Walt Disney World raises ticket prices

By Jerry Hume, Reporter
Last Updated: Monday, June 04, 2012
LAKE BUENA VISTA -- 

Universal Orlando Resort's short reign as America's most expensive theme park is over.

Walt Disney World took over the dubious distinction Sunday, raising prices almost across the board.

Disney announced Friday that it would raise ticket prices effective Sunday, June 3.

It is common to see other parks raise ticket prices after one park does. Disney said the planned price hike was in the works for some time.

Now, a one-day, one-park pass for non-Florida residents has climbed $4, from $85 to $89, plus tax.

Annual park passes also went up. Non-residents now pay $574 plus tax, up from $552.74.

Passes for Florida residents also saw an increase. Disney said the one-day, one-park discounted Florida resident ticket that was available online is going away.

The price for a one-day ticket is now the same for residents as it is for non-residents: $89. The add-on options, however, will cost less for Floridians.

Three- and four-day park passes also went up, although they are cheaper than non-Florida resident passes.

Florida annual park passes went up, as well. The Florida Resident Seasonal Pass is now $299, the regular annual pass $425, and the premium annual pass, which includes admission to the water parks, DisneyQuest and ESPN Wide World of Sports, is $559.

So now, a single day at one of Walt Disney World's four theme parks will cost $344 for a family of two parents and two children under 10.

Disney does this every year, along with Orlando's other area theme parks. But the latest hike has some visitors concerned.

"It seems like after taxes, it is $100 now, but yeah, it's going to happen," said Shaun Redd, who was visiting Disney this week from Atlanta. "Until attendance starts slowing down, it's going to continue to go up."

Walt Disney World tries to encourage families to save by buying multi-day tickets, where it costs less per day to visit one of the parks.

"I think at the moment, with the austerity that's going on around the word, really, the tickets should be as they are, or even below," said Sean Nash, a visitor from the United Kingdom.

Disney spokesman Bryan Malenius gave us the following statement Sunday:

"Like any business, we evaluate and adjust our pricing based on a variety of factors. A ticket to Walt Disney World represents a great value, particularly when you look at the breadth and quality of experiences we offer that guests can only have with us."

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