The Price of Magic
Is Disneyland getting too expensive?
“We expected it to be expensive. We just didn’t know how expensive it truly is.”
Many of us have been going to theme parks since we were toddlers. The one that’s usually at the top of the list for children is the magical kingdom of Disneyland. Disneyland, an outgrowth of Walt Disney’s film and television empire, opened in Anaheim, California in 1955 to mostly positive reviews, though there were some snafus with counterfeit tickets on opening day. Many came for the food, the rides, and the overall general experience at the park; the same reasons people go to the park today.
Over the last few decades, theme parks have raise their prices significantly, leaving average Americans to wonder: is it still worth it to go?
Some Disneyland visitors say its not worth the overcrowding, the long lines, and the overpriced merchandise and food. Others overlook those facts and enjoy the shows, people, and overall experience. When Disney’s annual passes jumped 35 percent to over $1000 in 2015, a Fortune magazine article noted that even for many committed fans, the new price of entry was too much.
From the article: “Sad day,” noted a commenter on the highly-regarded Theme Park Insider blog. “This price increase is just ridiculous and like others have commented, Disney is truly pricing regular folks out.”
Others, though, were undeterred, noting that it only took a handful of visits to make the pass pay off. Sandy, who works at one of the kiosks at the front of Disneyland said she was an annual pass holder for several years before she began working at the park. “I would come here with my friends after school all the time and sometimes after work with my coworkers. I’m here all the time. I defiantly get my money’s worth.”
The price increase was also part of a complicated pricing system that attempts to incentivize traffic flow to make sure the park is never too crowded nor too empty.
Typically, weekday passes during the slow season (between January and May), cost about $95. Weekends are more expensive ($105), and days the park suspect will be extremely busy are the most expensive ($119). The more crowded park officials expect the day to be, the more expsnsive the ticket.
Annual passes can range from $329-$1049. The more expensive the pass, the more benefits you get, such as: more days you can go to the parks, free parking, and discounts on food and merchandise.
In 1955, the price of one day pass was $3.50. That’s $29 adjusted for inflation. In addition to inflation, prices have inceased as more and more rides get added and the park grows. Prices are likely to go up even more once the 14-acre Star Wars Land, which is under construction, is finished.
Currently, Disneyland has 58 rides and attractions, more than any Disney park. But even with the variety of choices, Disneyland is infamous for having long lines. Is it worth it to wait 70 minutes for a two minute ride? Of course there are fast passes, which make the wait easier but only a small handful of rides offer these. The average wait time for the most popular rides may be longer than you would think. “It’s a Small World Holiday” averages about 38 minute wait. “Peter Pan’s Flight” is about a 50-minute wait, and “Hyperspace Mountain” normally require standing in line for 100-minutes.
The park also offers a variety of different food options representing cuisines from around the world and options for all dietary restrictions. But, it isn’t cheap to eat here either. A corn dog and small bag of chips costs $9.25. A pretzel is $5.75. And a plate of pasta can run you $14.49.
While most food-service employees at Disney are reluctant to discuss the cost of food at the park, Alejandra, who works at the popcorn stand right next to the Haunted Mansion, share her feelings when she had a break from customers. “Honestly, I think it’s way too much,” she said. “You pay a lot for a ticket then you come inside and have to pay a lot for food and merchandise.”
George, who works at a pretzel carts in Tomorrowland had the same feelings “Do you know how much a small bag of Lays’ [chips] is?” he asked. “Three dollars and fifty cents. If they just lowered the food prices by one dollar, it would be so much better.”
There are many different kinds of places to eat at the park. Character meals, table-service restaurants, counter-service dining, fast food and the Disney Dining plan. According to a USA Today article, The Average Cost of Food in Walt Disney World, the average family of four would spend about $50 on one meal at Disneyland.
Merchandise is no bargain either. Around the park, stores abound selling every Disney thing you could imagine. Clothes, mouse ears, shot glasses, you name it. Most of these items are expensive.
Take the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for example. This is a little shop/salon for girls agees three to 12-years-old. They go in, pick out a dress and accessories, and get their hair done like a Princess. The dresses start at $59, but the Cinderella and Belle (Beauty and the Beast) dresses are $350. The cheapest packages for just getting a princess makeover without a dress is $59 and it can go up to $199. Adults don’t get any breaks, either. A t-shit is between $25 and $45. Jackets are around $65.
I also had the opportunity to talk to some customers and their take on the pricing at the park. When asked about the overall cost of visting the park, a mother waiting in the fast-pass line for Hyperspace Mountain, cringed and said:
“We’re a family of six and we’ve been here for three days. It’s extremely expensive for us to come here and we don’t know if we will ever come back as a family.”
Another couple commented in the line to buy food at the Pizza Port in Tommorrowland, “We expected it to be expensive,” sauid a couple waiting in line at Tommorowland’s Pizza Port. “We just didn’t know how expensive it truly is.”
Other parks aren’t that much less expensive. Universal Studios charges $110 for a one-day ticket. The park has 14 rides and attractions and has food and merchandise just as expensive as Disneyland. LEGOLAND costs $84 for children and $90 for adults.
Since the 1950s, theme parks have been a rite of passage for kids and a nostalgia trip for adults. For many who can’t afford to travel somewhere exotic, Disneyland has been an accessible way to feel some magic. In the process,it’s become something of an American tradition One wonders, given the increasing costs, how long that will last.
