Disney

Disney raises some ticket prices for Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Disney has increased admission prices at its two most popular theme parks, Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.

The company confirmed to CBS MoneyWatch on Wednesday that prices at these theme parks have increased by between $5 and $65, depending on ticket type. Disney is also increasing the price of annual passes to Walt Disney World. Price increases are valid today.

Prices for the date tickets most visitors purchase will remain unchanged at $104 per day for Disneyland admission and $109 per day for Disney World admission.

Parking fees at the park have also increased by $5 to bring them “on par with other theme parks in Central Florida,” Disney said. Parking for regular cars is currently $30.

“We are constantly adding new and innovative attractions and entertainment to our parks, and our wide range of pricing options ensures that the value of your theme park visit is reflected in the unique experiences that only Disney can offer,” the spokesperson said. Ta.

Scott Smith, who teaches amusement park management at the University of South Carolina, said Disney is raising prices because inflation is raising labor and other operating costs and Disney also needs money to expand Magic Kingdom. He said it is highly likely that he did.

Disney also paid billions of dollars to acquire the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, and the company needs to bring in even more revenue to pay for those acquisitions, he added.

Disneyland’s single-day tickets are divided into six tiers, with each tier representing a specific time of year when visitors want to enter. For example, a Tier 6 ticket is for those who intend to visit the park for one day any time between October 13, 2024 and April 7, 2024. The price increases for these tickets are as follows:

  • Tier 1: Increased from $114 to $119
  • Tier 2: $134, up from $129
  • Tier 3: $154, up from $144
  • Tier 4: $169, up from $159
  • Tier 5: $184, up from $169
  • Tier 6: Increased from $179 to $194

The price increases for Disney theme park annual passes are as follows:

  • Disney Incredi Pass: Increased from $1,399 to $1,449
  • Disney Sorcerer Pass: Increased from $969 to $999
  • Disney Pirates Pass: Increased from $749 to $799
  • Disney Pixie Dust Pass: Increased from $399 to $439

Theme park multi-day ticket price increases are as follows:

  • 2nd: Increased from $285 to $310
  • 3rd: Increase from $360 to $390
  • 4 days: $395 to $445
  • 5 days: $415 to $480

The admission price increase comes as Disney seeks to make up for losses from its streaming business, including Disney+. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger, who returned to the role about a year ago, has prioritized reconnecting with Disney Parks fans to drive revenue growth.

Theme park experts said Wednesday’s action was not surprising because Disney has a history of raising ticket prices. One expert said Disney has raised ticket prices a little every year since its founding, except during the pandemic.

“This time around, we’re raising prices carefully and selectively, so only the most expensive tickets get the biggest price increases,” said Martin Lewison, a business professor at Farmingdale State University in New York who studies the amusement park industry. . “If he’s already paying $1,400 for an annual pass, maybe he’ll be fine with $1,450.”

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.