The issue that’s beginning to happen is this is slowly pricing out the middle class who would normally come at least once a year. Then it was once every two years. Soon it will be once every 3-4 years. It will become an ‘elite’ park for the rich. This would I’m sure, sadden Walt.
Yea my family used to go every two years in the 90s to early 00s. Now I imagine I’d be lucky to go 3 times in 10 years. I imagine most repeat Disney Land/World visitors have a nostalgic feeling when they visit. But if you price out the ability to go frequently; there is no foundation for the fond memories. I really hope this greed comes back to bite them in the ass.
As a FL resident, and have been to Disney dozens of times (annual/season passes) the ticket prices aren't the issue, it is the resort room prices. Moderates use to be around $100, and now above $200. I use to stay at Wilderness Lodge in Dec for $160-180 night, now it is over $300, and Grand Floridian is $500+. I just don't see how people are willing to spend that much per night.
Actually for people who use DVC. They are booked solid for a year. There is no spontaneous service like there used to be. You need to book will in advance now.
Umm which cabin is $3000 a night at Fort Wilderness? They go between $200-400 depending on the season and you can get a tent or RV sport for $80-180 depending on season. We live next door to WDW.
This is why I commend Six Flags being a budget park. The unreal fact is something designed for lil kiddos, more than half of the total population will never see Disney. This is sad.
Speaking for Disneyland - I know MANY people who have been loyal annual pass holders for decades and they are cancelling their memberships because of the price hikes.
That was the reason; so people who are tourists can enjoy the theme parks, not just locals. At $1000 per year still $2.74 if you go every day. People who go twice a week $9.61 every day. $19.23 if you go once a week. Still much cheaper than a ticket. I go almost every day to WDW, I as a Disney Family Member still has to pay like the rest of you no special discount unless you are direct descendants of Walt and Roy O. Not even 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins get free admission.
I don't know, I think if they keep rising prices then eventually (many many many years into the future) attendance will go down as people won't be able to keep affording it.
That has already happened. It's part of their business plan. Keep prices rising and people will pay for it, but the parks are also less crowded for those willing to pay.
Disney doesn't sees Universal as a competition. People doesn't just pays a lot to fly to Orlando just to go to Universal, most of the customers go both, Disney and Universal. So in fact, a major land opening in Universal brings a customer increase in Disney and a major opening in Disney brings also a customer hike to Universal too.
I think the whole amusement industry has been threatened for many years by people simply having more and cheaper entertainment options. (And, of course, Disney as an entertainment company is playing all sides of that fence.) The local family-owned amusement park was already wiped out decades ago by this trend, but this niche for places that are premium vacation destinations still exists. But to stay in it, the parks need to be able to keep supplying more and more extraordinary experiences that you can't get at or close to home. It's sort of a Red Queen's race that requires that they spend more and more money, and then keeping the profit margin requires that they jack up ticket prices.
Both of them are trying to keep visitors on site for their whole vacation, though. (And their pitches are attractive, at least to some--we've done this at both Disney and Universal.)
In my opinion Disney want's the celebrities and big spenders who could easily afford the 100 + admission price. These people can afford to spend hundreds if not thousands on souvies. Back in 94 the price was around 40 bucks. It's all about money and getting as much as they can from guests. Going to Disney is no longer a rite of passage for the middle class. Sad.
Unfortunately, although we have enjoyed Disney on so many occasions in the past, it has now become too expensive and we shall not be going again, when there are so many other attractions in Florida (and I don't mean theme parks). The greed for profit has spoiled much of what was good- take the fireworks on the lake as an example. It is very difficult now to view unless paying extra for priority locations, with more of the view hidden by buildings.
Really I think there are three primary reasons Disney world is becoming more expensive Number 1 expansion of the resort, Disney world isn't the same as it was in the 1970s, in the 1970s, you were paying for a ticket to the magic kingdom and that's it because the other theme parks didn't exist, thus Disney had less expenses and could charge less for entry. Number 2 excessive Demand, Disney world parks are hitting peek capacity and crowding is a major issue for the parks since Disney is pretty much they vacation everyone wants to have, there are two primary ways to deal with excessive demand, ether build more resorts/theme parks to service that demand, or price out that excess demand. Number 3 depressing reality, the middle class in the US is disappearing, so Disney is attempting to attract bigger spenders into the parks.
Yeah, pretty much. Disney has been investing a lot, so no one can say that Disney isn't actually increasing the value of the parks. Also, Disney World is still very crowded. Also, there are plenty of millionaires and even a middle class person can still afford the price. Disney is basically following the formula of Apple, which is to increase value and increase the price of things, just like the iPhone increases its value with its near-bezel-less display and Face ID and prices itself to $1,000.
GravemindZombie international markets guests are also accustomed to paying 40% more for stuff at home. To them, when a pair of Adidas is $350, a day at WDW is a no-brainer.
I wouldn't say the middle class in the US is disappearing, but rather that the upper-income brackets are growing. 27% of Americans are a part of six figure households (households making over $100,000 a year). With a larger high-income bracket, companies are trying to appeal to that more.
Now that Disney has the power to purchase titans like Marvel and Lucasfilm, are they realistically going to be in that kind of danger anytime soon? If not, I'd say that they can afford to lower prices.
That's a good question and I think the answer is it's going to depend. I mean even as recently as last year there were talks about how in theory Apple COULD buy Disney if they wanted to. Now in that instance I don't think it's likely, but I think in most cases there's always a bigger fish out there.
Disney is probably not lowering prices at the parks. TWDC is losing tons of money because of ESPN's loss of viewers and the Parks and Resorts business unit has been saving the company's financial reports. Until they solve the ESPN issues they probably aren't going to lower their prices. Remember it is a BUSINESS.
Jaime González It might just be the fact that I don't like sports, but I feel like just about everything Disney produces makes far more than what they get from ESPN.
Seriously. I was so glad we had the Park Hopper on our last trip. Rode ToT twice, rode RRC twice, then high-tailed it out of the park to do something better.
Actually it is for the Fireworks, Fantasmic, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Rock and Roll Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, and the Star Wars shows in front of the Chinese Theater. They have shorter lines for meet and greets.
Not me. To travel to Orlando from Cincinnati is just too much when I have several nice theme parks, between here and there, which are just as, if not more entertaining! I can’t see $100+ dollars a day, per person, when I can go to say Kings Island for an entire season and it’s less than an hour from my home! Other easy trips would include places like Cedar Point and Dollywood! I don’t need Disney’s overpriced kiddie rides to enjoy myself!
Disney was fun when I was a kid but when we went a few times these past 4 years there were way too many people, the money issue isn't a problem, although some of my friends dont go because of the heavy prices. The bathrooms had really weak running water so it took forever to wash your hands, someone told me the sinks were purposely like that to try and prevent people from filling up their water bottles so they are forced to purchase water bottles in the shops. We have way more fun vacationing to North Carolina and Pagosa Springs CO.
If it was Disneyland it is due to water shortage. Walt Disney World, you should have spoke up to Guest Relations. That is an untrue statement. Disney only wants people not filling water bottles at food and beverage stations due to State and Federal Health Codes.
Anyone who would even think about filling a water bottle in a bathroom sink is a complete moron. That isn't true anyway...why would slower running water stop people from filling up their bottles? If you're that cheap and disgusting, a few seconds won't bother you.
Keep in mind the cost that goes into operating the 4 parks 24/7 365 fireworks nightly at each park, cost of transportation, payroll, electricity and water....it goes on and on. At least they are consistently adding to help hide to some degree the price hikes. I'd like to see the bottom line profit. I bet it isn't as much as some may believe.
If that were the case he would have shopped it around and gotten waaaaay more than $4 billion. Not to mention the small detail of him pledging the cash portion of the sale to charity.
Sweet Roll if someone pays 4x more than it’s value who is the problem. The seller or buyer? Without the stupid buyer the seller would be forced to reduce the price.
If you think about it..how many other things have gone up in the past 50 years? I'm 52..I went to my first concert (Kiss) in 1979 and tickets were $10. Now you can't go see a good Kiss cover band for that and to see the actual band. .plan to spend at least several hundred dollars especially if you actually want a chance at decent seats. Look how much houses or cars have gone up. They have added all these new attractions that cost well into the millions to build. If they didn't add new attractions then people would stop coming.
