NY Times Today: Is a Disney Theme Park Vacation Still Worth the Price?

[Jrb1979]

My friend was telling me about how her parents wanted to take her younger siblings on a Disney trip as they had not been since the youngest sibling was an infant but they decided to do a trip to Cancun at an all inclusive resort instead. Price was a factor in that decision but the bigger issue was value for money. They had not been since Fastpass+ and Magical Express and now both were gone and replaced with paid options. It rubbed them the wrong way so they did the Cancun trip instead and the kids loved it.

As for me, I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to Turkey and Greece next year and even with increased prices in Turkey due to inflation/the lira tanking, it's going to come out to be cheaper than a trip to Disney. That same friend whose parents went to Cancun is coming with me and while she loves Disney, she would 10000% rather spend the money to go abroad than to Florida.

Your post brings me to 2 thoughts on theme parks in general.

One is the mindset of "if we can't afford Disney to do something completely different thats not theme park related"

The other is the how people view parks in general. It feels like they are looked down on by a lot of people. Compare that to Europe and the theme parks are the thing to do and many make vacations out of them.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Your post brings me to 2 thoughts on theme parks in general.

One is the mindset of "if we can't afford Disney to do something completely different thats not theme park related"

The other is the how people view parks in general. It feels like they are looked down on by a lot of people. Compare that to Europe and the theme parks are the thing to do and many make vacations out of them.

My friend's parents could theoretically afford the Disney trip but they didn't see the value in it in comparison to another type of vacation. I feel like a lot of people have that opinion. They don't see the value so they'll take their vacation dollars elsewhere.

I've stated many times that I don't look down on non Disney parks (besides my local Six Flags - that place sucks) and would love to visit a few. Dollywood, Knott's, Efteling and Europa Park are all on my list.

 

[tjkraz]

Recent numbers suggest the demand is
going down. Or maybe it’s just the summer heat. Fall will tell the story, but hotel discounts hint at lower occupancy this year.

Demand has fluctuated for a variety of reasons since the day the parks opened.

Discounting isn't an acknowledgment that you've done something wrong. Raising prices during periods of peak demand is a sound business practice. If it means you're forced to discount when things slow down, so be it. That doesn't mean the original increases were wrong--you get when the getting is good.

During the most recent quarter (April - June 2024), theme park revenue was up 2% and profits were down 3%. That's a reflection of the discounting. Demand was actually steady in comparison to 2023. Disney just earned less because they introduced some discounts, making the business slightly less profitable.

Universal, Cedar Fair, Six Flags and pretty much the entire industry is reporting similar declines. It's probably not accurate to chalk this up to consumer dissatisfaction with disney policies. Reintroduce DME and maybe you attract a few more customers. But the costs associated with operating DME reduce profitability across the board.

My budget is getting hit by these same forces so I'm not blindly defending Disney's moves. But the BBA in me sees the reasons for it.

As for comparisons to other destinations, I recently paid $1200 per person for R/T flights to Europe in May '25. And a month later those same tickets were $1700. Other airlines were $1500-2000. Lodging is crazy expensive in large cities--$300 per night for a 200 sq ft chain hotel with a full size bed. Our family of 4 can survive reasonably well in a Disney Studio / deluxe hotel room for a few nights. Finding something comfortable in Europe is proving much more difficult. While I'm sure there are cheaper times to travel, it's not really accurate (IMO) to hold-up a European adventure as massively cheaper than Disney. But it's healthy to branch out away from repeat visits to Disney World.

 

[gmi3804]

Demand has fluctuated for a variety of reasons since the day the parks opened.

Discounting isn't an acknowledgment that you've done something wrong. Raising prices during periods of peak demand is a sound business practice. If it means you're forced to discount when things slow down, so be it. That doesn't mean the original increases were wrong--you get when the getting is good.

