The Real Reason Disney Is So Expensive

Disney originally started as an affordable experience for families. But prices have increased so much that middle-class families are feeling priced out while Disney shifts its focus to affluent travelers.

In addition to offering more experiences at their parks, which increases the cost of park entry, Disney has changed the way it charges for park tickets, adopting demand-based pricing that optimizes for profits at the expense of parkgoers. This aggressive monetization may be more important than ever, as the parks have become Disney’s most profitable division, while the entertainment division has faltered over the last decade.

Editor's note: A previous version of this video showed that the 2026 price of the Mickey Pretzel was $6.75. The video was updated to reflect the true price of $8.25.

00:00 - Introduction
01:29 - Amusement Parks Before Disney
02:10 - Opening Disney Parks
04:46 - Disney's Park Expansions
05:55 - Dynamic Pricing
08:08 - Food and Merch Prices
08:45 - Fans Pay the Price
10:53 - Disney's Luxury Add-Ons
13:11 - Fall of TV and Movies
15:30 - Managing Disney's Prices
17:04 - Credits

Read "Disney reeled in record streaming profits, boosted by price hikes": https://bit.ly/3LMn9qP

"Disney says it took a $110 million hit from its fight with YouTube TV": https://bit.ly/3ZKUm9f

"I've visited Disney World and Disneyland dozens of times. For the full Disney experience, one
park is way better": https://bit.ly/4a9xK8v

------------------------------------------------------
#disneyland #Disney #disneyfans #SoExpensive

WATCH MORE SO EXPENSIVE VIDEOS:
Why Owning Nothing Is So Expensive
https://youtu.be/8AKn-zJMIwY
Why Going To Concerts Is Harder Than Ever
https://youtu.be/sN1AVSZyFbY
How The World's Most Expensive Color Is Made
https://youtu.be/nBjgngg6_bE

Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more.

Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com
Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider
Business Insider on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider
Business Insider on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/businessinsider
Business Insider on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/Business_Insider/5319643143
Business Insider on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessinsider

Why Disney Is More Expensive Than Ever | So Expensive | Business Insider