Are tickets to WDW really over priced?

[seascape]

Value is in the eye of the beholder. First and foremost, let’s compare it to something more reasonable, that being Universal.

For a 1 Day ticket at Uni, it is pretty much identical in pricing with Disney.

But, that’s where the similarities stop with the pricing in Universal and Disney.

When it comes to merchandise, there is a 5-10% difference in cost, with Universal being cheaper.

In food, it all depends on what type of restaurant you’re choosing. I personally have noticed that Universal can be cheaper upwards of 10-15% in some instances, especially with Table Service.

Hotels are also a vast difference. You can get a “value” level hotel at Universal starting at 87 dollars a night, while a base level room at a value resort in Disney is no lower than 150 a night

Lastly, and I think majorly, is the Annual Passes for both, which is the best way to entice locals. While Disney is 55 dollars a month per person, for a Gold Level Pass, the same level pass is 17 dollars a month at Universal, and while it may only have a 10% discount on some things compared to Disney’s 20%, you can use that 10% on things like snacks, which you can’t use it on at Disney.

I was hoping that people would leave Universal out of this thread because as you said the one day tickets are about equal. As for annual passes, yes Universal is substantially lower but will that be the case after Epic Universe is open and they become a real multi day vacation resort? Universal still depends on local annual passholders while WDW does not. I contend that Universal will join Disney soon and prove they don't care about locals just money. If you doubt this look at Comcast and their record. As for low cost hotels, I would compare the Disney Springs resorts to Universal's value because they offer Disney transportation and benefits.

 

[TYOTimer]

I was hoping that people would leave Universal out of this thread because as you said the one day tickets are about equal. As for annual passes, yes Universal is substantially lower but will that be the case after Epic Universe is open and they become a real multi day vacation resort? Universal still depends on local annual passholders while WDW does not. I contend that Universal will join Disney soon and prove they don't care about locals just money. If you doubt this look at Comcast and their record. As for low cost hotels, I would compare the Disney Springs resorts to Universal's value because they offer Disney transportation and benefits.

Yes, but, with Universal, your cover charge (your park ticket) may be the same, even with Park to Park or Park Hopper, but your costs once you enter vary immensely. Plus, out of the 2, one has had way higher guest satisfaction ratings as of late, and it hasn’t been Disney.

As for the local part of this, while Disney doesn’t rely on local passholders for a massive amount of their revenue, they still amount for a decent share of their guest traffic every year, while they just treat us like absolute garbage compared to what Universal does for their local passholders. And yes, price increases are inevitable, but they won’t balloon 3x the cost in 5 years. But, if anything is going to happen with Disney and Universal in terms of taking care of their locals (granted what I’m about to say is assuming Chappie is out the door and on his way to another dimension), is that Disney is going to have to have something like Passholder Appreciation Days enacted, to better take care of their locals. Because a magnet isn’t going to cut it for much longer, especially once Genie comes out and makes everything worse

 

[seascape]

Yes, but, with Universal, your cover charge (your park ticket) may be the same, even with Park to Park or Park Hopper, but your costs once you enter vary immensely. Plus, out of the 2, one has had way higher guest satisfaction ratings as of late, and it hasn’t been Disney.

As for the local part of this, while Disney doesn’t rely on local passholders for a massive amount of their revenue, they still amount for a decent share of their guest traffic every year, while they just treat us like absolute garbage compared to what Universal does for their local passholders. And yes, price increases are inevitable, but they won’t balloon 3x the cost in 5 years. But, if anything is going to happen with Disney and Universal in terms of taking care of their locals (granted what I’m about to say is assuming Chappie is out the door and on his way to another dimension), is that Disney is going to have to have something like Passholder Appreciation Days enacted, to better take care of their locals. Because a magnet isn’t going to cut it for much longer, especially once Genie comes out and makes everything worse

There are two distinct types of passholders and neither of us know how many are in each group. You have local passholders and others like hundreds of DVC members and other who are out of state but visit several times a year or one very long stay. I am sure the percentage of the latter is larger at WDW than Universal. Anyway, this debate is to show that a family today actually spends less of their income on a 4 day trip to WDW and infact probably spends less even if they spent 2 days at WDW and 2 days Universal than they did in 1977 on 4 days at just WDW on tickets. Hotels costs can easily be less than in 1977 by staying offsite or at Flamingo Crossing or Disney Springs. Food on the otherhand is overpriced but there are ways to save on that too. My wife and I usually order child portions at quick service.

 

[Mark48]

No. But the food, the drinks, the parking, and the hotel prices are. So are the smore's for the campfires.

Jesus, man. I can bring my own marshmallows. But then they'd charge for the fire.

On a brighter note: They do give away free popcorn for the resort movies. So there's that.