Disney makes owning a annual pass affordable, so now they get a lot of attendance from locals. The locals purchase food and merchandise. They also let their employees enter the parks for free as well as friends. That keeps attendance up and more purchases of food and merchandise. They will always be able to raise prices for outsiders, because locals now frequent the parks and resorts on a daily basis.
Prices are ridiculous at Disney parks and official hotels. I understand there's going to be or may already be a Four Seasons Hotel at WDW. They really seem to be catering to wealthy people. Most of the hotels at WDW are in the luxury class. They don't have many moderate hotels and the "value" hotels are more like a nicer Motel 6. The bus system has lots of things that need to be fixed. You can wait a long time for buses and the fill up quickly. There is a push and shove mentality to get on the buses. Sometimes people have to wait for another bus because people pushed to get in front of them. There's no civility trying to get on the buses. At Disneyland you have to walk to get into the parks. I was surprised to see how expensive the Disneyland Hotel had become. They have 2 others. One is excessively expensive and I don't know much about the other hotel. There are a lot of other things like charging a separate price for special celebrations and kicking everyone else out of the parks. We went on a nice vacation to Disneyland and one to WDW, but that was when the price of things wasn't as ridiculous as they are now. I'm not even going to discuss how much the food and drinks cost at the parks. As long as people are willing to pay ridiculous prices, they will continue to raise them. Pretty soon only wealthy people will be able to afford the parks. Maybe that's what Disney is pushing for.
To be honest, almost everything costs 3-4x as much as it did 50 years ago... This is why someone working in retail could support a family back then and now cannot even pay rent. It is not something unique to Disney. But it still is a major rip off never the less....
Disney is now a multi-billion dollar corporation with a public stock listing. Everything the company does going forward will be for the sole purpose of maximizing profits. They aren't doing things because they want everything to feel as magical as possible. ..it's for the $$$. Just keep that in mind. Luckily, though, they do end up making amazing attractions and experiences in order to keep people coming to the theme parks.
Do not talk about my family that way. I am a Disney Family. And, I want one thing MY Family Company back. Sadly, I did check at both resorts and ticket prices. One of the main reason for the raise of ticket prices and resorts is to keep from reaching maximum capacity. If they were $40 you would be in line the whole day for one ride and that is with Fast Pass. It is in order to keep lines under 3 hours during Max Capacity. And, all resorts are Max Capacity up to 1 year. And, there are Waiting Lists for the resorts. Star Wars Resort, you better be first in line with Disney Vacation Club it will be booked solid for over 20 years.
The larger picture is that with economic inequality generally rising, and more and more wealth becoming concentrated into a smaller piece of the population, it becomes possible to keep making money from the more affluent sectors of society on expensive premium products that most people simply can't afford. Up to a point. It seems to me that a significant chunk of their business is still firmly middle-class, and they could eventually end up squeezing that out. But some people seem to prioritize Disney vacations really highly.
Agreed. I hate the ripoff racket that is theme park/sports stadium food and beverage. How they get away with charging us 3-4 times what we would pay for the same junk outside the park is beyond me.
Reason why soda costs the way it does, is because they can run out dry in a day. They raise the cost due to the demand and that there will never be a shortage like what happened on opening day at Disneyland.
I lived in Florida & California and not once stepped foot into Disney World or Disney Land. Not only is the entrance price an insult, but once inside the food and trinkets are a total rip off also. And don't forget the over and hour wait time in line for the rides, SCREW THAT.
If you think Disney is the epitome of corporate greed, I’d hate to see what you think of asset stripping corporate raiders like Carl Icahn and Frank Lorenzo, or patent squatters like the infamous (and now incarcerated) Martin Shkreli.... Disney is child’s play, excuse the pun.
Usablefiber For the amount of time you spend at a hotel when visiting it's not worth it. I've stayed in deluxe resorts in the area, like Omni ChampionsGate and the Hilton thru PriceLine for a fraction. The Hilton even participated in the extra hours program.
Between 1988 and 2010, we visited Orlando from the UK twice a year, with at least a week in Disney world every trip. Now however, they have priced us out of the market by raising admission prices way above the rate of inflation every year. On top of that they also charge $20 just to park the car, what a rip off. Much as we loved Disney, I'm afraid that will not be able to visit anymore. Pure greed on Disneys part.
When I was 12 I was diagnosed with a chronic pain syndrome, and within two years was sick enough that I couldn’t attend classes. I’d seen my mom be ill from when I was a toddler, so it wasn’t as big of a shock as it would have been otherwise. But it changes everything. Things like this, for example. I couldn’t hold up for a day to go to a park from early in the day, and I was photosensitive so I couldn’t be out on sunny days and from 10-2 without major repercussions. So since then, I’ve really not gone, despite my family going to Florida every year. It’s just... it can’t be worth the price with the way I’d have to see it. I’m just lucky I got to see it when I was a kid, and I hope I’ll either improve or be able to rely on a wonderfully helpful husband and/or family members to help me when I eventually take my kids there. I wouldn’t want them to miss it on my account, just like my mother made sure I didn’t miss it as a kid.
Honestly based on the experience that Disney has recently been showing vs the amount of money they’re earning now...really doesn’t make sense. Frozen has become the best selling franchise and they’ve already bought 2 companies. They’ll have to lower the price soon. Other parks like Universal Studios have made a ton of coupon and price slashed and they’re attendance is pretty good. Sometime in the future, Disney is going to have to drop the prince on EVERYTHING. It’s not just the parks. I went to the Disney store outside of Disney world and I actually saw a pack of 2 medium sized cookies for $5....I doubt they’re worth the money too. Not even a pencil was below $4. That’s WAY too expensive.
Good analysis.. I worked there when Michael Eisner came on board.. Imagine prior to his arrival the board was considering making EPCOT a seasonal park! They equated price increases to matching the price of a concert ticket! If it cost $50 to see a band play for a couple of hours then why charge $23 for 8 to 15 hours at a park? Now it just seems to becoming unreasonable expectations.. The CFO bought ABC and Star Wars ..marvel comics etc and Raised prices to $125 and its still not enough! In addition parking is over $20 ... Meals.. Drinks.. Hotels all extremely high.. Its very costly.. Now you finance your annual passes if you live within a 6 hr drive.. They do thrive on creating "Disney Geeks or Cult followers" who will pay what ever it takes to remain in the cult.. Watching every movie.. Buying dvds merchandise and making the annual weekly monthly voyage to the temple.. The growth has been mostly exponential since 1988
It's more money because you're paying for the atmosphere. From the friendliness of staff to the most minute detail in decor. The staff at franchises like 6 flags are rude, as well as the people that frequent ( for the most part) non resort theme parks. Disney is family oriented, and i think you get what you pay for. They offer a wide spectrum of resorts for all budgets so all people are included. Also youre able to pay off your vacation. Sitting in Pepper market at Coronado, the worker started to play music for my family randomly...without accepting tip. Worth the money.
You're right, but that idea goes over too many people's head. You're paying for quality. Their employees are never rude, impatient, short tempered and they're not 17 year old high school kids playing with their phones all day. There's no graffiti, weeds, pavement cracks, broken lights, rusty or faded signs, no over-flowing garbage cans and if a kid drops his ice cream it's cleaned up quickly. Crowds and lines are managed properly and you don't have lowlifes cutting. But these are the things ignorant people don't notice or even care about. It is not about the rides - it's about a family-friendly experience. I always laugh at the idiots who say the rides are better at Busch Gardens, etc. It's not meant to be a hard-core amusement park. People don't get it.
i somewhat agree with the price of tickets to Disney World but the prices of food have increased so much in recent years and it’s ridiculous in my opinion
The last time I went, a sandwich with coke and chips cost over $11! Ridiculous. And no, it didn't taste great. I'm never going again. The ticket prices are up 200% over the last 10 years. One day, a ticket for two days will cost $400. And if they think it isn't turning people away, they're wrong. People on vacation message boards are now complaining that Universal Studios is constantly crowded! The old "go in October or December" trick no longer works. Universal is just as crowded in those months. And with their constant expansion of Harry Potter World, the crowds won't be shrinking any time soon...
You are basically getting the same experience you got when the admission was a fraction of the price. Glad that I'm finally past visiting theme parks. And their merchandise prices are insane. No longer the happiest place on earth.
I never stayed on Disney property, we had a resort we used that bordered Animal Kingdom. So I cannot comment on hotel costs... For the park, though - they are a bargain for what they provide! The parks are gorgeous, beautifully maintained, and all the cast members are wonderful. Once you pay your admission all you need to buy is some food - and most of that is also very reasonable. They do have some upscale restaurants, but they are optional.
