Disney Price Increases: What Impact Does It Have on Holiday Visitors?

Heather Taylor
Updated ·4 min read
19

If you’re planning to visit Disney parks next year, now might be your last chance to buy tickets for less. Walt Disney World is increasing prices for most ticket types including single-day tickets, multi-day passes and annual pass renewals, CNN reported. Disneyland also announced ticket price hikes at its Anaheim parks this year.

JHVEPhoto / Getty Images
JHVEPhoto / Getty Images

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Are there any parks unaffected by these price hikes or is it every park? When do these price increases take effect? Can increased ticket prices impact your holiday trip? Here’s what visitors planning to go to Disney parks during the holidays or next year need to know about the Disney price increases.

How Much More Expensive Are Disney Tickets?

Here’s what the ticket price increase looks like at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Walt Disney World Ticket Price Increase

This is the second time this year Walt Disney World has raised ticket prices. The first price increase occurred in February 2022, according to CNN. Starting Dec. 8, one-day tickets will be priced at the following ranges:

  • Magic Kingdom Park: $124 to $189

  • EPCOT: $114 to $179

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $124 to $179

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $109 to $159 (same as they are today)

The price visitors pay will depend on demand and the park they choose to visit. In the same CNN article, Disney said the most expensive ticket listed, $189 for a one-day, one-park visit, applies only to Magic Kingdom for the nine days around the week of Christmas to New Year’s when the highest crowds are in attendance.

Meanwhile, guests heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom may still enjoy the lowest-priced ticket of $109. This ticket price applies only to Animal Kingdom with tickets available on 20 days out of the year, mostly on weekdays in late August and September.

Disneyland Ticket Price Increase

Disneyland ticket prices have seen a price increase and the introduction of a new tier in 2022. KTLA reported the new tier, Tier 0, will sell a one-day ticket for $104. Tier 0 will be available for Disneyland and California Adventure parks, but still comes with caveats including when the ticket will be valid (reportedly only on the least crowded days of the year).

Below is the new ticket pricing for Tiers 0 through 6 for one-day tickets in 2022:

  • Tier 0: $104

  • Tier 1: $114

  • Tier 2: $129

  • Tier 3: $144

  • Tier 4: $159

  • Tier 5: $169

  • Tier 6: $179

Disney visitors who park hop between the two parks with the purchase of a one-day Park-Hopper ticket will pay the following ticket price increases:

  • Tier 1: $179

  • Tier 2: $194

  • Tier 3: $209

  • Tier 4: $224

  • Tier 5: $234

  • Tier 6: $244

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Is Anything Else Going Up in Price?

The short answer is yes. Here’s a quick roundup of other aspects of Disney parks where you can expect to see price increases.

  • Annual Pass Renewals: CNN reported three of Walt Disney World’s four annual passes will increase in price by up to $100. The Disney Pixie Dust Pass will remain $399. Incredi-Pass will increase by $100 to $1,399, the Sorcerer Pass will increase by $70 to $969 and the Pirate Pass will increase by $50 to $749.

  • Genie+: This week, WDWMagic reported that Disney’s popular skip-the-line service Genie+ is increasing in price. A Genie+ purchase is now $29 per person, or a little over $30 with tax. The amount of Lightning Lane entrances you can receive using Genie+ remains the same with only two to three entrances per guest.

  • Merchandise: The price of merchandise, particularly for the custom-made lightsabers and droids, is increasing at both parks.

  • Food: Hundreds of food items have reportedly increased in price at Walt Disney World, according to CNN.

When Do Price Increases Go Into Effect?

Price increases will be in effect for tickets at Disney World starting Dec. 8, 2022, while ticket price increases are already in effect at Disneyland.

What Should I Know About Purchasing Tickets Moving Forward?

Change is in the air at Disney. Bob Iger is returning to Disney as CEO of the company and there’s discussion of a potential recession. While there is collective speculation online as to how Disney would fare in a recession, we know one thing: Demand for the parks remains high.

Those who would like to purchase Disney World tickets before the price increases go into effect need to do it before Dec. 8. Afterwards, visitors, particularly families, will need to make strategic decisions about the dates and parks they decide to visit to receive the best deals on tickets. Some visitors may be able to splurge on Magic Kingdom Park tickets at the height of the holiday season. Others may find the $109 priced tickets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the best way to save and create fantastic memories together without sacrificing the fun of the parks.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Disney Price Increases: What Impact Does It Have on Holiday Visitors?