Disney Raises Some Prices at Disneyland and Disney World as it Preps $60B Parks Investment

As it prepares to invest $60 billion into its lucrative theme parks business, The Walt Disney Co. is also raising some prices at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.

“We are constantly adding new, innovative attractions and entertainment to our parks and, with our broad array of pricing options, the value of a theme park visit is reflected in the unique experiences that only Disney can offer,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.

At Disney World, the price of annual passes will rise between $40 and $50, depending on the pass, topping out at $1,449 for the Disney Incredi-pass. Parking at the parks will rise from $25 to $30, with the company noting that the price is now consistent with competitor parks in central Florida.

Disney notes that it is not raising prices at Disney World for its date-based tickets, and that the lowest-priced ticket has remained at $109 for the last five years.

Meanwhile, at Disneyland, prices are rising for almost every ticket option. Daily and multi-day tickets will see price hikes of between 4 percent and 15.7 percent, with most price hikes in the 7-9 percent range. However, the least expensive ticket option will remain at $104, the same price as it has been since 2019. The price of its “Magic Key” annual passes will also rise between 3 percent and 21 percent, topping out with the Inspire pass at $1,649. There will also be price increases for parking and the Genie+ add-on offering.

While Disney is raising prices, the company also notes that it is adding new benefits. Most notably, it is bringing back the Park Hopper option at Disney World, something that has not been available since before the pandemic. Guests with annual passes or tickets with Park Hoper benefits can now visit another of Disney World’s theme parks at any time of day, as long as capacity restrictions haven’t been met.

And Disney World will also add “Good to go days” for annual passholders beginning in January, making it easier for them to visit the park without a reservation. Disney also notes that it has brought back free self-parking for its hotels.

And at Disneyland, the company notes that it is adding new rides and attractions (including new additions to the Genie+ offering) and is offering a discounted child ticket for the first time in years.

The pricing adjustments come just a month after Disney unveiled plans to dramatically increase its investment in its parks and cruise line business. The company told investors that it has more than 1,000 acres available in Florida and California to expand, and is developing new attractions and offerings to continue growing the division.

“Today, as Disney considers future growth opportunities, there is a deep well of stories that have yet to be fully explored in its theme parks,” the company said in an investor briefing, adding that it plans to “explore even more characters and franchises, including some that haven’t been leveraged extensively to date,” at its parks around the world.

The company also wants to make the parks more accessible to guests, which is why it is trying to increase flexibility (with offerings like discounted child tickets) and expand its cruise line into parts of the world where Disney does not have a theme park (like Australia and New Zealand).