Just remember Disney kept this in mind. A good portion of annual pass residents go every day that is still $2.74 a day, twice a week $9.61 a day, and once a week at $19.23 a day. Plus you get free parking and a 10-20% Discount at shops. I save money with mine and I am almost every day at Walt Disney World.
Sir Eddie, wow! 300% price hike! Their greed knows no bounds. You should cancel it. It's not worth it even if that was for Disney World. I quit going over 10 years ago because even then, they were hiking prices almost every 4-5 months. Did you know that the price of a THREE day pass WITH park hopper at Disney World in 1991 was less than $112? I'm serious. Now it's $350! Yikes.
I am both a Disney vacation lover and a Disney stock shareholder. I'm not at odds as much as you might think. I'm happy with the business aspect of owning Disney... Except of course for ESPN. But also in my travels to Disney I've never come home thinking I did not enjoy that vacation for that price. Each time, when I weigh enjoyment versus cost, enjoyment far outweighs what I had to pay. No I don't like the price hikes when I'm the person paying them, and yet I'd rather go to Disney than sit home, complain, and save money.
It's pretty well been a problem for Disney out of the gate (a strange fit too). I'm not sure where they thought EPSN would fit into the business other than student competitions held that would all bring more visitors to the resort (like their cheer competitions). Their Run Disney events work very well - but I don't think that they are really under the ESPN umbrella. It seems that all actions revolving around ESPN tend to feel like, "oh yeah, now what are we going to do with THIS behemoth?" It's one of the few decisions by Iger that I truly question.
To say that Eisner came in a sort of rough time is an understatement. Disney Co. was on the verge of being dissolved into smaller entities and pieced out and sold to different companies. His strategies for the parks, animation, and love action film production saves the company from complete dilution. His entry was a little understated here...
Haha thanks! I mean, he wasn't a saint by any stretch, but he wasn't super awful either. One day I want to do a real comprehensive look at Eisner as a whole, but I think the best summary I can muster is he did a lot of amazing stuff right when Disney needed it most, and then proceeded to overstay his welcome and lose his touch.
That is pretty much my assessment of the man. He is one of those people who works amazingly under pressure but when the proverbial gun is no longer at his head it gives him time to cause trouble. You see this a lot in some of the most acclaimed directors too. They make a masterpiece movie because they fought with the studio tooth and nail for every inch of film and all the bad ideas were cut out of necessity. Once they have the reputation to do whatever they want all the bad ideas come in and screw up their movies faster than you can say The Phantom Menace.
Right- I think that looking at Eisner basically saving the company is what makes me go all heart-eyes. Certainly not flawless or perfect- but he saved something that's incredibly precious to me so I'll always be grateful in some way!
Alien Encounters and Pleasure Island is why Eisner was ousted because it was "Not Family Friendly". Eisner should never have been ousted. Alien Encounters was the first which was 5D from visuals, to scent, and it made you feel like there was a real Alien Encounter. Pleasure Island OCSO, Orange County Sheriff had to be called in frequently because families left there 12 years and younger kids in the hotel including babies and came back drunk only to find Deputies waiting at their hotel room.
People may be willing to pay for it, but not many in the Orlando area go back continuously. The crowds consist of a lot of world wide tourists and not necessarily those who have seen it enough times. I'm 64 and back in the summer of '72, I was making a big $2.15/hour as one of the "trammies" bringing people in on the tram to the park. After 90 days, we got a boost to $2.30/hour. We got a 6 cent per gallon decrease on gas from the Gulf Car Care Center, so we paid 30.9 cents per gallon. I lived 35 miles away and just did it for a summer job before college began. No one was getting rich driving that distance and making pennies.
I personally know 1 Canadian broad that squeezed 2 lawsuit settlements out of Disney for a few slip and falls away from cameras and prying eyes. Liability scams and overhead and the drive for profit keeps the prices up. By the way she only got $200,000. Ticket buyers paid for that settlement.
its also worth noting that people are willing to pay the price to get in , at least on the pass side of things because of the payment plan options . it doesn't feel like such a big bite to them ,when its spread out over time . bottom line is that it is really damn expensive , but people will trade a high amount of value (capital) for what they consider an experience worth that high amount of value.
Spirit Air Round Trip 1 Person $110, 3 Day Ticket, $315 w/ Tax, 4 Night at All Star resorts $500. So thats sub 1k, if you add another person, its sub $1500. Its really not that much money.
I read an article YEARS ago about the cost increases that suggested all the price hikes are more of a supply and demand situation. One big reason they raise prices is to keep the park from being too overcrowded all the time. I have thought about this many times, if the cost was cheaper would they constantly be a max capacity. Interesting thoughts maybe you could find a video in there somewhere.
the first time I went to Disneyland it cost me $10 to get in the gate, and not much more to buy a book of tickets.....things really began to change when disney became a corporate entity that made making profits more of a priority than providing a fun place to visit - now the reason attendance didn't drop was because along with the cost going up, so did the quality of the experience.....but I can't begin to imagine what the daily costs of operation are - including paying everyone who works there that make such a great experience. when prices increase at the grocery stores - we usually don't get more - and in a lot of cases - we get less for paying more - not at Disneyland!
It's true. One of the problems with multifaceted, corporate operations is the massive amount of bureaucracy which requires a lot more salarymen that need to be paid. I think it makes sense why the bigger corporate enterprise would pass those costs down on to the consumer..... but it sucks for us. :(
At a certain point, ticket price becomes a matter of demand control, and not necessarily revenue. There will always be demand to go to DL/DW, so the limiting factor for most people will be price and availability. AFAIK, except for some APs, Disney doesn't limit the sale of any tickets, despite overselling entry being a huge factor in diminished park experience, which could push people away from the properties.
Supply and demand; if people continue to pay the prices the prices will *always* increase. And they have been, as park attendance has been growing steadily. Just wait 'till Star Wars A Galaxy's Edge opens...
I used to have a deep love for Disney parks... But these days it's so crowded and expensive..... At this point a Disney trip costs us just as much as a Hawaii vacation which is a hell of a lot more relaxing and enjoyable. We're going to Maui next week and I'm so excited! No more Disney for us!
One thing Rob didn't address in his talk about prices is that early on is that during the era of lower admission prices, you entry only got you a set number of ride tickets (A through E) and if you wanted to go on more rides you had to buy more tickets (E tickets were the most commonly used and you often had to buy many extra E-tickets and left the park with a handful of the A through D tickets unused). This repurchase of tickets would obviously add to your "admission costs". Also as an asside the Disney "E-Ticket" is where the pop culture phrases which include the phrases similar to "this ride called life certainly ain't no E-ticket" come from
you are greedy too unless you donate your entire paycheck to charity. you dont work for free. you spend money on nice cars, nice restaurants, 55 inch TV's, etc.
edvaira6891 Disney is NOT a charity. They're a business. How many economies out there are thriving based on charity or undervaluing the thing at the center of it?
edvaira6891 you have no background on supply and demand. If prices were lowered significantly, Parks would be at max capacity daily and no one would be able to go. Keeping prices relatively close to demand keeps the parks really crowded (too crowded in my opinion), but not at max capacity. In my opinion, prices should be RAISED significantly so it’s a more enjoyable experience for everyone (lowered crowd levels). Currently, some rides have a 5 hour wait time. That’s inexcusable.
We have been annual ticket holders for a long time and we also have a DVC but as of three years ago we have stayed away from the parks ,it's ridiculous how expensive it has become so we need our Disney fix we just stay at the resorts
High prices also keeps the " riff raff " out. With higher prices it keeps undesirables out because only people with an upper middle class or above income can afford to go. I worked for WDW for 17 years
The advent of easy credit is a big factor. Before the 1980's, people didn't really get credit cards unless they were wealthy or business people. Borrowing to travel was unheard of. Today people routinely put trips on cards and pay it off later (or don't). They charged what the market would bear. They damaged the brand in the process with some of their practices, but people don't seem to care.
Price Hikes for all products and services are just required, not doing so puts a business at risk... costs go up. but also disney know your in a captive audience when it comes to souvenirs/food, its like going to an airport, concert or highway stops, your paying for the location..... ticket prices are still pricey, ( i just brought my next trips tickets this past black friday), and it does mean my trips are becoming less frequent because of that issue (but also hotels, flights, food etc all have gone up too)
Disney has crazy huge expenses. Look at all of the different decorations for every holiday. The thousands of employees to make that all change overnight. Think about the fireworks expense for multiple shows every day. Finally, the most important reason, it keeps the riff raff out. Contrary to how generations have been trained, life isn't free.