Demand has waned, for whatever reason. Price is the chief cause, I’d opine. I don’t think the exorbitant increases are wrong, per se. They’ve just set the rates really high, on both hotel rooms and goods and services. Even if they drop room rates, people are still on the hook for all the other costs of vacationing, or forced to be creative in finding less expensive alternatives for those things.

 

[reddog21]

Demand has fluctuated for a variety of reasons since the day the parks opened.

Discounting isn't an acknowledgment that you've done something wrong. Raising prices during periods of peak demand is a sound business practice. If it means you're forced to discount when things slow down, so be it. That doesn't mean the original increases were wrong--you get when the getting is good.

During the most recent quarter (April - June 2024), theme park revenue was up 2% and profits were down 3%. That's a reflection of the discounting. Demand was actually steady in comparison to 2023. Disney just earned less because they introduced some discounts, making the business slightly less profitable.

Universal, Cedar Fair, Six Flags and pretty much the entire industry is reporting similar declines. It's probably not accurate to chalk this up to consumer dissatisfaction with disney policies. Reintroduce DME and maybe you attract a few more customers. But the costs associated with operating DME reduce profitability across the board.

My budget is getting hit by these same forces so I'm not blindly defending Disney's moves. But the BBA in me sees the reasons for it.

As for comparisons to other destinations, I recently paid $1200 per person for R/T flights to Europe in May '25. And a month later those same tickets were $1700. Other airlines were $1500-2000. Lodging is crazy expensive in large cities--$300 per night for a 200 sq ft chain hotel with a full size bed. Our family of 4 can survive reasonably well in a Disney Studio / deluxe hotel room for a few nights. Finding something comfortable in Europe is proving much more difficult. While I'm sure there are cheaper times to travel, it's not really accurate (IMO) to hold-up a European adventure as massively cheaper than Disney. But it's healthy to branch out away from repeat visits to Disney World.

finally a reasonable response. Well done!!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Demand has waned, for whatever reason. Price is the chief cause, I’d opine. I don’t think the exorbitant increases are wrong, per se. They’ve just set the rates really high, on both hotel rooms and goods and services. Even if they drop room rates, people are still on the hook for all the other costs of vacationing, or forced to be creative in finding less expensive alternatives for those things.

Park attendance domestically for the current reported fiscal year is up 1% from last year. It hasn’t really waned as much as projected about on forums. Last quarter it was flat so no change year over year so demand basically remained the same.

 

[Kestryl]

It’s still cheaper for us to go to Disney that international travel, but in our case it’s flight prices. We’ve been to France, Greece, Japan, and Kenya in the past few years. $1300-1800 per person per flight. Meanwhile, I can drive to Disney in 10-12 hours- so a few hundred dollars total.

So those places may be cheaper than Disney once there, but that actual travel barrier is a real factor.

Besides, every trip was completely different, and what may be fantastic for one person won’t work for anything. I’m not going on safari in France or visiting Shinto shrines in Kenya. It’s not like I’m buying name brand vs. store brand cereal or something.

 

[Jrb1979]

It’s still cheaper for us to go to Disney that international travel, but in our case it’s flight prices. We’ve been to France, Greece, Japan, and Kenya in the past few years. $1300-1800 per person per flight. Meanwhile, I can drive to Disney in 10-12 hours- so a few hundred dollars total.

So those places may be cheaper than Disney once there, but that actual travel barrier is a real factor.

Besides, every trip was completely different, and what may be fantastic for one person won’t work for anything. I’m not going on safari in France or visiting Shinto shrines in Kenya. It’s not like I’m buying name brand vs. store brand cereal or something.

Your response goes back to my question from earlier. Why are comparing a European trip with a Disney trip?

To me a better comparison is a trip to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. I realize many are looking at cost but IMO a European vacation is not anywhere the same as a Disney vacation.

 

[irlandaise]

Your response goes back to my question from earlier. Why are comparing a European trip with a Disney trip?

To me a better comparison is a trip to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. I realize many are looking at cost but IMO a European vacation is not anywhere the same as a Disney vacation.

