It has been a rough few years for Disney World visitors.
The theme park, which has always been an expensive place to visit, made a number of changes that could be considered unfriendly to visitors. First, in response to rising costs, the Walt Disney (DIS) -) theme park complex either raised the price or cut portion sizes for many of its food items.
DON'T MISS: Royal Caribbean cruise line cancels unpopular dining change
Disney has also made the nickel-and-dime changes of no longer offering free Magic Bands to people staying in its company-owned hotels. That perk is also no longer offered to annual passholders.
The biggest change at Disney World over the past few years has been the loss of the free FastPass+ which has been replaced by the paid Genie+ and Lightning Lane options. Under the old system, Disney World visitors had to make 3 ride, show, or experience reservations either 30 or 60 days before their trip depending upon where they were staying.
With Genie+, Disney World visitors pay a fee for that service (which varies based on demand) on the day of their park visit. They can then reserve one ride, show, or experience (like a character meet and greet). Once they use that, they can make another reservation from whatever choices are left.
Compare best savings rates
In addition, select rides -- basically the newest and most in-demand ones -- are not included in Genie+. To make a reservation to ride those attractions you need to pay a separate Lightning Lane fee.
It's fair to say that theme park visitors have not enjoyed food costing more (or coming with less) and formerly free things costing more money. Disney World has, however, made a small change to its current extra-feed, after-hours event at Magic Kingdom that people will like.
Image source: Walt Disney
Disney improves Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate after-hours event. Basically on the nights the event runs, Magic Kingdom closes at 6 p.m. and while people who don't buy the extra ticket aren't kicked out, only those with the special admission bracelet can ride the rides or participate in the event.
Tickets are limited so in addition to getting special character meet and greets, parades, and trick-or-treating stations, people who pay the price get access to rides when there are shorter lines. People pay between $149 and $199 for adult tickets (kids 11 and under pay a slightly cheaper price).
That price can be (and usually is) higher than the cost of a single-day ticket to one of the four Disney World parks. Disney has, however, made a change that people who do attend the after-hours events will like.
"New this year are scoops at every trick-or-treat trail location which allow for a more consistent deployment of candy, and also larger portions than normal. In years past, it would be roughly a handful from each Cast Member, which could result in a handful or simply a few pieces. This year, we visited many of the Treat Trails and noticed that each scoop was filled quite nicely and that our bag filled up in fewer trick-or-treat trail locations," Blog Mickey reported.
That may seem like a small thing, but it makes it easier for kids (and adults) to go home with a bag full of candy without having to spend time waiting in line at the treat stations.
Disney's Florida theme parks have slowed
Disney has been involved in a major fight with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over how the land the theme park sits on (and the surrounding areas) is governed. That's a political problem that began when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly criticized DeSantis' so-called "Don't Say Gay" legislation.
There are currently multiple lawsuits in federal court regrading control of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District. Current CEO Bob Iger, however, does not blame the political dustup for his company's slightly slowed Florida theme park business.
"We saw softer performance at Walt Disney World from the prior year, coming off our highly successful 50th anniversary celebration. Also as post-COVID pent-up demand continues to level off in Florida, local tax data shows evidence of some softening in several major Florida tourism markets," he said during the company's third-quarter earnings call.
Iger also noted that the strength of the dollar has slowed down international visitation to the state, not just Disney's theme parks. The CEO also pointed out some positive news.
"Walt Disney World is still performing well above pre-COVID levels, 21% higher in revenue and 29% higher in operating income compared to fiscal 2019, adjusting for Starcruiser accelerated depreciation. And following a number of recent changes we've implemented, we continue to see positive guest experience ratings in our theme parks, including Walt Disney World, and positive indicators for guests looking to book future visits," he added.
