Ticket price increase coming at Walt Disney World!

[MommaBerd]

OK, this is kinda crazy math. We stocked up on 2 -10 day NE+ tickets and 4 - AP vouchers between 2011 and 2013 in anticipation of retirement and as a hedge against future price increases. We've since used 4 of our NE+ park days and have all WP+ and AP's remaining. Original cost of remaining tickets is $2,850. Based on current ticket prices and our vacation style, the current cost of these tickets would be $5,768, a staggering $2,928 or 102% increase over a 5 year period. Sure wish I had bought some more NE tickets!!

Our AP Year plans in 2019-2020 currently have 35 park days planned, which will equate to $12.76 per day/person.

CRAZY! I did buy 6 of the 4+3 PH tickets from UT yesterday for future use. Unfortunately, those will get used up in just one trip for our family. I really wanted to buy more but I think DH would have put his foot down. It is a big chunk of change to lay out at once. However, if I did the math right, I saved a minimum of $100 per ticket off the new, current prices. Who knows what the savings will be when we actually take our next trip...

 

[TwoMisfits]

I'm no fan of price increases but tickets are what they are. Disney is still an ok deal compared to other theme parks. Universal is the obvious comparison but even smaller regional parks are getting out of hand. We went to Kings Island in Cincinnati last summer and paid about $150/day (for two days) when you add on their express pass option - an add on which at about $80 is more than the base ticket price.

Hotel rates are much more likely to push me over that tipping point where we go somewhere else.

Not everywhere...I was looking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA for this summer...$80/person for unlimited summer visits to BOTH...PLUS a free pass for ages 3-5! It's the deal of the century vs Florida...you could add in every colonial attraction (Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg/museums) for 7 days for $91/adult, $45/kid (and again, usually 5 and under don't pay)...and come out under a 2 day park pass just to Disney...

This area also has access to nice hotels, timeshares, beaches (in VA Beach), food, etc...There's no reason, other than inertia of people ALWAYS choosing Florida, that Disney needs to be this far out of whack on prices...it's just time for middle class families to start to look elsewhere...while BG might not be quite as nice as Disney/Universal (and it's not), it IS 80-90% cheaper...and value (cost to benefit) is what we should measure...

 

[TwoMisfits]

Along those lines, we decided previously to skip Disney this year as we are doing a cruise in 2018 - and instead looked into doing Bush Gardens in Virginia ... they had a special going on where if you buy a day ticket you get the season pass for the same price and if you do it online you get the water park included and kids 5 and under are free. So our family of 5 got season passes to the park and the waterpark for $240 total - so there are alternatives out there (though, like you said, not the same)

Same info from me - oops! We must have both been looking for crazy awesome deals!

 

[ChipnDale79]

This is a nice graph from parentsof4 on wdwmagic.

View attachment 219974

Wonder why attendance is down.......

 

[jlundeen]

Hey, gotta pay for Shanghai somehow...

 

[SJMajor67]

Wonder why attendance is down.......

.......and will continue to go down.

 

[Beer Me]

Not everywhere...I was looking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA for this summer...$80/person for unlimited summer visits to BOTH...PLUS a free pass for ages 3-5! It's the deal of the century vs Florida...you could add in every colonial attraction (Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg/museums) for 7 days for $91/adult, $45/kid (and again, usually 5 and under don't pay)...and come out under a 2 day park pass just to Disney...

This area also has access to nice hotels, timeshares, beaches (in VA Beach), food, etc...There's no reason, other than inertia of people ALWAYS choosing Florida, that Disney needs to be this far out of whack on prices...it's just time for middle class families to start to look elsewhere...while BG might not be quite as nice as Disney/Universal (and it's not), it IS 80-90% cheaper...and value (cost to benefit) is what we should measure...

No doubt there are many places to vacation which are a lot less expensive than Disney. We only do Disney every 3 or 4 years. That being said I wouldn't compare it to any other theme park. I think of it as a premium resort vacation. We stay on site for a week and never leave the property and never run out of stuff to do. The overall cost is comparable to a Caribbean resort which I think is a fair comparison.

I'm not trying to come off as a Disney apologist. They seem to determine the maximum amount people are willing to pay and then tack on another 20% just to make it hurt a little. It can be frustrating. Still they offer an experience so unique that it still seems worth it to me.

