One of the most obvious trends in recent decades is the steady climb in WDW ticket prices. During its first 13 years of existence (1971 to 1984), “Old Guard” WDW management (i.e. those who had worked directly for Walt and Roy Disney) believed it was important for “guests” (in Disney-speak) to feel they received “good value” for their money. Consequently, Disney management kept theme park ticket prices in check.
When Mike Eisner took over The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) in 1984, the philosophy changed. It is reported that one of his earliest decisions was to significantly increase ticket prices. The price treadmill started by Eisner continues today unabated.
Some suggest WDW’s ticket price increases are justified because of WDW additions, ignoring that theme parks were added so guests would stay longer, significantly increasing WDW’s revenue. In other words, longer vacations meant more parks visited, more food purchased, more resorts rooms occupied for longer periods, etc. Hotel, water park, and shopping (e.g. Downtown Disney) additions were intended to be self-sustaining; the additional income they generated resulted in larger profits that, theoretically, could have been used to keep ticket price increases in check. This suggestion also ignores that prices did not significantly increase during WDW’s period of greatest and most expensive expansion, 1971 to 1984, when the entire WDW infrastructure was created (much of WDW was built on unoccupied swampland), the Monorail was constructed, and MK & Epcot were opened, with numerous attractions added along the way. Decades later, most feel MK and Epcot are WDW’s “best” theme parks. (See http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/whats-your-favorite-orlando-theme-park.854763/) Today, people pay more than ever on all of their vacation days for what generally are considered to be WDW’s two least-popular parks.
No theme parks have been added since the opening of DAK in 1998, nor are there any creditable rumors that any will be added in the foreseeable future, suggesting WDW will go at least 20 years (and probably much longer) between major additions. Meanwhile, in the last decade, the number of attractions added has slowed to a trickle. (For comparison, see http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/whats-next-presentation-cancelled.856590/page-19#post-5234078 for the pace of development during WDW’s first 30 years.) Attractions have changed at MK and Epcot since 1984 but nearly always at the cost of existing attractions. With the notable exception of Splash Mountain in 1992, attractions haven’t so much been added as either upgraded or replaced at MK and Epcot. Today’s MK and Epcot have essentially the same number of attractions they did in 1984. Furthermore, as fans of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea can tell you, WDW has lost several popular attractions. Since 1984, most additions have been at DHS or DAK. Several marquee attractions were not added to DHS until years after it opened, including VofLM (1992), TOT (1994), RnRC (1998), and TSM (2008).
WDW has had the equivalent of today’s “Magic Your Way” (MYW) park hopper tickets since the opening of Epcot in 1982. Since then, there have been two major theme park additions, DHS (then called Disney-MGM Studios) in 1989 and DAK in 1998. Thus, the years 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012 represent 10-year spreads separated by major theme park additions. (Of course, except for the last 10 years when no theme parks were added.) Prior to 2005, tickets also included the “no expiration” option, meaning any unused portion could be saved and used on future trips. Beginning in 2005, the “no expiration” option became a ticket upgrade that had to be paid for separately.
In 1982, a “typical” WDW vacation might have been 3 days; the equivalent of 2 days at MK and 1 day at Epcot. After the opening of Disney-MGM Studios, it could be suggested that this grew to 4 days and, after the opening of DAK, 5 days. Shorter or longer stays were possible but, for the sake of discussion, let’s assume these lengths of stays are representative of their time.
Using the years 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012, along with representative lengths of stay, historical ticket price data, and an inflation calculator, it’s possible to compare various ticket options across the decades.
If WDW magically offered the following ticket options, which would you choose?
In 1982, an annual pass cost $100 ($238.57 in 2012) while a 6-day ticket cost $60 ($143.14 in 2012). Since this ticket automatically included the hopper and “no expiration” options, a 6-day ticket could be used on multiple WDW vacations, even if these vacations were separately by years. WDW did not offer a 5-day ticket in 1982.
In 1992, an annual pass cost $202.35 ($332.04 in 2012). WDW did not offer a 6-day ticket but did offer a 5-day hopper & “no expiration” ticket for $172.53 ($283.11 in 2012).
In 2002, an annual pass cost $392.99 ($502.92 in 2012). A 6-day hopper & “no expiration” ticket was (which also included the water parks) was $307.79 ($393.88 in 2012).
In 2012, an annual pass costs $611.31. A 6-day base ticket costs $296.07, with hopper costs $356.78, with water parks costs $380.21, and with “no expiration” costs $555.93.
When Mike Eisner took over The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) in 1984, the philosophy changed. It is reported that one of his earliest decisions was to significantly increase ticket prices. The price treadmill started by Eisner continues today unabated.
