With record attendance at its theme parks, Disney will be increasing ticket prices at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort effective Sunday February 22nd.
Increases are across the board, with only DisneyQuest, parking fees, and ECV Wheelchair and Stroller rentals escaping an increase. Most notable is the removal of the No-Expiration option on Magic Your Way multi day tickets.
Disney announced Saturday that one-day ticket prices will rise to $105 plus tax at the Magic Kingdom. Prices at Disney World’s three other parks are increasing, too, but at $97 will stay under triple-digit territory.
For guests visiting the California parks, an adult one-day ticket to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure will rise from $96 to $99. A one-day park hopper add-on will increase from $54 to $56. Tickets for children ages 3 to 9 will climb from $90 to $93. A price for a Premium annual pass with parking and no blackout dates will go up 11 percent, from $699 to $779
“A day at a Disney park is unlike any other in the world, and there is strong demand for our attractions and entertainment,” spokesman Bryan Malenius said in a prepared statement. “We continually add new experiences, and many of our guests select multi-day tickets or annual passes which provide great value and additional savings.”
Because of the multi-day tickets, along with Floridian discounts, many if not most visitors will actually pay less than single-day prices. Industry consultants say the sticker shock of a one-day ticket could push even more consumers toward those choices.
Prices are rising on the multiple-day tickets and passes as well. Basic Florida resident annual and seasonal passes will cost $529 and $329 before tax, respectively, up from $485 and $319. Renewals are discounted about 15 percent.
Predictably, some parkgoers were frustrated, even outraged, at the news, taking to social media to rant and rave.
“It is kind of ridiculous that Disney is raising admission costs,” said Tarisa McGillivray, 27, “It’s sad to think you have to spend so much to go to the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
Others took the price hike in stride and took a more reasonable approach.
“In comparison to say a concert ticket to a well known artist, Disneyland ticket prices are not that high for the level of entertainment you get in the parks,” said Andrea Bradshaw, 30, of Corona.
“I do think that Disney’s perspective is they’re a premium-priced, premium product,” said Scott Sanders, a former vice president of pricing with the company. “They believe that … there are some people who can’t afford it, but there are a lot of people who are willing to pay for the experience.”
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