Disney World raises Ticket Prices

Image from Clint Gamache of ThrillGeek

Disney World raises Ticket Prices.


 Fans and Friends of Disney World have lost their minds in the last few days with the resorts newest ticket price hike.

 This is the second ticket price raise that Disney World has implemented in the last twelve months, unusual for the resort which normally only raises prices once per twelve months.  The last raise in ticket prices happened in June of 2013, just nine months ago.

 The new price, $99 per single day is a $4 increase in price. This has effected all tickets across the price spectrum. However, this increase only effects the "Magic Kingdom" park so far. It's unknown if this raise in prices will soon go resort wide. The other parks- Epcot Center, Disney Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are still at the old price of $94 dollar per day.

 This new price increase came as a surprise. It wasn't announced nor did Disney warn their guests as they had done in the past, this new move was done quietly in the night only to be leaked by Orlando Sentinel. The Total Orlando Blog has estimated that in the last decade Disney World's admission fees have easily doubled, they also expect that by 2025 price will be over $153 per day if the current yearly (or twice yearly) increases continue.

 Fan have been speculating wildly as to the reasons behind the price raise. Many believe it has to do with the gross overspending on the "My Magic+" system which the Orlando park has been trying to implement in the form of "MagicBands" in the last year. Others believe that it's do to high levels of over spending involving the "New Fantasyland" project which is suspected to be behind schedule. Like most things involving Disney World, we'll likely never know the real reasons behind them breaking the rule of "one price hike on tickets per year".

Kentucky Kingdom Re-Opening News- Ride Cost/Refurbishment Breakdown

 News today from the New Kentucky Kingdom Park. Screamscape is reporting that cost documents to re-open and re-furbish the current rides has come to light. In addition to this, they've also found another document which shows the 2014 'New Ride' cost. It looks like this once abandoned Six Flags Park will finally be getting the love and attention it badly needed.

 According to the documents, they're spending $3.7 Million of their $43.5 Million dollar budget on 'Ride Repairs and Upgrades'.  While this may not seem like a lot, Kentucky Kingdom hasn't been non-operational as long as other previous Six Flags properties (like New Orleans). 

 The Park plans to open in May 2014. Also during this year they'll be spending an additional $10.5 Million on 'New Attractions' as seen below in the price documents. These are reported below as a Giant Swing Ride, A 6 Lane mat slide and a 'Steel Coaster'.  You'll also notice they have 2015 and 2016 items listed. A new 'water attraction' and more importantly a new start for the coaster "Twisted Twins".

 It's nice to see the park putting work in and trying to make it a great place. We wish them all the best and hope to visit next season!

(Click to enlarge the images)

Both Images from Screamscape

Typical Summer- The Price Hike

Good Morning Folks!

Hope your having a good weekend because I've got some bad news. Well, it's not really bad just typical.

In yet another case of Theme Park "Monkey See, Monkey Do" Disney and Universal Studios have once again raised their admission prices. It's now easily $100 a day with tax for Disney and nearly that for Universal Studios. It's not overly surprising as this seems to happen nearly every other year for the major theme parks, I just think the price is slowly getting into the level of "Okay, that's a little bit overboard..". Disney has also 'quietly' raised the price of their annual passes, to the tune of nearly 15%.

Disney One Park, One Day tickets are now $89 plus tax. Up from the previous price of $85.
Universal One Park, One Day tickets are now $88 plus tax. Up from the previous price of $85.

Wish I could sugar-coat this a little for you but the parks are a very expensive hobby or vacation. Make sure you look around and price out the best deal for your money! Often you can get ticket packages with multiple days and park hopper options for lower prices then the standard "one day, one park" price. That's really the goal of the parks, to keep you in multiple days but often it's worth it since it's hard to see everything in a single day!

Now we only have to wait. I'm sure SeaWorld and Busch Gardens aren't far behind in announcing a ticket price increase.

Orlando Sentinel Reports Ticket Price Hike