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

[JD80]

You’re delusional. These are not “deals”. It’s simply Disney trying to discount their product enough to be competitive after raising prices well beyond inflation.

And the experience has completely changed due to the upcharges that used to be included. Not buying lightning lanes for example will certainly impact your trip, particularly in the hot summer months.

lol ok. I'm just not sure you understand the fundamental conversation here. Is it more expensive for the way you do Disney World? Absolutely.

Are there opportunities for families that would normally not be able to afford a WDW vacation that can now specifically because the ticket prices are lower? Yes. Those $89 park tickets match single park ticket rates from over a decade ago. Specifically 2013. (Adjusted for inflation)

That All-Star rate of $99, you wouldn't have seen since the last century if you compare the discount vs. rack rate.

Yeah you've got Lightning Lanes and the Poly price has doubled over the last 15 years, but you can still do Disney World with some of these rates at prices that haven't been seen in a while.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Hey Josh, value and affordability are not the same thing.

Unfortunately I don’t think they comprehend this, or maybe they just hope most people won’t realize it.

Saying ticket prices are the same amount (a few days a year) while ignoring the massive increase in nickel and diming guests on things formerly included in that price (every single day of the year) isn’t the selling point they think it is.

The price may still be the same but the value isn’t even close.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Are we ignoring the cost of food, transportation, upcharges, etc?

“Great family vacation” is still debatable these days, even if you can find a half decent deal.

Yeah. There’s been a general trend toward removing services while charging more. Disney used to provide free airport transportation and luggage services. Disney used to provide free fast passes. And there were little things like magic bands and resort delivery. Ticket prices have risen like crazy. I looked through my emails and found a receipt for a 7 day park hopper in December of 2018 - $479. The next year was $523. Today, that same ticket is $889. Early summer (the other time we'd usually travel) is cheaper, but still pushing $800.

 

[Tha Realest]

“It’s finally affordable for the average family of you come on this one random week in August.”

 

[StarWarsGirl]

still can't believe no one is harping on Bob for his "income qualified" statement when it came to Abu Dhabi

That's just a term for the group of consumers that can afford their product and who they're targeting to. Not the greatest term, but that's what they mean. They wouldn't enter a market if they couldn't sell the product at the price point they wanted.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I don’t disagree the pricing is out of hand, but people keep booking. Heck, bookings are up for YoY and look to be trending up the rest of the year as well. The customer is shouting that they don’t care about the price. Is it sustainable? I’m not sure, but the train keeps plowing on.

Yeah, no.

Their own report shows 5% of their growth from ticket sales was due to increased prices. Only 2% was due to increased attendance, and this was mostly International because between 2023 and 2024, domestic park attendance only increased by 1%. The increase in resorts revenue is also primarily driven by increases in pricing, not booking, and once again, bookings were higher internationally. They stayed the same domestically. This is not a sustainable strategy.

Fortunately, those in charge (not Josh) seem to recognize this and are investing long-term in the parks. Josh is trying to put lipstick on a pig for the sake of investors.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

With the current discounts you can do all four parks in August for 5 nights for under $2500. (Transportation and food not included)

Yeah, transportation and food is a pretty big amount to not include.

if you do the 3 day non-MK park tickets for $89/day and then add in 1 MK park ticket (or a Halloween party to get your MK time in) it works out cheaper.

You can't add those tickets when doing a simple package though - have to do room only and then add those tickets separately

(though, I wouldn't call $2,638 outlandish for a great family vacation - and really not more than what it was 10+ years ago when factoring in inflation)

You guys should call your podcast "Disney Defenders." I cannot believe you are actually standing up for the "affordability" of a Disney vacation.

Magical Express is gone. Free Fastpass is gone. Ticket prices are insanely high. This summer will be my first time co-bankrolling a WDW trip (my parents paid for all my previous trips but this is their 50th anniversary gift), and it's insane how much we're paying. Insane.

 

[HauntedPirate]

The absolute cheapest tickets I can find: 5 day tickets, 2 adults, 2 children, valid August 19-26: $1626. If the $109/night deal at All Star Sports is still available, that means tickets are only $1081 (approximately 198%) more than your hotel cost. Let’s make an absolute best-case scenario for food - $40/QS meal X 15 meals = $600. No souvenirs, no snacks, drinking water only, and absolutely nothing else purchased. $2900 for 5 nights/days at WDW, not including any transportation costs.

YMMV

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Disney doesn't control transportation costs, so you can ignore that. Upcharges are optional. And the cost for a majority of the quick service options on property is pretty similar to any other vacation destination/theme park for the most part.

The deals this summer allow families to go to WDW where previously it was just out of reach.

