They have restricted the disabled, denying the DAS. They will be losing a lot of people especially their DVC members. I plan on selling my 4 contracts due to their denial and how I was treated and I’m not the only one. Very sad they are doing this to their loyal attendees. It’s all about their greed over caring about their customers.
Yes, we were there in October, and I noted to my husband the absence of the disabled community. It was always a place where you used to see a ton of disabled people. Not now.
Totally Agree, The disabled community will continue to abandon Disney as long as they continue to take draconian measures to make sure the disabled community is not served, and try to get them to pay for accommodations purely for reasons of greed. They aren’t buying, they are leaving.
People who’ve been wasting their money on the Disney experiences the past couple of decades should be used to getting robbed by that company. They’re getting what they deserve by paying the ridiculous prices Disney charges for their parks and services. Disney has been a garbage product ever since their only answer to being creative has been purchasing up a bunch of other company’s intellectual property and going overboard by making live action versions (though how you call a CGI abundant film live action is beyond me) of their hit animated films. Disney is just a greedy corporate entity now only out to please investors.
Having just attended 3 days over Halloween: 1) Not only are the initial prices too high but then you spend hours on the phone trying to pay MORE for lightening lanes; 2) Too many ride breakdowns, esp after having spent a long time in line; 3) The Aladdin ride looks abandoned-no evening lighting and the ride desperately needs painted; the Magic is lost in all the nickel and diming.
We are here at Disneyland. Paid over $1500 for 3 hopper tickets to both parks. You would think you would be able to go into ALL the rides. We were told you have to have reservations to enter the haunted mansion with only 2 time frames to get reservations . After spending the money for tickets and a scooter for my disabled veteran friend, a charger for the phone because you have to use your phone for everything , not much magic left . It seems like the buck is more important. Cast members try their best to help you, but really can’t change much . Yesterday was veterans day and didn’t have ANY perks for the disabled veteran, unlike Universal Studios who honor their country and it’s veterans who fought for all of us. So sad.
There are a few factors that contribute to why I can’t Disney World anymore. Taking Das away from people who actually need it and then telling them they are not disabled enough, their pain doesn’t matter, that is the major first reason. Then to slap all those DAS users in the face by releasing the new multipass and then the ridiculously priced multipass plus or whatever it’s called , that utilizes the same entrance DAS uses , we can clearly see the pay extra to play at the cost of anyone with a disability. This was never Walts vision. The disney trend is ending, you have priced yourself out of the market. This Disney Adult is going to find a new hobby. I’m done.
Agreed with the other comments- my former DAS status for a health issue is no longer accommodated, and I’m not paying extra to ride things when I already overpaid for a park ticket to ride those things anyway. I love the parks but they are really showing greed vs guest experience
Loss of the once wonderful perks you got by paying the extra to stay on site are mostly gone. The magic express taken away, next to no free dining offered anymore, no free parking, no taking purchases back to your hotel etc etc. Plus you have to be on your phone constantly now in the parks, you used to just enjoy the day not have to plan days out months in advance!
The CEO and the CFO are so out of touch with Walt’s vision for family time. It was never to be only for the rich. The park attendance is down because everyday people CAN’T AFFORD the ticket prices, cheap souvenirs, and cost of food which tastes horrible. Maybe sit down with families and talk about how many have to make choices on expenditures. And your streaming service is junk so don’t count on that saving Disney.
One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard from park guests is the need for park reservations. Guests don’t like that they have to make reservations that may or may not change and if they miss it they get penalized. The next biggest problem is prices, just because people start making more money, you don NOT need to raise your prices assuming that they will spend more. I’m sorry but $50 for Mickey or Minnie ears is just outrageous.
There are a multitude of reasons why people are staying away. First, the price has reached a point that most families can’t afford the price. Second, Disney has made it complicated to figure out how attend. For example, I have to purchase a ticket, but then I also have to make a reservation. Then, if I want to ensure I get the ride(s) of my choice (e.g., Rise of the Resistance), I have to pay more . . . but, not until I enter the park. The costs just continue to add up. Third, and perhaps the most important, other people in attendance can ruin the experience. Adults can be rude and their children even worse. I get tired of navigating around so many strollers that I’m amazed I haven’t been injured. Children under three are FREE???!!! After what I have to pay to get in, I now have to witness children having melt downs and their parents having fits because they’re too short to go on some rides leaving the parents to figure out what to do.
These young children are some of the worst attendees since they get overwhelmed. tire easily, and become cranky. So do their parents. Plus, I strongly suspect many of the children that families say are under three are not telling the truth. By having children under 3 admitted for free, it just encourages families to bring their children at an age where they are too young. Does an infant really appreciate Disneyland? No. Do I have to listen to it scream and cry? Often.
Maybe for kids but its the parents thst pay. Turn out crsppy woke animation the kids dont watch and keep jacking the prices and very soon they will be building condos where the parks once stood
Disney has stopped listening to it’s customers and it’s all about money. It is outrageous the price of the ticket, that doesn’t even get you access to all the rides. For a family to pay extra per person, per day, on top of the ticket price for the popular rides becomes out of reach for most families and is total disregard to Walts mission. It’s so sad
Disney has outpriced themselves. The average family of 4 simply can’t afford the extra increases without going in debt or postponing their trip for another year with who knows what the prices will be then. Get used to seeing declining attendance – only the rich will be able to afford to visit. The bottom line is greed and $$$$. Poor Walt he’s rolled over in his grave many times!
I used to love going to Disney World. It truly was magical, but with every new change, and price hike, It has lost the magic. It truly has been taken out of the range of middle class families, and I agree that Walt would be so horribly dissapointed!
Their comment about expecting higher income earners flocking back after their European vacations is all you need to know about their focus and astronomical prices. Like the Democrats in the last election, they abandoned the American people and the American people abandoned them.
Igor should take note.
Someone needs to remove all the people that are changing things so drastically. How much money does Disney need, they make to much on the middle and lower class. Pretty soon the o ly people that will be at disney are the rich. Walt is turning over in his grave, the disrespect of his dream is unexceptional. Universal will benefit for sure. R.I.P. Disney
The cost. I’m not sure a disney vacation will be something I can afford. I didn’t know it would only be for the rich now. So sad. Wonder what Walt would think? The magic is gone. I love to go to disney world but I’m not one of the rich.
There is no mystery here. Telling Disabled people you don’t want them in the parks, well you got it. Denying disabled people the accommodation they relied on for years and that they bought passes and tickets based on is a huge reason why the attendance is down.
Thousands of us have told you that when denied DAS we wouldn’t be coming back when you called us with your placation phone calls. I guess now you know that your message was received and you got what you wanted. You are welcome.
Basically what they did was get rid of the free DAS for people with disabilities and replace it with the same system but charge an extra $1000 or so a day for a family to use it.
Totally Agree, The disabled community will continue to abandon Disney as long as they continue to take draconian measures to make sure the disabled community is not served, and try to get them to pay for accommodations purely for reasons of greed. They aren’t buying, they are leaving.
Disabled combat vet should be thanked not interrogated by Disney to get needed assistance. We will continue to bypass the parks until we are heard.
A Disney trip for me n my daughter is too expensive, the cost for airlines tickets, price for a bus or Uber, Hotel and park tickets it add ups. Who is Iger marketing towards, they got rid of alot of perks you used to get 5-8 years ago.
They also have rides, popular rides down repeatedly even when you do go. Idk if they don’t have the best employees any more. Too much focus on dei hiring, not enough focus on abilities to fix things. Is that why their hall of presidents is shutting down? Did they forget how to do animatronics?
You certainly don’t sound like you live in Florida, because if you did you’d understand they don’t have the best employees because they REFUSE to pay for experienced employees. The Disney board members want the money going into their bonus checks, so they screw their employees over at every angle. All you have to do is go to YouTube and watch the “Why I Stopped Working For Disney World” videos. Add to the ridiculousness of Ron DeSatan and all the illegal things he’s tried to pull and been reprimanded by a judge. I suspect Iger wouldn’t have a problem deciding to close DisneyWorld and either put it in Illinois or just do without. Disney would make a lot more money with season discount passes for residents of the state of Florida, but they can’t be bothered with a lower percentage profit, even when the accumulated total for the year would be higher.
