I have been tweeting all week about the price increases but I thought it would be easier if they were all in one place.
We all should have seen this coming, from the moment they announced the seasonal based ticket pricing. It happened slowly, then all at once.
Seasonal based ticket pricing
It was announced mid September 2018 that Walt Disney World will move to seasonal based ticket pricing. Currently UK guests who purchase their tickets as part of the 7 day, 14 day or 21 day ultimate ticket from Walt Disney World directly are unaffected at this time.
However if you purchase you ticket at the gate or from within the US online, it will depend on the day you visit as to how much you will pay. Disney had said this change is to even out crowding levels, but do not believe this. It’s all about the money, money. After a few searches the lowest ticket I could find was $100 for one day during low season (late January 2019/ February 2019) and up to $125 during peak season (July -September/ December 2019). The price will go up the more days you add.
Disney have made this new ticket system more complicated than needed.
There is also the option to add Park Hopper ($25 per day on top of the base ticket price) or flexible date options (from $8 up to $50 per ticket).
There is also plenty of speculation as to when Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens as the seasonal based ticket calendar only goes up to 16th December 2019.
Annual passes and Florida resident passes have gone up between $20 and $45.
Parking
While the self parking rates within resorts was introduced last year, the prices for this remain the same. Day guest receive free complimentary self parking whilst being able to enjoy dining, parking and experiences within the resorts, DVC members home parking also remains free, however theme park parking has increased.
Day guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort still receive free standard theme park parking. Non resort guests parking is as follows,
- Preferred parking has increased from $45 to $50 valid for the 4 parks per day
- Standard parking for a car or motor cycle has increased from $22 to $25 valid for the 4 parks per day
- Oversized vehicle parking, including limos, RV’s and buses has increased from $27 to $30 valid for the 4 parks per day
Merchandise
The first I noticed of the subtle price increases were whilst we were away September 2018, one day a set of Minnie ears I wanted were $24.99, the next day I went to purchase them and they had increased to $27.99.
Other increases on merchandise include bubble wands up to $27 from $25 and misting fans up to $22 from $20.
Snacks and drinks
- Regular soda: $3.99 – up from $3.29
- Large soda: $4.49 – up from $3.49
- Coffee: $3.29 – up from $2.79
- Orange Juice: $4.99 – up from $4.29
- Bottled soda: $4.50 – up from $4
- Bottled water: $3.50 – up from $3
- Powerade: $4.50 – up from $3.50
- Mickey Pretzel: $7 – up from $6
- Mickey Ice Cream: $5.75 – up from $5
The Dole Whip float has increased to $5.99. The first time I purchased this around 6 years ago, I am sure it cost around $4.
Although none of these prices will put anyone off who is visiting it certainly causes a grumble amongst the guests and quite rightly, the biggest complaint is during the Food and Wine Festival 2018, the prices at the booths were increase by 25c-50c. Which I feel is borderline criminal. Set the pricing at the beginning and stick to it, raise them during next years festival.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Walt Disney World have also had a price increase, The Crystal Palace, breakfast for children is now $23, and lunch and dinner are $31, up from $20 and $28. For adults, Breakfast is now $38, with lunch and dinner at $52, both up from $34 and $47.
At the Liberty Tree Tavern you’ll now find all meals are $21 for children and $38 for adults, up from $20 and $36 previously.
Be Our Guest breakfast is up by $3 and to dine in the Beast’s Castle for the Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner, you’ll now pay $36 for children and $60 for adults, up from $35 and $55.
Magicbands
Solid coloured magicbands are up by $2 to $14.99, as are open releases and limited editions. They are up to $27.99 each.
What are your thought on the new Disney pricing? Would any of the increases put you off visiting Walt Disney World? Or does it not bother you? Let me know in the comments.
That Disney Girl 
The prices will not keep me from visiting the parks, I just wish I had renewed my annual pass last week instead of waiting. With that being said, I still think it is worth it just on how much I visit the parks in a year.. guess I should start packing my own food though, the food prices are a little high!
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These increases came just after we decided that we were going to go to Disney next year. Looking at these costs has pushed us towards the dining plan though, it certainly looks like if you can get a good deal on the plan that you can ‘benefit’ from the increased prices. I’d certainly rather use a qdp token over cash to buy a $7 pretzel.
Realistically I don’t think it will stop people going, it just means that they will need to save a bit more, and let’s face it for some a trip to Disney is a once in a lifetime because of the expense anyway, so a couple of extra dollars on some items is not going to stop them.
I think this will be of most bother to more frequent visitors and I guess in some way that’s what Disney is looking to address.
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The dining plan certainly seems more appealing with the new prices.
I agree the ‘once in a lifetimers’ wont be affected as much because they will save up some more. The frequent visitors will notice it more.
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We were for the last two weeks of September the only price change we noticed were the ears. However upon our return it seems EVERYTHING has increased. We are at BOG, a week later…price increase. The mid Festival price hike is the worst.
The current prices do not put me off. Nor would the new pricing structure but the time of year I visit might change.
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