"Jesus, man. I can bring my own marshmallows. But then they'd charge for the fire."

This is my favorite line of the year!!!!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I would hesitate to say that the prices are overpriced because you get an awful lot of entertainment hours and variety for that money. Compare it to a football game or a rock concert and it is cheap. That said, however, it is getting close to out of reach for people with families, the very backbone of Disney Parks. I look at it based on myself. If I were still working and all I had to pay for was myself, then it is dirt cheap. If I still had a family of four to pay for, including transportation and meals. I think I would feel priced out. I would then conclude that it is high priced, certainly worth it, just priced at a rate that is sometimes hard to justify or have available.

 

[chimchimcheree]

Recent (and cranky) grad here! I was born in 1995. My parents opened a 529 account for me to save for my college expenses. At the time the account opened, the total cost of attending college, averaged across private and public universities, was $8,800. I went to a state school, the same school my dad went to, and I was paying $50,000 a year. At 18, I was working a minimum-wage job earning $7.25/hour. I was taking home ~$160/week. On what planet would that cover my college costs? Someone said it earlier, but it's a multifaceted issue. One *huge* reason that someone mentioned, but I wanted to hammer home (and provide numbers for): state funding for public higher ed has plummeted.

As for Disney, it's an apples-to-oranges comparison, my unrequested millennial/Gen Z view is that it's overpriced, but then so is literally everything else. Can barely make rent (can't on minimum wage these days), can't buy a house, have to rely on Gofundme for healthcare, have no assets on which to build equity for the future, can take out a loan for college at 18 but can't sign for a mortgage, can't get out of student loan debt from trying to get the advanced degrees we were told we had to have to get the good jobs with the higher salaries, etc. etc. etc. We all know why we go to Disney. We have to pay out the nose for everything, so why not pay out the nose for something we actually derive pleasure from? I'll pay $5+ for Dole Whips to forget about the chronic stream of bad news for a few days. (My dudes, I have a law degree and I'm living at home because I can't afford a place to live and save for a down payment on a house.)

Additionally, I feel compelled to point out that trips to the Disney parks were not economically feasible for everyone, even back in the 1970s. My dad's first trip to WDW was also my first trip to WDW. It was the first time he could afford it.

 

[marni1971]

Why not compare the price of a Big Mac to admission prices?

 

[seascape]

Recent (and cranky) grad here! I was born in 1995. My parents opened a 529 account for me to save for my college expenses. At the time the account opened, the total cost of attending college, averaged across private and public universities, was $8,800. I went to a state school, the same school my dad went to, and I was paying $50,000 a year. At 18, I was working a minimum-wage job earning $7.25/hour. I was taking home ~$160/week. On what planet would that cover my college costs? Someone said it earlier, but it's a multifaceted issue. One *huge* reason that someone mentioned, but I wanted to hammer home (and provide numbers for): state funding for public higher ed has plummeted.

As for Disney, it's an apples-to-oranges comparison, my unrequested millennial/Gen Z view is that it's overpriced, but then so is literally everything else. Can barely make rent (can't on minimum wage these days), can't buy a house, have to rely on Gofundme for healthcare, have no assets on which to build equity for the future, can take out a loan for college at 18 but can't sign for a mortgage, can't get out of student loan debt from trying to get the advanced degrees we were told we had to have to get the good jobs with the higher salaries, etc. etc. etc. We all know why we go to Disney. We have to pay out the nose for everything, so why not pay out the nose for something we actually derive pleasure from? I'll pay $5+ for Dole Whips to forget about the chronic stream of bad news for a few days. (My dudes, I have a law degree and I'm living at home because I can't afford a place to live and save for a down payment on a house.)

Additionally, I feel compelled to point out that trips to the Disney parks were not economically feasible for everyone, even back in the 1970s. My dad's first trip to WDW was also my first trip to WDW. It was the first time he could afford it.

My parents couldn't afford to take a vacation anywhere except my Grandparents home. So I never went to WDW until I was working full time and could pay for myself. My first trip was in 1985. Even then because I needed to save and build up some wealth didn't go again until 2006, when someone gave me a free week at Summer Bay Resort. Finally in 2011 I went for the 3rd time, stayed at the Dolphin, and in November 2011 purchased my first resale DVC contract at SSR. Even then I was careful to buy as cheap as possible. Do I feel sorry for today's youth? Yes, they were told go to college. Take out loans. Who was benefitting from the over priced and now lower education, courses that used to be 3 credits but now are 4? Look at professors pay, when I went to the University of Dayton professors taught 5 classes. Even Dr. Rapp the head of the Economics Department taught 4 classes and I was lucky enough to take 6 courses from him. Does that happen today? NO!