The only thing that I agree with is that Disney's QS generally is priced correctly, which I can say having been to major cities, non-Disney parks, etc. And the quality of the food is much better in a lot of the QS locations than other parks, especially Epcot, AK, and DL. Disney also does guests a favor by allowing outside food and beverages to be brought in, which is restricted in most other parks (this is a tip I give many people because they often don't realize it since other parks restrict outside food).

It does not, however, mean that it's "affordable" for the average family.

 

[monothingie]

Today is May 15, 2025. Josh D'Amaro thought about affordability today as he made brief eye contact with his company limousine driver when the driver opened the door for him as he left his mansion for work today.

Next Josh D'Amaro affordability thought update May 16, 2025.

 

[John park hopper]

Affordable for the average family-- Josh you are joshing to put it mildly -- snack prices are 4 times the average price, what used to be a perk is now gone or charged for, drive to the parks costs 30 bucks to park on asphalt that has been there for years. (paid 50 cents in 1972). So tired of Disney corporate BS

 

[Lilofan]

Rumor has it that Minimum Height Requirement signage will soon be replaced with Minimum Income Requirements.

Never happen. Some Americans with a slaves to debt mindset spend money they don’t have hocked up to their eyeballs on credit card debt and still go on vacation. Disney isn’t exactly luxury goods spending but seems like it. Also 75% of luxury goods buyers are from the middle class so basically these guys will stay in the middle class.

 

[drizgirl]

The only thing that I agree with is that Disney's QS generally is priced correctly, which I can say having been to major cities, non-Disney parks, etc. And the quality of the food is much better in a lot of the QS locations than other parks, especially Epcot, AK, and DL. Disney also does guests a favor by allowing outside food and beverages to be brought in, which is restricted in most other parks (this is a tip I give many people because they often don't realize it since other parks restrict outside food).

It does not, however, mean that it's "affordable" for the average family.

Also, other entertainment options really aren't something where you eat all of your meals contained in the high price bubble for many days. Like if you eat a hot dog at the ball park, you aren't also eating breakfast and lunch at the ball park. You are probably eating much cheaper the other meals.

 

[drizgirl]

Affordable for the average family-- Josh you are joshing to put it mildly -- snack prices are 4 times the average price, what used to be a perk is now gone or charged for, drive to the parks costs 30 bucks to park on asphalt that has been there for years. (paid 50 cents in 1972). So tired of Disney corporate BS

What are you talking about? 3 days a year you can pay the same as before. Never mind that you get back of the line privileges unless you ante up another big pile of cash.

Just another one of Josh's "buttons and levers".

 

[Lilofan]

Affordable for the average family-- Josh you are joshing to put it mildly -- snack prices are 4 times the average price, what used to be a perk is now gone or charged for, drive to the parks costs 30 bucks to park on asphalt that has been there for years. (paid 50 cents in 1972). So tired of Disney corporate BS

If you continue to complain about pricing there are other FL options to take your money and or some families brown bag or line up with me at the water fountain to fill up the water bottle.

 

[Ricky Spanish]

Hello, can I interest you in a $4 bottle of water or a $5.50 Coca Cola?

 

[KDM31091]

The more I read the article the more disgusted I get. I don't know how he can say with a straight face that they are trying to keep it "affordable". Yes they are throwing out discounts for the summer, which has become the "slow"(er) season anyway. They do that every year as of late so that's really no big deal. Are the discounts better this time, sure. But it doesn't do anything for the costs of food, drinks, merch, LLs, and any number of things you pay for. If they really wanted to "keep it affordable" they would cut prices significantly across the board, but why would they considering the parks are still full? It's a catch 22. But please stop acting like you are trying to help people and keep it affordable. You are not.

 

[Lilofan]

Hello, can I interest you in a $4 bottle of water or a $5.50 Coca Cola?

$4 water or line up with guests on line like myself at the water fountain to fill up empty water bottle. Cost -$0. Or ask a CM for a cup of ice water.

 

[Lilofan]

The more I read the article the more disgusted I get. I don't know how he can say with a straight face that they are trying to keep it "affordable". Yes they are throwing out discounts for the summer, which has become the "slow"(er) season anyway. They do that every year as of late so that's really no big deal. Are the discounts better this time, sure. But it doesn't do anything for the costs of food, drinks, merch, LLs, and any number of things you pay for. If they really wanted to "keep it affordable" they would cut prices significantly across the board, but why would they considering the parks are still full? It's a catch 22. But please stop acting like you are trying to help people and keep it affordable. You are not.

Go to Orlando premium outlets on International Drive and buy your Disney merch at non park prices.

 

[Ricky Spanish]

$4 water or line up with guests on line like myself at the water fountain to fill up empty water bottle. Cost -$0. Or ask a CM for a cup of ice water.

We use the bottle filling stations at the parks.