Disney Is the Happiest Place on Earth, if You Can Afford It

[DCLMP]

The cost of a Disneyland ticket in 1970's was 3.50 adjusted for inflation that's around 30 dollars. I think it's safe to say that if ticket prices were 30 dollars today a middle class family could easily afford a day a Disney. Yes people didn't fly in 70's like they do now. Yes there were a couple of years with some gas shortages, but gas prices in the 70's adjusted for inflation are the same as we are paying now. A one day ticket in 1990 was 31 dollars adjusted for inflation that's about 65 dollars. At 65 dollars I think many middle class families could afford it. Ticket cost now with dynamic pricing 104-200 dollars.

Disneyland is still primarily a locals park and was even more so in the 70's. WDW was just a baby not born until 71. I'm not sure when WDW became a national and international vacation destination, but I'm guessing that happened more in the 80's.

 

[disneyseniors]

No, they don’t build them anymore. But there are plenty already in inventory. We still live in the starter house we bought 41 years ago. We wanted to be able to take vacations, pay for our kids college & pay our bills if either of us ever lost our jobs.

We retired to a "starter" home since it's just the two of us. It is only 2 bedrooms and bath and a half, but it is enough for us. We have a large yard to take care of but we love the outdoors so it's no problem to mow the lawn and keep it looking good When we sell it will probably go to a new family or newlyweds. That's who we bought it from- a young couple with one child who wanted another. A 2 bedroom wouldn't do for them so we got lucky

 

[Minnie1222]

The cost of a Disneyland ticket in 1970's was 3.50 adjusted for inflation that's around 30 dollars. I think it's safe to say that if ticket prices were 30 dollars today a middle class family could easily afford a day a Disney.

The $3.50 ticket in 1970 was only for entering the park. If you wanted to visit most of the attractions, you had to buy the $5.95 Jumbo 15-ticket book.

$3.50 + $5.95 = $9.45
$9.45 in 1970 is about $80.00 today.

Let's try to recount what Disneyland was like in 1970. Would an average person pay $80.00 today to ride exactly what was offered back then?

 

[focusondisney]

At 65 dollars I think many middle class families could afford it.

At $65, the parks would reach capacity every single day. Tickets would sell out months in advance. Every single ride would have long waits, so you wouldn’t get on many rides. And forget them adding new rides.

I'm not sure when WDW became a national and international vacation destination, but I'm guessing that happened more in the 80's.

I’d say it started in the late 90s. Travel pulled back after 9/11, then there was the financial crisis in 2008-9. Since that recovery, crowds have been booming.

 

[DCLMP]

At $65, the parks would reach capacity every single day. Tickets would sell out months in advance. Every single ride would have long waits, so you wouldn’t get on many rides. And forget them adding new rides.



I’d say it started in the late 90s. Travel pulled back after 9/11, then there was the financial crisis in 2008-9. Since that recovery, crowds have been booming.

True, but people were trying to argue that middle class couldn't afford a trip to Disney in the 70's. Sorry to all the share holders, but the same thing is going to happen during the next financial crisis.

 

[Cfabar1]

True, but people were trying to argue that middle class couldn't afford a trip to Disney in the 70's. Sorry to all the share holders, but the same thing is going to happen during the next financial crisis.

and Disney will pivot/sweeten the pot.

They already are starting to...

 

[RivShore]

Just a data point on the current travel economy - CEO of United was on CNBC this morning saying that bookings look very strong for fall/winter. Said they hit a lull Apr-Jun, then things really picked up and that the economy looks strong from their viewpoint.

As for ticket pricing, the $65 quoted as affordable for the middle class is really not that far off from the low end of the dynamic pricing, where hotels are at the lowest cost also. Cut a day off your trip and that should be affordable, no? Not to mention that it is an apples and oranges comparison - WDW offers vastly more today than that $65 ticket got you 30 to 40 years ago. Should the public not expect to pay more when your getting more?

 

[DCLMP]

and Disney will pivot/sweeten the pot.

They already are starting to...

Considering the price hikes of the last three years they are going to need a lot of honey.

 

[DCLMP]

Just a data point on the current travel economy - CEO of United was on CNBC this morning saying that bookings look very strong for fall/winter. Said they hit a lull Apr-Jun, then things really picked up and that the economy looks strong from their viewpoint.