Now, another comparison, the price of homes. In March 1977 the median value of a US Home was $37,566.40 and in March 2021 was $314,769.26, an increase of 8.38 times. Using that number the $6.00 admission ticket with no ride book would cost $50.28 and the cost of tickets, again using half the ticket book of $9.12 would cost $76.42 for a total of $126.70. Again lower than the average one day ticket.

So we now know that the value of the WDW ticket it lower than the cost of a new car in 1977, the cost of a home in 1977 and the cost of education in 1977. Should I go on? I could compare the costs of Government but we know how that would turn out. The two major areas where prices went down are food and clothing. Both due to technology and using cheap Asian labor. So, the price of tickets to WDW are a better bargain today and a higher percentage of Americans can afford it than in 1977. The problem is comparing any individual cost of something today to the past is there are too many factors to just limit it to the CPI. In 1977 America, women were still entering the workforce and as a result family income was increasing dramatically and so was inflation. Today, because of that change, real family income is higher and we are actually much better off. Yes, there are problems but in 2021 a much higher percentage of Americans can afford to take a vacation than in 1977 and even one to Orlando to enjoy the Themepark Capital of the world. Stop complaining about the cost and enjoy life. Walt Disney never intended for his parks to be for everyone. He build his parks and priced them so his Hollywood friends would have a place to enjoy with their kids not for a middleclass family in Anytown, USA to afford.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Why not compare the price of a Big Mac to admission prices?

Okay. In 1990 Disney admission cost 12 Big Macs.

Today if you want to go to Disney it will cost you 30 Big Macs (fries and drink not included - offer valid while supplies last - certain restrictions may apply)

Now, keep in mind that Joey Chestnut once ate 32 Big Macs - That would be enough for admission, plus a DPA ride on The Jungle Cruise.

 

[CntrlFlPete]

Disney was the high price leader in '71. Ticket books left when park #2 opened. When there were ride tickets, one could get in the park for like $2.50 (maybe $5 top), use left over ride tickets from a prior trip -- not ride any rides -- or just by one or two ride tickets. I recall paying around $28 dollars when Disney was two (maybe three) parks.

WDW has changed their pricing in other ways over the years as well -- using the above train of thought, they split park hoping out of the base ticket price as a favor to us -- as a way to save use money if we chose stay in one park for the day. -- anyway, no Oranges to Oranges comparisons to be made by using '71 Disney to '21 Disney as pricing methods have changed just within Disney.

When it comes to WDW AP's, well, I would bet the FL resident AP holders consistent of a ton of non-locals -- the folks in places like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Palm Beach -- folks more than 150 miles away that are sold on needing a pass if they plan on 10 park days within the year, a whole bunch stay on site, visit at what use to be slow times of the year -- just wanting to point out that I feel many folks on this board seem to think FL res AP holders live close enough to drop in any time when more FL residents live more than 150 miles from Disney -- a lot of locals work at Disney or know people who do (sometimes the mouse opens up for employees/guest of).

What I find funny/ironic for my own circumstances. Current FL res tickets comes out to around $54 (cheapest
I can recall in forever) a day for four day ticket (must be used by mid SEPT), I live rather close to the mouse these days, but we will not visit as we await what passes will look like (we last had AP's in 2012 with last years (more expensive/more limited) explore Disney being the 1st time in the parks since '12.

Anyway, I am saving a ton for my wife is not shopping at the stores in the parks so the mouse is still missing out from my family at the moment (save for a Boo Bash this month).

 

[John park hopper]

I remember when it was 50 cents to park at MK now 25 bucks

 

[mysto]

So we now know that the value of the WDW ticket it lower than the cost of a new car in 1977, the cost of a home in 1977 and the cost of education in 1977. Should I go on?

Nice well though out post. There is another factor you could throw in that I think further reinforces your point. There were 4 billion people in 77, 8 billion now. Parks have been built but there is only one WDW. This increases the value, the desire to spend, because there is no where else to go. Capitalism naturally tends towards monopoly.

 

[JIMINYCR]

The cost of college is ridiculous and paying for all the fluff courses they throw in there that doesnt help get you any further on to your degree is a waste. Colleges are also trying to convince students to take less courses a semester and extend their time to getting credits for a degree another year. It's become a sham that only drowns young people in debt they will never get out of. Many graduating with a worthless plaque to hang on their walls.
As far as Disney costs.... This has been debated over and over and over again. Disney is expensive but there isnt anything that has held the same costs as they were years ago. Just because its Disney and people think they should be able to visit for next to nothing ( Walt wanted everyone to go and now its unaffordable) reality is that if you want to do anything worthwhile, you need to save for it. Prices have climbed and will continue to climb as costs of doing business climb. You want new attractions... it costs money. You want free transportation... it costs money. You want service delivered by property wide staff ( even those you cant see) ... it costs money.
As a child my family never could afford a Disney trip and I wasnt scarred for life. When I became an adult I had a dream to go and I made it possible with hard work and perseverance.