 

[tlmadden73]

The two day vs 3 day change is really odd as now, per that site a 2-day adult ticket is $211.94 and a 3-day is $329.09 ... meaning that third day costs you $117.15

But during regular or value season a 1-day ticket to any of the parks is less than that ... so you'd be better off getting the 2 day and a single day separate vs getting a 3-day

That is odd.

So basically now there is zero savings for going 3 days? That is an incredible price increase.

They seem to be trying to push 4 day tickets .. knowing that is probably the most popular and SOON will be the most high-demand ticket (once ALL the lands open up).

 

[dlavender]

For all those that questioned how a few bucks could make a trip unaffordable, this is your answer. Sure, $5 on 4 tickets might not make you unable to afford the trip, but $20-$60 per ticket certainly could.

On our proposed upcoming trip, we are seeing a 15% increase on tickets. For a family of 5, it is certainly substantial. A $400 increase. That's insane. No way around it. I'm really shocked at the amount of increase. I was expecting 5%. I guess they know what their captive audience is willing to accept. I know if we do decide to still go, it will be a day less than planned. No way am I paying $400 more. (I know, I know, there is a line of people waiting to take my spot)

 

[ThistleMae]

Try checking the prices at that new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium over at Universal. I was over there last night, and was absolutely astounded, and I'm used to theme park pricing. My milkshake was $12 (ok you get to keep the plastic mason jar but still), a mason jar full of cotton candy was $12.95, boxes of chocolates were $31.95 for 12 pieces and $49.95 for 24 pieces (regular Whitman's size pieces, although you get to choose the pieces out of a display case). Loose candy I believe was about $15 a pound. Some of this is getting a bit absurd, to the point where you just have to say no I'm not paying $50 for a box of chocolates.

Yeah, was there this past fall, we looked around and left. Couldn't get in for dinner either. It is a cool place though.

 

[ThistleMae]

On our proposed upcoming trip, we are seeing a 15% increase on tickets. For a family of 5, it is certainly substantial. A $400 increase. That's insane. No way around it. I'm really shocked at the amount of increase. I was expecting 5%. I guess they know what their captive audience is willing to accept. I know if we do decide to still go, it will be a day less than planned. No way am I paying $400 more. (I know, I know, there is a line of people waiting to take my spot)

I agree, for families it adds up substantially. I think some people will cut back on number of days, it could be the only way they can still afford to go.

 

[ThistleMae]

Will be curious to see how much Disney comes groveling back to us when the eventual recession hits.

I don't know, somehow I think folks always figure out a way to go on vacation. It reduces insanity. I don't think Disney will feel any pain, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

 

[rteetz]

Hey, gotta pay for Shanghai somehow...

It's easy to blame shanghai but it's not just that. All imagineering budgets go over. Avatar is way over. I'd be surprised if Star Wars stays on budget. Shanghai is actually doing well bringing in guests.

 

[TwoMisfits]

On our proposed upcoming trip, we are seeing a 15% increase on tickets. For a family of 5, it is certainly substantial. A $400 increase. That's insane. No way around it. I'm really shocked at the amount of increase. I was expecting 5%. I guess they know what their captive audience is willing to accept. I know if we do decide to still go, it will be a day less than planned. No way am I paying $400 more. (I know, I know, there is a line of people waiting to take my spot)

Just the increase would buy you season passes for another vacation spot listed in this thread...and that's where insanity for families on prices kicks in...

 

[tlmadden73]

No doubt there are many places to vacation which are a lot less expensive than Disney. We only do Disney every 3 or 4 years. That being said I wouldn't compare it to any other theme park. I think of it as a premium resort vacation. We stay on site for a week and never leave the property and never run out of stuff to do. The overall cost is comparable to a Caribbean resort which I think is a fair comparison.

I'm not trying to come off as a Disney apologist. They seem to determine the maximum amount people are willing to pay and then tack on another 20% just to make it hurt a little. It can be frustrating. Still they offer an experience so unique that it still seems worth it to me.

These prices will drive people to alternatives (like they should in a free market).

I am going in a large group in March and most of the group is only doing 2 days at Disney (some people are only doing one) and spending the money at the other local parks. Why am i only going for two days? I still have 6 days left on non-expiration hopper tickets ($75/day is what it costs me).

