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Credit: DisneyA disgruntled father is warning travelers to steer clear of the Magic Kingdom.
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Disney World is full of fun and magic, there’s no denying this, but there’s also no denying just how expensive a trip to “The Most Magical Place on Earth” can actually be. The cost of a Disney vacation can add up quickly, as guests will not only need to grab their tickets, but they will also need to find a hotel room and plan for several meals. Depending on how long their trip lasts, it’s quite easy for the average family of four to pay several thousand dollars just to experience Disney World for a few days, with recent price hikes certainly not helping.
Despite all this, guests still flock to the parks by the millions each and every year, indicating Disney’s near-constant price hikes really don’t matter all that much in the grand scheme of things. It’s certain that some guests have been pushed away due to the high cost of a trip to the Magic Kingdom, but overall, Disney’s revenue is still up, and attendance is soaring.
However, one upset Florida father is using his 15 minutes of fame to recommend other theme parks.
@flyingwheels Florida Dad is shocked at the cost of 1 day at Disney for a family of 5
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Chris Stowell, the father behind the infamous video (shown above) in which he “exposed” how expensive a single-day trip to Disney World actually is, is now using his notoriety to recommend other theme parks outside the Disney bubble.
“You are there on the property the whole time and that is your vacation,” said Stowell in an interview with the New York Post. “Those one-day trips that I used to do as a kid, that’s not really what they want anymore.” Stowell said he spent roughly $1,400 in one day at Disney World, a price he calls “nuts.”
“My oldest son’s 15, and he’s starting to save for a car. That’s how I put it in perspective and put a value on that dollar amount is, ‘hey bud, this is your first car. We spent as much as you would have saved for your first car on this one day at Disney.”
Stowell went on to compare the cost of Disney and Universal, saying it’s a “no-brainer” to visit the latter “100% of the time.” This sentiment will likely be popular this summer, with Universal opening its brand new theme park, Epic Universe, on May 22. Those who were on the fence about visiting Disney World may be looking toward Universal, adjusting their summer vacations accordingly.
Stowell also pointed out other, cheaper alternatives to Disney World, like SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Adventure Island.
While prices have steadily risen over the last several decades, visitors have seen big changes in recent years thanks to new additions and upcharges at the Disney parks like Lightning Lane and Premier Pass. Other added costs include raised hotel rates and higher costs for food and beverage services.
Disney World positions itself as a premium vacation destination, and by all means, this description fits. However, it’s interesting to think about just how long Disney will be able to raise prices while maintaining its steady and passionate fan base.
What do you think about Disney World’s rising prices?