 

[lightguy]

My bigger problem with WDW is that at the same time they have increased the cost of EVERYTHING at a rate that exceeds inflation (significantly exceeds CPI inflation in my opinion), and added countless additional charges (parking being the biggest), they have also exponentially increased the number of people in the parks. For what they charge, NOTHING should ever regularly have a 60 min. wait, let alone the 120 min.+ waits currently common for the major rides. They didn't have to rebuild the hub, widen all the pathways and create the main street bypass because they built more rides, they had to do it because they let more people in.

 

[Splashin' Ryan]

I think what's more important than anything here is to look at the value, and while some people may say it's subjective, quite honestly it's not. In 2014, the last year an actual new ride opened at MK, tickets were $99. (new shows and characters have debuted but that's it) Compare that to nowadays where there still have not been any new rides addded (in fact more attractions have closed than opened) and tickets now cost anywhere from $16 to $59 more, with the lower end being only on a handful of days throughout the year.

It could not be clearer that the value per ticket is decreasing every year which in turn makes it completely reasonable to assume that the tickets are overpriced. I think we can all agree the tickets aren't becoming less overpriced every year right? So what's the other option then...

 

[Goofyernmost]

My bigger problem with WDW is that at the same time they have increased the cost of EVERYTHING at a rate that exceeds inflation (significantly exceeds CPI inflation in my opinion), and added countless additional charges (parking being the biggest), they have also exponentially increased the number of people in the parks. For what they charge, NOTHING should ever regularly have a 60 min. wait, let alone the 120 min.+ waits currently common for the major rides. They didn't have to rebuild the hub, widen all the pathways and create the main street bypass because they built more rides, they had to do it because they let more people in.

First, WDW is a luxury item and is not considered in the inflation determination. It could be 1000% above the cost of living index and it doesn't matter because you don't need to go to WDW to survive. It is strictly for fun and games. Comparing it means absolutely nothing at all. That is why they get away with charging $100,000.00 for a Rolls Royce. Not everyone can afford one and nobody needs one. A Ford Focus will get you to the same places. Everything didn't have a 60 minute plus wait until the birth of Fastpass and now because of so many other diversions not operating.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes…they’re now overpriced. Mostly because of diminishing value/return on the price Due to mismanagement for several decades.

Ok. Anything else?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

First, WDW is a luxury item and is not considered in the inflation determination. It could be 1000% above the cost of living index and it doesn't matter because you don't need to go to WDW to survive. It is strictly for fun and games. Comparing it means absolutely nothing at all. That is why they get away with charging $100,000.00 for a Rolls Royce. Not everyone can afford one and nobody needs one. A Ford Focus will get you to the same places. Everything didn't have a 60 minute plus wait until the birth of Fastpass and now because of so many other diversions not operating.

It is not a “luxury item”…stop falling for that nonsense.

it is a mass tourist destination that was constructed and has always operated by cutting a large swath of clients through the MIDDLE of the income range.

by definition…not luxury. No matter what some idiot named “Bob” telling the hedge funds a couple times a year

 

[seascape]

It's been far too long since I updated these.

The first chart shows how all types of WDW tickets have outpaced household income, even those in the top 5%, since 2000.

View attachment 580023

I really enjoy your numbers and analysis.
However, if you do not adjust your numbers by family size, you don't know the real cost of a family vacation today versus one in the past. The median family size has decreased from 3.37 in 1977 to 2.58 today. That means that based on just median income the cost of tickets for a Disney family vacation is over stated by 46.1%.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It is not a “luxury item”…stop falling for that nonsense.

it is a mass tourist destination that was constructed and has always operated by cutting a large swath of clients through the MIDDLE of the income range.

by definition…not luxury. No matter what some idiot named “Bob” telling the hedge funds a couple times a year

It is a luxury item... stop falling for your nonsense. There are billions of people that have never been because it is out of there financial reach and even if it was it still requires a lot more then the entrance fee to go there. One will not die if they don't go to a Disney park, but they will die if they have no food, clothing, shelter or heat. Those are necessitates. It is true that that they have a large swath of clients now closer to upper middle class for a family, but compared to the population, it is nothing. Being a mass TOURIST destination is what defines it as a luxury item. Just because you or I might go there often does not stop it from being something that is qualified as a luxury that we can habitually and emotionally attend to get our particular fix. And it always was even when it cost $5 for a ticket it was still out of reach of many people. That is what defines luxury.

Cars are now considered necessities, but there are standard cars and there are luxury cars afforded by just a few. Disney is a luxury car. Always has been and always will be.