I went to Disney World for my Honey Moon and every single cast member that saw our button said congratulations and we even got serenaded at Peter Pans Flight by a band. Worth every single penny.
Ticket prices are insane now even with FL resident discount. Same for Universal. Those places are jammed packed 365 days a year yet they keep raising the ticket prices and not by even a little...by a LOT. I wont be going to any of those parks anytime soon and good luck to anyone with kids and a family that wants to try and afford the entire family.
Eto Hige, I can tell from online vacation message boards that some of the crowds at Universal can be attributed to the never ending popularity of Harry Potter. Also, ironically, Disney's skyhigh prices are pushing people to Universal. One guest posted that he tried going in December. Nope, Universal was PACKED in. He said the crowds were unbelievable so he asked around. Yep, a few said "We're here cuz it's cheaper than Disney and the kids love Harry Potter and the Simpsons!"
☝🏻Went on a family trip to Disney World 11/5/1975 and remember the way we got to the park & closing, per-ride tickets, and a few of the rides having just turned 5 ~2 weeks before👍🏻...💁🏻♀️Dad drove the entire trip and everyday we camped at a KOA Campground staying in the camper that was set up in the back of the truck...Dad drove the return trip straight home the next day overnight across 5 states(Florida to Texas)😁
there will be a day when it will go pass people's break even point and people will eventually say that it is no longer worth the price. it happened during the 2008ish recession. disney's attendance were so low they were forced give out large amounts of discounted tickets just to keep attendances up.
A good alternative that is much cheaper is the Kennedy Space Center. Only 30 minutes away and prices are under $75 per person. It's not Disney but it still has a lot to take in, probably enough to last 2 or 3 days.
Hey Rob can you do a in-depth video on the history of the Disney dollars introduced in 1987? I know you did a short talk about how you have a Lion King $10, I have a Stitch $10 but a full video on their creation and how they came to be would be great.
May have been needed in the past, but they don't need to raise prices any more. I mean, they own like, half of the movie industry now, who could possibly be a threat to buy them out? But i guess they won't stop doing it until they start seeing drops in attendance, that's probably the only thing that will put the breaks on the price hikes.
This is true, but the larger strategy for that pricing policy is for visitors to extend their stays on the property and to keep them away from their competitors' turnstiles. I think the biggest direct competitor to staying on Disney property during an Orlando visit are the Harry Potter lands of Hogsmeade and Daigon Alley in the two Universal parks, largely because of the devoted fan base that the Potter IP enjoys. I'd wager that bringing the Avatar IP into DAK was an attempt to bite into that crowd, but I don't see a lot of significant crossover for the folks who would want to see HP and Pandora.
The Avatar land was their first play at competing with Harry Potter; Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (and the associated hotel!) is the second, more serious one.
Matt... Agreed, and I believe SWGE has a better chance at capturing the kind of guest loyalty and excitement that the HP lands created for Universal. Many people (myself included) have fantasized about being able to actually walk into a physical Star Wars since the late 70's, and I have a hunch that it will be a huge hit... provided Disney executes the SWGE project well in most if not all areas (compelling attractions, immersion, land details (HP did this fantastically), interactivity, etc.). Hordes of big SW fans will be actively looking for the details in the land, and Disney certainly has the expertise and resources to do a fantastic job as long as budget concerns don't torpedo guest experience items.
David the one day ticket price for animal kingdom is cheaper than the rest of the parks it's only $99 and my parents have annual passes so it paid for themselves in two park visits
We priced up two weeks with disney passes, flights and hotels and it was a total price of £7,800! We still saving as about £10,000 is what we need. I know we can get it cheaper but with a holiday of a lifetime, the price is a small price to pay for the kids smiles!
3:34 their films weren't just being released on vhs. Did even the Disney home video commericals not mention their films were also available on laserdisc? Many had 2 editions, one regular and another the Deluxe CAV boxset with extras.
Well I love WDW. Always enjoy myself there.....so just sit back and think about a few things.....think of everything you can do there and what they offer to you......think about the constant updates and costs of the overhead......think about all the people they employ 500+ t
50000 plus. Think about how beautiful it is there and the entertainment like the fireworks displays and night shows etc. so if you think about it it's really worth the cost of the tickets......just my opinion
Interesting video, I always thought the price hikes were just to reduce attendance and trigger a loop. The more it costs the less people go, the less people go the more people who want to go/the more money people are willing to pay.
I spent 8 thousand from New Mexico To Disneyland(California) that included Gas, Food, Hotel, Really Really Good Food, DisneyLand 2 day experience. Buying all kinds of stuff & going to midevil times. 9 day vacay then headed back home.
![ประสบการณ์ จ้าง Developer ที่ผมจะไม่มีวันลืม [ภาค1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bzivN4KDg-k/mqdefault.jpg)
The issue that’s beginning to happen is this is slowly pricing out the middle class who would normally come at least once a year. Then it was once every two years. Soon it will be once every 3-4 years. It will become an ‘elite’ park for the rich. This would I’m sure, sadden Walt.
Walt Disney would be mad as hell at this.
ant21b yep.
Sadly people will take it up the a*s and just find a way to pay for it. To each their own
Yes, the frozen corpse of Walt Disney must be spinning in his cryogenic chamber.
Yea my family used to go every two years in the 90s to early 00s. Now I imagine I’d be lucky to go 3 times in 10 years.
I imagine most repeat Disney Land/World visitors have a nostalgic feeling when they visit. But if you price out the ability to go frequently; there is no foundation for the fond memories. I really hope this greed comes back to bite them in the ass.
*Simple Answer:* Because they know you’ll still pay for it
Exactly; he says that at the end of the video.
Exactly. If it was any cheaper imagine how worse the crowds would be
Sad but extremely true.
I think it's a pretty easy concept to grasp why it's so expensive, its simple, people will pay it.
As a FL resident, and have been to Disney dozens of times (annual/season passes) the ticket prices aren't the issue, it is the resort room prices. Moderates use to be around $100, and now above $200. I use to stay at Wilderness Lodge in Dec for $160-180 night, now it is over $300, and Grand Floridian is $500+. I just don't see how people are willing to spend that much per night.
those resorts were designed for people with money or people who bought the DVC. airbnb is the way to go.
Actually for people who use DVC. They are booked solid for a year. There is no spontaneous service like there used to be. You need to book will in advance now.
Umm which cabin is $3000 a night at Fort Wilderness? They go between $200-400 depending on the season and you can get a tent or RV sport for $80-180 depending on season. We live next door to WDW.
$120 for an adult for 1 day? Thats a complete rip off dude! Should be $50-60 MAX!!!
This is why I commend Six Flags being a budget park. The unreal fact is something designed for lil kiddos, more than half of the total population will never see Disney. This is sad.
Speaking for Disneyland - I know MANY people who have been loyal annual pass holders for decades and they are cancelling their memberships because of the price hikes.
That was the reason; so people who are tourists can enjoy the theme parks, not just locals. At $1000 per year still $2.74 if you go every day. People who go twice a week $9.61 every day. $19.23 if you go once a week. Still much cheaper than a ticket. I go almost every day to WDW, I as a Disney Family Member still has to pay like the rest of you no special discount unless you are direct descendants of Walt and Roy O. Not even 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins get free admission.
People do not go everyday when the next recession comes Disney will be in trouble they also are not innovative like the early days.
I don't know, I think if they keep rising prices then eventually (many many many years into the future) attendance will go down as people won't be able to keep affording it.
They are already taking a big risk with Universal expanding on their doorstep.
That has already happened. It's part of their business plan. Keep prices rising and people will pay for it, but the parks are also less crowded for those willing to pay.
Disney doesn't sees Universal as a competition. People doesn't just pays a lot to fly to Orlando just to go to Universal, most of the customers go both, Disney and Universal. So in fact, a major land opening in Universal brings a customer increase in Disney and a major opening in Disney brings also a customer hike to Universal too.
I think the whole amusement industry has been threatened for many years by people simply having more and cheaper entertainment options. (And, of course, Disney as an entertainment company is playing all sides of that fence.) The local family-owned amusement park was already wiped out decades ago by this trend, but this niche for places that are premium vacation destinations still exists. But to stay in it, the parks need to be able to keep supplying more and more extraordinary experiences that you can't get at or close to home. It's sort of a Red Queen's race that requires that they spend more and more money, and then keeping the profit margin requires that they jack up ticket prices.
