The “happiest place on Earth” may be losing its luster after Disney raised some prices at its U.S. parks last year, according to The Wall Street Journal. Wait times for rides, an indicator of crowd size, has fallen this summer at both Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. The Magic Kingdom in Orlando averaged a 27-minute wait over the Fourth of July holiday, down from 47 minutes in 2019. Inflation, too, and higher outdoor temperatures are weighing on public interest in outdoor theme parks, travel analysts say.
- Disney, which declined to comment on park attendance, has begun bringing back promotions such as dining plans that allow visitors to prepay for meals next year.
By Cate Chapman, Editor at LinkedIn News
Disney World Hasn’t Felt This Empty in Years
BY LAUREN CRAIG
According to this article in The Wall Street Journal, attractive discounts may be on the way at Walt Disney World and other destination #themeparks.
It’s not entirely surprising that pent-up travel demand after the pandemic is waning. In the several leisure-driven markets I’ve completed hotel valuation and advisory assignments, room night demand growth has slowed or regressed. However, pricing has been mixed.
After reviewing Themed Entertainment Association’s annual attendance report for #waterparks, #museums, and #amusementparks, my big takeaway was how more efficient such companies have become since the pandemic. Despite lower attendance compared to 2019 levels, ticket prices and in-park spend per capita have increased considerably. Mobile technology and adjusted operations have improved general profitability. Though pressures remain due to inflation and macro economic conditions.