Disney World fans say ‘expensive’ theme park ‘has lost its magic’
Disney World has “lost its magic”, according to a new study, as would-be visitors complain about soaring ticket prices at the Orlando, Florida theme park.
The survey of nearly 2000 people by gambling website Time2play found the majority complained that a holiday to the Magic Kingdom was too expensive for most families.
A ticket to Disney World in 1971 cost just $US3.50, the study said.
When adjusting for inflation, that would mean tickets would be roughly $US25.60 ($A38.10) today, the New York Post reports.
But that’s far less than what tickets actually cost. Entry to one Disney World park ranges from $US109 to $US159 ($A162 to $A237) per day, depending on the date and time of the visit.
In the survey of 1927 self-proclaimed “Disney World enthusiasts”, 68.3 per cent believed that the price increase means the theme park has “lost its magic”.
And a massive 92.6 per cent of respondents said they think high prices at Disney World have made a trip for the average family “out of reach”.
Nearly 50 per cent of the survey’s respondents also reported postponing a trip due to price increases in recent years.
Those still planning to go said they expect their next trip to cost 35.7 per cent more on average than their previous visit.
Disney has steadily increased prices over the years as demand for both Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California has risen.
Tickets prices have jumped over the years with data tracking firm SJ Data Visualisations estimating that admission costs have climbed more than 3871 per cent in the past 50 years.
Families told Fox Business how shocked they were over the exorbitant prices, with one father-of-two estimating he would be paying between $US4000 and $US5000 ($A5960 and $A7500) for a holiday to the theme park, even with one of his children qualifying for free admission.
The admissions cost at Disney World and Disneyland theme parks have climbed more than 3871 per cent in the past 50 years, according to new research. Picture: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Matt Day, a father from Kentucky told the Washington Post, that even with inflation and surging post-Covid demand, he was astonished at Disney’s high prices.
“I understand inflation and all of those things. I understand cost increases,” Mr Day said.
“I always had the impression that Disney was a family vacation destination, and that impression is why I was surprised to see how expensive it truly was, and how out of reach it is for most American families.”
Nonetheless, Disney CEO Bob Chapek recently said that if demand stays high, more increases will likely follow.
Already this year, Disney hiked prices at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California.
The popular single-day ticket price jumped 6.5 per cent to $US164 ($A244) for admission at one park, while a two-day park hopper pass costs $US319 ($A475), up nearly 9 per cent.
Exorbitant prices at Disney World have put the theme park out of reach for families, according to a new study. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP
The price of tickets to the Florida theme parks, which include Disney World and Epcot Centre, were unchanged, remaining at $US109 ($A162) for a single-day pass.
For a park hopper option, which includes entry into more than one park, the price jumps to $US169 ($A251) for entry after 2pm.
The park hopper option costs $US194 ($A289) if guests want to get in before 2pm.
Ticket prices at both Florida parks can go up even higher if booked on a high-volume day.
Disney has also hiked the prices of food and merchandise across its parks.
For example, at Disney World the iconic Mickey ear headbands jumped $US10 ($A15) in price to $39.99 ($A59.50), Disney fan blogs Inside the Magic and Walt Disney World News Today reported earlier this year.