Florida has created a pretty huge problem with the unchecked growth of residential spread across the state. As one local meteorologist said, he believed Florida has gone over the capacity to fill its water resources to support the number of residents currently in the state. We got lucky this year with all the hurricanes, but we were dealing with a fair amount of drought last year that just got worse as the summer moved on even though we had our traditional summer storms. This doesn’t bode well for hospitality businesses or the future of the park.
The Hall of Presidents is shutting down because too many people objected to having a convicted felon, sexual predator, and someone who tried to overthrow the government when he lost his bid for a second term as someone for their children to look up to.
About a one sided view of what’s going on. The hollow President would be shut down to try to fix it for the new president. Disney World has priced them sell out of their own choice. But at least be honest about stuff you don’t have to make everything political.
I could not agree with your comments more. Well said. I live in Tennessee. Disney has totally forgotten what Magic used to mean. Prices are ridiculous. I have been a big fan for years and always like the holiday things, looked into going for just 3 days, staying in the Value Resort, park passes, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Candlelight Processional and food, was very close to $4000 for 2 people. Then you have to pay about $400 more for Lightening lane for what used to be free and could schedule your favorites before leaving home. They wont be getting any more of my money.
Just have to say, although I haven’t been able to visit for 5 years, due to Ill health, as a vacation home owner in Davenport, for 20 years we had great discounts as we were able to get Florida resident discounts. Especially the Weekday select ticket. Have they stopped that now?
Add me to the numbers of people leaving over DAS. Disney doesn’t want us there, forgetting that our families and friends are also leaving. I used to spend a lot of time there, eating, drinking, doing things I could not do other places. Tomorrow, I’m going to a meetup in the parks, and bringing my food and beverages. And I just bought an annual Pass at Universal.
Maybe your user name should have been shown as “Sky High” because from reading your comment, you must be on drugs or either just an ignorant fool. But, in your defense, you are obviously a deranged, brain-dead liberal. So you are, for all practical purposes Mentally Impaired. Liberalism truly is a mental disorder.
How about addressing the elephant in the room. Disney has chosen to almost completely exclude a good number of the disabled community that relies on its DAS services. Just because you’re ADA doesn’t mean you don’t have money to spend. Many of those folks will find other theme parks (Hi Universal and Epic) that are more than accommodating to the ADA community. It’s time to rethink your thinking.
Unusual for a European, my wife and me have spent a year of our lives in WDW in the last 15 years or so. We used to be big fans but now are heartily sick of the grossly greedy behaviour of Disney. A refusal to take an interest in the views of their customers and way above inflation price rises on all things, combined with shrinkflation of everything (eg charging to enter the parks and charging again to beat the queues they’ve no incentive to reduce) means we can no longer justify the cost (plus transatlantic flights) for an inferior experience and never encourage anyone to go like we used to. It was good while it lasted, but we won’t be going back.
Disney, you’re delusional that inflation’s been a factor, because you’ve been increasing prices across the board with no reference to inflation for decades. You have yourselves to blame.
We had planned on going next year for Disneyland’s 70th, but the costs to travel, even down the West Coast have priced us out. But what’s even more difficult, is not having access to DAS. I am terrified of having to get on a call with a CM and “medical professional,” only to be told that I am not disabled enough or I should pay more money to use LL, or whatever. That’s not accessibility, it’s profits. I am so disappointed in Disney’s exclusion of those with disabilities. I would love to provide documentation, show my handicap placard, or whatever to be able to have access to the service that I had in February 2024 (and numerous other visits).
Our family hasn’t been to WDW since they revamped DAS earlier this year, making the parks inaccessible to our disabled family members. We’ve saved thousands this year that we would have spent at the parks.
The prices have gone up, they are charging extra for so many things and the new DAS process is just horrible. Disney is really treating the disabled terribly.
We were there a year ago and the lines were awful in time unless you paid gor Genie or Lightening Kane. There are those who CAN’T AFFORD those prices. Plus I won’t be going back because of all the changes made to Disney attractions. They have changed or done away with so many we loved.
Because the parks are NO LONGER ASSESSABLE to DISABLED individual’s that benefited from the DAS program. I’m not saying it wasn’t being abused, because it was. But now people with physical disabilities that don’t benefit from the use of a wheelchair can no longer go to the “happiest place on earth”. It’s more like the most discriminatory place in earth now.
1) the cost has gotten ridiculous 2)The change in das. My husband is a disabled terminally ill Veteran and he got declined. Let us show paperwork, Is that more than enough proof on paper. I have been a passholder for many, many years but I refuse to buy anything from Disney unless it is by third party. Because I’m not putting any more money in their pocket. 3) too woke, it don’t need to be in everything. I have nothing against anyone’s rights and beliefs but too much of anything is not good either.Get back to Walts dream. A park where the average family can afford to go and spend time together.
Getting denied DAS with a disabled child. This was the place where children were supposed to go to do not have to worry about their disabilities . With the new DAS program they’re treating disabled children sickening and disheartening.
Hey Disney I’ve got an idea how to get your revenue up lower prices and get back to the basics stop the woke bs and actually care about your fan base the people that want to see Walt’s love and care brought back not erased
How about returning to Walt’s dream of being the place a family could enjoy! It has become a nightmare to afford and I have been a passholder for many years, been visiting since WDW opened in 1972. Also a DVC member and they keep taking away all the perks we originally joined for it really is becoming not worth the effort and I live only 2 hours away! Woke Disney even the movies aren’t as good as they used to be!🤑
The prices are extremely high, and the disability restriction will prevent many people, including me from coming. Honestly Busch Gardens is a better value.
As a life long Disney fan I am happy that I was able to take my kids when the magic was still important to the people running Disney. Sadly, their treatment of the disabled population, the denial of DAS to those that truly need it because they are not considered disabled enough, the price gouging, the lack of kindness displayed by some cast members and customers is making it impossible for us to return. The magic is gone and sadly so am I. I will travel to Disneyland Paris where they treat their disabled with dignity and not disdain.
DAS changes are the reason. DVC member, I have been taking my family once a year to WDW, Disneyland, and even DLO. no more. We are usually planning our March Spring break trip by now, but spring break 25 is now Hawaii. We won’t return until they show a shred of decency to the disabled community.
Our families come every 2 years and enjoy Fort Wilderness and attend the parks 5-6 times. Last trip cost the 8 of us nearly $20,000! And that is staying in our own Motor home! They are pricing middle class families out of the ability to enjoy a fantasy trip. We have been going to the park since 1980 and do not know if/when we will return 😟
I just got back from Disneyland Paris. It was great, cheaper than WDW by a mile, and had many more perks. They also have disability access. I just had to show my VA disability card. I will be going again in March.
The prices are to high to get in and buy anything. Soda, beer, food is to high. They don’t care about their guests like they did 10, 15 years ago. Service is down, employee moral is down. Disney needs to stop being WOKE.
This is not a guess. It is an obvious answer. In order of importance:
1. The DAS issue. All those people with disabilities brought multiple full-pay companions with them. And Disney has essentially banned them.
2. Hit the price the market and the convenience factor that the will bear. Too much money and too much hassle (reservations) to give you the money. This will not get better because once the consumer pays the higher prices they won’t return as often because….
3. Loss of value. When you can’t ride more than a few rides due to lines, can’t get reservations for rides you can see in front of you, can’t get food you want because you didn’t make a reservation, and there are less shows, it feels like the high price wasn’t “worth it”.
So they aren’t going to admit that what they have done to the disabled community is a disgrace and people have decided to think with their feet. Treat people with disdain and disgust as they have been doing, people are going to go elsewhere. It’s about time Disney was given a wake up call.
Thank you so much for advocating for the disabled in.Disney. I used to get the annual pass for my daughter who has autism but because of Disney’s poor treatment of the mentally handicapped we no longer go.
