Disney World Wins Dubious Honor of Biggest ‘Rip-Off’ in America

in Disney, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

Illustration of numerous dollar bills floating in the air in front of the iconic Disney castle under a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

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Everyone knows that a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is expensive. That’s just part of being near the theme park.

Disney World 2024- Disney's governing district - Mickey Mouse holding his hands out in front of the Walt Disney World Cinderella Castle with money falling from the sky.
Credit: Inside The Magic

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However, most people who return to Disney World every year believe they’re getting their money’s worth when booking a trip. But if you’re not a regular, there can be a bit of sticker shock, and if that vacation does not go exactly as planned, it can leave a bad Disney World taste in your mouth.

So, it was no surprise when Coupon Birds.Com ranked Disney’s Magic Kingdom as the “worst value family attraction” in America. But it didn’t just stop with the Magic Kingdom; Walt Disney World ranked third worst, and Disneyland Park ranked sixth.

How did the Magic Kingdom and Disney World earn this distinction? Coupon Birds analyzed 35,000 “family-friendly” attractions across America and grouped them by state.

Aerial view of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. The castle features blue and gold accents and is surrounded by various themed buildings, trees, and pathways. The park appears relatively empty with no visible visitors.
Credit: CNN, X

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The website looked at thousands of reviews on Trip Adviser for each attraction, giving them a point for each time the word “expensive” or a synonym was mentioned. The rankings are based on the fact that “travelers are too expensive for what they receive.”

The vast majority in the top 20 were theme parks. Universal Studios Florida ranked second, Discovery Cove ranked fourth, and Universal Studios Hollywood ranked fifth.

One review cited by the website said: 

You really need to study up on MagicBand+, Genie, Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane to make the most of your visit. I also must say that everything is much more expensive than it used to be.

You can buy water at stadium prices, or you can just bring your own. You may start to feel nickel & dimed after a while. Is it the Disney way? Hmm.

A split image showing two iconic Disney castles highlights the Disneyland v Disney World distinction. The left side features Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland with a bridge and colorful flags, while the right showcases Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in the foreground.
Images Credit: Disney

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One of the common complaints was the ticket price and long wait times for every ride. But these are common complaints even for the most diehard Walt Disney World fans.

Disney fans have long complained about ticket prices and the fact that they feel nickeled and dimed for everything at the theme parks. Since the end of the pandemic, Disney has raised prices while eliminating free items like Magic Bands, the Magical Express, and Extra Magic Hours for all resort guests.

These increased prices have led to a downturn in attendance at Disney parks. Disney CEO Bob Iger said it was a “post-COVID downturn” rather than a long-term trend led by the massive cost of a Disney trip.

A nighttime view of a large geodesic sphere structure, known as Spaceship Earth, illuminated with gradient colors of purple, blue, orange, and yellow. The sphere is surrounded by palm trees, adding to the vibrant and magical ambiance reminiscent of the Magic Kingdom.
Credit: Disney Parks

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After a slow summer, it remains to be seen if Disney plans any massive changes to its price structure, but with theme parks still making money, that seems unlikely.

So, Disney World, the Magic Kingdom, and Disneyland Park will keep getting these dubious honors until Disney Brass does something to change it.

What do you think of Disney World being named the worst-value family attraction in America? 

in Disney, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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