Some suggest WDW’s ticket price increases are justified because of WDW additions, ignoring that theme parks were added so guests would stay longer, significantly increasing WDW’s revenue. In other words, longer vacations meant more parks visited, more food purchased, more resorts rooms occupied for longer periods, etc. Hotel, water park, and shopping (e.g. Downtown Disney) additions were intended to be self-sustaining; the additional income they generated resulted in larger profits that, theoretically, could have been used to keep ticket price increases in check. This suggestion also ignores that prices did not significantly increase during WDW’s period of greatest and most expensive expansion, 1971 to 1984, when the entire WDW infrastructure was created (much of WDW was built on unoccupied swampland), the Monorail was constructed, and MK & Epcot were opened, with numerous attractions added along the way. Decades later, most feel MK and Epcot are WDW’s “best” theme parks. (See http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/whats-your-favorite-orlando-theme-park.854763/) Today, people pay more than ever on all of their vacation days for what generally are considered to be WDW’s two least-popular parks.
No theme parks have been added since the opening of DAK in 1998, nor are there any creditable rumors that any will be added in the foreseeable future, suggesting WDW will go at least 20 years (and probably much longer) between major additions. Meanwhile, in the last decade, the number of attractions added has slowed to a trickle. (For comparison, see http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/whats-next-presentation-cancelled.856590/page-19#post-5234078 for the pace of development during WDW’s first 30 years.) Attractions have changed at MK and Epcot since 1984 but nearly always at the cost of existing attractions. With the notable exception of Splash Mountain in 1992, attractions haven’t so much been added as either upgraded or replaced at MK and Epcot. Today’s MK and Epcot have essentially the same number of attractions they did in 1984. Furthermore, as fans of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea can tell you, WDW has lost several popular attractions. Since 1984, most additions have been at DHS or DAK. Several marquee attractions were not added to DHS until years after it opened, including VofLM (1992), TOT (1994), RnRC (1998), and TSM (2008).
WDW has had the equivalent of today’s “Magic Your Way” (MYW) park hopper tickets since the opening of Epcot in 1982. Since then, there have been two major theme park additions, DHS (then called Disney-MGM Studios) in 1989 and DAK in 1998. Thus, the years 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012 represent 10-year spreads separated by major theme park additions. (Of course, except for the last 10 years when no theme parks were added.) Prior to 2005, tickets also included the “no expiration” option, meaning any unused portion could be saved and used on future trips. Beginning in 2005, the “no expiration” option became a ticket upgrade that had to be paid for separately.
In 1982, a “typical” WDW vacation might have been 3 days; the equivalent of 2 days at MK and 1 day at Epcot. After the opening of Disney-MGM Studios, it could be suggested that this grew to 4 days and, after the opening of DAK, 5 days. Shorter or longer stays were possible but, for the sake of discussion, let’s assume these lengths of stays are representative of their time.
Using the years 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012, along with representative lengths of stay, historical ticket price data, and an inflation calculator, it’s possible to compare various ticket options across the decades.
If WDW magically offered the following ticket options, which would you choose?
- 3-Day Park Hopper for MK & Epcot only, $83.50 or $27.83/day (1982 ticket price adjusted for inflation)
- 4-Day Park Hopper for MK, Epcot, & DHS only, $214.07 or $53.52/day (1992 ticket price adjusted for inflation)
- 5-Day Park Hopper for MK, Epcot, DHS, & DAK, $312.11 or $62.42/day (2002 ticket price adjusted for inflation)
- 5-Day Park Hopper for MK, Epcot, DHS, & DAK, $484.58 or $96.92/day (2012 ticket price)
In 1982, an annual pass cost $100 ($238.57 in 2012) while a 6-day ticket cost $60 ($143.14 in 2012). Since this ticket automatically included the hopper and “no expiration” options, a 6-day ticket could be used on multiple WDW vacations, even if these vacations were separately by years. WDW did not offer a 5-day ticket in 1982.
In 1992, an annual pass cost $202.35 ($332.04 in 2012). WDW did not offer a 6-day ticket but did offer a 5-day hopper & “no expiration” ticket for $172.53 ($283.11 in 2012).
In 2002, an annual pass cost $392.99 ($502.92 in 2012). A 6-day hopper & “no expiration” ticket was (which also included the water parks) was $307.79 ($393.88 in 2012).
In 2012, an annual pass costs $611.31. A 6-day base ticket costs $296.07, with hopper costs $356.78, with water parks costs $380.21, and with “no expiration” costs $555.93.