As for ticket pricing, the $65 quoted as affordable for the middle class is really not that far off from the low end of the dynamic pricing, where hotels are at the lowest cost also. Cut a day off your trip and that should be affordable, no? Not to mention that it is an apples and oranges comparison - WDW offers vastly more today than that $65 ticket got you 30 to 40 years ago. Should the public not expect to pay more when your getting more?

What you expect a CEO to say on a financial show. "Bookings are weak sell the stock"?

 

[RivShore]

What you expect a CEO to say on a financial show. "Bookings are weak sell the stock"?

Actually he could easily open himself up to a SEC/shareholder suits if he misrepresents forecasts like that. And earlier in the year, they did say things were slowing down in the April time frame, so they are a somewhat trustworthy leading indicator to future travel forecasts.

 

[DCLMP]

Actually he could easily open himself up to a SEC/shareholder suits if he misrepresents forecasts like that. And earlier in the year, they did say things were slowing down in the April time frame, so they are a somewhat trustworthy leading indicator to future travel forecasts.

Buy some shares then.

 

[RivShore]

A one day ticket in 1990 was 31 dollars adjusted for inflation that's about 65 dollars. At 65 dollars I think many middle class families could afford it. Ticket cost now with dynamic pricing 104-200 dollars.

If things have been static for the last 35 years, I could see your point but WDW offers much more than it did 35 years ago. You now get a 4th park, dozens of more rides at the 3 older parks, and a handful of new lands, along with new transportation options (skyliner). Now Disney (or more accurately, the paying customers), have assigned a value to all those new things, somewhere around 60% above 1990 inflation. When MK alone has 50% more rides than back then, it does not seem that far off, does it?

 

[DCLMP]

If things have been static for the last 35 years, I could see your point but WDW offers much more than it did 35 years ago. You now get a 4th park, dozens of more rides at the 3 older parks, and a handful of new lands, along with new transportation options (skyliner). Now Disney (or more accurately, the paying customers), have assigned a value to all those new things, somewhere around 60% above 1990 inflation. When MK alone has 50% more rides than back then, it does not seem that far off, does it?

Not sure the inflation over the three years is product of peoples perceived value.

 

[Minnie1222]

Not sure the inflation over the three years is product of peoples perceived value.

The parks are still packed despite the inflation, this is proof that many people still see the value.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

The parks are still packed despite the inflation, this is proof that many people still see the value.

I think "packed" is an exaggeration. They're not post 9/11 empty but they are not packed.

 

[DCLMP]

The parks are still packed despite the inflation, this is proof that many people still see the value.

You must be a share holder.

 

[DCLMP]

I think "packed" is an exaggeration. They're not post 9/11 empty but they are not packed.

I was there last Summer and it far from packed.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I was there last Summer and it far from packed.

Me too. We were shocked at how sparse the crowds were in all 3 parks that we visited. We didn't go to AK.

 

[DCLMP]

Me too. We were shocked at how sparse the crowds were in all 3 parks that we visited. We didn't go to AK.

I remember them having some good deals on 4 day tickets last summer. I just got a pin for 2 day park hoppers with LL for 259.00. at DL. These rates were just posted for Florida residents. Hopefully the deals will increase for those that want to go.

Last Summer there were so many ride breakdowns at one point in MK 7 rides were down at one time. I'm not a fan of the LL paid system. It seems to have always worked well at DL, but I didn't find it that great at WDW. It will take a lot to get me back. I never say never, but I'm in no rush. The prices below are still more than I would pay for a deluxe, but it's a start.

This offer is valid for stays most nights from November 16 to November 29, 2025; and December 12 to December 25, 2025.

• $129 Per Night, Plus Tax for Standard Rooms at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• $199 Per Night, Plus Tax for Preferred Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• $299 Per Night, Plus Tax for The Lion King Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• $319 Per Night, Plus Tax for Deluxe Studios at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• $429 Per Night, Plus Tax for Savanna View Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• $449 Per Night, Plus Tax for Resort View Rooms at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

 

[Minnie1222]

I was there last Summer and it far from packed.

Me too. We were shocked at how sparse the crowds were in all 3 parks that we visited. We didn't go to AK.

You both went during the slowest season. There's a reason why summer is the cheapest time to go. This has been discussed to death in many threads. Wait until next June and you'll see many more dead parks low crowds threads from folks who have an axe to grind.