Why would someone compare pricing for Dollywood or Pigeon Forge just because those are theme parks (sort of) like Disney World? People don't limit themselves to "Which theme park do I want to go to?" It's "Where do I want to go?" If the places that interest them are WDW, Kenya, and Japan, then any price comparison to Dollywood is irrelevant.

 

[Jrb1979]

Why would someone compare pricing for Dollywood or Pigeon Forge just because those are theme parks (sort of) like Disney World? People don't limit themselves to "Which theme park do I want to go to?" It's "Where do I want to go?" If the places that interest them are WDW, Kenya, and Japan, then any price comparison to Dollywood is irrelevant.

I view it as if you aren't going to go to Disney why not replace it with another theme park trip

Then I got to thinking after reading your response and I have come to the conclusion that for some reason many Disney guests only like Disney parks. They have no interest in parks like Dollywood

 

[BrianL]

I'll just say to those who say that 2 weeks in Italy costs less than going to Italy at Epcot (WDW) - that may be true, but what am I gonna do there? Sure, I could go to Europe for a similar price, but they don't have all of the things that I go to Disney for - the mountains in space, the cruises through the jungle, the terrifying towers. I spend my money on how I want to have fun.

That said, I do want to go to Eurpoe - Particularly France - Particularly Paris - Particularly Marne-la-Vallée. I hear that have some pretty fun stuff there!

 

[Moliphino]

Interesting line of thought but it falters in the quoted area because Magical Express ended before Covid and Minnie Van was unveiled a year or two before the pandemic as well.

Magical Express didn't end before covid, it was January 2022.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Magical Express didn't end before covid, it was January 2022.

I stand corrected. Can’t imagine how I got that wrong but guess we’d become more dependent on Amtrak at the time and DME didn’t do pickups at the stations. I sure miss it now

 

[Disney Bobby]

 

[LAS2AMS]

Demand has fluctuated for a variety of reasons since the day the parks opened.

Discounting isn't an acknowledgment that you've done something wrong. Raising prices during periods of peak demand is a sound business practice. If it means you're forced to discount when things slow down, so be it. That doesn't mean the original increases were wrong--you get when the getting is good.

During the most recent quarter (April - June 2024), theme park revenue was up 2% and profits were down 3%. That's a reflection of the discounting. Demand was actually steady in comparison to 2023. Disney just earned less because they introduced some discounts, making the business slightly less profitable.

Universal, Cedar Fair, Six Flags and pretty much the entire industry is reporting similar declines. It's probably not accurate to chalk this up to consumer dissatisfaction with disney policies. Reintroduce DME and maybe you attract a few more customers. But the costs associated with operating DME reduce profitability across the board.

My budget is getting hit by these same forces so I'm not blindly defending Disney's moves. But the BBA in me sees the reasons for it.

As for comparisons to other destinations, I recently paid $1200 per person for R/T flights to Europe in May '25. And a month later those same tickets were $1700. Other airlines were $1500-2000. Lodging is crazy expensive in large cities--$300 per night for a 200 sq ft chain hotel with a full size bed. Our family of 4 can survive reasonably well in a Disney Studio / deluxe hotel room for a few nights. Finding something comfortable in Europe is proving much more difficult. While I'm sure there are cheaper times to travel, it's not really accurate (IMO) to hold-up a European adventure as massively cheaper than Disney. But it's healthy to branch out away from repeat visits to Disney World.

Yes but those numbers are through June and WDW admittedly had a strong spring. The travel industry as a whole has been projecting a very weak fall - although they’re expecting things to rebound for the Holidays. Disney needed a huge summer stretch and it doesn’t look like they got it. Nationally, schools are starting earlier than ever and that’s reflected in the deep hotel discounts we’re seeing the rest of this month.