Along with price increases that you shake your head and say SERIOUSLY…The changes for DAS (we don’t use it} some people are on scooters due to leg/hip/foot surgeries/amputee can’t stand in the long lines. They are declined to stay on their scooters to go thru the que (excpet for Spaceship Earth, I experienced this 1st hand) and have to park and stand in line. Oh, but wait, you can PURCHASE Lightening Lane or lightening Lane premier package…again greed HAS set in. I and others who would benefit with DAS (Even getting a note signed by your physician) truley believed when Bob Iger returned things would change…oh they did….just for the worse. He has allowed the price increase and people just can’t afford to go, even if they ARE Annual Pass Holders.
They need to face facts, the Disney brand is old and unexciting. They are WAY over priced and have the same boring rides. All the while Universal is adding new parks and rides all the time. Why anyone would pay to go to a Disney park when they can go to Universal or even Busch Gardens is beyond me. With Disney you are paying for the name and the history, not the fun. You end up paying a lot and getting aggravation for your trouble. Not me.
I read almost every comment, and it is the same story. Disney wake up and see what is happening. Do you need another park to spread out the folks coming to WDW, to keep crowd level at a controlled level?
Yes prices are extreme! The old reservation for rides, was great. Then Lighting lane came at a $25 to + cost, now $400 for a fast pass? Come on Disney, Last time we went to WDW in 2022 the 2 of us for 7 days, splitting between 3 days at Hotel near Epcot and then a moderate Hotel, we were over 8k. And the park was packed! Long lines. By the way at Magic Kingdom, one of those strollers pushers, knocked my wife to the ground, and did not even apologize. Did not help her up either. I have been going for years to WDW and Disneyland, and crowds are too much for Disney Parks. And at WDW they continue to make more Hotels…. go figure… WHY? They need to reduce price, find a way to control the volume of folks in the park each day. People who are disabled need to be able to enjoy the parks, and rides, but also the rented scooters need to be careful, they run into people, as I was one who was run into, in a store! Never in the past were there so many issues. We stopped WDW, but next year will try Disneyland 1 more time, hopefully will be a good experience, as we are Disney adults and grew up in California at Disneyland. But we moved out of the state, why? Too many people now.
Disney is clearly has a new target audience….the top 10% of wage earners. And clearly Disney doesn’t want people with disabilities to go to the parks anymore. They might need to change Walt’s quote from “To all who come to this happy place…welcome”, to “To all rich folks and non-disabled people who come to this happy place….welcome”.
The only magic the current Disney executives are worried about these days is how their attractions will translate into dollars. They are betting on the fact that richer families will eventually bring park attendance back up. And even if that does happen, what does it say about Disney’s concern for middle class families? Their modus operandi these days is “fewer amenities at higher costs.” I’m seriously thinking about selling my DVC points before there isn’t a market for them. Very disillusioned at this point.
My combat wounded husband can no longer rely on DAS which was huge for us in order to navigate the parks. Between that at the relentless price hikes, the magic has dwindled. Walt wanted his parks to be accessible to all, physically and financially so it’s sad to see Disney isn’t honoring his vision.
First I am a HUGE Disney fan. I had an annual pass for many years. Sadly we cannot afford to go like we use to due to the cost.
Even before COVID I noticed the decline at the parks in maintenance, cleanliness, and cast members attitudes (some not all). I feel the Disney parks have lost their magic. The parks are not up to Walt’s standards or the standards we have come to expect from Disney and now they want us to pay even more for a mediocre experience? I am truly shocked at the trash I see everywhere now, paint chipped on the rides and in the queues, dust everywhere it is really sad to see the state of Disneyland these days. Definitely not what it use to be. I hope they can figure out how to reduce the prices and most importanlty BRING BACK THE MAGIC!!!
I used to go to Disney every 2 years. I haven’t been since 2012. They need to stop being so greedy and lower their prices. Seems to be when they have something good that visitors like they remove or stop offering it, ex. Magical express.
Thank you so much for advocating for the disabled in.Disney. I used to get the annual pass for my daughter who has autism but because of Disney’s poor treatment of the mentally handicapped we no longer go.
We were in Orlando in early Oct and used our DVC to stay on property. And then used our Universal annual passes all week…because the UOAP is less than half the price of the similar Disney AP. We used to have both, but once Disney hiked it up to $1400 each before tox …well, no thanks. And single day tickets are even more. The irony is….we can afford it, we just refuse to pay it. WdW has gone way down hill – several earlier comments have covered the why. And frankly the cast members, with maybe the exception of the Minivan drivers, are just not happy in their jobs and it shows. It’s sad. But not going to pay outrageous prices to go into the parks, sorry.
Disney has lost its way in many ways, pricing has got way out of hand to where families cannot go without going deep in debt. Changes in the way they operate sex now included which it has no place. Alcohol which Walt in 1956 said he did not want. Woke has got a foothold in Disney and needs to be completely removed. So I know Walt would be very disappointed in the current leadership of Disney so major changes have to be made to get Disney back on the right track !!!
Well Paul, one of Walt’s must’s is for families to be able to go without going deep in debt. So Disney and the stock holders and investors need to follow Walt’s wishes and keep pricing for families down one way or another !!
Until you’ve walked in Bob Igor’s shoes, it’s unfair to share things like, he’s out of touch, you’re no longer a Disney Fan, blame management. Fact is, it’s a tough economy and decreased discretionary family spending has soften tourism. Disney Parks have not out priced themselves, look at what it costs to feed a family of four at McDonalds today. Prices have increased, everywhere not just at Disney Parks. The Disney Experience is still there, it might be different but you can see The Igor Evolution happening, modernizing, upgrading, additions, new marketing strategies. Nothing happens overnight. Disney is evolving, not changing but evolving and it must or it will go the way of the dinosaurs, extinct. I’m not a Disney Employees but I believe in the direction the company is heading, it has a lot to clean up from previous management. Let’s face it, its biggest assets are in broadcasting in a day where broadcasting isn’t profitable. Bob will fix it, he has before.
We don’t need to. And Disney doesn’t need to evolve and absolutely must NOT evolve. Disney needs to learn its place in the world as nothing but an animation studio with some theme parks that makes decisions by asking “What would Walt do?” just as it did for decades after his passing. It will when I take over and make Disney great again. I will be appeasing only Disney purists, undoing the entire Iger era via De-Igerfication, and keeping Disney and the parks trapped in the 20th century. Disney can survive on its NAME and will rely on its name alone under me. People see a park carrying a Disney name, they will always come. Even if it’s stuck in the 20th century and never changes. The greatest showman P.T. Barnum was right about a certain type of person born every minute.
Corporations like Disney are so out of touch with the financial realities of your average family. People can no longer afford entry tickets let alone all the extras like food, fast passes and souvenirs. This is going to get worse, not better, as the economy takes a nose dive in 2025. They need to read the room. See what the average family can afford and price accordingly. High margins don’t always equal bigger profits if attendance just keeps dropping. It’s about happy customers and repeat business. They need to learn that, but they never will.
Used to love Disney. Went many times, plus cruises, in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Went last year. It was extremely crowded, rides constantly breaking down, hugely expensive and hate being tied to the phone due to all the hoops plus money you have to spend to get what used to be free. Better, less expensive vacations: Europe, Caribbean, cruises, really just about anything. Sad, but no longer a big Disney fan.
The fact that Our country with Disney being a microcosm of the public opinion I believe people are just tired of having social issues crammed down their throats is making people choose to spend their money enjoying a vacation without any of the political correctness creeping in on their vacation. Stop telling everyone what they can and cannot accept such as pronouns and DEI nonsense
What you have done by taking away perks for everyone and DVC members stinks . Having to be on your phone to schedule rides stinks . Taking away fast pass stinks, taking away Magical express stinks . You and your corporate greed stinks. I know inflation happens…
but I’m glad your numbers are down because it reflects what you have done by putting money in your own pockets and not caring about the mouse house! You all stink at what you have done to the magic of Disney.
