Walt Disney World, Disneyland raise base ticket prices

July 31, 2009 at 7:54 PM · Am I the only one thinking this is the craziest decision by Disney all year? I would have thought prices should have gone the other way, ie down!

July 31, 2009 at 9:07 PM · It's prices like that which serve as a constant reminder to me how great a deal most zoos are (Sea World doesn't count, despite their animal populations). It's rare when I've come across one with a basic adult admission price higher than $20, and most are lower.

I would wager the Sea World chain will not be far behind Disney, increase-wise. I don't think they can do anything but get greedier.

August 1, 2009 at 12:35 AM · That's 4 more dollars I'll be not giving to Disney.

August 1, 2009 at 1:21 AM · Disneyland has been overwhelmed with underpaying AP holders most of the year, and you guys think that they should LOWER prices?

Gimme a break.

August 1, 2009 at 5:09 AM · I think its only fair to remember that disney is a ultimatly a business. They exist to make profit. We should acknowledge that both Disney parks rely on a massive percentage of foreign tourists, who could care less about a 4 dollar increase. Their currency is worth more than ours; disney is an affordable vacation.
Anyways, sea world is ridiculous for charging and getting away with the same ticket prices as other area parks. Its an not much more than an aquarium with a couple of roller coasters (as great as they both are.)

August 1, 2009 at 7:22 AM · Sea World's not like non-profit Zoos, and they're all about profit too. Something's got to pay for maintaining the animal habitats as well as research... so I don't mind paying for Sea World. I only go once every two years at the most anyway since not much changes, nor do I love it as much as Disney.

I'm just glad I bought my first AP last week through my work!

And yes, Disney's about making money as much as it is about making magic for everyone.

It's kinda like how people expect prices for everything to either remain constant or even get lower... it just doesn't happen.

August 1, 2009 at 4:55 PM · I just saw a travel agent web site that said that RENEWALs for Walt Disney World Florida Seasonal and Annual passes, renewed within 30 days of the expiration date, will get 15 months on the new seasonal or annual pass, i.e. 3 months extra. This is something entirely new and is a real benefit. I'll have to confirm this but, as for me, the extra $10 on the renewal cost is far outweighed by the 3 extra months. I guess Disney was worried that too many pass holders were going to not renew in this economy.

August 1, 2009 at 10:05 PM · Well, I can easily say the mouse doesn't want my money. I can careless what there reason is, if they have no desire for the locals money, then I'm glad to spend it with my flex AP to Universal and the Busch Parks. As for Disney thinking about the tourist money. The Brits, Disney's biggest money, are not coming as much, and with the over sea parks now like Paris or Tokyo, Disney needs to really think more on repeat than one timers. So I'll take that AP cost ALL up front for a family and visit some other parks outside Orlando on a trip.
Also according to the Orlando Sentinel, Sea World said they have no plans to raise prices anytime soon (so they say) and no word from Universal yet.

August 2, 2009 at 6:00 AM · I think the Disney Company has lost it's mind.

My husband and I found it was cheaper to fly to NYC then drive to Orlando and to stay at Disney. We live 3 hours away had visited twice this year for our birthdays.

It's really sad how out of touch Disney has become.

August 2, 2009 at 8:22 PM · What has Disney become that it wasn't already? Was it ever a bargain? Have I ever heard, this ever - "yeah, we're going to go cheap this year and go Disney". No. Do they always raise prices in August? yes. Should they have this year? Maybe not.

If you don't like what they are offering, don't go. I always says that about my lowly Cincinnati Bengals. And yet, people keep showing up filling the owner's pocket. There is not incentive to change.

I may not like the price hike, but in the end, I like WDW so I'll pony up the $4. In reality, I'll get a multi-day ticket, and it'll end up being $1-2/day.

August 3, 2009 at 5:13 AM · I take offense to Sylvian's comment regarding underpaying AP's. I have been an AP for several years and visit the parks many times per year, bringing out of town family and friends with me.

AP's keep the $ coming in all year round and during the slower part of the season KEEP YOUR BUTT EMPLOYED.

I am sure there are tight walleted AP's just like there are tight walleted tourists. Treat people well and you will be treated well.

Give US a break!

August 3, 2009 at 5:27 AM · Annual passes (AP) are relatively cheap for those living in Florida, but for those of us who don't live near the park, it's expensive. I go every two years for a week. Why not raise the price of the AP, or limit their use to off peak times only.

The economy isn't good. Maybe the attendance will go down as a result of the higher prices, but I don't think Disney will recognize the connection. They will blame the economy on the loss of attendance.

Yes, they have to make a choice. It's their attempt to maximize their income. I may skip an extra year this time to maximize my savings.

