Disney Touts Domestic Attendance Growth Amid New Park Developments
Disney's Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston recently spoke at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, addressing questions about Walt Disney World ticket prices and future park developments.
Johnston reported that domestic theme park attendance grew 3% year over year last quarter, while international visitation to US parks was down slightly. He attributed this shift in numbers to a focus on marketing and promotions targeting domestic guests, which paid off in both attendance and spending per guest.
The CFO also highlighted several new attractions coming to Walt Disney World, including Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom (2027), Indiana Jones attraction at Animal Kingdom, Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios (2027), and an Avengers Campus further out. Johnston emphasized that these investments add capacity to the parks, which is essential for meeting growing demand.
When discussing ticket prices versus per-cap spending, Johnston noted that ticket price inflation has remained relatively modest, while per-cap growth comes from guests choosing to spend more on premium experiences like Lightning Lane and VIP tours. He pointed out that Disney intentionally keeps ticket prices lower during value season to encourage young families into the parks early.
Johnston also touched on Disney Cruise Line, stating that demand currently outpaces capacity, with recent ship launches selling out despite adding roughly 50% more guest rooms across its fleet in the last couple of years. He named guest satisfaction, filling ships, and yield as top priorities for the cruise business.