Both of them are trying to keep visitors on site for their whole vacation, though. (And their pitches are attractive, at least to some--we've done this at both Disney and Universal.)
In my opinion Disney want's the celebrities and big spenders who could easily afford the 100 + admission price. These people can afford to spend hundreds if not thousands on souvies. Back in 94 the price was around 40 bucks. It's all about money and getting as much as they can from guests. Going to Disney is no longer a rite of passage for the middle class. Sad.
Unfortunately, although we have enjoyed Disney on so many occasions in the past, it has now become too expensive and we shall not be going again, when there are so many other attractions in Florida (and I don't mean theme parks). The greed for profit has spoiled much of what was good- take the fireworks on the lake as an example. It is very difficult now to view unless paying extra for priority locations, with more of the view hidden by buildings.
Really I think there are three primary reasons Disney world is becoming more expensive
Number 1 expansion of the resort, Disney world isn't the same as it was in the 1970s, in the 1970s, you were paying for a ticket to the magic kingdom and that's it because the other theme parks didn't exist, thus Disney had less expenses and could charge less for entry.
Number 2 excessive Demand, Disney world parks are hitting peek capacity and crowding is a major issue for the parks since Disney is pretty much they vacation everyone wants to have, there are two primary ways to deal with excessive demand, ether build more resorts/theme parks to service that demand, or price out that excess demand.
Number 3 depressing reality, the middle class in the US is disappearing, so Disney is attempting to attract bigger spenders into the parks.
Yeah, pretty much. Disney has been investing a lot, so no one can say that Disney isn't actually increasing the value of the parks. Also, Disney World is still very crowded. Also, there are plenty of millionaires and even a middle class person can still afford the price. Disney is basically following the formula of Apple, which is to increase value and increase the price of things, just like the iPhone increases its value with its near-bezel-less display and Face ID and prices itself to $1,000.
GravemindZombie international markets guests are also accustomed to paying 40% more for stuff at home.
To them, when a pair of Adidas is $350, a day at WDW is a no-brainer.
True the Brazilians will pay every penny Disney asks for.. Then go to the outlet malls and buy 3 pair of Adidas for $125..
+Sean Davis guess you don't like Brazilians 😬✌
I wouldn't say the middle class in the US is disappearing, but rather that the upper-income brackets are growing. 27% of Americans are a part of six figure households (households making over $100,000 a year). With a larger high-income bracket, companies are trying to appeal to that more.
The price will be as high as the market can endure. If people quit going the price will quit rising.
Now that Disney has the power to purchase titans like Marvel and Lucasfilm, are they realistically going to be in that kind of danger anytime soon? If not, I'd say that they can afford to lower prices.
That's a good question and I think the answer is it's going to depend. I mean even as recently as last year there were talks about how in theory Apple COULD buy Disney if they wanted to. Now in that instance I don't think it's likely, but I think in most cases there's always a bigger fish out there.
I think lowering prices is a bit of a stretch sadly. I think prices staying relatively stable over the next few years, that would be fantastic.
Disney is probably not lowering prices at the parks. TWDC is losing tons of money because of ESPN's loss of viewers and the Parks and Resorts business unit has been saving the company's financial reports. Until they solve the ESPN issues they probably aren't going to lower their prices. Remember it is a BUSINESS.
Jaime González It might just be the fact that I don't like sports, but I feel like just about everything Disney produces makes far more than what they get from ESPN.
Rob Plays Yeah, I just feel like WDW is meant to be a place for the whole world to enjoy, not a place where only the 1% can enjoy.
you have the best hooks and summaries 😄
Thanks! I blame years of teachers and essays!
What irks me is that Hollywood Studios will still charge u $130 a day when they have less than 10 attractions open!
Seriously. I was so glad we had the Park Hopper on our last trip. Rode ToT twice, rode RRC twice, then high-tailed it out of the park to do something better.
Actually it is for the Fireworks, Fantasmic, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Rock and Roll Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, and the Star Wars shows in front of the Chinese Theater. They have shorter lines for meet and greets.
I wish this video was longer. So much good information. Thank you, Rob!
I can see the resemblance between Walt and his nephew Roy.
Not me. To travel to Orlando from Cincinnati is just too much when I have several nice theme parks, between here and there, which are just as, if not more entertaining! I can’t see $100+ dollars a day, per person, when I can go to say Kings Island for an entire season and it’s less than an hour from my home! Other easy trips would include places like Cedar Point and Dollywood! I don’t need Disney’s overpriced kiddie rides to enjoy myself!
Hello from one Ohioian to another. O-H
Disney was fun when I was a kid but when we went a few times these past 4 years there were way too many people, the money issue isn't a problem, although some of my friends dont go because of the heavy prices. The bathrooms had really weak running water so it took forever to wash your hands, someone told me the sinks were purposely like that to try and prevent people from filling up their water bottles so they are forced to purchase water bottles in the shops. We have way more fun vacationing to North Carolina and Pagosa Springs CO.
If it was Disneyland it is due to water shortage. Walt Disney World, you should have spoke up to Guest Relations. That is an untrue statement. Disney only wants people not filling water bottles at food and beverage stations due to State and Federal Health Codes.
Didn’t expect to see a comment about Pagosa here that’s for certain! But I have actually gone there on vacation twice before.
Anyone who would even think about filling a water bottle in a bathroom sink is a complete moron. That isn't true anyway...why would slower running water stop people from filling up their bottles? If you're that cheap and disgusting, a few seconds won't bother you.
Keep in mind the cost that goes into operating the 4 parks 24/7 365 fireworks nightly at each park, cost of transportation, payroll, electricity and water....it goes on and on. At least they are consistently adding to help hide to some degree the price hikes. I'd like to see the bottom line profit. I bet it isn't as much as some may believe.
Real short answer: Greed.
If that were the case he would have shopped it around and gotten waaaaay more than $4 billion. Not to mention the small detail of him pledging the cash portion of the sale to charity.
Sir Isaac That’s Business
That's why I quit going and take my family to the State Parks instead.
Miss WDW's popcorn though. 😔
Do you sell things for less than their value? If the answer is no than you’re greedy too.
Sweet Roll if someone pays 4x more than it’s value who is the problem. The seller or buyer? Without the stupid buyer the seller would be forced to reduce the price.
If you think about it..how many other things have gone up in the past 50 years? I'm 52..I went to my first concert (Kiss) in 1979 and tickets were $10. Now you can't go see a good Kiss cover band for that and to see the actual band. .plan to spend at least several hundred dollars especially if you actually want a chance at decent seats. Look how much houses or cars have gone up. They have added all these new attractions that cost well into the millions to build. If they didn't add new attractions then people would stop coming.
Disney makes owning a annual pass affordable, so now they get a lot of attendance from locals. The locals purchase food and merchandise. They also let their employees enter the parks for free as well as friends. That keeps attendance up and more purchases of food and merchandise. They will always be able to raise prices for outsiders, because locals now frequent the parks and resorts on a daily basis.
This aged wonderfully
Another great video! Thank you, Rob, for your research and clarity! And also for the book recommendation!
Prices are ridiculous at Disney parks and official hotels. I understand there's going to be or may already be a Four Seasons Hotel at WDW. They really seem to be catering to wealthy people. Most of the hotels at WDW are in the luxury class. They don't have many moderate hotels and the "value" hotels are more like a nicer Motel 6. The bus system has lots of things that need to be fixed. You can wait a long time for buses and the fill up quickly. There is a push and shove mentality to get on the buses. Sometimes people have to wait for another bus because people pushed to get in front of them. There's no civility trying to get on the buses. At Disneyland you have to walk to get into the parks. I was surprised to see how expensive the Disneyland Hotel had become. They have 2 others. One is excessively expensive and I don't know much about the other hotel. There are a lot of other things like charging a separate price for special celebrations and kicking everyone else out of the parks. We went on a nice vacation to Disneyland and one to WDW, but that was when the price of things wasn't as ridiculous as they are now. I'm not even going to discuss how much the food and drinks cost at the parks. As long as people are willing to pay ridiculous prices, they will continue to raise them. Pretty soon only wealthy people will be able to afford the parks. Maybe that's what Disney is pushing for.
Well put together. Thanks for sharing this information.
