Why You'll Have To Spend A Little More On Ticket Prices To The Disney Parks
Bad news, Disney fans: The price of a trip to your favorite theme park may have just gone up again. It all depends on which Disney resort you're visiting and what kind of ticket you purchase. This week, the Walt Disney Company announced a broad increase across several price levels for tickets to its theme parks. The change went into effect immediately on October 11, 2023, one year to the day after Disney parks implemented a similar price increase. It will affect both Florida's Walt Disney World and California's Disneyland Resort, though guests of the latter will shoulder a more extensive price hike.
Disneyland Resort currently has seven price tiers for a one-day ticket, based on projected demand for its two parks, the original Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Tier 0, which applies to days with the lowest demand for tickets, will maintain its previous price of $104 for a single day. The other tiers, from 1 to 6, will see a price increase of $5 for the lowest two, $10 for the middle two, and $15 for the highest two. This means the cost of a one-day ticket will now range from $119 (at Tier 1) to $194 (at Tier 6).
At press time, with Disneyland nearing the end of its popular two-month Halloween event, there were no available tickets below the Tier 4 price of $169 for the last half of October. One-day tickets aren't the only kind of passes that will see a price hike, either.
Disneyland and Disney World price increases
For multi-day tickets, Disneyland is raising prices as follows: $310 for two days, $390 for three days, $445 for four days, and $480 for five days. This will add between $25 to $65 to the cost for these tickets.
Annual passes, which are sold at four levels as "Magic Key" passes, are undergoing a similar price increase. Imagine and Inspire, the lowest and highest tier based on benefits, each cost $50 more now, bringing their prices up to $499 and $1,649, respectively. The middle two tiers, Enchant and Believe, have each jacked their prices up $150, so they now cost $849 and $1,249, respectively. Currently, Disneyland has put sales of new Magic Key passes on pause and is only offering them for renewal to existing passholders.
On the opposite coast, the price of a one-day ticket at Walt Disney World is holding steady at $109. However, annual passes at Disney World are undergoing an increase of $30 to $50. Even a ghost at the Haunted Mansion might bristle at paying $999 dollars for a Sorcerer Pass, available to Florida residents or eligible Disney Vacation Club Members. The Incredi-Pass, which is available to all guests and not subject to any blockout dates, will set you back $1,449. Both Disneyland and Disney World are raising prices for parking, park-hopper add-ons, and the Genie+ line-hopper service between $5 and $10 as well.
A few restored perks
Disney's U.S. parks aren't the only ones to raise ticket prices this year. As of October 2023, peak prices at Tokyo Disney Resort have also now reached a 40-year high. The price adjustment comes at a time when the future of Disney theme parks is already in focus. In September, Disney revealed plans to invest $60 billion dollars in its theme parks and cruises over the coming decade.
There's a silver lining to the price hikes in that Disney will soon restore a few theme park perks that were absent during the pandemic. Beginning January 9, 2024, Disney World guests will be able to enjoy park-hopper access all day again instead of waiting until 2 p.m. to change parks. On that same date, the resort will reinstitute the Disney Dining Plan and discontinue the need for guests to book separate theme park reservations along with their purchase of date-based tickets.
For its part, Disneyland is adding two new rides to the Genie+ service. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway has already joined the list of available attractions at Disneyland. The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure will reportedly join the list of available attractions at Disney California Adventure in November. The resort has also lengthened the booking window for theme park tickets from 120 to 180 days. This enables you to plan your trip a full six months in advance. Your travel budget just may need to account for the ticket price increase when you do it.