This is why when I seize Disney in a hostile takeover, I will erase the entire Iger era and undo everything he worked for. I will be the Trump that Disney needs to make it great again with every decision being made by asking “What would Walt do?” again just as management did for decades after his death and the only “agenda” will be WWWD. Disney under me will be perpetually frozen in the 20th century and that means no more brand new attractions and no expansion of the parks. The only new attractions will be old ones resurrected and it also means the end of Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar in the parks. That will be coming soon anyway due to Disney being broken up and losing all its acquired IP like Teddy Roosevelt broke up Standard Oil.
I think they are wrong . It does have to do with ticket prices . I am from Canada and went to Disney more than once a year sometimes 4 times a year. The exchanges is terrible but it is really the ticket cost . I always bought a 4 or 5 day pass the last time I went bought a one day pass to see Pandora then next times one day pass to see Guardians off the Galaxy. He was right about new experiences but total wrong about cost
While the above comments all appear to be valid, the underlying reason attendance is falling is the fact that people are waiting later in life to have children and if or when they have children, they are having fewer. Demographics are changing and Disney needs to figure out how to address these changes.
Just like the Democrats underestimating the Gallup Poll of “America is on the wrong Track” with a 78% disapproval, Disney too is disappointing long time loyal fans.. Time for them to stop with the constant ticket prices rising every single year! Its way too much money for the many old “aging” rides with very few newer modern attractions. With now Charging for the lighting lane was a huge mistake for something that was Always free! Now people don’t see the value in paying a ton of money only to be tortured in hour and a half or longer lines, only getting to go on 3 to 4 rides in a typical 6 to 8 hour grueling day in the Florida heat. I mean really Disney?? Get a frigging clue and stop being so arrogant.. I’m a reoccurring annual pass holder and I have a handicapped son where he gets us disability access service where we don’t have to stand in the long wait times and I still see so much less of a valued experience. I’ve been coming to Fishery since I was 5 in 1973 when the park first opened and have come almost every two to three years since. I know without a doubt in my mind that the experience is sh** now in comparison with what it once was.. It’s very sad seeing how more cinsumerized the parks have become with every building being just a regurgitated souvenir shop.. Nothing uniquely special. Their should be more immersing nostalgic experiences that bring you into the turn of the century Main Street USA, or Hollywood Boulevard and such with the emphasis on less commercialism. Two other huge mistakes and these are going to be the killers. The first one being, stay out of woke culture and politics.. Disney should be neutral and not sway one way or the other. Like it or not Trump and more than 50% of America just spoke their voices and said enough and no more! Stop putting the garbage messaging in movies and TV entertainment. It’s really insulting to our intelligence of how obvious and forced it is when it’s done. Note being the disaster of the latest failure of a series the Acolyte.. What political woke garbage that was and because of their political stance has segregated themselves from the political side of the isle that has the most traditional family’s with children. Remember them? Children!! Which is was always Disney’s bread and butter but now Cater to the Alphabet + police group. Seriously, stop with the forced messaging. You’re not being slick and What sees right through it.. It doesn’t enhance or being anything to the stores and is a distraction. The second big mistake is not building another new bigger more modern park to rival Universal new Epic Universe that’s about to open.. You think you’re numbers are sh** now? Wait till they open that park and have lower ticket prices without the woke garbage. Plus they got Harry Potter! Huge! That’s real world blunt advice to Disney.. Too Bad Disney executives won’t be seeing it. lol
The prices are high. It is a complicated system. Perks have gone way down. The parks are not maintained as well as they once were and rides are constantly going down. Cast member standards have dropped even while some cost members a amazing. Disney needs to go back and remember Walt’s vision and those of the other Disney legends which help make the park a magical place. We the public see their shortcuts and are having to pay more for a park that is doing less. Live entertainment needs to be brought back as well.
I was a longtime visitor to Disney World and Disneyland. It was always a premium vacation both cost and quality but they seemed to balance. Now the cost far out ways the quality. This includes all aspects of Disney, parks, movies streaming, everything. Sad but today’s Disney is far from the Disney of yesterday and for the worse.
Price is what hurts. I can travel on a cruise and visit other countries and spend less money than a week in Disney. One day tickets for 4 of us is almost $1,000. That just for Hollywood Studios so my grandson can ride slinky dog before our cruise.
But definitely less experiences, rising cost, no fast passes. All adds up for me to go elsewhere.
Yes, high prices and loss of perks contribute greatly to this downturn, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t add that consumers are VERY concerned about the pending recession due to the incoming administration.
I’ve been wanting to go but am irritated and worried that if I pay for a ticket that I can’t just enter the park and go on rides!I I shouldn’t have to pay extra or reserve my spot in line! At least with fast passes you could walk to a queue, get your fast pass and plan your next move…. not pay more after I’ve already paid to get in😡 It’s unbelievable the greed that had completely taken over Disney.
I have canceled three planned trips due to Disney’s new draconian approach to the disabled community. Many people who need DAS to enjoy the parks with their families are no longer able to attend. There is no point in going where we (the disabled community) are no longer welcome. Disney was the gold standard for treating the disabled with dignity and respect, but that is no longer the case. Also, denying our veterans who suffer from PTSD access to DAS is also another reason for the decline in attendance.
I predict that Disney will continue to tier their pricing. Right now, there are a variety of price points for rides: the basic ticket price, Genie plus, lightning lane, and this new $400 dollar service. Unfortunately, as long as enough people continue to pay those prices, prices will keep rising. I predict that by 20 years from now, Disney theme park pricing will look something like this:
Park admission (includes no rides): $55.00
Ride passes :Cody is in addition to $55.00 admission(6 non premium rides (excludes Space Mountain, Rise of the Resisitance, Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, Mission to Mars,etc) $99.00
10 rides including 2 premium ride choices: $250.
Unlimited rides including unlimited premium ride options: $600.
I am not in favor of this. This is just what I’m expecting based on current trends.
Well said everyone! Mine only complaint is the reservation system, get rid of it! It is still crowded! All the double strollers and regular ones and now all the riders of the scooters it makes it even harder to get around. I used to be able to drop in whenever I wanted to. With the reservation system that never happens. Go back to pre covid and do away with the system. How can anyone make the hotel reservations and buy high price tickets and then try to get reservation for the family. It is ridiculous!
I had year or season passes for 25 years. With the prices steadily increasing they are finally out of a range I am comfortable with. It has become so much of a time consuming hassle to even be eligible to get on desired rides that it is not worth it. I go on vacation to have fun, not get totally stressed out or go into debt. Universal, Dollywood, D.C., Pigeon Forge are looking much more favorable for grandparents taking grandkids on a vacation.
Comments for Disney CEO Bob Iger Releases New Excuse on Dramatic Park Attendance Drop
B Dragonetti
They have restricted the disabled, denying the DAS. They will be losing a lot of people especially their DVC members. I plan on selling my 4 contracts due to their denial and how I was treated and I’m not the only one. Very sad they are doing this to their loyal attendees. It’s all about their greed over caring about their customers.
KPH
Yes, we were there in October, and I noted to my husband the absence of the disabled community. It was always a place where you used to see a ton of disabled people. Not now.
JR862
Totally Agree, The disabled community will continue to abandon Disney as long as they continue to take draconian measures to make sure the disabled community is not served, and try to get them to pay for accommodations purely for reasons of greed. They aren’t buying, they are leaving.
Deb
The people in line are now complaining about the wheelchairs in line with them ,notably on the AP website mocking overweight people .
Cayyo
Yes….they’ve priced themselves out of the vacation market. I’d rather see the real world than Disney’s version of it.
Devin
People who’ve been wasting their money on the Disney experiences the past couple of decades should be used to getting robbed by that company. They’re getting what they deserve by paying the ridiculous prices Disney charges for their parks and services. Disney has been a garbage product ever since their only answer to being creative has been purchasing up a bunch of other company’s intellectual property and going overboard by making live action versions (though how you call a CGI abundant film live action is beyond me) of their hit animated films. Disney is just a greedy corporate entity now only out to please investors.
