3 Reasons Disney World Has Become Unaffordable for the Middle Class
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Being able to take your family to Disney World, Disneyland or any Disney park is a dream that many hope to turn into a reality at some point. A trip to the Magic Kingdom alone offers rides, shows and an experience like no other. Sadly, that dream may be slipping away from many American middle-class families, as the cost to visit Mickey Mouse and his friends is becoming too high for many budgets.
The income range considered to be middle class in the United States varies by location, but generally falls between $52,000 and $155,000 for large cities, according to the Pew Research Center. So just how far would a middle-class budget go on a Disney vacation?
The Disney World resort is currently charging upwards of nearly $200 for admission for one person and one day (not including tax). The average price is around $160, but if you rewind nearly 50 years, a family of four could gain admission to the park for the equivalent of $262 in 2025.
So when did it become so expensive to visit the most magical place on earth? Here are three reasons Disney World has become unaffordable for the middle class.
General Inflation
It is no surprise that a big culprit in stealing the fun of Disney resorts away from the middle class is inflation. Everything from groceries to gas is getting more expensive, including vacations that involve amusement or theme parks. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the travel price index has increased faster than overall prices for four months straight.
Kristy Kim, the CEO and founder of TomoCredit, estimated that a trip for a family of four to go to Disney World would range from $6,511 to $10,000, especially if upgrades, travel and accommodations were added.
When looking at the average cost of living essentials, including housing, childcare and healthcare, going up in price, families are being faced with difficult decisions of what to cut out — perhaps a luxury vacation to Disney World.
Ticket Prices Have Gone Up
Suppose a family can drive to Florida in one car, stay with family members for free near the park, pack their own lunch and snacks, and pay for only the basic entry tickets. That still is going to be expensive because ticket prices to Disney World have consistently gone up over the last decade.
Fortune highlighted that while inflation might be high, ticket prices to Disney World have increased at nearly nine times the rate of inflation since 2015. Top that off with the fact that a few perks that were free upon entry now have additional fees. That means families pay more for admission but end up getting less than they would have 10 years ago.
Pay-To-Play Models
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass costs up to $40 per day, per Fortune. It took the place of the FastPass, which was free. Plus, if you just want a single Lightning Lane, you can expect to pay up to $15 per ride for the biggest attractions within Disney World.
Disney also retired its Extra Magic Hours, which all Disney resort guests had access to, according to Fortune. It was replaced with Extended Evening Hours, which are now offered only to guests staying at Disney’s deluxe accommodations. If you and your family want to avoid the crowds and explore the park after hours, prepare to pay for some of the priciest rooms on property.
Some estimates have a room at a value resort at Disney starting at $122 per night, whereas a deluxe resort starts at $595 per night. Deluxe resorts can also cost much more than that.
Disney is a brand that knows exactly what it is and can charge what it wants to ensure that visitors get the most out of their experience at Disney World. However, it might be leaving middle-class families out of the fun with all the price increases.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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