make sure four of their children attended school regularly between March 24 and May 1, 2025.

As a result, both parents were fined $88 per child and ordered to pay $160 in court costs. Altogether, the penalties added roughly $1,024 to their overall Disney trip expenses, making the holiday even pricier than planned.

The family later shared photos from their time in Florida on Instagram, including a cheerful picture of them posing with Donald Duck — a post that now carries an ironic twist after the court’s ruling.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council later defended the decision to fine the family, emphasizing how important it is for children to maintain consistent school attendance.

They said: "Ensuring young people receive a good education and have a good 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 decision to authorize absence or not rests with the headteacher of the particular school and Penalty Notices are an enforcement option that are available to local authorities, if requested by schools. It is the court that determines whether a fine should be issued."

The trip to Disney World was meant to be a 50th birthday celebration for Sue Radford Instagram/@theradfordfamily

"The laws on attendance are very clear and there are some legitimate reasons why pupils can't always go to school."

"We always encourage schools to work closely with parents to reduce unauthorized absences and our aim is to ensure that children and young people attend school and receive a good education."