Ruthann Koroly
Having just attended 3 days over Halloween: 1) Not only are the initial prices too high but then you spend hours on the phone trying to pay MORE for lightening lanes; 2) Too many ride breakdowns, esp after having spent a long time in line; 3) The Aladdin ride looks abandoned-no evening lighting and the ride desperately needs painted; the Magic is lost in all the nickel and diming.
Mikki
We are here at Disneyland. Paid over $1500 for 3 hopper tickets to both parks. You would think you would be able to go into ALL the rides. We were told you have to have reservations to enter the haunted mansion with only 2 time frames to get reservations . After spending the money for tickets and a scooter for my disabled veteran friend, a charger for the phone because you have to use your phone for everything , not much magic left . It seems like the buck is more important. Cast members try their best to help you, but really can’t change much . Yesterday was veterans day and didn’t have ANY perks for the disabled veteran, unlike Universal Studios who honor their country and it’s veterans who fought for all of us. So sad.
Leann
There are a few factors that contribute to why I can’t Disney World anymore. Taking Das away from people who actually need it and then telling them they are not disabled enough, their pain doesn’t matter, that is the major first reason. Then to slap all those DAS users in the face by releasing the new multipass and then the ridiculously priced multipass plus or whatever it’s called , that utilizes the same entrance DAS uses , we can clearly see the pay extra to play at the cost of anyone with a disability. This was never Walts vision. The disney trend is ending, you have priced yourself out of the market. This Disney Adult is going to find a new hobby. I’m done.
K Higgins
Agreed with the other comments- my former DAS status for a health issue is no longer accommodated, and I’m not paying extra to ride things when I already overpaid for a park ticket to ride those things anyway. I love the parks but they are really showing greed vs guest experience
Coleen
Loss of the once wonderful perks you got by paying the extra to stay on site are mostly gone. The magic express taken away, next to no free dining offered anymore, no free parking, no taking purchases back to your hotel etc etc. Plus you have to be on your phone constantly now in the parks, you used to just enjoy the day not have to plan days out months in advance!
Ex-disney fan
Disney should focus on making quality movies and shows.
Then folks will like them and visit the parks and buy branded crap.
Kathy
The CEO and the CFO are so out of touch with Walt’s vision for family time. It was never to be only for the rich. The park attendance is down because everyday people CAN’T AFFORD the ticket prices, cheap souvenirs, and cost of food which tastes horrible. Maybe sit down with families and talk about how many have to make choices on expenditures. And your streaming service is junk so don’t count on that saving Disney.
Olddisney
Nicely said
Joanie Herman
Well said!
Tammie
Kathy you are 100% correct!!! It was supposed to be for everyone. Now it is for the wealthy. Everyday working folks can not afford it.
Deb
It really bothers me that extremely wealthy can just cut the line in front of working families who saved all year to experience the parks !!
Guardian
One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard from park guests is the need for park reservations. Guests don’t like that they have to make reservations that may or may not change and if they miss it they get penalized. The next biggest problem is prices, just because people start making more money, you don NOT need to raise your prices assuming that they will spend more. I’m sorry but $50 for Mickey or Minnie ears is just outrageous.
Rachel
There are a multitude of reasons why people are staying away. First, the price has reached a point that most families can’t afford the price. Second, Disney has made it complicated to figure out how attend. For example, I have to purchase a ticket, but then I also have to make a reservation. Then, if I want to ensure I get the ride(s) of my choice (e.g., Rise of the Resistance), I have to pay more . . . but, not until I enter the park. The costs just continue to add up. Third, and perhaps the most important, other people in attendance can ruin the experience. Adults can be rude and their children even worse. I get tired of navigating around so many strollers that I’m amazed I haven’t been injured. Children under three are FREE???!!! After what I have to pay to get in, I now have to witness children having melt downs and their parents having fits because they’re too short to go on some rides leaving the parents to figure out what to do.
These young children are some of the worst attendees since they get overwhelmed. tire easily, and become cranky. So do their parents. Plus, I strongly suspect many of the children that families say are under three are not telling the truth. By having children under 3 admitted for free, it just encourages families to bring their children at an age where they are too young. Does an infant really appreciate Disneyland? No. Do I have to listen to it scream and cry? Often.
Candy m Agosto
You do realize Disney is for kids. Don’t be such curmudgeon.
Steven
Maybe for kids but its the parents thst pay. Turn out crsppy woke animation the kids dont watch and keep jacking the prices and very soon they will be building condos where the parks once stood
Steve
Disney is absolutely not for kids. Never was and never will be.
“You’re dead if you aim for kids, adults are just kids grown up anyway.” – Walt Disney
Ellie
Disney has stopped listening to it’s customers and it’s all about money. It is outrageous the price of the ticket, that doesn’t even get you access to all the rides. For a family to pay extra per person, per day, on top of the ticket price for the popular rides becomes out of reach for most families and is total disregard to Walts mission. It’s so sad
DS
Disney is and was for children and families. Stay home if you don’t want to deal with strollers or children crying.
Susan
Disney has outpriced themselves. The average family of 4 simply can’t afford the extra increases without going in debt or postponing their trip for another year with who knows what the prices will be then. Get used to seeing declining attendance – only the rich will be able to afford to visit. The bottom line is greed and $$$$. Poor Walt he’s rolled over in his grave many times!
Robin
I used to love going to Disney World. It truly was magical, but with every new change, and price hike, It has lost the magic. It truly has been taken out of the range of middle class families, and I agree that Walt would be so horribly dissapointed!
Novak
Their comment about expecting higher income earners flocking back after their European vacations is all you need to know about their focus and astronomical prices. Like the Democrats in the last election, they abandoned the American people and the American people abandoned them.
Igor should take note.
Yoyo
The party lead by a billionaire who doesn’t pay contractors is definitely going to be good for the average American.
SteveK
I agree, it will be good, just like the last time!!!
Erich Beck
Someone needs to remove all the people that are changing things so drastically. How much money does Disney need, they make to much on the middle and lower class. Pretty soon the o ly people that will be at disney are the rich. Walt is turning over in his grave, the disrespect of his dream is unexceptional. Universal will benefit for sure. R.I.P. Disney
Jayne D Evans
The cost. I’m not sure a disney vacation will be something I can afford. I didn’t know it would only be for the rich now. So sad. Wonder what Walt would think? The magic is gone. I love to go to disney world but I’m not one of the rich.
Jonathon
They seem to have no idea…
Bob
The company may be too woke, but that hasn’t affected the parks yet. The prices, though, are astronomical. Fer get it.
Mara Jade
There is no mystery here. Telling Disabled people you don’t want them in the parks, well you got it. Denying disabled people the accommodation they relied on for years and that they bought passes and tickets based on is a huge reason why the attendance is down.
Thousands of us have told you that when denied DAS we wouldn’t be coming back when you called us with your placation phone calls. I guess now you know that your message was received and you got what you wanted. You are welcome.
DAS
Basically what they did was get rid of the free DAS for people with disabilities and replace it with the same system but charge an extra $1000 or so a day for a family to use it.
JR862
Totally Agree, The disabled community will continue to abandon Disney as long as they continue to take draconian measures to make sure the disabled community is not served, and try to get them to pay for accommodations purely for reasons of greed. They aren’t buying, they are leaving.
Disabled combat vet should be thanked not interrogated by Disney to get needed assistance. We will continue to bypass the parks until we are heard.
Omar
A Disney trip for me n my daughter is too expensive, the cost for airlines tickets, price for a bus or Uber, Hotel and park tickets it add ups. Who is Iger marketing towards, they got rid of alot of perks you used to get 5-8 years ago.
Robin
They also have rides, popular rides down repeatedly even when you do go. Idk if they don’t have the best employees any more. Too much focus on dei hiring, not enough focus on abilities to fix things. Is that why their hall of presidents is shutting down? Did they forget how to do animatronics?
