Can You Afford a Trip to the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’? Surprising Infographic Reveals How Most Brits Consider a Disney World Holiday ‘Out of Reach’ for the Average Family
Britons are being banned from the most magical place on Earth, according to a new survey.
A survey of Disney fanatics in the UK found that 95 percent believe a holiday to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is unaffordable for the average family due to rising costs. Only 8.5 percent said they could travel to the Sunshine State within a year if they saved up money.
The research, by online-casino’s.com and illustrated with an infographic, it found that 70 percent of park fans believe Disney World has “lost its magic” due to “huge price increases.”
Just over half (51 percent) of the 2,500 respondents said they have postponed or canceled a Disney World vacation in recent years due to price increases. A quarter of families (25 percent) think it would take them more than a decade to save up for a Disney World vacation.
The research found that Disney fans expect to pay 51 percent more for their next visit to Disney World, compared to their previous visit, due to rising prices.
An infographic showing how Brits view a Disney World holiday as unattainable
A quarter of families (25 percent) think it would take more than ten years to save for a Disney World vacation
How much does an Orlando theme park vacation cost?
According to the research, a day ticket to Disney World costs between $109 (£82) and $159 (£119), depending on the time of year. [though MailOnline Travel found this cost can actually soar to $193/£144].
The survey found that 69 percent of Disney fans would purchase a Lightning Lane Pass (a pay-per-ride service that lets you skip the lines) in addition to the base price to get the “full Disney World” experience.
A ‘Multi’ Lightning Lane pass can cost as much as $25 (£18.81) per person, but doesn’t include queue-skipping privileges for some of the most popular attractions. Disney fans will need to purchase a ‘Single’ Lightning Lane pass for each of the most sought-after attractions, which can cost as much as $27 (£20.30) per person.
The research found that a family of four, with two children over the age of 10, would pay almost £500 ($665) for a day out at the park if they opted for a Lightning Lane pass.
Just over half (51 percent) of respondents say they have postponed or canceled a Disney World vacation in recent years due to price increases
But for British Disney fans it doesn’t stop there: there are also flights to Florida to be purchased.
Using Skyscanner to search for the best deals, the research team found that the cheapest return flights from London to Orlando cost £422 ($561) outside peak season.
That means a family picking up their children from school during school hours would pay around £2,000 ($2,600) to visit the park for a day. This includes the cost of the flight, but excludes the additional costs of accommodation and transport.
It’s a far cry from the park’s original prices. When Disney World first opened in 1971, a ticket to the theme park cost just $3.50 (£2.64). According to the team’s research, the US minimum wage at the time was $1.60 (£1.20) an hour. This means that a visit to the park in 1971 would have cost an American minimum wage worker just over two hours’ pay.
With the cheapest day ticket now costing $109 (£82), US workers earning the basic wage of $7.25 (£5.46) an hour would have to work 15 hours to afford a ticket. The research found that a rush-hour ticket ($159/£119) would require 21 hours of work, a 900 percent increase on prices in the 1970s.
When we presented the research results to Disney, it turned out that prices for day tickets drop to £39 and £75 per day if you book for seven or 14 days. Magic ticket Parcels are booked from the UK.
Prices valid from mid-September 2024.