Disney Parks Announce New Changes, Including Price Hikes
Cinderella Castle at Disney World
Disney fans, beware—the happiest and most magical places on Earth are setting us all up for quite the Halloween fright with the announcement of their newest changes, as both parks are facing price hikes across tickets, parking, and more.
Starting on Oct. 11, Disney World's standard parking price is increasing from $25 to $30. According to USA Today, that puts them in line with prices at SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort. However, guests at Disney's resort hotels can park free, as can anyone visiting Disney Springs.
Disneyland, on the other hand, offers hourly parking for Downtown Disney, raising parking at the other theme parks and hotels by $5.
Disney World is also increasing prices across its annual passes, with the highest level Incredi-Pass increasing from $1,399 to $1,449. The Sorcerer Pass has gone up from $969 to $999, the Pirate Pass has increased from $749 to $799, and the Pixie Pass is now $439 instead of $399. However, existing pass holders will have the option to renew at special, reduced prices, the publication reports.
Disneyland pass holders—or Magic Key holders—are also facing increases of up to $150 a year. The highest and lowest levels, otherwise known as the Inspire and Imagine Keys, both jumped $50 to $1,649 and $449, respectively. The Believe and Enchant Keys faced a $150 price hike, now available for $1,099 and $699, respectively. They aren't currently available for new purchasers but can be renewed by existing pass holders.
While Disney World hasn't increased the costs of standard, dated tickets, Disneyland visitors aren't so lucky. The California-based theme park is keeping standard, one-park adult tickets at $104, but higher-tier tickets are raising between $5 and $15 per ticket, topping out at $194 for a single day at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. Multi-day tickets have also increased by up to $65 dollars, with additional fees to add on park hopping.
They've also increased the pre-purchased cost of the Genie+ pass—their version of a fast pass—from $25 to $30.
But it's not all bad news. According to the publication, park hopper hours are going to become less stringent soon, at least for the Florida-based resort.
Beginning Jan. 9, Disney World visitors will be able to hop between parks during any opening hours, capacity permitting. Previously, guests were required to wait until 2 p.m. to switch between parks.
On the same day, Disney World will be lifting many of its reservation requirements with the rollout of "good-to-go" dates and bringing back the prepaid Disney Dining Plan.
Next: Disneyland Shuts Down Popular Ride Ahead of Halloween Season