One of the biggest complaints from Disney Parks fans surrounds the rising prices of everything from theme park tickets to food and hotels.
Disney World is getting more expensive
Guests have also raised concerns about the additional costs that have to now be paid for services that were once free, like Genie+ and airport transportation. However, demand for Disney Parks is as reportedly still VERY high, and Disney’s theme park revenue has seen some big increases. But after another theme park raised its prices, it got the opposite result — a loss in revenue.
Earlier this year, Six Flags mounted a new effort to appeal to more premium customers (like those who would spend more in the parks). As part of these efforts, it raised prices and reduced attendance. According to the Wall Street Journal, though, Six Flags’ efforts may have been a little TOO successful and its parks saw a decrease in revenue, park attendance, and profit.
©Six Flags || Magic Mountain
Six Flags Entertainment reported a 22% attendance drop in its second quarter (attendance this year overall has been 35% below 2019 levels), with total profit falling by more than 1/3. The company posted a revenue of $435.4 million for the quarter, below the $518.5 million expected by analysts.
Six Flags Chief Executive Selim Bassoul said the drop in attendance was expected as it tries to bring in a new customer base. He said, “This is not like the market dropped so fast,” he said during the company’s earnings call. “We have basically changed our strategy of creating a better guest experience by having fewer people in our parks.” But he acknowledged that their “execution needs to improve.”
©Six Flags
However, other parks have seen more success for the summer, with attendance having recovered to nearly pre-pandemic levels. Both Cedar Fair and SeaWorld reported record quarterly revenue, thanks to higher prices and guest spending inside the parks.
©SeaWorld
Bassoul doubled down on his goal of making Six Flags parks more upscale and discussed how the parks have attracted visitors that spend more. The company reported a 23% jump in park spending for the quarter, with per capita spending up more than 50% from pre-pandemic levels.
Only time will tell if Six Flag’s efforts will succeed, but Disney recently reported an increase in theme park revenue of $4.3 billion in its third quarter compared to the prior-year quarter. Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products revenue increased to a total of $7.4 billion.
EPCOT
It’s no secret that Disney Parks are getting more expensive, and it’s possible that more price increases are coming soon. So be sure to take a close look at your budget to determine if any changes need to be made for your upcoming visits. We’ve also posted our best tips on how to budget for a Disney trip here!
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I honestly don’t find Disney parks and Six Flags remotely comparable. They may both be theme parks and have thrilling rides etc…. but that is about all the similarities I see. Completely different caliber parks and entertainment. Clearly their price increase did not appear worth it to their audience.
Having said that, I am beyond disappointed with the ridiculous rate of price increases in everything Disney. I have been visiting parks since early childhood (1970s) I am disgusted with all the added costs (ie; parking) and the perks taken away (fast pass, airport transport) and replaced with “new and improved” but with a cost attached (Genie +, ? train). I fail to feel as catered to and pampered as I once did in Disney. Some magic is gone. Their seemingly bigger concern is with profit margins and political issues. They are closing in on “not worth the price” for myself and already have for much of my family. This saddens me because despite all that we have great memories at Disney parks and love to visit, even if it’s with a bit of a bitter aftertaste.
I had quite an eye opener recently when looking at Orlando area parks and hotels. For the heck of it, I priced the same vacation both at Disney and Universal Studios (which I very much find to be the same caliber as Disney parks) and was stunned at the difference in price. The parks and hotels I find to be very comparable to Disney’s. Admittedly, their in park food experiences are not on par with Disney but Disney was not always there either. My husband and I can go to Disney for 8 nights, stay on property at Pop Century or All Stars ($300 less for AS) and have 5 day park hopper tix, travel insurance and nothing else for $3007. That does not include air fare, food, airport transportation or Genie + use should we chose that option. For the same dates we can go to Universal, stay at a lovely new hotel, Dockside Inn and Suites and have tickets for all three of the parks for the duration of our stay! plus travel insurance AND optional airport travel for the insane price …… $1762.25!!!!!! What is Disney giving me that would justify the $1244.75 difference?! I just don’t know any more!!!! That’s the problem. Obviously air fare, food or express passes (we have never needed there) would be above and beyond that cost but c’mon…….. that’s an amazing deal! Combine that with a new park opening in a couple years with more of the things we love, new lands and re creating many existing attractions at the parks and amazing dining options on City Walk……. I think Disney is severely underestimating their competition. I sincerely hope that Disney gets a wake up call and comes back to the Magic and making their guests stay magical and pampered and worth the price tag. And if it’s not too much it would also be great if they could make it affordable for more families to experience, that’s what made Disney what it is. That’s what brings so many people back.
After being in lock-down for about 2 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a boom in travel. People had trips planned that were cancelled, post-poned, or travel credit was issued from resorts, airlines, etc that people have been excited to use. Once these credits, re-scheduled trips, etc. are used, I think this boom in travel will level out and Disney will see a dip in park/resort attendance. I know for myself, after I used my travel credits and visited Disney, I realized that Disney wasn’t so great anymore. All of the changes that Disney has made (no magical express, no dining plan, no Fast Passes, resort parking fees, etc.) having to wake up by 7am to schedule Lightening Lane Passes, has made me jaded towards Disney. My vacation felt stressful. I use to travel to Disney at least once, sometimes twice a year; those days are gone. Even with the introduction of new rides at the parks, I am not interested in vacationing at Disney anytime soon.