Fantasyland: Disney hikes some park prices by 15%
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Travel
Although it defies reason and the principles of basic economics, Disney has hiked its prices again. It has increased the admission price of its water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World, by $5, to $45 per adult and $39 for kids. That's a nearly 15% increase for kids, and a 12.5% increase for adults.Most economists would say that when times are bad, you lower your prices to build business back up. The rules don't apply to Disney. They don't have to. People may not be able to afford mortgage payments or diapers, but there are plenty of folks who simply can't hold on without taking a trip to Disney.
In fact, there are just as many people in the Disney parks as there were last year. It's just that after spending so much on admission, they're not spending as much once they get in. Last quarter, the parks had 50% lower profits, but attendance was even, so Disney Parks still made a profit anyway.
That's an admirable result in these times, you have to admit. Disney knows that a substantial set of its fans is rabid for the Mouse and will stop at nothing to come. But if people are going to cut back on food and souvenirs, Disney must know, it'll just have to make its wad on entry. Therefore, prices keep going up at the gate.
Disney has also figured out to turn a perceived industry negative -- heavy discounting -- into a positive, by requiring guests to stay for a week to yield the full benefits. So don't expect a shorter line at Soarin'.
Disney's continued dominance despite the recession is, however, causing substantial erosion down the road in Orlando. SeaWorld and Universal are both clawing to maintain their health (both have new mega-coasters opening for the summer, which should help provide a temporary attendance bump). Meanwhile, visitors who pay the same price ($45) at the Wet 'n Wild water park get the right to come back free for the rest of the year. Next year will be a make-or-break year for Universal Orlando. If its massive new Wizarding World of Harry Potter land fails to attract tourists, it may curse its two-park resort.
The leap in Disney water park prices means there will probably be no unexpected recession relief coming from the Magic Kingdom this year. Each August 1, Disney usually raises prices for its major theme parks, including Epcot and Disneyland. Expect the usual price hike this year, because people are obviously still willing to plunk down a small fortune to get in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
5-20-2009 @ 2:27PM
budoinst said...
People really are STUPID, aren't they. We live in Florida and wouldn't even vaguely consider being suckered into going to one of these "parks". A fortune to get in, items are double priced and you stand in line for an hour for a ride or to eat.
STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!!!!
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 9:22PM
mary said...
dont know what u r missing.just got back fam vaca best,best time.dont care we have great memories.
5-21-2009 @ 6:45AM
Tom said...
Ditto!
5-21-2009 @ 8:43AM
Becky L said...
budonist.. obviously you have no children :o)
5-21-2009 @ 3:09PM
Jon said...
Why would you call people stupid because they don't enjoy the same type of entertainment you enjoy?
That says a lot about you. I am sorry for what is in your heart.
I am also sorry that you call people stupid but fail to punctuate your post correctly.
5-20-2009 @ 4:03PM
me said...
Am I the only one who absolutely HATES disney? It's the most expensive place on earth - and it's not even fun. Screw you Walt!
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 4:17PM
Christine said...
Are you an idiot!!?? Walt died years ago and didn't have anything to do with what goes on in the Disney empire these days nor for the most part do any of his family successors. I am sure the man is rolling over in his grave and would find the likes of Britney Spears a real downer to this Disney name.
5-20-2009 @ 4:28PM
Donna said...
Don't blame Walt he is no longer a live. Its the people who have
taken over.
5-20-2009 @ 5:09PM
Kristi said...
Oh, how can you hate Disney? You must read some bio's on Walt. He was an imagination genius.Money was definitely not his bottom line. He often fueded with his brother over this. There is only one thing I don't like about the parks now which involved a point where they have swayed away from Walt's original philosophy. Walt wanted a park where the parents weren't sitting by, waiting for the kids, bored to tears. He wanted to make rides that the whole family can enjoy together. The original rides were like that. I don't like the thrill rides they have today. Not only do I find them questionable for the health but it's not something the whole family wants to do together...mainly they are teen rides. Little kids can't enjoy and usually middle aged and up don't enjoy either. But I try to remember that they do this to compete with Universal and others who attract the teens. Otherwise Disney is magical.
5-20-2009 @ 5:22PM
Tom said...
i was told disnsy charges the handycaped for wheelchair transportation,seeing i'm uncapible of getting around the park i refuse to pay for what i beleave to be free of charge for the disable,therefor i wont bring my family there, I'M SURE WE WONT MISS THIS PARK ,>>TAKE A HIKE DISNEY
5-20-2009 @ 6:48PM
Wendy said...
