Disney World's Holiday Pricing Spikes as Attendance Growth Remains Modest
The Walt Disney Company's Experiences business has been generating record-level revenue despite modest attendance growth at its domestic parks. The company's fiscal third quarter results show that global guest numbers, including park attendance and passengers on the Disney Cruise Line, increased by 4% year-over-year. Domestic park attendance rose by 3%, while per-capita spending rose by 4%.
The Thanksgiving period is one of the busiest times at Walt Disney World, with a strong demand for tickets. The company has released its initial Thanksgiving-week park hours, but guests should be prepared for possible early closures and high prices for Lightning Lane passes.
Magic Kingdom will have early 6 p.m. closures on Tuesday, November 24, Wednesday, November 25, and Friday, November 27, due to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party events. The park's Premier Pass is expected to cost $449 per person during Thanksgiving week, up from last year's price of $429.
The company's business model appears to be generating higher revenue per guest even with low attendance growth. Disney World has a new operating model that includes opening both water parks during the spring and summer seasons, as well as significant refurbishment work at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.