 

[tjkraz]

Yes but those numbers are through June and WDW admittedly had a strong spring. The travel industry as a whole has been projecting a very weak fall - although they’re expecting things to rebound for the Holidays. Disney needed a huge summer stretch and it doesn’t look like they got it. Nationally, schools are starting earlier than ever and that’s reflected in the deep hotel discounts we’re seeing the rest of this month.

I don't know what the basis is for saying they "needed a huge summer". Disney will continue on, and is poised to make massive investment in its domestic parks.

The premise of this thread--at least, the comments I was responding to--is that Disney's theme park business is suffering because of changes like paid Lightning Lane and removal of DME. Discounting and reduced profitability are being held up as proof that Disney is failing. In reality, the entire themed entertainment industry is in a lull right now. Universal saw far greater drops with park revenue down by more than 10% while Disney's revenue actually increased.

These things are cyclical to some degree. Interest rates will go down eventually. The economy will have its ups and downs. The hype of Epic Universe and Disney's newly-announced plans for WDW and DL over the next 3-4 years will prompt many to return their attention to theme parks. There's nothing wrong with a strategy of getting aggressive with pricing when demand is high and discounting when business slows.

 

[Kestryl]

Your response goes back to my question from earlier. Why are comparing a European trip with a Disney trip?

To me a better comparison is a trip to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. I realize many are looking at cost but IMO a European vacation is not anywhere the same as a Disney vacation.

Right, which is why I said every trip is completely different!

Funny enough, I live near Dollywood (at least close enough so that it could be a day trip). I think Dollywood and Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are way overhyped and people underestimate how much it actual costs to stay and play there. I really think that people think it’s cheaper because they opt to drive in. Even if you fly in, you’re going to need a car or will be paying hefty transfer fees. (The closest airport is about an hour and a half away, and there’s nothing like a Mears shuttle so you’re banking on taxi or Uber service.)

 

[bmtta2003]

WDW added thousands of hotel rooms over the past decade, but no new parks. Every park is jammed every day and the price of admission doesn't even get you on the most popular attractions, that's an extra charge!
Fortunately, my family trips took place in the 90's when WDW was a magical place. I am a DVC member and have visited so often that I don't need to do a park everyday and I still enjoy the restaurants. I feel bad for my grandchildren who will never get to experience the true joy that a Disney vacation used to bring.

 

[tjkraz]

WDW added thousands of hotel rooms over the past decade, but no new parks.

That's not actually true. The only WDW lodging additions in the last decade have been:

- 100 DVC villas at Grand Floridian
- 20 over water bungalows at Polynesian
- 350 rooms at Rivera Resort, which was accomplished by demolishing about 500 rooms at Caribbean Beach
- 26 freestanding cabins at Wilderness Lodge
- About 500 rooms at Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower

So it's a net add of about 500 rooms. Any other lodging changes were existing rooms that were renovated or repurposed.

Besides, hotel rooms don't draw larger crowds to the theme parks. They simply give guests more places to stay.

Every park is jammed every day and the price of admission doesn't even get you on the most popular attractions, that's an extra charge!

Others in this thread are claiming that crowds are down and Disney needs discounts just to fill rooms.

And your comment about the price of admission not including all attractions is blatantly wrong. There are exactly 3 attractions across all 3 parks which use a Virtual Queue to avoid long standby waits: Guardians of the Galaxy, Tron and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. And Tiana recently started using standby.

The virtual queue is free. And every other attraction has a (free) standby line.

Fortunately, my family trips took place in the 90's when WDW was a magical place. I am a DVC member and have visited so often that I don't need to do a park everyday and I still enjoy the restaurants. I feel bad for my grandchildren who will never get to experience the true joy that a Disney vacation used to bring.

Their joy doesn't have to equal your joy. Just because it's different doesn't make it worse. And there are dozens of attractions for them to enjoy which weren't even options in the 90s.

 

[Minnie1222]

Fortunately, my family trips took place in the 90's when WDW was a magical place.

What was so special about WDW in the 90's? I was also there yet I don't feel the same. I think the park experience improves with each new decade.