I have to agree with you, and NO you arn't the only person who hates Disney. If people only knew the "Back Stage" b.s. and how they screw people to make money, alot more people wouldn't go there. The smiles are fake and its NOT the happiest place on earth. Nor is it worth the money they charge....Wake up EVERYBODY
5-20-2009 @ 3:00PM
KP said...
I can see why people will go to Disneyland in these times of economic downturns :their children. Their children shouldn't be penalized during these times and visit this great institution which all of us experienced as children at one time or another.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 3:12PM
Al Cox said...
It ain't your father's "Disney". Walt was a great man, his successors are on the other end of the spectrum.
5-20-2009 @ 8:15PM
EMW said...
Its capitalism!!! If you don't like the price hike, stay at home. If you can do it better and cheaper, build your own park. I hate Disney, too, but they are losing money on declining food and apparel sales so they chose this option to make it up. According to recent attendance figures, this approach works well.
5-21-2009 @ 1:18AM
Judy B said...
You're kidding, right? Since when is it "penalizing" chilidren by not taking them to overpriced parks in a time of recession? I would think it would be "penalizing" them if you don't teach them financial responsibilty. KP, your kind of thinking is what led to many of the foreclosures happening now...spend over your head & suffer the consequences later. There are plenty of free & low-cost things to do with your kids, most of which have the added bonus of your child actually interacting with YOU instead of some costumed character!!
5-24-2009 @ 4:00PM
Kathy Duke said...
I just came from Disney World and would never go again. Too spread out, too long of waits for buses, closed attractions once we got in to some parks and not enough buses to take people to other parks once one closed down, quite early too I might add and on a Friday. One and a half hour wait to get from Wild Animal Kingdom to Epcot. I'll take Disneyland any day.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 3:13PM
Patriot said...
No Problem. I just won't go there any more.Greedy bastards.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 3:22PM
betsy said...
yep firng 35 people in the tampa res office didn't help the bottom line so they figured rather than trying other cost saving avenues like using 1/2 of the lights in the building or asking people to take an hour unpaid for lunch and not extending their hours another 1/2 hour stopping the "whoo whoo" agent updates with costly computer graphics and hanging expensive signs to promote whatever
lets raise park admissions. You are right Walt would be disgusted
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 10:46PM
shell said...
take an unpaid hour break?? you have never worked for disney have you..Your lucky if you get a couple 15 minute breaks you barley make more than minimum wage your not allowed to leave for lunch when you have one so they have a lunch room there that overcharges you, you don't even get free coffee and most the time you have maybe enough time to get your food throw it in the back room in time to get back out and maybe eat it on your next break if you don't need to go to the bathroom becuase you have to walk 15 minutes to get to one becuase lord forbid you use the same one the guest use.
5-20-2009 @ 3:35PM
Niki said...
I just came back from Orlando. We went the same time (first week in May) in 2005, and we pretty much owned the park. This year however, with their "free on you birthday" deal, there were a lot more people, despite how you actually spend more for admission since its difficult to do a package deal that way, childrens birthdays are observed more (and theyre the ones with the cheaper admissions anyway) and odds are 2 adult admissions accompany them.
They definitely found a way to save money. Most parks closed very early. MGM (DHS), Animals Kingdom, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, all closed at 6pm!!! The sun doesnt even begin to set until after 8!!! Epcot closed at 7pm, (World Showcase Pavillion closed at 8pm). Shows and other attractions had very limited showings. Only two Lights Motors Action shows (MGM) Poseidon (Islands of Adventure) they didnt even have the water tunnel (The only thing good about the show) and Fantasmic (MGM) are only held at Sunday or Thursday, which you only know when you get the attractions schedule after entering the park (Maps however can be found anywhere)
This is very upsetting as this was the only time where having the park hopper option actually made sense. Unfortunately we did not have this, as its an extra $50 per person! And to enjoy Disney Quest (which is not worth the admission price) and water parks, youre looking at yet another $50 per person. I recall a time when all of these were included in package deals.
Since attractions and time are limited every show, restaurant, and even many rides are jammed packed with people. It may still be 50 times better than going after Christmas, but it was definitely not as enjoyable as it was in 2005 when I went during the same week.
Reply