Disneyland tickets up, WDW next?

Written by Tim Krasniewski | May 22, 2012
Posted in DL Vacation Planning News

On Sunday May 20, 2012 Disneyland increased prices on its theme park tickets and Annual Passes.  Walt Disney World is almost certain to follow in the coming days.  

Over the last three years Disney has reportedly invested $1.2 billion dollars in the Disney California Adventure theme park.  As the signature addition Cars Land prepares to open, Disney has positioned itself to begin recouping that investment.  

Prices on all forms of ticket media increased Monday with some passes going up as much as 35%.  Hardest hit are the Southern California Select (resident) pass, up 35% from $199 to $269 and the Premium annual pass up 30% from $499 to $649.

The Premier annual pass--which provides unlimited admission to all Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks--increased 13% from $749 to $849.

MousePlanet.com assembled a chart detailing the increases on all ticketing options.  

Between the pending Cars Land opening on June 15, 2012 and its strong second quarter financial performance, Disney may be using ticket prices to help control the crushing flood of guests anticipated.  For years some insiders including MiceAge.com's Al Lutz have commented on the challenges Disneyland has faced in dealing with an ever-growing Passholder population.  

While these dramatic price increases are certainly designed to help pad the company's bottom line, Disney likely sees some benefit in thinning the ranks of its Passholder base.  

So what does this mean for Walt Disney World?  Increasing ticket prices is nearly an annual rite for the Disney parks.  Only in the most troubled economic conditions will Disney go more than a year between increases.  The last price increase at Disney's Florida resort occurred on June 12, 2011.  Some form of adjustment is almost certain to occur in the coming weeks.  

What remains to be seen is how substantial the Walt Disney World increases will prove to be.  Florida's Magic Kingdom has its own Fantasyland expansion rounding into shape, but that investment is not as eagerly-anticipated as Cars Land.  

Regardless, guests with upcoming Walt Disney World vacations would be well-advised to purchase their tickets now or keep a keen eye peeled for news of a pending price increase.  

Reader Comments

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Re: Disneyland tickets up, WDW next? -- denlo

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:26

I have to admit that when I read about the increase at DL, I was thinking that WDW will follow. That's a gigantic increase in prices for the locals. I was looking at the chart on MousePlanet's website and those are big increases even all the APs. http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?183396-Disneyland-Announces-Ticket-Price-Increase

Anyone remember last year's increase for WDW?

I found this historical chart on Allears for the June 2011 increase. My brain isn't up to the math, but it sure doesn't look like a 30% increase last year.

[quote="denlo"] I have to admit that when I read about the increase at DL, I was thinking that WDW will follow. That's a gigantic increase in prices for the locals. I was looking at the chart on MousePlanet's website and those are big increases even all the APs. [URL]http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?183396-Disneyland-Announces-Ticket-Price-Increase[/URL] Anyone remember last year's increase for WDW? I found this historical chart on Allears for the June 2011 increase. My brain isn't up to the math, but it sure doesn't look like a 30% increase last year. [/quote]

Re: Disneyland tickets up, WDW next? -- Presley

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:39

The increases are huge and will influence what type of tickets/passes that I will buy, which will reduce my overall days at the park. I wish that they would have sent me something letting me know that the AP prices were going up so much.

[quote="Presley"] The increases are huge and will influence what type of tickets/passes that I will buy, which will reduce my overall days at the park. I wish that they would have sent me something letting me know that the AP prices were going up so much. [/quote]

Re: Disneyland tickets up, WDW next? -- TimK

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:10

I sort of danced around this in the article but will be a bit more blunt here. If you follow Al Lutz' comments over the years and believe his voice is somewhat representative of Disney, I think the pricing is clearly designed to think the pass holder ranks. When they raise prices 30-35% on many passes, reality is they could easily lose 25% of those pass holders and still come out ahead.

Many pass holders are locals who flock to the parks, spend the better part of a day occupying space in the queues, attractions and elsewhere, and probably spend very little (if anything) on ancillary purchases like food and souvenirs.

