News Disney Parks Chief Josh D'Amaro Says Pricing Model Aims to Keep Vacations Affordable for Families

[TheMaxRebo]

Nice I am surprised!

Are all room categories as flat as this?

No, and I think that is a big point - the All Stars, quick service, etc - just the base line level hasn't increased as a percentage of average household income.

BUT if you were staying at Moderates/deluxe in the past, eating a lot of TS, getting hoppers, etc then *that* costs a lot more.

So you can still do Disney, but for many to do Disney the same way as in the past is a challenge and for some if they can't do it that way, they just won't do it (others are willing to adjust)

The other thing is just how everything is more expensive so even if Disney isn't a huge jump as far as % of income, everything else is meaning less available income to spend on things like Disney.

So far Disney seems to be attracted into sufficient crowds that are spending sufficient amount of $ but will have to see if that continues

 

[JD80]

Nice I am surprised!

Are all room categories as flat as this?

Mod are a little more eratic, but within $30 and Deluxes (I used the poly) is +$100 over 10 years.

Over 30 years, Values (All Stars) +$30, Mods (CBR) +$100, and Deluxes (Poly) +$300 - 2nd full week of June no discounts. I used the cheapest rate for the resort (did not delineate between resort view or pool view etc.).

 

[monothingie]

Today is May 22, 2025. Today with the opening of Epic Universe Josh D'Amaro thought about affordability when he pondered if he was going to be able to afford as many rich guy things going forward with the increased theme park competition in Orlando.

Next update maybe tomorrow depending on how many digital coins Josh collects in Super Nintendo World.

 

[LSLS]

Just to compare, here are the costs over the same period for an All Star Room the same week. (No discount)

View attachment 859864

That's interesting, where is that data from? I wonder how discounts factor in as well (are there more, less, etc.). Just looking back I know we paid $110 for All Stars like 8 years ago, but there is no chance we paid rack for it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Today is May 22, 2025. Today with the opening of Epic Universe Josh D'Amaro thought about affordability when he pondered if he was going to be able to afford as many rich guy things going forward with the increased theme park competition in Orlando.

Next update maybe tomorrow depending on how many digital coins Josh collects in Super Nintendo World.

They did make today a "good to go" day for passholders - what more do you greedy people want?!?!?!?

 

[JD80]

That's interesting, where is that data from? I wonder how discounts factor in as well (are there more, less, etc.). Just looking back I know we paid $110 for All Stars like 8 years ago, but there is no chance we paid rack for it.

I dug through the internet archives and found rates going back 20ish years. Then I found some annual prints from Disney from 90s with seasonal resort rates on them.

 

[Nubs70]

Would the costs to attend WDW be different of Parks and Experiences was not being used to supplement other operating units of the greater $DIS?

 

[LSLS]

I dug through the internet archives and found rates going back 20ish years. Then I found some annual prints from Disney from 90s with seasonal resort rates on them.

AH good idea, thanks.

 

[JD80]

That's interesting, where is that data from? I wonder how discounts factor in as well (are there more, less, etc.). Just looking back I know we paid $110 for All Stars like 8 years ago, but there is no chance we paid rack for it.

Also, 8 years ago Rack Rate was about $150 (non inflation adjusted) If you got a 20% discount that gets you to $120ish so your number is about right.

 

[Dranth]

Would the costs to attend WDW be different of Parks and Experiences was not being used to supplement other operating units of the greater $DIS?

They aren't, so no.

 

[Nubs70]

They aren't, so no.

Really?? Parks and Experiences earnings are not included in the $DIS consolidated income statement?

 

[Dranth]

Really?? Parks and Experiences earnings are not included in the $DIS consolidated income statement?

Of course they are, but Entertainment has not gone negative for any year I can remember so even with all the losses when getting steaming up and running Experiences hasn't had to cover Entertainment.

I am sure they wanted to be more careful while D+ was getting up and running so in that sense I see what you are saying, but the parks have not had to cover losses.

 

[DonniePeverley]

Any word on removing discounted annual passes for locals. Simply no need for this giveaway, when you have so many tourists wanting to get in.

 

[JoeCamel]

Any word on removing discounted annual passes for locals. Simply no need for this giveaway, when you have so many tourists wanting to get in.

Tourism is down. the Canadians stayed home and the Brits have their own issues

 

[SamusAranX]

Any word on removing discounted annual passes for locals. Simply no need for this giveaway, when you have so many tourists wanting to get in.

Someday you’ll get over this. Well, maybe not. But I’ll be sure to think of you every time I pack food and go to the park just to ride Guardians then go home

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Any word on removing discounted annual passes for locals. Simply no need for this giveaway, when you have so many tourists wanting to get in.

…I’m gonna write you a prescription for some xanex…

…it’s not valid…no authority to do so whatsoever…but it will really make me feel better

 

[Lilofan]

Tourism is down. the Canadians stayed home and the Brits have their own issues

That’s for sure. A hotel I stayed at in Fredericksburg VA surely misses the Canadian tourists. The owner told me his hotel is a very popular halfway point for vacationers driving from Ontario to VA then straight to FL and WDW.

 

[threvester]

Any word on removing discounted annual passes for locals. Simply no need for this giveaway, when you have so many tourists wanting to get in.

So at the risk of scouring 18 pages...can you fill me in on how this would make Disney more affordable for families?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes, the discount rate has gone down but even shorter length tickets are much more expensive. A 4 day non-hopper for December is $656 from undercover tourist. Best I can tell that ticket was a bit over $400 from Disney in 2019. So that’s a 60% increase and has little to do with discounts on bigger ticket packages.

This is a huge point…

Multiday tickets used to be - while not “cheap” - an incentive to stay longer. That means more money for Disney

The Stat geeks pushed it to where it is now a barrier to entry. That’s a huge - stupid - dynamic shift

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Tourism is down. the Canadians stayed home and the Brits have their own issues

And the costs are bugnuts and more people fail to Scrounge together enough credit to get there

A $46,000 Toyota Camry and $65,000 bill for a mediocre college don’t pay for itself