Walt Disney World has always been a dream destination for many families. We save, plan, and look forward to the magic of walking down Main Street, U.S.A., seeing Cinderella Castle, and sharing incredible experiences with our friends and families. But lately, I’ve been wondering how much longer we will be able to afford it. Right now, a weeklong trip for my family of four costs about $5,645; this is a rough estimate but includes a value hotel and quick service meals three times a day, but doesn’t include flights or rental cars or the cost to drive to Orlando because every family’s cost on that can be drastically different. A family visiting from Atlanta, Georgia that can drive down is certainly cheaper than someone in Billings, Montana, or even a major hub on the West Coast like Seattle, Washington, so I left that out. Still, $5,645 is a big chunk of money, but we make it work because it’s worth it to us. After all, we love Disney. But when I think about where prices are heading (and this is all based on where pricing is trending) —$8,000 by 2030, $14,000 by 2040, and an almost unfathomable $25,000 by 2050—I feel a knot in my stomach. The numbers don’t lie: if Disney keeps raising prices at the rate they are now, the day is coming when we won’t be able to go anymore.
It’s not just about numbers; it’s about what Disney represents. For so many of us, it’s not just a theme park—it’s a tradition, a place to make memories that last a lifetime. Memories of going with my family growing up that I want to share with my kids. But the thought of it becoming a luxury destination for only the wealthy feels like a betrayal of everything it’s supposed to stand for. I get that Disney invests heavily in making the parks better, adding amazing new lands and attractions. But as much as I love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or Cosmic Rewind and can’t wait to see the next big thing, I can’t help but feel that eventually, the cost of building bigger and better things will be what means we get left behind. Are those investments worth it if regular families like mine can’t afford to enjoy them? Honestly, for the ultra-wealthy, the answer is yes, which is why Disney is on the path they are on.
I get it—boo hoo—going to Disney Parks isn’t some kind of right we’re all entitled to, and not everyone can expect to go just because they want to. But when you think about how accessible it used to be, especially for middle-class families going all the way back to Walt opening Disneyland in 1955, it feels like a punch in the gut. So many of us have poured our hard-earned money, precious vacation time, and countless memories into this place, only to watch it inch further out of reach. It’s hard not to feel betrayed by the idea that one day, despite all of that, we might not be able to afford to go back.
By 2040, the cost of a Disney trip will be so high that it could equal several months’ worth of income for many families. Who has that kind of money aside from the very wealthy?
I don’t want to believe that Disney is leaving us behind, but the trends make it hard not to feel that way. I know I’m not alone in this frustration. The thought of explaining to my kids one day that we can’t go back—not because we don’t want to, but because we can’t afford to—is heartbreaking. I want to believe that Disney will find a way to keep the magic accessible, maybe by offering more affordable options or slowing down these relentless price hikes. Because if they don’t, they’ll not only price us out but also lose something bigger: the loyalty and love of the families who truly believed in the magic of Disney, not just those who could afford it.