Sky
You certainly don’t sound like you live in Florida, because if you did you’d understand they don’t have the best employees because they REFUSE to pay for experienced employees. The Disney board members want the money going into their bonus checks, so they screw their employees over at every angle. All you have to do is go to YouTube and watch the “Why I Stopped Working For Disney World” videos. Add to the ridiculousness of Ron DeSatan and all the illegal things he’s tried to pull and been reprimanded by a judge. I suspect Iger wouldn’t have a problem deciding to close DisneyWorld and either put it in Illinois or just do without. Disney would make a lot more money with season discount passes for residents of the state of Florida, but they can’t be bothered with a lower percentage profit, even when the accumulated total for the year would be higher.
Florida has created a pretty huge problem with the unchecked growth of residential spread across the state. As one local meteorologist said, he believed Florida has gone over the capacity to fill its water resources to support the number of residents currently in the state. We got lucky this year with all the hurricanes, but we were dealing with a fair amount of drought last year that just got worse as the summer moved on even though we had our traditional summer storms. This doesn’t bode well for hospitality businesses or the future of the park.
The Hall of Presidents is shutting down because too many people objected to having a convicted felon, sexual predator, and someone who tried to overthrow the government when he lost his bid for a second term as someone for their children to look up to.
J
About a one sided view of what’s going on. The hollow President would be shut down to try to fix it for the new president. Disney World has priced them sell out of their own choice. But at least be honest about stuff you don’t have to make everything political.
David
I could not agree with your comments more. Well said. I live in Tennessee. Disney has totally forgotten what Magic used to mean. Prices are ridiculous. I have been a big fan for years and always like the holiday things, looked into going for just 3 days, staying in the Value Resort, park passes, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Candlelight Processional and food, was very close to $4000 for 2 people. Then you have to pay about $400 more for Lightening lane for what used to be free and could schedule your favorites before leaving home. They wont be getting any more of my money.
Stephanie Goodrum
Just have to say, although I haven’t been able to visit for 5 years, due to Ill health, as a vacation home owner in Davenport, for 20 years we had great discounts as we were able to get Florida resident discounts. Especially the Weekday select ticket. Have they stopped that now?
RachelH W. Hawkridge
Add me to the numbers of people leaving over DAS. Disney doesn’t want us there, forgetting that our families and friends are also leaving. I used to spend a lot of time there, eating, drinking, doing things I could not do other places. Tomorrow, I’m going to a meetup in the parks, and bringing my food and beverages. And I just bought an annual Pass at Universal.
Roger
Maybe your user name should have been shown as “Sky High” because from reading your comment, you must be on drugs or either just an ignorant fool. But, in your defense, you are obviously a deranged, brain-dead liberal. So you are, for all practical purposes Mentally Impaired. Liberalism truly is a mental disorder.
RachelH W. Hawkridge
Awww, poor baby.
RogerTheMoron
Roger again showing us why there are no conservative comedians with his lame attempt to be funny
Jeff
Save the political lies for MSNBC. They lost half of their viewership recently because they also were spewing similar nonsense.
TG
How about addressing the elephant in the room. Disney has chosen to almost completely exclude a good number of the disabled community that relies on its DAS services. Just because you’re ADA doesn’t mean you don’t have money to spend. Many of those folks will find other theme parks (Hi Universal and Epic) that are more than accommodating to the ADA community. It’s time to rethink your thinking.
Brian H
Unusual for a European, my wife and me have spent a year of our lives in WDW in the last 15 years or so. We used to be big fans but now are heartily sick of the grossly greedy behaviour of Disney. A refusal to take an interest in the views of their customers and way above inflation price rises on all things, combined with shrinkflation of everything (eg charging to enter the parks and charging again to beat the queues they’ve no incentive to reduce) means we can no longer justify the cost (plus transatlantic flights) for an inferior experience and never encourage anyone to go like we used to. It was good while it lasted, but we won’t be going back.
Disney, you’re delusional that inflation’s been a factor, because you’ve been increasing prices across the board with no reference to inflation for decades. You have yourselves to blame.
Melissa
We had planned on going next year for Disneyland’s 70th, but the costs to travel, even down the West Coast have priced us out. But what’s even more difficult, is not having access to DAS. I am terrified of having to get on a call with a CM and “medical professional,” only to be told that I am not disabled enough or I should pay more money to use LL, or whatever. That’s not accessibility, it’s profits. I am so disappointed in Disney’s exclusion of those with disabilities. I would love to provide documentation, show my handicap placard, or whatever to be able to have access to the service that I had in February 2024 (and numerous other visits).
Stacey
Our family hasn’t been to WDW since they revamped DAS earlier this year, making the parks inaccessible to our disabled family members. We’ve saved thousands this year that we would have spent at the parks.
Candace
The prices have gone up, they are charging extra for so many things and the new DAS process is just horrible. Disney is really treating the disabled terribly.
Karen
We were there a year ago and the lines were awful in time unless you paid gor Genie or Lightening Kane. There are those who CAN’T AFFORD those prices. Plus I won’t be going back because of all the changes made to Disney attractions. They have changed or done away with so many we loved.
Meleah
Because the parks are NO LONGER ASSESSABLE to DISABLED individual’s that benefited from the DAS program. I’m not saying it wasn’t being abused, because it was. But now people with physical disabilities that don’t benefit from the use of a wheelchair can no longer go to the “happiest place on earth”. It’s more like the most discriminatory place in earth now.
Tracy
1) the cost has gotten ridiculous 2)The change in das. My husband is a disabled terminally ill Veteran and he got declined. Let us show paperwork, Is that more than enough proof on paper. I have been a passholder for many, many years but I refuse to buy anything from Disney unless it is by third party. Because I’m not putting any more money in their pocket. 3) too woke, it don’t need to be in everything. I have nothing against anyone’s rights and beliefs but too much of anything is not good either.Get back to Walts dream. A park where the average family can afford to go and spend time together.
Jamie
Getting denied DAS with a disabled child. This was the place where children were supposed to go to do not have to worry about their disabilities . With the new DAS program they’re treating disabled children sickening and disheartening.
Jim
Hey Disney I’ve got an idea how to get your revenue up lower prices and get back to the basics stop the woke bs and actually care about your fan base the people that want to see Walt’s love and care brought back not erased
Teri
How about returning to Walt’s dream of being the place a family could enjoy! It has become a nightmare to afford and I have been a passholder for many years, been visiting since WDW opened in 1972. Also a DVC member and they keep taking away all the perks we originally joined for it really is becoming not worth the effort and I live only 2 hours away! Woke Disney even the movies aren’t as good as they used to be!🤑
Lori hoyt
The prices are extremely high, and the disability restriction will prevent many people, including me from coming. Honestly Busch Gardens is a better value.
Elisa
As a life long Disney fan I am happy that I was able to take my kids when the magic was still important to the people running Disney. Sadly, their treatment of the disabled population, the denial of DAS to those that truly need it because they are not considered disabled enough, the price gouging, the lack of kindness displayed by some cast members and customers is making it impossible for us to return. The magic is gone and sadly so am I. I will travel to Disneyland Paris where they treat their disabled with dignity and not disdain.
Michelle
DAS changes are the reason. DVC member, I have been taking my family once a year to WDW, Disneyland, and even DLO. no more. We are usually planning our March Spring break trip by now, but spring break 25 is now Hawaii. We won’t return until they show a shred of decency to the disabled community.
Dahliagirl
Our families come every 2 years and enjoy Fort Wilderness and attend the parks 5-6 times. Last trip cost the 8 of us nearly $20,000! And that is staying in our own Motor home! They are pricing middle class families out of the ability to enjoy a fantasy trip. We have been going to the park since 1980 and do not know if/when we will return 😟
Corey
I just got back from Disneyland Paris. It was great, cheaper than WDW by a mile, and had many more perks. They also have disability access. I just had to show my VA disability card. I will be going again in March.
clifford Bartz
The prices are to high to get in and buy anything. Soda, beer, food is to high. They don’t care about their guests like they did 10, 15 years ago. Service is down, employee moral is down. Disney needs to stop being WOKE.
Disney Adult
This is not a guess. It is an obvious answer. In order of importance:
1. The DAS issue. All those people with disabilities brought multiple full-pay companions with them. And Disney has essentially banned them.
2. Hit the price the market and the convenience factor that the will bear. Too much money and too much hassle (reservations) to give you the money. This will not get better because once the consumer pays the higher prices they won’t return as often because….
