One accessible, the mountain town now caters to rich visitors and celebrities

AMERICANS are skipping spring break trips and spending their time off catching up on sleep as vacations become too expensive for the middle class.

Rising travel costs have pushed iconic destinations out of reach for many families.

Once-popular getaways are now catering mostly to the wealthy, leaving ordinary Americans to rethink how they use paid time off.

From Disney World in Florida to tropical islands, the costs are climbing fast.

Middle-class families are increasingly opting to stay home instead of facing skyrocketing hotel and activity prices.

A standard Disney World vacation for a family of four at a value resort costs $6,865 in 2024, GOBankingRates reported.

That figure puts the "happiest place on Earth" out of reach for many average Americans in 2025.

Hawaii is also feeling the pinch.

Proposed tourist fees and an already-high 18% hotel tax make trips to Oahu and Maui particularly pricey, Yahoo reported.

"Demand has traditionally come from beautiful beaches, energetic local culture, and the idea of a perfect paradise," said Tim Choate, CEO of RedAwning.com.

"But rising luxury resorts, a levy on rental cars, and more flights from major American cities help to guarantee that rates stay high."

Aspen, Colorado, is another destination slipping beyond middle-class budgets.

One accessible, the mountain town now caters to rich visitors and celebrities.

"Smaller middle-class families find themselves paying premium rates for lodging that is either too big for their requirements or just too expensive," Choate said.

For families hoping to escape the US Caribbean hotspots, like St Barts, are no longer viable.

"Accommodations can cost an average of $1,770 per night," said Alonso Marly of SkyLux Travel.

"It truly comes to life at night with its beach parties and exclusive nightclubs welcoming A-list celebrities and some of the world's wealthiest people."

Even European destinations are becoming unaffordable.

Marbella, Spain, which once welcomed families and students, now demands a minimum of $5,000 per person, while luxury villas start at $2,500 per week.

"Most middle-class travelers now opt for more affordable coastal cities such as Malaga or Cadiz," Marly said.

Tulum, Mexico, was once a low-cost retreat, but boutique hotels and high-end restaurants have transformed it into a luxury hotspot.

As vacations become pricier, Americans are increasingly using paid time off simple to rest.

A survey of 1,200 adults found that over one-third took PTO to sleep rather than travel.

Millennials led the trend at 43%, followed by Gen X at 34%, Gen Z at 33%, and baby boomers at 20%.

Sleep coach Rosie Osmun said fatigue has become a necessity rather than a choice, AOL reported.

"Higher-income workers were also more likely to use PTO for rest, which suggested that fatigue spans across pay grades," she said.

Experts warn that modern work culture leaves Americans juggling professional, family, and social responsibilities with little room for downtime.

PTO is now a short-term fix for chronic exhaustion, not an opportunity for adventure.

Many employees fear that taking vacations will overburden coworkers or pile up work for their return.

The result is a nation relying on rest at home rather than exploring new places.

US families in the middle-class can't afford vacation anymore