ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World and Disneyland are increasing single-day tickets at certain times of
the year and setting expiration dates on tickets in hopes of preventing overcrowding during the theme
parks’ busiest times, company officials said Saturday.
The single-day ticket prices are either staying the same or are increasing no more than $5 under the new
price structure that goes into effect Sunday. Last year, Disney rolled out a pricing plan that allows
visitors to view a planning calendar from eight to 11 months out to determine which days are considered
"value," ”regular" or "peak" times. Visitors pay more on "peak"
days, which are the busiest times as forecast by park officials.
Disney is hiking its prices following a 5 percent decline in attendance at its U.S. theme parks during
its most recent quarter that included the holiday season.
The goal of the varied price structure is to give park visitors an incentive to come during times that
are not "peak" so that the experience can be better enjoyed by all, officials said. There have
been times during holiday and spring break where the crowds have been so large that Disney has had to
stop selling tickets.
"Our pricing provides guests a range of options that allow us to better manage demand to maximize
the guest experience and is reflective of the distinctly Disney offerings at all of our parks,"
said Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler.
Starting Sunday, "value" days for Magic Kingdom will cost $107 for adults and $101 for
children, which represent a $2 increase. During "regular" time, park visitors will pay $5 more
with prices jumping from $115 for adults to $109 for children. The "peak" prices remain the
same at $124 for adults and $118 for children.
At Disneyland, prices for single-day tickets also will increase by $2 to $5. The regular price of
admission at the Anaheim, California, park will rise to $110, up from $105, beginning Sunday. A
single-day ticket during peak periods will climb to $124 from $119. And the value ticket will cost $97,
up from $95.
At Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, "value" one-day tickets will now be $99 for
adults and $93 for children, which is a $2 bump for both. "Regular" times for adults will be
$107 for adults and $101 for children, and "peak" tickets jump to $119 and $113, respectively
for adults and children. The new prices represent a $5 increase across the board during
"regular" and "peak" seasons.
All tickets now will have expiration dates. In the past, only one-day and Florida resident tickets had
expiration dates. Also guests will be able to save $20 on multiday tickets when they purchase them in
advance. Park visitors can purchase the multiday tickets online at any time prior to entering the park
to receive the savings.