JUST one month after parents-of-22 Sue and Noel Radford flew to Florida for Sue’s £50,000 bumper 50th birthday trip, and another Disney getaway – the family is back in Orlando once more.
The Morecambe-based brood has shared an insight into their holiday, and this time they went all out at a National Park.
3
3
3
In the family’s viral video, they showed themselves wandering around the sprawling park, even taking in the sights on a boat tour.
But it was the meet and greet with baby alligators that caused a stir with viewers on YouTube.
In the video, some of the kids can be seen posing with the animals, as well as Noel.
“You’re in your element aren’t you,” Sue said to daughter, Phoebe, as she proudly held onto the animal.
READ MORE ON THE RADFORDS
But the chaotic clip, which also showed other youngsters clinging onto the alligators in a crowded space left a bad taste in some people’s mouths.
One person commented: “Poor bloody alligators with mouths taped up so humans can get photos. Cruel and sad.”
“That is so so cruel holding them while mouths are taped they are wild animals,” a second agreed.
“That’s so cruel the way their mouths are taped up so they can be passed about and photographed. Don’t agree with that crap,” another commented on the video.
And someone else chimed in: “Looks utter chaos when they’re all holding the alligators. Crowded!
“Better organisation is needed, poor gators and their mouths are taped. All for tourism and entertainment.”
The Radford family haven’t responded to any of the comments on the video calling them out.
But this isn’t the first time the bumper brood has come under fire.
£26,000 flights
Sue and her husband Noel not only took their own children to Florida in April, but all of their grandchildren with them too – making the most of the Easter break from school.
Sue, 50, and Noel, 54, are parents to Chris, 36, Sophie, 31, Chloe, 29, Jack, 28, Daniel, 26, Luke, 24, Millie, 23, Katie, 22, James, 21, Ellie, 20, Aimee, 19, Josh, 17, Max, 16, Tillie, 15, Oscar, 13, Casper, 12, Haillie, 10, Phoebe, 8, Archie, 7, Bonnie, 6, and Heidie, 5.
Sadly the couple’s 17th child Alfie was still born on July 6, 2014.
All in, the family are thought to have sent a jaw-dropping £26,228 on flights – and that’s before the excess charges or any extra baggage.
It’s not known if the whole family is back out for their second visit.
£20k park tickets
Based on the cost of a seven-day Disney visit, which would require each guest to hold a 7-Day Magic Ticket for entrance, Sue and Noel could have forked out £20,065 for each of their Florida trips this year.
Luckily for Sue and Noel, children under the age of three go free. So some of the children on the trip won’t cost a penny to get into the park.
The tickets include access to the park and water parks with the eligibility to enter multiple parks per day.
Holders will also have the ‘memory maker’ package which includes unlimited Disney photopass downloads – pictures taken by photographers around the park, on rides and in restaurants.
£6k accommodation
Sue and Noel have spoken about their approach to holiday accommodation previously, while appearing on the This Morning show – they revealed they usually opt for a villa to save costs and ensure the bunch can bunk close together.
Last September, they shared an Orlando Villa Tour on their Facebook page to their 944,000 followers.
One eagle-eyed viewer recognised the accommodation as similar to a property listed on rental site, Vrbo.
The glam Vrbo house sleeps 15, so Sue and Noel will need to book 3 to comfortably house all 39 travellers.
Q&A with Sue and Noel Radford
With 22 kids, Sue and Noel have learnt a lot over the years.
Who is the stricter parent? Sue
Who is the naughtiest child? Archie
Do you prefer being parents or grandparents? Grandparents, you can spoil them more, and give them back at the end of the day!
What’s one thing you can’t teach your kids? Driving lessons, don’t even attempt to do them with your kids, it’s not worth it.
What’s something you’ve never told your children? We’ve never sat down with any of the kids and told them ‘this is how babies are made’. We’ve never had that conversation.
What’s your best parenting hack? Turn chores into games – making them fun to get them involved and help out.
How do you manage arguments and disagreements? There’s always someone falling out with someone else. When they get older, they have their own own opinions, and arguments get heated and last longer. We try to listen to them both, be the reasonable one, and get them to see it from both sides.
