Attendance at Disney’s theme parks have been sluggish due to the pandemic, and even though the parks have been open since April of 2020, business hasn’t rebounded the way the company would like. It’s estimated that visits dropped by about 17%. 

But the Disney company knows how to make money. They’ve increased their prices so much that their profits are soaring in spite of less traffic to the parks. They are making up for their losses. 

A lot of customers are complaining of being ripped off.

Disneyworld and Disneyland parks operate in Florida and California. It used to be a great place for a family vacation, and probably still is, but don’t expect as many deals or free perks, and prepare yourself for off the chart prices.

Profits were $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2022, which is about $356 million more than the same period in 2021, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Before you pack your suitcase, this is what you need to know. The parks now charge $15 (per day) for a Genie+ pass. It used to be free. It’s a phone app that reduces wait time on rides.

Be prepared to spend over $100 for an admission ticket, and there are surcharges to some of the park’s popular rides, which can cost another $10-$17 per attraction per person. 

Visitors have to pay extra for rides in the Star Wars Galaxy Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Some other perks, such as parking wristbands and “Magic Wristbands,” used to be free but now cost $35. 

Many other perks that used to be free now have a price tag, including parking, which is now $30. 

Forget about free shuttles from the airport to the park or to your hotel. They have been eliminated. 

Other perks such as early park admission and extended hours for some hotels have been changed or stopped. 

As would be expected, the park’s hotel room prices, food and store products have gone sky high. 

For example, a hotel room at Pop Century in the park, which is considered a good-value hotel, is now $168 for a room. By some people’s standards, that might be considered a good buy, but its price has gone up more than 75% in the past 10 years. 

The luxury Animal Kingdom Lodge was $486 in 2012. Ten years later it’s $790 for a standard room.You may be thinking, well… inflation is hitting everywhere. But the Disney increases are more than inflation.

The admission price has increased much higher than inflation would expect it to. It is now over $100.

And if you have kids who need to have their snacks replenished every hour, be prepared to take out a loan. Dole Whip – a soft-serve dessert, is now $6.99. 

The list goes on and on.

There are fewer special deals, and annual passes are about $1,600 each. More days are blacked out from season tickets than in the past and many annual passes have been eliminated. 

Certainly, Disney has the right to charge whatever they want, and a vacation to Disney may end up being like buying a ticket to a Broadway show or an Adele concert (very high!), something you only do once in a blue moon when grandma is in town. 

Former fans are complaining on social media, and Disney is getting bad press. It remains to be seen if it will benefit them in the long run. Right now, they are raking in the bucks.