We learned this week that Walt Disney World has raised its one-day, one-park ticket prices by $4. So did Universal Orlando Resort.
Now, with both resorts seriously flirting with the $100 "milestone," when will theme park enthusiasts say enough is enough?
Maybe never.
"I don't think that there is a magic number such as $100 per day, that if you reach it or go above it, you'll see a significant decrease in the number of visitors," said Dr. Abraham Pizam, dean of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. "That has not happened in the past at the $50, $75 or any other admission level."
Pizam has been watching theme park trends for more than 30 years, and he says theme park attendance continues to go up, even as ticket prices increase.
"People will still come," said Pizam, adding higher prices won't prevent out-of-towners from booking a family vacation.
"For out-of-towners who spend more that $2,000 for a family trip to Central Florida, a $50 to $60 increase in the admission to the park represents only 2.5 to 3 percent of the total costs," Pizam explained. "That, of course, may be different for locals, whose percent increase will be much higher."
So, locals will care more.
Pizam also expects even more families to buy multi-park, multi-day tickets to get a better value.
Taking the look at the history of Walt Disney World's ticket prices (Gasp! Only $3.50 back in 1971), increases used to be merely cents. Now, they're $4 a year or more.
Now more than ever, Pizam says, the theme parks are "adding, renewing, and revising," and they need to get a return on investment. Think about all the expansions in recent years, including New Fantasyland and "Avatar Land" at Disney World, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and The Simpsons' Springfield at Universal.
On the flipside, SeaWorld Orlando appears to be cutting you a break. The theme park just announced it's continuing its offer of $50 tickets if you go on any weekday through May 5.
Over in Tampa, if you buy a Busch Gardens 2014 Fun Card, good for unlimited admission through Dec. 31, you now get FREE, unlimited admission into the Adventure Island water park through Oct. 12. That offer's good through March 31.
That leaves Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, where a spokesperson told us no one has discussed raising prices this year — at least not yet.
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What do YOU think?
So, when enough for you? Hundreds of you have been chiming in with lots to say about rising theme park prices. Here are a few comments from News 13's Facebook page:
Walt Disney is probably rolling over in his grave.
— Alyssa Peterson
People are really STILL complaining over $4? Don't like it? Don't go. Find something else to complain about.
— Cory Elder
So basically only rich people can have fun @ a theme park.
— Joanne Stealey
You can also take part in our online Viewer Poll and let us know how high theme park tickets need to go before you refuse to go.
Walt Disney World ticket price increases, 1971–2014
Source: AllEars.net | WDW Ticket Increase Guide
* Prices are for a 1-day, 1-park adult ticket. Disney offers discounts for Florida residents, multi-day tickets and annual passholders.
| Date | Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| October 1971 | $3.50 | — |
| February 1972 | $3.75 | $0.25 |
| April 1973 | $4.50 | $0.75 |
| June 1974 | $5.25 | $0.75 |
| December 1975 | $6.00 | $0.75 |
| June 1978 | $6.50 | $0.50 |
| April 1979 | $7.00 | $0.50 |
| March 1980 | $7.50 | $0.50 |
| November 1980 | $8.00 | $0.50 |
| October 1981 | $9.50 | $1.50 |
| June 1982 | $13.25 | $3.75 |
| September 1982 | $15.00 | $1.75 |
| October 1983 | $17.00 | $2.00 |
| June 1984 | $18.00 | $1.00 |
| June 1985 | $19.50 | $1.50 |
| November 1985 | $21.50 | $2.00 |
| March 1986 | $23.00 | $1.50 |
| June 1986 | $24.50 | $1.50 |
| December 1986 | $26.00 | $1.50 |
| December 1987 | $28.00 | $2.00 |
| May 1989 | $29.00 | $1.00 |
| February 1990 | $31.00 | $2.00 |
| February 1991 | $33.00 | $2.00 |
| June 1992 | $34.00 | $1.00 |
| May 1993 | $35.00 | $1.00 |
| March 1994 | $36.00 | $1.00 |
| February 1995 | $37.00 | $1.00 |
| February 1996 | $38.50 | $1.50 |
| March 1997 | $39.75 | $1.25 |
| April 1998 | $42.00 | $2.25 |
| May 1999 | $44.00 | $2.00 |
| January 2000 | $46.00 | $2.00 |
| January 2001 | $48.00 | $2.00 |
| September 2002 | $50.00 | $2.00 |
| June 2003 | $52.00 | $2.00 |
| March 2004 | $54.75 | $2.75 |
| January 2005 | $59.75 | $5.00 |
| January 2006 | $63.00 | $3.25 |
| August 2006 | $67.00 | $4.00 |
| August 2007 | $71.00 | $4.00 |
| August 2008 | $75.00 | $4.00 |
| August 2009 | $79.00 | $4.00 |
| August 2010 | $82.00 | $3.00 |
| June 2011 | $85.00 | $3.00 |
| June 2012 | $89.00 | $4.00 |
| June 2013 | $90.00 | $1.00 |
| June 2013 | $95.00 (Magic Kingdom) |
$6.00 |
| February 2014 | $94.00 | $4.00 |
| February 2014 | $99.00 (Magic Kingdom) |
$4.00 |
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