ORLANDO, Fla. – The happiest place on Earth is facing growing criticism for becoming one of the most expensive.
A Florida father is speaking out after a one-day visit to Orlando’s Walt Disney World with his wife and three children cost nearly $1,400 — a price he says may not be worth it.
A video the father shared breaking down the cost of the trip has since gone viral.
Nearly $1,400 on one-day Disney trip
The backstory:
Small business owner Craig Stowell and his family recently took a one-day trip to Disney. He said he was shocked by the staggering cost of the venture to the theme park.
In a video that quickly went viral, Stowell broke down the cost of the trip. The video, shared on his personal Instagram, has garnered more than 34,000 views alone.
In the video, Stowell said his day trip added up to nearly $1,400, which included:
- $30 for parking
- $974 for five tickets using a Florida resident discount
- More than $245 for dinner
‘Like a cash cow’
What they’re saying:
Stowell said he’s unsure if the price he and his family paid for the “magical” trip was even worth it.
“It started with the ticket purchase, and then it ran right into the parking, and then it just was like a cash cow for the rest of the day,” he said. “Trying to put a price tag versus value, what’s it worth? The lines were so long, so we’re already a thousand [dollars] deep into the park. Now, we’re going to drop another $400 to get Lightning Passes.”
Stowell believes the company is favoring long-term guests who stay at Disney resorts over local families or day-trippers.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think those day-trippers are what Disney wants,” he said. “They want you to never leave the park. They want you there for five days, and they want you to drop 10 grand. So, I think that one-day trip I’m actually being punished for it.”
Despite the high price tag, Stowell said he didn’t expect the level of support his video would receive online.
“I kind of had a feeling it would go viral,” he said. “It’s very relatable. It’s family-friendly. Disney’s always a hot topic and we’re all trying to pinch pennies. So, I kind of had an idea that people would be able to relate to it, just maybe not so much.”
Is the number of people visiting Disney decreasing?
By the numbers:
According to official statistics from Disney, the business giant welcomes more than 140 million visitors annually across the world to its 12 theme parks.
Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world, averaging more than 58 million annual visitors.
Internal surveys also reportedly show a decline in the number of guests planning return visits to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland since late 2023.
Disney’s theme park attendance has seen a decline in recent months, particularly toward the end of 2024. Business leaders attribute the decrease to a few factors, including price increases, economic factors, international travel trends and pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disney World announces 4 new deals for 2025
With summer just around the corner, Walt Disney World in Florida is gearing up for an exciting season full of new experiences and special offers. Walt Disney World Resort has unveiled its latest summer offerings, featuring 50% off 3-day or longer kids’ tickets, two exciting new shows, and the return of a nighttime —the first in nearly 10 years at the park.
Are Disney prices going up?
Dig deeper:
It’s no secret that Disney has increased its prices in recent years.
According to The Wall Street Journal, some Disney insiders have expressed concern that the company has become “addicted” to raising prices and may be approaching the limit of what middle-class families can afford.
In 2024, the company raised the cost of single-day, single-park tickets for the 2025 season.
Just recently, prices went up again for many 2026 dates. A one-day ticket to the Magic Kingdom now ranges from $139 to $199, depending on the day and season.
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To skip long lines, guests can also purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for an additional $40 per person during top times, but it only applies to a select number of rides. The system now even has tiers with prices ranging from $449 per person per day. The feature, once free, has become a common add-on for visitors trying to make the most of their day.
Magic Key prices have also increased. A Disneyland Resort Magic Key pass is a limited-entry annual pass that allows holders to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks multiple times within a year. The feature also includes discounts on dining, merchandise and parking, as well as other special benefits depending on the specific pass type.
Other increases from the company include menu prices, as well as subscriptions for Disney+ and Hulu.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by FOX Business, Craig Stowell and Walt Disney World.