August 3, 2009 at 7:08 AM · We live on the East coast about 50 minutes away from WDW - ever since the Mouse House opened in 1971, we've been going over 6-12 times/yr - not anymore w/parking around $10(!) and daily prices up over $75. We bought AP's for a couple of years back in early-90's, now they're also way expensive - if the AP holder's could get "member's" prices on food and drinks, etc, it would be soooo much more attractive. Pretty much all of our neighbors and everyone we know who lives around here feel the same way - seems like Disney has rally lost touch with reality. Whenever our family comes to visit, we send them over to WDW on their own but we don't go w/them because it has gotten so expensive. As long-time park-goers who live really close-by, it's hard to reconcile how out of touch Disney has become - they have evidently been reading their own press clippings - wake up and realize what you're missing from those who built WDW, and have always supported WDW from day one.

August 3, 2009 at 8:56 AM · I think that most families will not like the price hike but We will continue to go to Walt Disney World. We buy a multi-day pass with no expiration so the price is cheaper!

August 3, 2009 at 10:26 AM · WWMD? (What would Mickey do?)

August 3, 2009 at 10:40 AM · It makes sense that a company would want to make a profit, but like people have said, the economy is in the crapper and it doesn't make sense to INCREASE prices when people are already questioning whether this is an affordable WEEKEND trip (nevermind a multi-day; multi-pass trip).

Universal and Busch are offering two day two park passes for $100. Disney is offering one day for $80. It doesn't take a genius to tell where I'll be taking MY next vacation.

August 3, 2009 at 11:08 AM · The price hikes are intended not to be noticed. By people who visit the parks a couple times a year, yes they will notice. But, to the average visitor, which are tourists, they will never realize this even happened. When someone asks how much a pass is, it is $40. not $39.95 or $44.96. While it may outrage people who visit frequently, to others it is just a glancing thought. That being said, people will say, "it's how much, it was like half of that 5-10 years ago." That is when Disney will really have to worry.

August 3, 2009 at 11:19 AM · On money questions at Disney, it is more... WWSMcDD? (What would Scrooge McDuck do?)

August 3, 2009 at 5:19 PM · I cant believe a whole year at Universal Studios cost less than a one day at Disneyland>> :[

August 4, 2009 at 7:21 AM · As stated previously, they've done this every August for the past several years.

That's why I booked my tickets in July for my August trip.

They're a corporation. It's what they do.

August 4, 2009 at 1:05 PM · Oh snap - but that does not stop me from going to Disney at least once each year!!!

August 4, 2009 at 3:48 PM · Wow...this is just ridiculous...

I've been hearing about this for the last couple of days in the local news (I live in the SoCal area...so theme parks are the only way to go when you can't afford to go out of the country for the summer!)

Prior to my February visit to the park (Which was really on a whim, mainly because of the "Free On Your Birthday" special") I had not bothered to visit the park since my high school senior class trip in 07...and back then a one-day pass cost you around $66 bucks.

Hells, my father still remembers when a day pass would cost you just $18 bucks, and that was back in 1986!

Honestly, taking into consideration what Walt Disney's original intentions were when opening the park (Which were mainly to provide an affordable place for children and their parents to have a fun day together) this is just a sad turn of events nearly 50 plus years later.

Poor Walt must be spinning in his grave...

Oh well, in lieu of this little price hike...I know for SURE where I'm taking my cash for the rest of the summer...

Six Flags Magic Mountain...here I come!!!

August 5, 2009 at 9:28 AM · I Live in San Diego & have Been a PREMIUM Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder
for about 5 years now. Last year our on-line renewall price was $369.00, now I see on the price boards that they are asking $ 429.00.First of all Locals make up about 63% of Disneylands attendance- Unlike Disney World which makes up about 30% attendance. There are FOUR parks in Orlando where the new price mark up is $489.00 for admission to all four parks -that includes complimentary parking(that's the price if you are a first time Regular annual pass holder) If you are Re-newing they Give you 15 months for the price of 12!
What do the Faithful Locals get from our Tiny Little Park & a Crappy Construction site called California Mis- Adventure. A $60.00 a year increase with no new rides REALLY coming for at least a year to THREE years from now.
Anyone that has been to Disney's California Adventure Knows that Disney Can't get anyone "in the know" that they will never get Anyone to pay $73.00 to get into that park, except by a 2Fer, Summer Special So-Cal or Annual Passport.

Now I'm not a Racist but there are a large amount of Large Hispanic famalies that are obviously help filling the parks by the way of the annual passport, This is definitly going to lower their numbers as well as the rest of the regional locals.
Now my Pass doesen't expire until February....it will be interesting to see how many AP drop offs there will be as well as to how much more Disneyland Resort will be adding to California's growing unemployment with All the excess of un-needed castmembers. Looks like everyone loses out in this Greed Grab- unless Disneyland accepts Govenor Schwartzanegger's California State I.O.U. Vouchers.

August 5, 2009 at 10:26 AM · I believe that Disney does want to reduce the number of APs at Disneyland, and will continue to raise prices until that happens. With fewer APs, there's shorter lines and a better experience for more lucrative tourists.

BTW, what does the race or ethnicity of passholders have to do with anything? There's no "family pass" that allows for unlimited admissions.

More BTW, people who say "I'm not a racist, but" usually are.