By: Abby Coven

News Editor

“The Happiest Place on Earth” has become a luxury only for the rich. Originally, Walt Disney envisioned Disneyland to cultivate a magical experience for families of most socioeconomic levels. For decades, Disneyland was the ideal destination for the growing middle class due to affordable prices. However, more recently, with the development of exclusive packages to make the park experience more enjoyable, prices have become exorbitant. If Disneyland wants to fulfill Walt Disney’s vision to make everyone’s dreams come true, they need to stop prioritizing the experiences of affluent visitors over those with fewer means.

Disney has moved toward offering more exclusive, luxury adventures through various perks as it continues to raise ticket prices. Genie+ is a fast pass system that allows visitors to make reservations for specific rides or shows without waiting in long lines. On top of that, ticket fees, hotel costs, and food and souvenir prices in the park are rising exponentially. 

Luxury experience marketing promotes the idea that Disneyland is an exclusive destination inaccessible to lower income families. Disney’s annual report notes that an astonishing half of all visitors purchase some sort of perks package, meaning people without them enjoy fewer park rides per day and longer wait times. Some families take more time off work to avoid busy holidays in order to visit on less crowded days. Unfortunately, time off is often not a possibility for lower income families. Forty-five percent of parents end up going into debt to afford a Disney trip according to LendingTree, an online marketplace with educational resources for consumers. 

The social effect of this growing disparity is that families with fewer resources may feel excluded from what should be a more universal experience for everyone, particularly families. With its monopoly over entertainment, Disney has control over the imagination and desires of all children. This poses a problem since a large percentage of lower income children cannot access the park, leading them to internalize the idea that they are less deserving of visiting “The Happiest Place on Earth” than wealthier kids.

 Disneyland used to serve as a more inclusive, family-friendly experience where everyone could enjoy themselves regardless of their background. Now, however, Disneyland’s focus on exclusive experiences indirectly drives a wedge among social classes.

Disney needs to make the shared experiences of visiting the parks more accessible. The company’s significant profits from its entertainment dominance could cover the costs of lowering prices. By reducing the power of perks, Disneyland has the resources to keep Walt Disney’s vision alive instead of reinforcing social divides. Then, Disneyland could once again make everyone’s dreams come true.

(Sources: NYT, CNBC, Disney Annual Report, LendingTree.)