Disney recently announced significant price increases across its U.S. theme parks, with the costs of tickets, food, and souvenirs all going up. This has led many to wonder exactly how much Disney has raised prices and what’s behind the higher costs.
When did Disney raise prices?
Disney raised prices in October 2022, just ahead of the busy holiday season. The price hikes took effect starting October 14th. This is one of Disney’s largest price increases in recent years.
How much did Disney increase ticket prices?
Disney increased the cost of single-day tickets substantially:
- Magic Kingdom park in Florida: Increased from $124 to $159 for an adult ticket, a 28% jump.
- Disneyland Park in California: Went up from $104 to $114 for an adult one-day pass on lower demand days, a 10% rise. On peak days, the price rose from $149 to $179, a 20% increase.
Annual passes also saw significant increases between 7% to 11%, depending on the pass type.
What about prices for multi-day tickets?
Multi-day tickets that allow guests to visit multiple Disney parks also had double-digit price hikes:
- 2-day ticket in Florida: Increased from $206 to $234, a 14% rise.
- 3-day ticket in Florida: Went up from $236 to $260, a 10% jump.
- 3-day ticket in California: Rose from $310 to $360, a 16% increase.
How much did food prices increase?
Disney diners are paying more for food and beverages in the parks too. While price hikes vary by menu item, Disney said visitors should expect an average 10% increase for dining at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Specific examples include:
- Breakfast platters at many quick-service restaurants up by $2-$3
- Lunch and dinner entrees increasing $1-$2 on average
- Snacks like churros and popcorn raised by about 25 cents
- Soda refills up by about 50 cents per cup
Character dining has also gotten more expensive, with prices going up by $5-$10 per person at prix fixe restaurants like Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table.
What about souvenirs and merchandise?
Shoppers will pay higher prices in Disney gift shops too. While price increases vary, Disney stated guests should anticipate costs being about 10% higher for items like plush toys, apparel, and accessories.
Some specific examples of price hikes include:
- Basic adult t-shirts raised from $27.99 to $36.99
- Mickey Mouse ear hats up from $17.99 to $19.99
- Sunglasses increased from $15.99 to $18.99
- Figurines and plushes up $1-$5
How much are Disney hotel rates increasing?
Disney also raised prices for staying at its resort hotels this fall. Nightly rates for all Disney-owned hotels went up by an average of 7-10%, varying by hotel and time of year.
Some sample increases include:
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort: Rates for January 2023 up 10% from $162/night to $179/night
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Rates in March 2023 raised 7% from $626/night to $671/night
- Disneyland Hotel: Summer 2023 rates up from $810/night to $910/night, a 12% jump
Why did Disney raise prices so much?
There are several key reasons behind Disney’s price hikes:
- High demand – Parks have been very busy since reopening, and Disney is using price increases to manage crowds and increase revenue.
- Increased costs – Disney cites rising costs for labor, goods, and operations as a reason for the higher prices.
- Major investments – Disney continues to invest in major park expansions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
- Maximize profits – As a public company, Disney aims to deliver strong revenue growth and returns for shareholders.
How do Disney’s new prices compare to the past?
Disney has been steadily raising prices over the past decade. To put the latest increases in historical context:
- 10 years ago in 2013, a 1-day, 1-park ticket at Disney World cost $95. The new $159 price is a 67% increase.
- In 2015, Disneyland 1-day tickets started at $99. The new $114-$179 prices are 15% to 81% higher.
- A night at a value resort like All-Star Sports cost $100 in 2015 vs. today’s $179 rate, a 79% jump.
So while the latest Disney price increases are significant, they continue a decade-long trend of Disney tickets and packages getting progressively more expensive over time.
How do Disney prices compare to other theme parks?
Disney has long commanded a premium versus other U.S. theme parks. The latest price hikes widen Disney’s cost lead over competitors:
Park | Sample 1-Day Ticket Price |
---|---|
Magic Kingdom (Disney World) | $159 |
Universal Orlando | $109-$129 |
SeaWorld Orlando | $84.99 |
Disneyland | $114-$179 |
Universal Studios Hollywood | $109-$149 |
Six Flags Magic Mountain (LA) | $84.99 |
As the table shows, a 1-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom now costs 44% more than Universal Orlando and 87% more than SeaWorld. Disneyland’s prices are now 65% higher than Six Flags Magic Mountain on peak days.
Conclusion
In summary, Disney recently instituted major price increases averaging 10-20% across tickets, food, hotels, and merchandise. A Disney vacation now costs 67%+ more than it did just 10 years ago. The price hikes keep Disney parks as the most expensive in the U.S. while also driving revenue growth for the company. For many families though, the rising costs may make it harder to afford the Disney magic.