When did DL get so expensive?

Karlzmom

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 16, 2007
Messages
2,619
We were AP holders in 2010, but didn't go in 2011 or 2012 and just looked at ticket prices....OMG! It's gotten insane in that 2years. I would love to pick up passes again, as WDW won't happen til 2014. Looks like Disney has finally hit my personal price breaker point.
 
The annual passes took a big hit this year. 30% increases for the premium passes. Regular ticket prices went up and they dropped the 6 day park hoppers. That all happened before June, and there are rumors that another increase is coming sooner rather than later.
 
The parks are bulging at the seams. They need to keep raising prices until fewer people start showing up.
 
MillauFr said:
The parks are bulging at the seams. They need to keep raising prices until fewer people start showing up.

So true! Prices keep going up but people keep on coming! As long as people are willing to pay, prices will likely keep climbing.
 

Don't forget that now all California residents can select the payment plan option of purchasing tickets, and then there's the deals got being a So Cal resident that keep people coming.
 
RangerPooh said:
Don't forget that now all California residents can select the payment plan option of purchasing tickets, and then there's the deals got being a So Cal resident that keep people coming.

The payment plan is only for AP's, not tickets. Also there are currently no SoCal resident tickets either. They have definitely cut back on that this year.
 
Disney is like any other business, there out to make a dollar and as many as they can. What catches me by surprise is the prices once you get through the magical gates, i have now excepted it i am addicted,its like eating, you have to have it LOL. I am not worried about me, but i am worried that there denieg the kids that never have experienced the Mouse the opportunity and the chance to see where he lives. The immediate money making, by price increase will not have a long term back lash to future Mouse lovers everywhere.
 
I noticed last month when we were at DL that a single day ticket price has doubled (possibly more then) in the last 10 years. This is the reason that when we go we like to be there (WDW) two weeks and get the 10 day pass, bringing the daily price down significantly.

When talking about this with my DH, he did remind me that Disney is not the only thing that has doubled in price, but most things have. In fact, I think gas has tripled, which is possibly one of the reasons!
 
My parents took me in the mid to late 80's for $21 per day. No wonder we went so often.
 
I noticed last month when we were at DL that a single day ticket price has doubled (possibly more then) in the last 10 years. This is the reason that when we go we like to be there (WDW) two weeks and get the 10 day pass, bringing the daily price down significantly.

When talking about this with my DH, he did remind me that Disney is not the only thing that has doubled in price, but most things have. In fact, I think gas has tripled, which is possibly one of the reasons!

and salaries have gone up quite a bit from 20 years ago as well.
 
ValpoCory said:
My parents took me in the mid to late 80's for $21 per day. No wonder we went so often.
Well, then don't forget to add in the cost of ticket books.

And that was only for one Park.

- Dreams
 
Annual Passes to Disneyland are NOT expensive:

  • Premium AP: $1.78/day
  • Deluxe AP: $1.49/day
  • SoCal AP: $1.53/day
  • SoCal Select AP: $1.58/day

If anything, Annual Passes need to be MUCH more expensive. Disney is slitting their own throats to entertain locals like a cheap mall with a food court.
 
Well, then don't forget to add in the cost of ticket books.

And that was only for one Park.

- Dreams

The ticket books were gone by June of 1982, so that didn't apply to us in the mid to late 80's. And until June 2012, the 2nd DLR Park arguably wasn't that magical.
 
One-day, 0ne-park, unlimited rides prices:

Year Price US$
1981 $10.75
1982 $12.00
1984 $14.00
1985 $17.95
1986 $18.00
1987 $21.50
1990 $25.50
1991 $27.50
1993 $28.75
1994 $31.00
Jan 1999 $39.00
Jan 2000 $41.00

2012 $87.00

This chart is the prices through the August 2010 price increases, so $11 less than now:
400px-Disneyland_Park_Adult_Admission.png
 
Annual Passes to Disneyland are NOT expensive:

  • Premium AP: $1.78/day
  • Deluxe AP: $1.49/day
  • SoCal AP: $1.53/day
  • SoCal Select AP: $1.58/day

If anything, Annual Passes need to be MUCH more expensive. Disney is slitting their own throats to entertain locals like a cheap mall with a food court.

Those prices are appropriate to use for someone who actually lives in Southern California and can go to Disneyland several times a week, or a month. But many AP holders come from out of state. Our family is one of those cases. We can't count it at 1.78 a day. For us it is a big hit for 3 people and this years passes are going to cost us $2400. Last year that same Premier pass would have cost us $2100. So yes, the prices went up 100.00 per pass in one year. That is a hit we had not figured on when we planned our December trip.
 
One-day, 0ne-park, unlimited rides prices:

Year Price US$
1981 $10.75
1982 $12.00
1984 $14.00
1985 $17.95
1986 $18.00
1987 $21.50
1990 $25.50
1991 $27.50
1993 $28.75
1994 $31.00
Jan 1999 $39.00
Jan 2000 $41.00

2012 $87.00

This chart is the prices through the August 2010 price increases, so $11 less than now:
400px-Disneyland_Park_Adult_Admission.png
This just in: bread is no longer $0.05, and gasoline isn't $0.18, either.
 
This just in: bread is no longer $0.05, and gasoline isn't $0.18, either.

Actually, a loaf of bread in 1994 cost $2.34. Today, it's $1.88.

But to your point, I think everyone understands inflationary price increases. But Disney prices increase much faster than inflation. $100 in 1990 Dollars would be $181.64 today. You could buy 3.92 Disneyland tickets in 1990. You can only buy 2.09 tickets today with $181.64.

Disneyland guests need to get used to ticket prices doubling every 10 years or so. In 2022, a one-day, one-park adult ticket will likely cost between $160 and $180 per day.
 
Those prices are appropriate to use for someone who actually lives in Southern California and can go to Disneyland several times a week, or a month. But many AP holders come from out of state. Our family is one of those cases. We can't count it at 1.78 a day. For us it is a big hit for 3 people and this years passes are going to cost us $2400. Last year that same Premier pass would have cost us $2100. So yes, the prices went up 100.00 per pass in one year. That is a hit we had not figured on when we planned our December trip.

It is sad that families like yours get caught in the "cross-fire". But the simple truth is the bulk of AP holders are local. The attendance numbers for DL draw a very clear and distinct picture... just watch DL #'s on weekends and evenings (especially during holiday seasons) and it is obvious they have a glut of AP holders who can visit over and over. It looks like they are trying to thin down the overloaded parks by thinning out local AP holders at peak times... Unfortunately, it is those who aren't local & do 2-3 trips per year where the AP made sense before that are getting caught in the middle. But speaking as one who will only get one trip in a year, I have to admit, I wish my family could come and enjoy the park on the weekends, but with the local surge it makes it almost unbearable.
 
I love being on a message board where taking one Disney trip every year qualifies as an "only". :thumbsup2

It is important to sometimes stop and realize how incredibly fortunate we (general "we") are in life, isn't it?

- Dreams
 





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