To be honest, almost everything costs 3-4x as much as it did 50 years ago...
This is why someone working in retail could support a family back then and now cannot even pay rent. It is not something unique to Disney. But it still is a major rip off never the less....
I hope Disney's next CEO is like Walt in a way
Same, I want them to be like Walt himself, and not just someone who views the parks as some money grabber
Disney is now a multi-billion dollar corporation with a public stock listing. Everything the company does going forward will be for the sole purpose of maximizing profits. They aren't doing things because they want everything to feel as magical as possible. ..it's for the $$$. Just keep that in mind. Luckily, though, they do end up making amazing attractions and experiences in order to keep people coming to the theme parks.
Eric Ramirez Gaming 101 Hahaha Won’t happen. You think Disney cares about the magic. Nah, Disney wants to make money.
Someone who likes to label people a communist if they complain about shitty pay? Sigh.... you people....
Do not talk about my family that way. I am a Disney Family. And, I want one thing MY Family Company back. Sadly, I did check at both resorts and ticket prices. One of the main reason for the raise of ticket prices and resorts is to keep from reaching maximum capacity. If they were $40 you would be in line the whole day for one ride and that is with Fast Pass. It is in order to keep lines under 3 hours during Max Capacity. And, all resorts are Max Capacity up to 1 year. And, there are Waiting Lists for the resorts. Star Wars Resort, you better be first in line with Disney Vacation Club it will be booked solid for over 20 years.
The larger picture is that with economic inequality generally rising, and more and more wealth becoming concentrated into a smaller piece of the population, it becomes possible to keep making money from the more affluent sectors of society on expensive premium products that most people simply can't afford.
Up to a point. It seems to me that a significant chunk of their business is still firmly middle-class, and they could eventually end up squeezing that out. But some people seem to prioritize Disney vacations really highly.
Fantastic video. I swear I’ve seen those two owners in movies at one point
The reason my family pays for it is because we go so much (we have annual pass) that each time we go the price is only like $50.
I understand... everything besides 5$ for a soda.
Agreed. I hate the ripoff racket that is theme park/sports stadium food and beverage. How they get away with charging us 3-4 times what we would pay for the same junk outside the park is beyond me.
Reason why soda costs the way it does, is because they can run out dry in a day. They raise the cost due to the demand and that there will never be a shortage like what happened on opening day at Disneyland.
I'm a new fan of your channel. Great job on the video, thank you ❤️
I lived in Florida & California and not once stepped foot into Disney World or Disney Land. Not only is the entrance price an insult, but once inside the food and trinkets are a total rip off also. And don't forget the over and hour wait time in line for the rides, SCREW THAT.
Having been there, 30 times, I have come to the conclusion, Disney is the epitome of corporate greed.
If you think Disney is the epitome of corporate greed, I’d hate to see what you think of asset stripping corporate raiders like Carl Icahn and Frank Lorenzo, or patent squatters like the infamous (and now incarcerated) Martin Shkreli....
Disney is child’s play, excuse the pun.
Until park attendance drops off drastically, ticket prices will keep raising! Period but the stock price doesn't reflect the true value of Disney?
Disney Deluxe resort standard rooms are more expensive than most major cities' four seasons, or ritz carlton luxury hotels.
Usablefiber For the amount of time you spend at a hotel when visiting it's not worth it. I've stayed in deluxe resorts in the area, like Omni ChampionsGate and the Hilton thru PriceLine for a fraction. The Hilton even participated in the extra hours program.
Go to the value resorts, on the off season.
I love it when people say they won't be going anymore. One less person in line😀😉
Aaron Cobb ikr lmao
What if it were a few thousand or million fewer in line?
Gammareign yeah right
+Bella Guerrero Yeah right it's not like if everyone stopped going to disney world they would lose a major source of yearly income.
And that is exactly why Disney will keep raising the prices. The people who CAN afford it willingly pay ludicrous prices for a less dense crowd.
This channel is awesome. you are so good at delivering information.
The one thing i think needs to be pointed out is that yes it's expensive, but holy crap do they make sure you get the value.
Please define value!
The Sean Ward Show waiting in lines for hours just to get on a ride for 10 dollars....
J.N.J. 704 you don't use Fast Pass?
The Sean Ward Show nope
The Sean Ward Show no
Between 1988 and 2010, we visited Orlando from the UK twice a year, with at least a week in Disney world every trip. Now however, they have priced us out of the market by raising admission prices way above the rate of inflation every year.
On top of that they also charge $20 just to park the car, what a rip off.
Much as we loved Disney, I'm afraid that will not be able to visit anymore. Pure greed on Disneys part.
Look at the price stickers for the new attractions!
When I was 12 I was diagnosed with a chronic pain syndrome, and within two years was sick enough that I couldn’t attend classes. I’d seen my mom be ill from when I was a toddler, so it wasn’t as big of a shock as it would have been otherwise. But it changes everything. Things like this, for example. I couldn’t hold up for a day to go to a park from early in the day, and I was photosensitive so I couldn’t be out on sunny days and from 10-2 without major repercussions. So since then, I’ve really not gone, despite my family going to Florida every year. It’s just... it can’t be worth the price with the way I’d have to see it. I’m just lucky I got to see it when I was a kid, and I hope I’ll either improve or be able to rely on a wonderfully helpful husband and/or family members to help me when I eventually take my kids there. I wouldn’t want them to miss it on my account, just like my mother made sure I didn’t miss it as a kid.
Honestly based on the experience that Disney has recently been showing vs the amount of money they’re earning now...really doesn’t make sense. Frozen has become the best selling franchise and they’ve already bought 2 companies. They’ll have to lower the price soon. Other parks like Universal Studios have made a ton of coupon and price slashed and they’re attendance is pretty good. Sometime in the future, Disney is going to have to drop the prince on EVERYTHING. It’s not just the parks. I went to the Disney store outside of Disney world and I actually saw a pack of 2 medium sized cookies for $5....I doubt they’re worth the money too. Not even a pencil was below $4. That’s WAY too expensive.
Good analysis.. I worked there when Michael Eisner came on board.. Imagine prior to his arrival the board was considering making EPCOT a seasonal park! They equated price increases to matching the price of a concert ticket! If it cost $50 to see a band play for a couple of hours then why charge $23 for 8 to 15 hours at a park? Now it just seems to becoming unreasonable expectations.. The CFO bought ABC and Star Wars ..marvel comics etc and Raised prices to $125 and its still not enough! In addition parking is over $20 ... Meals.. Drinks.. Hotels all extremely high.. Its very costly.. Now you finance your annual passes if you live within a 6 hr drive..
They do thrive on creating "Disney Geeks or Cult followers" who will pay what ever it takes to remain in the cult.. Watching every movie.. Buying dvds merchandise and making the annual weekly monthly voyage to the temple..
The growth has been mostly exponential since 1988
It was more ABC bought Disney, Eisner was an ABC Executive. Corporate Raider was Eisner.
Hello Rob! Can you do a video on Paradise Bay/Paradise Pier/Pixar Pier/Paradise Park please?
I would love to know about the history of all of them!
christ i never knew it was so expensive you pay about 30 euros for the the biggest parks in holland wich we still find expensive
It's more money because you're paying for the atmosphere. From the friendliness of staff to the most minute detail in decor.
The staff at franchises like 6 flags are rude, as well as the people that frequent ( for the most part) non resort theme parks.
Disney is family oriented, and i think you get what you pay for. They offer a wide spectrum of resorts for all budgets so all people are included. Also youre able to pay off your vacation.
Sitting in Pepper market at Coronado, the worker started to play music for my family randomly...without accepting tip.
Worth the money.
You're right, but that idea goes over too many people's head. You're paying for quality. Their employees are never rude, impatient, short tempered and they're not 17 year old high school kids playing with their phones all day. There's no graffiti, weeds, pavement cracks, broken lights, rusty or faded signs, no over-flowing garbage cans and if a kid drops his ice cream it's cleaned up quickly. Crowds and lines are managed properly and you don't have lowlifes cutting. But these are the things ignorant people don't notice or even care about. It is not about the rides - it's about a family-friendly experience. I always laugh at the idiots who say the rides are better at Busch Gardens, etc. It's not meant to be a hard-core amusement park. People don't get it.
