Walt Disney once dreamed of a theme park where families of all backgrounds could experience magic together. But in 2024, that dream feels more exclusive than ever, as rising costs and shrinking perks have made a Disney vacation harder to justify.
Disney’s Response to Criticism
In light of a Wall Street Journal article detailing just how expensive a trip to Walt Disney World has become, Disney executives have attempted to push back. Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, has emphasized a variety of promotions aimed at making vacations more affordable, including:
- A Florida resident ticket deal at $60 per day for a four-day ticket.
- A free dining plan for select resort guests.
- Discounted hotel stays, with savings of up to $200 per night.
Disney’s Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston added that price increases are mostly focused on premium offerings or peak seasons. But for many fans, these explanations fail to address the larger problem: The baseline cost of a Disney vacation is higher than ever, while guest benefits have been systematically stripped away.
Remember when these Disney World perks were free?
Over the years, the company has phased out numerous perks that once made a Disney trip special:
- FastPass is gone – Once a free and fair way to skip the line, it has been replaced with the paid Lightning Lane system, which can add hundreds of dollars to an already expensive trip.
- Extra Magic Hours have been cut – Previously available to all Disney Resort guests, Extended Evening Hours are now only for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts. Moderate and Value resort guests no longer get the same after-hours benefits they once enjoyed.
- Park hours are shorter – It used to be common for Magic Kingdom to close at midnight or later during peak seasons. Now, many parks, including Animal Kingdom, close significantly earlier, cutting down on time for guests who want to maximize their visit.
- More money, fewer attractions – Several rides and shows have closed without being replaced by equivalent experiences, leaving guests feeling like they’re paying more for less.
Will Disney Listen?
As Disney continues to raise prices while reducing guest benefits, it’s facing a growing issue: brand loyalty is eroding. Internal discussions, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, suggest that even Disney executives are worried about over-relying on price increases.
Meanwhile, Universal Studios is aggressively marketing its upcoming Epic Universe park, positioning itself as a more affordable alternative. If Disney continues down this path, it may find that guests who once saved up for yearly Disney trips will start looking elsewhere.
Ultimately, the real question isn’t whether Disney can defend its pricing—it’s whether fans will continue to accept it.
I have been going for a number of years and I consider myself really lucky . I think last year will be my last the crowds are to busy
and I’m not willing to spend more on rides that frequency break down. Things are not as clean, too little cast members trying to do to much work,lost the sparkle. We bought Halloween tickets last year it rained badly, as first show was starting,. the dancers were called off stage almost as soon as it started as they announced it was cancelled due to a thunderstorm approaching. We got drinks after spending at least 20mins in a queue leaned against the building soaking wet and left after an hour . Two days later I went to customer service to see if I could get my money returned as people were saying it was a thin, the person said it wasn’t raining I said it was but didn’t want to get into an argument. Also there is nothing special about staying in a Disney Hotel the facades are nice but the rooms are small and basic. Cast where mostly nice . It’s a big world out there everybody always telling me so I’m giving it a go, Some luxury hotels cost much less than Disney. The ones I’ve been too are lovely. I might come back for Universal I’ll see