3. Loss of value. When you can’t ride more than a few rides due to lines, can’t get reservations for rides you can see in front of you, can’t get food you want because you didn’t make a reservation, and there are less shows, it feels like the high price wasn’t “worth it”.
Sue
So they aren’t going to admit that what they have done to the disabled community is a disgrace and people have decided to think with their feet. Treat people with disdain and disgust as they have been doing, people are going to go elsewhere. It’s about time Disney was given a wake up call.
Linda M Gonzalez
Thank you so much for advocating for the disabled in.Disney. I used to get the annual pass for my daughter who has autism but because of Disney’s poor treatment of the mentally handicapped we no longer go.
Suzanne Caris
Along with price increases that you shake your head and say SERIOUSLY…The changes for DAS (we don’t use it} some people are on scooters due to leg/hip/foot surgeries/amputee can’t stand in the long lines. They are declined to stay on their scooters to go thru the que (excpet for Spaceship Earth, I experienced this 1st hand) and have to park and stand in line. Oh, but wait, you can PURCHASE Lightening Lane or lightening Lane premier package…again greed HAS set in. I and others who would benefit with DAS (Even getting a note signed by your physician) truley believed when Bob Iger returned things would change…oh they did….just for the worse. He has allowed the price increase and people just can’t afford to go, even if they ARE Annual Pass Holders.
Chuck
They need to face facts, the Disney brand is old and unexciting. They are WAY over priced and have the same boring rides. All the while Universal is adding new parks and rides all the time. Why anyone would pay to go to a Disney park when they can go to Universal or even Busch Gardens is beyond me. With Disney you are paying for the name and the history, not the fun. You end up paying a lot and getting aggravation for your trouble. Not me.
David A
I read almost every comment, and it is the same story. Disney wake up and see what is happening. Do you need another park to spread out the folks coming to WDW, to keep crowd level at a controlled level?
Yes prices are extreme! The old reservation for rides, was great. Then Lighting lane came at a $25 to + cost, now $400 for a fast pass? Come on Disney, Last time we went to WDW in 2022 the 2 of us for 7 days, splitting between 3 days at Hotel near Epcot and then a moderate Hotel, we were over 8k. And the park was packed! Long lines. By the way at Magic Kingdom, one of those strollers pushers, knocked my wife to the ground, and did not even apologize. Did not help her up either. I have been going for years to WDW and Disneyland, and crowds are too much for Disney Parks. And at WDW they continue to make more Hotels…. go figure… WHY? They need to reduce price, find a way to control the volume of folks in the park each day. People who are disabled need to be able to enjoy the parks, and rides, but also the rented scooters need to be careful, they run into people, as I was one who was run into, in a store! Never in the past were there so many issues. We stopped WDW, but next year will try Disneyland 1 more time, hopefully will be a good experience, as we are Disney adults and grew up in California at Disneyland. But we moved out of the state, why? Too many people now.
Dr. M
Disney is clearly has a new target audience….the top 10% of wage earners. And clearly Disney doesn’t want people with disabilities to go to the parks anymore. They might need to change Walt’s quote from “To all who come to this happy place…welcome”, to “To all rich folks and non-disabled people who come to this happy place….welcome”.
JT
The only magic the current Disney executives are worried about these days is how their attractions will translate into dollars. They are betting on the fact that richer families will eventually bring park attendance back up. And even if that does happen, what does it say about Disney’s concern for middle class families? Their modus operandi these days is “fewer amenities at higher costs.” I’m seriously thinking about selling my DVC points before there isn’t a market for them. Very disillusioned at this point.
Cheryl M Butler
Disney has priced people out of their market. It’s not a fun place to go any more.
Ally
My combat wounded husband can no longer rely on DAS which was huge for us in order to navigate the parks. Between that at the relentless price hikes, the magic has dwindled. Walt wanted his parks to be accessible to all, physically and financially so it’s sad to see Disney isn’t honoring his vision.
Disheartened Guest
First I am a HUGE Disney fan. I had an annual pass for many years. Sadly we cannot afford to go like we use to due to the cost.
Even before COVID I noticed the decline at the parks in maintenance, cleanliness, and cast members attitudes (some not all). I feel the Disney parks have lost their magic. The parks are not up to Walt’s standards or the standards we have come to expect from Disney and now they want us to pay even more for a mediocre experience? I am truly shocked at the trash I see everywhere now, paint chipped on the rides and in the queues, dust everywhere it is really sad to see the state of Disneyland these days. Definitely not what it use to be. I hope they can figure out how to reduce the prices and most importanlty BRING BACK THE MAGIC!!!
Linda M Gonzalez
Disney pushing its Woke agenda on people has harmed it’s reputation. Increasing prices and getting rid of the fast passes destroyed park attendance.
Trevor
I used to go to Disney every 2 years. I haven’t been since 2012. They need to stop being so greedy and lower their prices. Seems to be when they have something good that visitors like they remove or stop offering it, ex. Magical express.
Linda M Gonzalez
Thank you so much for advocating for the disabled in.Disney. I used to get the annual pass for my daughter who has autism but because of Disney’s poor treatment of the mentally handicapped we no longer go.
Lara
We were in Orlando in early Oct and used our DVC to stay on property. And then used our Universal annual passes all week…because the UOAP is less than half the price of the similar Disney AP. We used to have both, but once Disney hiked it up to $1400 each before tox …well, no thanks. And single day tickets are even more. The irony is….we can afford it, we just refuse to pay it. WdW has gone way down hill – several earlier comments have covered the why. And frankly the cast members, with maybe the exception of the Minivan drivers, are just not happy in their jobs and it shows. It’s sad. But not going to pay outrageous prices to go into the parks, sorry.
Gary
Disney has lost its way in many ways, pricing has got way out of hand to where families cannot go without going deep in debt. Changes in the way they operate sex now included which it has no place. Alcohol which Walt in 1956 said he did not want. Woke has got a foothold in Disney and needs to be completely removed. So I know Walt would be very disappointed in the current leadership of Disney so major changes have to be made to get Disney back on the right track !!!
Gary
Well Paul, one of Walt’s must’s is for families to be able to go without going deep in debt. So Disney and the stock holders and investors need to follow Walt’s wishes and keep pricing for families down one way or another !!
Paul Nakamoto
Until you’ve walked in Bob Igor’s shoes, it’s unfair to share things like, he’s out of touch, you’re no longer a Disney Fan, blame management. Fact is, it’s a tough economy and decreased discretionary family spending has soften tourism. Disney Parks have not out priced themselves, look at what it costs to feed a family of four at McDonalds today. Prices have increased, everywhere not just at Disney Parks. The Disney Experience is still there, it might be different but you can see The Igor Evolution happening, modernizing, upgrading, additions, new marketing strategies. Nothing happens overnight. Disney is evolving, not changing but evolving and it must or it will go the way of the dinosaurs, extinct. I’m not a Disney Employees but I believe in the direction the company is heading, it has a lot to clean up from previous management. Let’s face it, its biggest assets are in broadcasting in a day where broadcasting isn’t profitable. Bob will fix it, he has before.
Steve
We don’t need to. And Disney doesn’t need to evolve and absolutely must NOT evolve. Disney needs to learn its place in the world as nothing but an animation studio with some theme parks that makes decisions by asking “What would Walt do?” just as it did for decades after his passing. It will when I take over and make Disney great again. I will be appeasing only Disney purists, undoing the entire Iger era via De-Igerfication, and keeping Disney and the parks trapped in the 20th century. Disney can survive on its NAME and will rely on its name alone under me. People see a park carrying a Disney name, they will always come. Even if it’s stuck in the 20th century and never changes. The greatest showman P.T. Barnum was right about a certain type of person born every minute.
Dwayne Campbell
Corporations like Disney are so out of touch with the financial realities of your average family. People can no longer afford entry tickets let alone all the extras like food, fast passes and souvenirs. This is going to get worse, not better, as the economy takes a nose dive in 2025. They need to read the room. See what the average family can afford and price accordingly. High margins don’t always equal bigger profits if attendance just keeps dropping. It’s about happy customers and repeat business. They need to learn that, but they never will.
