Even Disney Is Worried About the High Cost of a Disney Vacation

[LAS2AMS]

Because attendance is an indirect measure of how much Pain the public is willing to endure. There is a point where the rise in prices will cause a fall off in attendance as people just can't afford or justify the cost. True, profits may not suffer, but the number of people in the parks will drop. Disney is about profit, true, but there is a bit of diminishing return going on.

Disney’s smart enough to know when to pull back, as they did a few years ago when they eliminated parking fees at WDW and resort fees at DLR (although parking fees remain)). They’re also smart at discounting, whether it’s free dining, ticket specials (like the 3d/4d passes last year), targeted promotions, etc. Remember in the 2000s when they offered free admission on your birthday, and later for volunteering?

This forum fixates on the Disney Bubble, but most people stay and eat outside of it. Last summer, the most popular tickets were the 3D/4D park tickets from $89-$99.

You can get more hotel for your money in Orlando, same WDW, than anywhere else in the country. Even the golf/ water park resorts in the Phoenix area - which target winter travel and were sold at bargain rates the rest of the year - now cost more.

Last summer, a family of four could’ve stayed at a beautiful resort with elaborate pool, did the four day park ticket, budgeted $100/day for food and spent less than $4K. They could’ve shaved $1K off that price if they went with less hotel. In today’s world, that’s not unreasonable.

Meanwhile, I’ve been on these forums for two decades. Some of the same users saying they’re just about done with Disney.. have been saying that for years and are the first ones to insist that staying at a CL room in the Beach Club at nearly $1,500/ night is the only way to Disney.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Things such as Lightning Lane selling out. How quickly the after hours events sell out. For DLR it is the limited supply of AP. The parks are crowded, which is subjective I know. I would love to see hard numbers. It also remains to be seen the effect of Universal Epic Universe and the Canadian American boycott.

This doesn’t mean attendance is increasing. Increased revenue does not mean that either. Attendance may be decreasing but revenue increasing due to increased cost/price per person due to the increased ticket prices and add on costs like lightning lane.

Sellout of lightning lane will decrease the park experience for all those who did not purchase it as their waits will increase significantly. It also decreases the number of ll selections for those who did buy it, thus decreasing their experience.If it becomes known that you can’t have an enjoyable experience, attendance will drop. It may look like attendance is up due to wait times for the day.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Disney’s smart enough to know when to pull back, as they did a few years ago when they eliminated parking fees at WDW and resort fees at DLR (although parking fees remain)). They’re also smart at discounting, whether it’s free dining, ticket specials (like the 3d/4d passes last year), targeted promotions, etc. Remember in the 2000s when they offered free admission on your birthday, and later for volunteering?

This forum fixates on the Disney Bubble, but most people stay and eat outside of it. Last summer, the most popular tickets were the 3D/4D park tickets from $89-$99.

You can get more hotel for your money in Orlando, same WDW, than anywhere else in the country. Even the golf/ water park resorts in the Phoenix area - which target winter travel and were sold at bargain rates the rest of the year - now cost more.

Last summer, a family of four could’ve stayed at a beautiful resort with elaborate pool, did the four day park ticket, budgeted $100/day for food and spent less than $4K. They could’ve shaved $1K off that price if they went with less hotel. In today’s world, that’s not unreasonable.

Meanwhile, I’ve been on these forums for two decades. Some of the same users saying they’re just about done with Disney.. have been saying that for years and are the first ones to insist that staying at a CL room in the Beach Club at nearly $1,500/ night is the only way to Disney.

Disney smart?? They are being led by a CEO who failed at training a competent successor and is only , by his own admission going to be around for a short time. His strategy is to grab as many $$ as he can for himself and then exit and use those $$ for his and his family’s enjoyment. Where Disney is in 10 years is not his concern.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Q1 2025 was the first quarter post reopening where there was a drop in YoY attendance at the domestic parks. Every other quarter has either been flat or an increase vs the prior year.

The company listed Hurricane closures as a potential reason for a 2% drop from Q1 2024 which could be possible given park closure for a day and any additional guest cancellations that may have occurred.

They’re operating at below 2019 attendance, but I don’t think guest really want that back and enough seem willing and to pay more to not have that back, for now.

 

[Minnie1222]

This doesn’t mean attendance is increasing. Increased revenue does not mean that either. Attendance may be decreasing but revenue increasing due to increased cost/price per person due to the increased ticket prices and add on costs like lightning lane.

I think the #1 complaint is still Crowds, not Cost. Until then, the most effective way for crowd control is to keep increasing prices.

I also don't believe that higher attendance means higher profits. If anything, higher attendance would lead to lower guests satisfaction.

 

[clarker99]

Q1 2025 was the first quarter post reopening where there was a drop in YoY attendance at the domestic parks. Every other quarter has either been flat or an increase vs the prior year.

The company listed Hurricane closures as a potential reason for a 2% drop from Q1 2024 which could be possible given park closure for a day and any additional guest cancellations that may have occurred.

They’re operating at below 2019 attendance, but I don’t think guest really want that back and enough seem willing and to pay more to not have that back, for now.

This. There are some bad narratives about Disney. Disney being in trouble or that trouble is right around the corner is def one of those bad takes.

Domestic parks had RECORD quarter in terms of revenue even with the closures and the hurricanes impacted profits by $120m. At 30% margin Disney lost $400m in revenue due to the storms. The record quarter could have been even bigger.

Average domestic hotel guest spend per night (room rate plus food/merch sales) crossed above $500/night for the 1st time ever in Q1.

The narratives just dont play out in the numbers. Disney isnt putting a gun to peoples head to come to their parks or stay in their hotels or go on their cruises. More than enough people willfully go and spend.