As Guests Fume, Disney Tries to Justify Major Price Increase
When Disneyland Park opened in 1955, the fee to get into the theme park was just $1. Guests would then purchase a book of ride tickets, and different rides needed different tickets. In 1981, Disney began offering an “all-inclusive” ticket, where guests paid a flat fee to get into the parks and could then go on any ride they wanted to.
While we still fondly think back fondly of ticket books and call big rides E-ticket attractions, they were officially eliminated, and the “all-inclusive” ticket was all that remained.
Related: How Walt Disney Can Be Your Guide on Your Next Disneyland Trip
In 1982, a general admission ticket to Disneyland Park was $12 for adults — approximately $39 based on inflation — and $9 for children — approximately $29.
Sadly, those prices are long gone, and a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth is something a lot of people can’t afford. Disney is constantly getting called out for out-pricing the average American family, but that has not stopped the price increases from coming.
At one point, it was cheaper for California Residents to fly to France and visit Disneyland Paris than it was for them to vacation at a theme park in their state.
On October 9, Disney announced that the prices for its Magic Keys — the name for Disneyland Annual Passes — would be increasing once again. One pass — the Imagine Key — is going up by a whopping 20%.
NEW: Magic Key Pass prices increased 6-20% effective today. Inspire is up 6%, Believe up 10%, Enchant up 14.7%, and Imagine (SoCal) up 20%. Price increase impacts renewals. Disneyland says new sales will resume later this year – but no specific date yet.
NEW: Magic Key Pass prices increased 6-20% effective today. Inspire is up 6%, Believe up 10%, Enchant up 14.7%, and Imagine (SoCal) up 20%. Price increase impacts renewals.
Disneyland says new sales will resume later this year – but no specific date yet. pic.twitter.com/RHIWx1ztoA
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 9, 2024
Related: Disney Finally Admits Its Parks Have Gotten Too Expensive
While guests expected a price increase, they are still frustrated, as they seem to be paying a lot more and getting a lot less. The top Disneyland Magic Key — the Inspire Key — continues to offer free parking, and the Lightning Lane discount has increased from 20% to 25%. The second-tier Believe Key also saw an increase in a discount on a Lightning Lane MultiPass.
It looks like Disney knew it would get a lot of backlash for such high price increases, which is why they shared how many trips it would take for a guest to pay off their Magic Key purchase.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 9, 2024
According to Disney, a guest who buys the Imagine Key — which is only available to SoCal residents — will “pay off” the pass after just four trips to the theme parks. The Enchant Key will pay for itself in six visits, the Believe Key in nine visits, and the Inspire Key will pay for itself in eleven visits.
In addition to the increase in the price of its Magic Keys, regular theme park tickets also saw a price jump.
For the first time ever, a one-day, one-park ticket will cost over $200. Prior to the price increase, the most expensive one-day, one-park ticket cost $194. That same ticket will now cost $206.
Related: Bombshell New Report Shows Disney World Ticket Price Has Increased 158%
Earlier this year, Disney admitted that attendance at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort had dropped, but executives blamed it on the dying down of the post-COVID travel bug. However, many fans speculated that guests still wanted to travel, they just couldn’t afford to go to Disney anymore.
For comparison, a Premier Pass at Universal Orlando Resort costs $905. That price — like Disneyland’s — includes free parking. It also includes access to its Express Line at 4 p.m., food and merchandise discounts, and a free ticket to Halloween Horror Nights.
Do you think Disney’s ticket prices have gotten out of control? Should guests stop visiting in order to send a message?