"Disney is family oriented," You are so right ! RICH family oriented.
i somewhat agree with the price of tickets to Disney World but the prices of food have increased so much in recent years and it’s ridiculous in my opinion
The last time I went, a sandwich with coke and chips cost over $11! Ridiculous. And no, it didn't taste great. I'm never going again. The ticket prices are up 200% over the last 10 years. One day, a ticket for two days will cost $400. And if they think it isn't turning people away, they're wrong. People on vacation message boards are now complaining that Universal Studios is constantly crowded! The old "go in October or December" trick no longer works. Universal is just as crowded in those months. And with their constant expansion of Harry Potter World, the crowds won't be shrinking any time soon...
I would gladly pay twice as much as I do now if the crowds were 1/2 the size.
I've read that book. Still on my book shelf. Very interesting 👍👍
You are basically getting the same experience you got when the admission was a fraction of the price. Glad that I'm finally past visiting theme parks. And their merchandise prices are insane. No longer the happiest place on earth.
I never stayed on Disney property, we had a resort we used that bordered Animal Kingdom. So I cannot comment on hotel costs... For the park, though - they are a bargain for what they provide! The parks are gorgeous, beautifully maintained, and all the cast members are wonderful. Once you pay your admission all you need to buy is some food - and most of that is also very reasonable. They do have some upscale restaurants, but they are optional.
Please do one on Disneyland Anaheim specifically. In the past 10 years, my annual pass has gone from $325 to over $1,000. It' not 3x as fun!
Just remember Disney kept this in mind. A good portion of annual pass residents go every day that is still $2.74 a day, twice a week $9.61 a day, and once a week at $19.23 a day. Plus you get free parking and a 10-20% Discount at shops. I save money with mine and I am almost every day at Walt Disney World.
They do not go everyday.
Sir Eddie, wow! 300% price hike! Their greed knows no bounds. You should cancel it. It's not worth it even if that was for Disney World. I quit going over 10 years ago because even then, they were hiking prices almost every 4-5 months. Did you know that the price of a THREE day pass WITH park hopper at Disney World in 1991 was less than $112? I'm serious. Now it's $350! Yikes.
" I am almost every day at Walt Disney World."??? Are you nuts ? Get a life !
I love your videos! Keep up the great work.
I think I just found my new favorite channel. New Sub
Thanks! Welcome aboard!
I am both a Disney vacation lover and a Disney stock shareholder.
I'm not at odds as much as you might think. I'm happy with the business aspect of owning Disney... Except of course for ESPN. But also in my travels to Disney I've never come home thinking I did not enjoy that vacation for that price. Each time, when I weigh enjoyment versus cost, enjoyment far outweighs what I had to pay. No I don't like the price hikes when I'm the person paying them, and yet I'd rather go to Disney than sit home, complain, and save money.
Mc Kenna, just out of curiosity, what about ESPN makes you dislike it as a Disney company?
It's pretty well been a problem for Disney out of the gate (a strange fit too). I'm not sure where they thought EPSN would fit into the business other than student competitions held that would all bring more visitors to the resort (like their cheer competitions). Their Run Disney events work very well - but I don't think that they are really under the ESPN umbrella.
It seems that all actions revolving around ESPN tend to feel like, "oh yeah, now what are we going to do with THIS behemoth?" It's one of the few decisions by Iger that I truly question.
Videl Awn what? What you just said makes no sense.
Q lot of ppl complain because they can't afford the Disney trip
Mc Kenna gee being a share holder don’t you get a discount at least
Hey Rob, what is the sailing ship Columbia? And why is it not at Walt Disney World?
Ticket prices go up but pay for the employees stay the same.
They pay their employees very badly otherwise there would be long lines of people asking for applications at the parks.
Great video, Rob. I really enjoy the business/creative background of Disney, and you covered is super well. Thanks!
Thanks!
To say that Eisner came in a sort of rough time is an understatement. Disney Co. was on the verge of being dissolved into smaller entities and pieced out and sold to different companies. His strategies for the parks, animation, and love action film production saves the company from complete dilution. His entry was a little understated here...
I love the background business type videos like this, great job Rob! Also I'm becoming an Eisner fangirl, yikes.
Haha thanks! I mean, he wasn't a saint by any stretch, but he wasn't super awful either. One day I want to do a real comprehensive look at Eisner as a whole, but I think the best summary I can muster is he did a lot of amazing stuff right when Disney needed it most, and then proceeded to overstay his welcome and lose his touch.
That is pretty much my assessment of the man. He is one of those people who works amazingly under pressure but when the proverbial gun is no longer at his head it gives him time to cause trouble. You see this a lot in some of the most acclaimed directors too. They make a masterpiece movie because they fought with the studio tooth and nail for every inch of film and all the bad ideas were cut out of necessity. Once they have the reputation to do whatever they want all the bad ideas come in and screw up their movies faster than you can say The Phantom Menace.
That was a cool insightful video
Right- I think that looking at Eisner basically saving the company is what makes me go all heart-eyes. Certainly not flawless or perfect- but he saved something that's incredibly precious to me so I'll always be grateful in some way!
Alien Encounters and Pleasure Island is why Eisner was ousted because it was "Not Family Friendly". Eisner should never have been ousted. Alien Encounters was the first which was 5D from visuals, to scent, and it made you feel like there was a real Alien Encounter. Pleasure Island OCSO, Orange County Sheriff had to be called in frequently because families left there 12 years and younger kids in the hotel including babies and came back drunk only to find Deputies waiting at their hotel room.
People may be willing to pay for it, but not many in the Orlando area go back continuously. The crowds consist of a lot of world wide tourists and not necessarily those who have seen it enough times. I'm 64 and back in the summer of '72, I was making a big $2.15/hour as one of the "trammies" bringing people in on the tram to the park. After 90 days, we got a boost to $2.30/hour. We got a 6 cent per gallon decrease on gas from the Gulf Car Care Center, so we paid 30.9 cents per gallon. I lived 35 miles away and just did it for a summer job before college began. No one was getting rich driving that distance and making pennies.
I personally know 1 Canadian broad that squeezed 2 lawsuit settlements out of Disney for a few slip and falls away from cameras and prying eyes. Liability scams and overhead and the drive for profit keeps the prices up. By the way she only got $200,000. Ticket buyers paid for that settlement.
its also worth noting that people are willing to pay the price to get in , at least on the pass side of things because of the payment plan options . it doesn't feel like such a big bite to them ,when its spread out over time . bottom line is that it is really damn expensive , but people will trade a high amount of value (capital) for what they consider an experience worth that high amount of value.
Spirit Air Round Trip 1 Person $110, 3 Day Ticket, $315 w/ Tax, 4 Night at All Star resorts $500. So thats sub 1k, if you add another person, its sub $1500. Its really not that much money.
Thanks for creating this video regarding Disney theme park cost prohibitiveness.
$3 20 oz Diet Coke still doesn't sit well with me.
That's how much a soda is at Price Chopper in Independence Missouri. They raised the price for the covid 19 stay at home order.
I read an article YEARS ago about the cost increases that suggested all the price hikes are more of a supply and demand situation. One big reason they raise prices is to keep the park from being too overcrowded all the time. I have thought about this many times, if the cost was cheaper would they constantly be a max capacity. Interesting thoughts maybe you could find a video in there somewhere.
I've always assumed it was the ridiculously expensive free firework shows at night
the first time I went to Disneyland it cost me $10 to get in the gate, and not much more to buy a book of tickets.....things really began to change when disney became a corporate entity that made making profits more of a priority than providing a fun place to visit - now the reason attendance didn't drop was because along with the cost going up, so did the quality of the experience.....but I can't begin to imagine what the daily costs of operation are - including paying everyone who works there that make such a great experience. when prices increase at the grocery stores - we usually don't get more - and in a lot of cases - we get less for paying more - not at Disneyland!
It's true. One of the problems with multifaceted, corporate operations is the massive amount of bureaucracy which requires a lot more salarymen that need to be paid. I think it makes sense why the bigger corporate enterprise would pass those costs down on to the consumer..... but it sucks for us. :(
At a certain point, ticket price becomes a matter of demand control, and not necessarily revenue. There will always be demand to go to DL/DW, so the limiting factor for most people will be price and availability. AFAIK, except for some APs, Disney doesn't limit the sale of any tickets, despite overselling entry being a huge factor in diminished park experience, which could push people away from the properties.
Haven't been to Disneyland since 1995 and I live a few minutes away.
Supply and demand; if people continue to pay the prices the prices will *always* increase. And they have been, as park attendance has been growing steadily. Just wait 'till Star Wars A Galaxy's Edge opens...