As popular as Cars Land appears destined to be, I suspect Disney execs have some very real concerns about the impact on higher-spending day guests (like I will be in August! ) Seems like they are well aware some pass holders will not renew, but the higher margins will more than compensate.

It truly stinks for folks who are facing a ONE THIRD increase in their pass price. And it undeniably smacks of greed. But I do think over time it will help with crowd control to some degree.

Curious to hear how other DL pass holders will respond to the increases.

As for WDW, I think we'll see the typical 5-7% increases in all ticket media. WDW doesn't have nearly as many pass holders (according to what I've read) and I don't think Fantasyland is expected to bring in new business on any level approaching Cars Land.

[quote="TimK"] I sort of danced around this in the article but will be a bit more blunt here. If you follow Al Lutz' comments over the years and believe his voice is somewhat representative of Disney, I think the pricing is clearly designed to think the pass holder ranks. When they raise prices 30-35% on many passes, reality is they could easily lose 25% of those pass holders and still come out ahead. Many pass holders are locals who flock to the parks, spend the better part of a day occupying space in the queues, attractions and elsewhere, and probably spend very little (if anything) on ancillary purchases like food and souvenirs. As popular as Cars Land appears destined to be, I suspect Disney execs have some very real concerns about the impact on higher-spending day guests (like I will be in August! :) ) Seems like they are well aware some pass holders will not renew, but the higher margins will more than compensate. It truly stinks for folks who are facing a ONE THIRD increase in their pass price. And it undeniably smacks of greed. But I do think over time it will help with crowd control to some degree. Curious to hear how other DL pass holders will respond to the increases. As for WDW, I think we'll see the typical 5-7% increases in all ticket media. WDW doesn't have nearly as many pass holders (according to what I've read) and I don't think Fantasyland is expected to bring in new business on any level approaching Cars Land. [/quote]

Re: Disneyland tickets up, WDW next? -- sssteph

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 11:13

Hi there,

I think the increases are outrageous. I know they put in a lot of content and improvements, however, rate will literally price families out of the parks. Maybe this is intended? I read on another board folks were speculating it was a way to cut down on passholders that don't spend enough $$ in the parks, and decrease the crowds.

However, even looking at one day hopper makes me cringe = $125?? Ouch.

[quote="sssteph"] Hi there, I think the increases are outrageous. I know they put in a lot of content and improvements, however, rate will literally price families out of the parks. Maybe this is intended? I read on another board folks were speculating it was a way to cut down on passholders that don't spend enough $$ in the parks, and decrease the crowds. However, even looking at one day hopper makes me cringe = $125?? Ouch. [/quote]

Really an amazing thing. -- beepy

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 18:40

Before the increase, the pricing for annual passes at Disneyland have been narrowing compared to an annual pass at WDW. Without knowing what the price will be for WDW passes, a Premium pass at DLR and WDW are basically the same. Let's see. Two parks with no water parks at DLR vs. 4 parks, two water parks, better Downtown Disney, Wide World of Sports, Oak Trail Golf at WDW. Which do you think is the better value? It is hard to reconcile. It must have everything to do with weeding out the locals and those who don't spend the money as stated in the other posts.

Carsland and that $1.2 billion upgrade better be as good as advertised. If it is as good as staying DVC at the VGC, with that upgrade, it will be all good.

But why couldn't they wait two weeks so i could buy my passes at Disneyland on May 31 before the increase? They are making a killing on the Premier pass too.

[quote="beepy"] Before the increase, the pricing for annual passes at Disneyland have been narrowing compared to an annual pass at WDW. Without knowing what the price will be for WDW passes, a Premium pass at DLR and WDW are basically the same. Let's see. Two parks with no water parks at DLR vs. 4 parks, two water parks, better Downtown Disney, Wide World of Sports, Oak Trail Golf at WDW. Which do you think is the better value? It is hard to reconcile. It must have everything to do with weeding out the locals and those who don't spend the money as stated in the other posts. Carsland and that $1.2 billion upgrade better be as good as advertised. If it is as good as staying DVC at the VGC, with that upgrade, it will be all good. But why couldn't they wait two weeks so i could buy my passes at Disneyland on May 31 before the increase? They are making a killing on the Premier pass too. [/quote]

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