(This is part 1 in an occasional series.)
When people start talking about theme parks, there are usually mixed thoughts going on inside–the mostly positive experiences of having gone to a theme park but also the downer of the high prices of not only admission but also extra perks, food, merchandise, hotels, parking, etc. Theme park costs, especially admission tickets, have continued to rise over and above the cost of inflation for most years since Walt Disney World opened. This article from Travel and Leisure Magazine summarizes the admission costs adjusted to 2017 dollars: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/disney-world-ticket-costs-over-time. The $3.50 admission in 1971 would be $20.95 in 2017 but by then, the cost had risen to $115 (regular day). The most recent price hikes (effective December 8, 2022) created price tiers based not only on the time of year but also the park. The most expensive 1-day 1-park ticket is $189 (approximately $154 in 2017) to get into the Magic Kingdom during the high peak season. Park Hopper tickets run even more expensive. Universal Parks ticket prices have seen a similar trajectory. Disney has also come out with some elite experiences, such as the Star Wars Galactic Cruiser hotel. It basically runs as a cruise ship that doesn’t actually move. The cheapest price room during the off-peak season will run a person $749 per day. Some families are willing to pay whatever price to have their Walt Disney World experience. But there are also many families that are priced out of the market. Disney and Universal parks are increasingly becoming places for the rich and upper middle class and consequently not for the lower middle class or the poor. Fortunately for families that are on a budget, there are other options. Dollywood and Silver Dollar City are what I would call Tier 2 theme parks–relatively high on theming and thrill. In terms of cost, a 1-day ticket at Dollywood is $89 per person, but a 3-day ticket only runs $119. Six Flags parks are known for its thrills. A 1-day ticket for Six Flags Great America will run as cheap as $45 although a Gold Pass Annual Pass is $75 and includes free parking. Although right now Universal and Disney can meet their demand by keeping their prices high, the ability to do so will depend significantly on whether the offerings at the parks continue to rise. Disney parks have stalled over the last few years, in part, due to fewer resources dedicated to the theme park division. Universal has capitalized on recent additions and is currently building what I would call its 3rd theme park (sorry, a water park doesn’t really count as a 4th)--Epic Universe. The theme park market looks to continue to be stratified for years to come, but perhaps some of the more economical parks will take a greater market share as families are forced to re-evaluate their vacation plans.
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