Look, DLR is expensive entertainment. But it is a deal compared to other entertainment options as other have mentioned.
I will add...
Ski pass in Colorado - one day is about $100 for 7 hours of opening time.
Broncos game football tickets - usually at least $200 to get nose bleed seats and $300 for a decent seat - game lasts 3 hours
Broadway show tickets for top shows like Wicked, Jersey Boys, Lion King, usually $200-300 for a decent seat, for a 2-3 hour show
One can continue but premium entertainment like Disney offers costs a lot of money. On a per hour basis it is really a deal compared to other options. But that does not make it cheap.
Finally, what some more "cost effective" parks found out (like Magic Mountain in SoCal) is that if they lower the price too far they can end up with some undesirable guests like gang members which led to guest violence. The higher prices tend to minimize this.