A "disgusted" mum claims Virgin Holidays hiked the price of a Disney World trip from £3,000 to £22,000 to take advantage in the wake of Thomas Cook's collapse.
Mum-of-three Danielle Quinnin discovered the £6,000 trip she booked for her family with Thomas Cook last year had been cancelled on Monday after the company went into liquidation.
The 26-year-old immediately started frantically searching for Disney World holiday deals and found a similar but less-inclusive two-week trip for £3,174.47 with Virgin Holidays.
But two hours later, when Danielle revisited the site with her husband Dean Quinnin, 32, to make the booking, the couple say they were "disgusted" to see the price had shot up to £22,276.53.
But Virgin Holidays say prices are only increasing due to high booking volumes and limited availability.
Energy consultant Danielle claims the 600 per cent price hike is Virgin Holidays trying to "make money from desperate people" in the wake of Thomas Cook's collapse - a claim the company refutes.
For Danielle and Dean, the huge price rise meant their family's dreams of a trip to Disney World were shattered.
The parents were forced to break the news to their distraught "Disney-obsessed" kids Eva, six, Isla, three, and six-month-old Vinnie.
Danielle, from Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, said: "I couldn't believe it. We've had our holiday to Florida booked for a year. It cost just under £6,000 originally.
"It's crazy. I feel like Virgin are jumping on this [Thomas Cook's liquidation] and using it as an opportunity to make as much as possible.
"The kids speak about going to Disney every single day. All they talk about is what princesses they're going to see, who's going to be there, what rides they're going to go on.
"The kids were the perfect ages for Disney - there was something for everyone. We've literally bought all Disney things throughout the summer.
"They've got a case full of Disney clothing, Mickey Mouse hairbands. We've been buying it all throughout the year.
"It's disgusting that Virgin think they can make money because people are desperate."
Danielle and Dean, who is also an energy consultant, had saved for 12 months to book their perfect family holiday - even booking a place for Vinnie before he was born.
The family's original booking with Thomas Cook included an on-site accommodation, return flights, Disney transport and their £1,600 theme park tickets.
After their trip was cancelled, Danielle said she found a quote on Virgin Holidays' website for £3,174.47 which she said would include return flights and car hire but only an off-site villa and no theme park tickets.
As the mum clicked on the deal, she claims a message appeared on the page stating that the 'holiday was no longer valid'.
But when Danielle returned to the Virgin Holidays page after doing the school run, she claims she was issued a new quote of £5,168.36.
Danielle rushed to show her husband Dean just two hours later before the price went up further, but they were too late - their two-week holiday had skyrocketed to £22,276.53, she claims.
She continued: "The children were absolutely devastated but understood there's nothing else we can do so we just can't go. Eva, my eldest, just kept saying 'don't worry Mum, we can go another time'. It's awful.
"You have to book your fast passes 60 days before you go and that actually worked out to be on Monday for us.
"We spent all day on Sunday watching videos of what rides we'd book our fast passes for, then on Monday morning we couldn't even do it.
"Families like us, with children who are so looking forward to this holiday of a lifetime, might feel like they have no other option. You kind of feel like you've got to. But I can't afford to go out and rebook it now."
The family have decided to cut their losses and possibly book next year, but said it could take more than two months to get their money back and they were not covered for the Disney tickets.
Virgin Holidays said it has not increased fares on specific routes or across holiday packages that were previously operated by Thomas Cook.
A Virgin Holidays spokesperson said: "We're sorry to learn that Thomas Cook has ceased trading and recognise the impact on its customers and staff in the UK and abroad.
"We are seeing high booking volumes and some peak travel dates are getting very busy.
"As a result, prices can increase as flights fill up and accommodation becomes limited, which all travel companies, including Virgin Holidays, will experience due to operating a dynamic pricing system, based on availability and demand.
"We can confirm that we have not increased fares on specific routes or across holiday packages that were previously also operated by Thomas Cook, nor have we changed any of our pricing policies since Thomas Cook ceased trading.
"We want to do our best to ensure customers can enjoy the holidays they've been looking forward to.
"We always aim to provide the most competitive prices for customers wishing to book future trips with us, and we're confident in the hard work that our teams are doing in collaboration with Virgin Atlantic and suppliers around the world to help customers fulfil their holiday plans."