I used to have a deep love for Disney parks... But these days it's so crowded and expensive..... At this point a Disney trip costs us just as much as a Hawaii vacation which is a hell of a lot more relaxing and enjoyable. We're going to Maui next week and I'm so excited! No more Disney for us!
Soon, one will have to take out a home equity loan to go to Disney.
One thing Rob didn't address in his talk about prices is that early on is that during the era of lower admission prices, you entry only got you a set number of ride tickets (A through E) and if you wanted to go on more rides you had to buy more tickets (E tickets were the most commonly used and you often had to buy many extra E-tickets and left the park with a handful of the A through D tickets unused). This repurchase of tickets would obviously add to your "admission costs". Also as an asside the Disney "E-Ticket" is where the pop culture phrases which include the phrases similar to "this ride called life certainly ain't no E-ticket" come from
Greed Greed GREED GREED GREED!
you are greedy too unless you donate your entire paycheck to charity. you dont work for free. you spend money on nice cars, nice restaurants, 55 inch TV's, etc.
edvaira6891 Disney is NOT a charity. They're a business. How many economies out there are thriving based on charity or undervaluing the thing at the center of it?
Wrong wrong wrong WRONG WRONG WRONG LMBO!!!!
edvaira6891 greed is good, greed is right, greed works. -Gordon Gekko
edvaira6891 you have no background on supply and demand. If prices were lowered significantly, Parks would be at max capacity daily and no one would be able to go. Keeping prices relatively close to demand keeps the parks really crowded (too crowded in my opinion), but not at max capacity. In my opinion, prices should be RAISED significantly so it’s a more enjoyable experience for everyone (lowered crowd levels). Currently, some rides have a 5 hour wait time. That’s inexcusable.
We have been annual ticket holders for a long time and we also have a DVC but as of three years ago we have stayed away from the parks ,it's ridiculous how expensive it has become so we need our Disney fix we just stay at the resorts
High prices also keeps the " riff raff " out. With higher prices it keeps undesirables out because only people with an upper middle class or above income can afford to go. I worked for WDW for 17 years
The advent of easy credit is a big factor. Before the 1980's, people didn't really get credit cards unless they were wealthy or business people. Borrowing to travel was unheard of. Today people routinely put trips on cards and pay it off later (or don't).
They charged what the market would bear. They damaged the brand in the process with some of their practices, but people don't seem to care.
Because Disney only wants rich people to be in there ...Walt is rolling in his grave ....he wanted everyone to enjoy going not just rich people ..sad
Price Hikes for all products and services are just required, not doing so puts a business at risk... costs go up. but also disney know your in a captive audience when it comes to souvenirs/food, its like going to an airport, concert or highway stops, your paying for the location..... ticket prices are still pricey, ( i just brought my next trips tickets this past black friday), and it does mean my trips are becoming less frequent because of that issue (but also hotels, flights, food etc all have gone up too)
Disney has crazy huge expenses. Look at all of the different decorations for every holiday. The thousands of employees to make that all change overnight. Think about the fireworks expense for multiple shows every day. Finally, the most important reason, it keeps the riff raff out. Contrary to how generations have been trained, life isn't free.
The American working class can't afford Disney parks anymore. These parks are the playgrounds of the idle rich.
Howard Wiggins maybe not everyone should be able to go :)
Howard Wiggins only cost $268 for a yearly weekday pass for all 4 parks and they gave me a free NBA jersey ($120 value) if you buy pass at amway arena
LOL "idle rich" I don't know any rich people who are idle.
You can go, you just have to save up for years.
I went to Disney World for my Honey Moon and every single cast member that saw our button said congratulations and we even got serenaded at Peter Pans Flight by a band. Worth every single penny.
Ticket prices are insane now even with FL resident discount. Same for Universal. Those places are jammed packed 365 days a year yet they keep raising the ticket prices and not by even a little...by a LOT. I wont be going to any of those parks anytime soon and good luck to anyone with kids and a family that wants to try and afford the entire family.
Eto Hige, I can tell from online vacation message boards that some of the crowds at Universal can be attributed to the never ending popularity of Harry Potter. Also, ironically, Disney's skyhigh prices are pushing people to Universal. One guest posted that he tried going in December. Nope, Universal was PACKED in. He said the crowds were unbelievable so he asked around. Yep, a few said "We're here cuz it's cheaper than Disney and the kids love Harry Potter and the Simpsons!"
☝🏻Went on a family trip to Disney World 11/5/1975 and remember the way we got to the park & closing, per-ride tickets, and a few of the rides having just turned 5 ~2 weeks before👍🏻...💁🏻♀️Dad drove the entire trip and everyday we camped at a KOA Campground staying in the camper that was set up in the back of the truck...Dad drove the return trip straight home the next day overnight across 5 states(Florida to Texas)😁
there will be a day when it will go pass people's break even point and people will eventually say that it is no longer worth the price.
it happened during the 2008ish recession. disney's attendance were so low they were forced give out large amounts of discounted tickets just to keep attendances up.
A good alternative that is much cheaper is the Kennedy Space Center. Only 30 minutes away and prices are under $75 per person. It's not Disney but it still has a lot to take in, probably enough to last 2 or 3 days.
Privately held companies don't face hostile takeovers.
Who the fuck has $1000 to just drop??????? The world baffles me.
Hey Rob can you do a in-depth video on the history of the Disney dollars introduced in 1987? I know you did a short talk about how you have a Lion King $10, I have a Stitch $10 but a full video on their creation and how they came to be would be great.
May have been needed in the past, but they don't need to raise prices any more. I mean, they own like, half of the movie industry now, who could possibly be a threat to buy them out? But i guess they won't stop doing it until they start seeing drops in attendance, that's probably the only thing that will put the breaks on the price hikes.
Don't forget Rob, it you stay multiple days the per day price for admission is less. But yes, it's still not cheap
This is true, but the larger strategy for that pricing policy is for visitors to extend their stays on the property and to keep them away from their competitors' turnstiles. I think the biggest direct competitor to staying on Disney property during an Orlando visit are the Harry Potter lands of Hogsmeade and Daigon Alley in the two Universal parks, largely because of the devoted fan base that the Potter IP enjoys. I'd wager that bringing the Avatar IP into DAK was an attempt to bite into that crowd, but I don't see a lot of significant crossover for the folks who would want to see HP and Pandora.
David They figure the more days you spend in the park, the more money you'll spend, so it'll even out
The Avatar land was their first play at competing with Harry Potter; Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (and the associated hotel!) is the second, more serious one.
Matt... Agreed, and I believe SWGE has a better chance at capturing the kind of guest loyalty and excitement that the HP lands created for Universal. Many people (myself included) have fantasized about being able to actually walk into a physical Star Wars since the late 70's, and I have a hunch that it will be a huge hit... provided Disney executes the SWGE project well in most if not all areas (compelling attractions, immersion, land details (HP did this fantastically), interactivity, etc.). Hordes of big SW fans will be actively looking for the details in the land, and Disney certainly has the expertise and resources to do a fantastic job as long as budget concerns don't torpedo guest experience items.
David the one day ticket price for animal kingdom is cheaper than the rest of the parks it's only $99 and my parents have annual passes so it paid for themselves in two park visits
We priced up two weeks with disney passes, flights and hotels and it was a total price of £7,800! We still saving as about £10,000 is what we need. I know we can get it cheaper but with a holiday of a lifetime, the price is a small price to pay for the kids smiles!
3:34 their films weren't just being released on vhs. Did even the Disney home video commericals not mention their films were also available on laserdisc? Many had 2 editions, one regular and another the Deluxe CAV boxset with extras.
they need to bring every movie in the vault to blu-ray and dvd lower the prices so the attendence will rise
Well I love WDW. Always enjoy myself there.....so just sit back and think about a few things.....think of everything you can do there and what they offer to you......think about the constant updates and costs of the overhead......think about all the people they employ 500+ t
50000 plus. Think about how beautiful it is there and the entertainment like the fireworks displays and night shows etc. so if you think about it it's really worth the cost of the tickets......just my opinion
Interesting video, I always thought the price hikes were just to reduce attendance and trigger a loop. The more it costs the less people go, the less people go the more people who want to go/the more money people are willing to pay.
I spent 8 thousand from New Mexico To Disneyland(California) that included Gas, Food, Hotel, Really Really Good Food, DisneyLand 2 day experience. Buying all kinds of stuff & going to midevil times. 9 day vacay then headed back home.