My family, for example, is hitting Legoland. Due to various promotions, my son gets in free and my wife will get 30% off her ticket price. For $180 we will have 3 tickets there. Granted it is a "kid" park, but I am sure my son may like it (he is in the Lego phase) more than Hollywood Studios or Epcot (the two parks we are hitting) .. I guarantee he will ride more rides and see more attractions then both of those half-closed Disney parks combined for a fraction of the cost.

One of the families ARE going to Disney 4 days, but the only reason is because of that great deal they are offering - 4 days - 4 parks. $279 .. $70/day. They couldn't pass that up. And when you compare that deal to the NEW 4-day prices $394.05? WOW. Just wow.

I just only think that they are offering such high prices now SO they can discount tickets deeply as a draw. They could offer the 4 day - 4 parks pass next year for over $320 ($40 more than this current deal) and people will jump on it since it is so much lower than the $394 new price tag.

 

[ThistleMae]

I think it depends where you go. Two theme parks in New Hampshire which are very nice, clean, offer free parking and basically have many of the same rides as WDW etc... are far, far cheaper. We can attend both parks for $250 total, and at both of them, if we arrive within the last 3 hours of the day, we get to return the next day for free. So 1.5 days at each park (3 days total) for $250. Compare that to the $1212 it would cost us for 3 days at Disney.

Now, no, they're not the same immersive experience as Disney - as you're missing the shows, parades/fireworks, the characters etc... But, ride for ride? Every bit as good for young kids, and better when you consider that on a busy day in summer, a "long" wait might be 20 minutes as opposed to hours, and it's still typically only 5 minutes. One of the parks even has a very decent water park within itself, so you can get a 2-for-1.

What theme parks are you referring to? I live in NH, and I'm not sure what you are calling theme parks. Just curious.

 

[ThistleMae]

Along those lines, we decided previously to skip Disney this year as we are doing a cruise in 2018 - and instead looked into doing Bush Gardens in Virginia ... they had a special going on where if you buy a day ticket you get the season pass for the same price and if you do it online you get the water park included and kids 5 and under are free. So our family of 5 got season passes to the park and the waterpark for $240 total - so there are alternatives out there (though, like you said, not the same)

I'm sure this could be trending. It is pricey to go to Disney...but truly there is nothing like it anywhere!

 

[TwoMisfits]

These prices will drive people to alternatives (like they should in a free market).

I am going in a large group in March and most of the group is only doing 2 days at Disney (some people are only doing one) and spending the money at the other local parks.

My family, for example, is hitting Legoland. Due to various promotions, my son gets in free and my wife will get 30% off her ticket price. For $180 we will have 3 tickets there. Granted it is a "kid" park, but I am sure my son may like it (he is in the Lego phase) more than Hollywood Studios or Epcot (the two parks we are hitting) .. I guarantee he will ride more rides and see more attractions then both of those half-closed Disney parks combined for a fraction of the cost.

One of the families ARE going to Disney 4 days, but the only reason is because of that great deal they are offering - 4 days - 4 parks. $279 .. $70/day. They couldn't pass that up. And when you compare that deal to the NEW 4-day prices $394.05? WOW. Just wow.

I just only think that they are offering such high prices now SO they can discount tickets deeply as a draw. They could offer the 4 day - 4 parks pass next year for over $320 ($40 more than this current deal) and people will jump on it since it is so much lower than the $394 new price tag.

You can go even cheaper to Legoland - there's a thread on the other Orlando Attractions board about Florida PTA tickets - they just require you to buy 2 days in advance and to show up the day you say you will (no need to live in Florida or be PTA - see thread)...I believe their current price is $35/day...so more of your family members might want to join you (they used to be $30/day, but they have increased)...

Edit to add link - see latest pages - http://www.disboards.com/threads/30-legoland-tickets-is-this-for-real.3419462/

And link to tickets - https://legolandfloridatickets.legoland.com/LLF/Content.aspx?Kind=LandingPage

 

[mshanson3121]

What theme parks are you referring to? I live in NH, and I'm not sure what you are calling theme parks. Just curious.

Santa's Village and Storyland

 

[jlundeen]

It's easy to blame shanghai but it's not just that. All imagineering budgets go over. Avatar is way over. I'd be surprised if Star Wars stays on budget. Shanghai is actually doing well bringing in guests.

I was kidding....I'm happy they are doing updates and upgrades...I don't know if I can even bear to think about NOT going to Disney...somehow, I'd find a way to squirrel away money for a trip.