Credit: Inside the MagicThe Walt Disney Company (DIS) has released its earnings report for fiscal 2026 Q2, the first under new Chief Executive Officer Josh D’Amaro.
Ahead of the webcast, the House of Mouse has confirmed that Disney Experiences revenue–the department behind the theme parks, cruises, and more–is up 7% against last year’s second quarter results. Out of the combined $25.17 billion Disney netted in fiscal Q2, $9.49 billion came from the Experiences division, up from last year’s $8.89 billion.
In their summary, Disney notes that per capita spending was up 5% at its domestic theme parks (Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort) — a main driver of its financial performance compared with last year. “Per capita spending at our domestic parks was up 5% in the quarter, driven by growth in admissions, food and beverage, and merchandise,” Disney explained.
The hikes have indeed been notable across the board, with ticket admission, Lightning Lane prices, and dining locations all getting more expensive. It was only weeks ago that Disney released its 2027 single ticket prices, revealing that a single ticket to Magic Kingdom Park on select dates was the highest it had ever been.
But guests are still spending. The thrall of the Disney Experiences machine is extremely strong, and the Mouse House knows it. “Our Experiences business is an important expression of Disney’s ability to translate storytelling into high-quality, high-return physical environments that deepen loyalty and extend the reach of our brands,” the company wrote in its earnings report.
To take Disney World as an example, the Orlando-based resort is undergoing immense change currently and in the years to come, with expansions and makeovers across its theme parks. Most notable is the “largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history,” which will see Frontierland merged with Piston Peak National Park–a Pixar Cars-themed location–as well as an entire land dedicated to the Villains.
Even with some pre-operating costs, Disney Experiences still had huge wins across the board. “While we incurred some pre-opening costs related to both the Disney Adventure and World of Frozen, segment operating income growth came in modestly ahead of our guidance, thanks to stronger revenue growth,” the company wrote.
With revenue increasing year on year, it seems there will be no cap to the price hikes Disney will impose on its theme parks and cruises. But how long will guests keep taking the bait? With D’Amaro at the helm of the ship, only time will tell if Disney will slow the rising costs of a Disney park vacation.
How do you feel about Disney’s revenue gains after increasing costs across the board? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
