»Theme parks return with new attractions at Disney and Universal Studios«
As 2023 begins and pandemic fears subside, America’s theme parks reopen with many of their traditional rides and attractions, as well as a handful of new adventures.
According to an industry assessment, attendance at Magic Kingdom decreased by about 67% in 2020 compared to the previous year, while attendance at Universal Studios fell by more than 62%. The top 20 parks in North America reported an average 72.2% decline in attendance during months of pandemic-related closures.
While 2021 attendance was still significantly lower than that of 2019, the report’s peak year for attendance, North American parks doubled their attendance from the previous year, signifying a comeback to parks. And expenditure at chain parks around the country increased in 2022, according to quarterly statistics from corporations, as reported by the Orange County Register.
The bad news for those planning a trip to Disney in 2023 is that prices have increased across the board, from entrance to food and retail, and there are new restrictions on who can enter the parks.
Single-day tickets, multi-day tickets, and even yearly pass renewals will cost extra this year at Walt Disney World. And this is in addition to the ticket price increase Disney implemented in February.
A one-day, one-park ticket cost between $109 and $159 a year ago, depending on demand. Now, though, Disney is experimenting with dynamic pricing, commonly known as surge pricing, and the price of your ticket will depend on which park you choose to visit. Three of the four theme parks will be more expensive to visit, with Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios witnessing increases of more than 12%, and yearly pass costs increasing by almost $100.
However, Disney guests will receive a parking discount. Walt Disney World no longer charges travelers for overnight parking and will offer gratis parking to hotel guests as of two days ago.
On April 3, Disney will also bring back the fan-favorite midnight spectacular “Happily Ever After” Additionally, Epcot Forever will return for a third time in April. In addition, the TRON light cycle run will debut in Orlando on April 4.
If Disney fans can hold out until later in the year, Epcot will undergo a massive facelift.
As demand increases and Disney reintroduces some fan-favorite rides and attractions, it becomes increasingly difficult to reserve places or rides. You must access the lightning lane system, which is Disney’s premium, more expensive service.
And whether you have an annual pass or plan to purchase tickets, you can no longer visit the parks on a whim. You must make advance preparations.
In theme parks, the cost of food and beverages continues to rise. The same captive audience theory has dictated corporate pricing decisions for years, yet in certain situations, prices are actually rising faster than inflation. In reality, hundreds of food products have seen price rises at numerous Disney World restaurants.
Universal is also adding new rides and attractions to accommodate returning guests. Universal, however, has opted to compete with Disney’s pricing hike by announcing a very tempting deal around one month after Disney announced its single-day ticket price increase.
If you spend four days at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure with a two-park, two-day ticket that lets you to visit one park per day or a park-to-park ticket, you will receive two free days, plus you may add Universal’s Volcano Bay for only $35.
And further theme park options will soon be available. Next month, Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood will debut as the newest attraction from Universal. The business also revealed this week that it intends to construct a theme park for younger children in Texas.
»Theme parks return with new attractions at Disney and Universal Studios«