Edna
Used to love Disney. Went many times, plus cruises, in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Went last year. It was extremely crowded, rides constantly breaking down, hugely expensive and hate being tied to the phone due to all the hoops plus money you have to spend to get what used to be free. Better, less expensive vacations: Europe, Caribbean, cruises, really just about anything. Sad, but no longer a big Disney fan.
Chuck
The fact that Our country with Disney being a microcosm of the public opinion I believe people are just tired of having social issues crammed down their throats is making people choose to spend their money enjoying a vacation without any of the political correctness creeping in on their vacation. Stop telling everyone what they can and cannot accept such as pronouns and DEI nonsense
Joanie Herman
What you have done by taking away perks for everyone and DVC members stinks . Having to be on your phone to schedule rides stinks . Taking away fast pass stinks, taking away Magical express stinks . You and your corporate greed stinks. I know inflation happens…
but I’m glad your numbers are down because it reflects what you have done by putting money in your own pockets and not caring about the mouse house! You all stink at what you have done to the magic of Disney.
Steve
This is why when I seize Disney in a hostile takeover, I will erase the entire Iger era and undo everything he worked for. I will be the Trump that Disney needs to make it great again with every decision being made by asking “What would Walt do?” again just as management did for decades after his death and the only “agenda” will be WWWD. Disney under me will be perpetually frozen in the 20th century and that means no more brand new attractions and no expansion of the parks. The only new attractions will be old ones resurrected and it also means the end of Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar in the parks. That will be coming soon anyway due to Disney being broken up and losing all its acquired IP like Teddy Roosevelt broke up Standard Oil.
Pat Griffiths
I think they are wrong . It does have to do with ticket prices . I am from Canada and went to Disney more than once a year sometimes 4 times a year. The exchanges is terrible but it is really the ticket cost . I always bought a 4 or 5 day pass the last time I went bought a one day pass to see Pandora then next times one day pass to see Guardians off the Galaxy. He was right about new experiences but total wrong about cost
Doug Parkes
While the above comments all appear to be valid, the underlying reason attendance is falling is the fact that people are waiting later in life to have children and if or when they have children, they are having fewer. Demographics are changing and Disney needs to figure out how to address these changes.
Randy James
Just like the Democrats underestimating the Gallup Poll of “America is on the wrong Track” with a 78% disapproval, Disney too is disappointing long time loyal fans.. Time for them to stop with the constant ticket prices rising every single year! Its way too much money for the many old “aging” rides with very few newer modern attractions. With now Charging for the lighting lane was a huge mistake for something that was Always free! Now people don’t see the value in paying a ton of money only to be tortured in hour and a half or longer lines, only getting to go on 3 to 4 rides in a typical 6 to 8 hour grueling day in the Florida heat. I mean really Disney?? Get a frigging clue and stop being so arrogant.. I’m a reoccurring annual pass holder and I have a handicapped son where he gets us disability access service where we don’t have to stand in the long wait times and I still see so much less of a valued experience. I’ve been coming to Fishery since I was 5 in 1973 when the park first opened and have come almost every two to three years since. I know without a doubt in my mind that the experience is sh** now in comparison with what it once was.. It’s very sad seeing how more cinsumerized the parks have become with every building being just a regurgitated souvenir shop.. Nothing uniquely special. Their should be more immersing nostalgic experiences that bring you into the turn of the century Main Street USA, or Hollywood Boulevard and such with the emphasis on less commercialism. Two other huge mistakes and these are going to be the killers. The first one being, stay out of woke culture and politics.. Disney should be neutral and not sway one way or the other. Like it or not Trump and more than 50% of America just spoke their voices and said enough and no more! Stop putting the garbage messaging in movies and TV entertainment. It’s really insulting to our intelligence of how obvious and forced it is when it’s done. Note being the disaster of the latest failure of a series the Acolyte.. What political woke garbage that was and because of their political stance has segregated themselves from the political side of the isle that has the most traditional family’s with children. Remember them? Children!! Which is was always Disney’s bread and butter but now Cater to the Alphabet + police group. Seriously, stop with the forced messaging. You’re not being slick and What sees right through it.. It doesn’t enhance or being anything to the stores and is a distraction. The second big mistake is not building another new bigger more modern park to rival Universal new Epic Universe that’s about to open.. You think you’re numbers are sh** now? Wait till they open that park and have lower ticket prices without the woke garbage. Plus they got Harry Potter! Huge! That’s real world blunt advice to Disney.. Too Bad Disney executives won’t be seeing it. lol
Tonnie
Yep, so true!!
Suzanne Morgan
The prices are high. It is a complicated system. Perks have gone way down. The parks are not maintained as well as they once were and rides are constantly going down. Cast member standards have dropped even while some cost members a amazing. Disney needs to go back and remember Walt’s vision and those of the other Disney legends which help make the park a magical place. We the public see their shortcuts and are having to pay more for a park that is doing less. Live entertainment needs to be brought back as well.
Peter Juziuk
I was a longtime visitor to Disney World and Disneyland. It was always a premium vacation both cost and quality but they seemed to balance. Now the cost far out ways the quality. This includes all aspects of Disney, parks, movies streaming, everything. Sad but today’s Disney is far from the Disney of yesterday and for the worse.
Terry
Price is what hurts. I can travel on a cruise and visit other countries and spend less money than a week in Disney. One day tickets for 4 of us is almost $1,000. That just for Hollywood Studios so my grandson can ride slinky dog before our cruise.
But definitely less experiences, rising cost, no fast passes. All adds up for me to go elsewhere.
truegatorguy
Yes, high prices and loss of perks contribute greatly to this downturn, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t add that consumers are VERY concerned about the pending recession due to the incoming administration.
Sheryl
I’ve been wanting to go but am irritated and worried that if I pay for a ticket that I can’t just enter the park and go on rides!I I shouldn’t have to pay extra or reserve my spot in line! At least with fast passes you could walk to a queue, get your fast pass and plan your next move…. not pay more after I’ve already paid to get in😡 It’s unbelievable the greed that had completely taken over Disney.
Mary
I have canceled three planned trips due to Disney’s new draconian approach to the disabled community. Many people who need DAS to enjoy the parks with their families are no longer able to attend. There is no point in going where we (the disabled community) are no longer welcome. Disney was the gold standard for treating the disabled with dignity and respect, but that is no longer the case. Also, denying our veterans who suffer from PTSD access to DAS is also another reason for the decline in attendance.
Bill
I predict that Disney will continue to tier their pricing. Right now, there are a variety of price points for rides: the basic ticket price, Genie plus, lightning lane, and this new $400 dollar service. Unfortunately, as long as enough people continue to pay those prices, prices will keep rising. I predict that by 20 years from now, Disney theme park pricing will look something like this:
Park admission (includes no rides): $55.00
Ride passes :Cody is in addition to $55.00 admission(6 non premium rides (excludes Space Mountain, Rise of the Resisitance, Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, Mission to Mars,etc) $99.00
10 rides including 2 premium ride choices: $250.
Unlimited rides including unlimited premium ride options: $600.
I am not in favor of this. This is just what I’m expecting based on current trends.
Linda
Well said everyone! Mine only complaint is the reservation system, get rid of it! It is still crowded! All the double strollers and regular ones and now all the riders of the scooters it makes it even harder to get around. I used to be able to drop in whenever I wanted to. With the reservation system that never happens. Go back to pre covid and do away with the system. How can anyone make the hotel reservations and buy high price tickets and then try to get reservation for the family. It is ridiculous!
M. Rae
I had year or season passes for 25 years. With the prices steadily increasing they are finally out of a range I am comfortable with. It has become so much of a time consuming hassle to even be eligible to get on desired rides that it is not worth it. I go on vacation to have fun, not get totally stressed out or go into debt. Universal, Dollywood, D.C., Pigeon Forge are looking much more favorable for grandparents taking grandkids on a vacation.
Rob
People have grown weary of “woke”