It's a rip off for a company to want to maximize it's profits? Really? I don't think that I know of any company that wants to maximize it's profits. Aren't we still a capitalist society? Are profits now somehow immoral?

Another thing to look at is that Disney is a publicly traded company. Many of us may have shares hidden in our retirement accounts. Doesn't the management of Disney< and every other public corporation for that matter, have a duty and responsibility to make as much money for its investors as possible.

The parks are too crowded. Raising the prices doesn't seem to deter people from coming. Disney would be shirking it's responsibility to it's investors, which could be you and I, if they didn't raise their prices. Don't you want to see your investment portfolio grow? Don't you want to have more money for your retirement? How do you think that money is made?

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To the OP, thank you for originating this thread. I've learned a lot of helpful information.

Jim - I have no problem with businesses making money. But, they do have an obligation to take care of their customers and provide value for cost. Want to raise prices...fine. But, then enhance value. Disney parks are making a ton of cash....they are not hurting. But, lines are getting longer (there is an app that will give you real time line wait times). Paying a hundred per person just to send them to a 75 minute line for a 5 minute ride is a rip.

The new fantasyland will be fun but only increase the volume of folks at that park. The 2 lower attendance parks are The Studio and Animal Kingdom. Add Cars Land to the Studio and get Avatar up and running at Animal Kingdom.

Also a new theme park like Disney Seas (existing in Japan) will go a long way to absorb crowds, lower wait times and bring more joy.

All is need is love.

This sounds awful but we go without kids, have you ever seen happy kids by noon, they are tired hungry and want a nap..but mom and dad are going to keep going because it was too much money

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I know lots of adults who seem to think that "going to Disney" (without kids of course)is the ultimate vacation. I personally don't buy it. Crowds, overpriced meals - I can think of a dozen more attractive vacation spots in Florida and hundreds outside of Florida.

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Disney World has changed. Before there was the Magic Kningdom Club, my parents used to drive down from DE and get 4 days and three nights, with tickets, a show, a lunch and a dinner for $450. Bringing back the ticket to ride would help then people who do not want to ride the roller coasters they are putting in would not pay for them. Magic Kingdom has deteriated as Tomorrow Land morphed into Fansasty Land.

Reason prices went up was that Walt Disney Enterprises was going broke, and the management decided to raise prices at the Parks until people stopped going. And the prices went up and the people still keep coming.
Being close to Disney World Parks with Florida Resident passes was a big plus for moving to the Villages.

I don't know if they were going broke or not, but what you've described is a normal business practice that any good responsible business person would follow.
Every business in the world wants to keep their prices as high as possible without losing customers.

I have to respectfully disagree. Businesses only have an obligation to make money. If they are not taking care of customers and providing value for costs, customers will stop coming.
Disney is obviously providing value as millions of people go there every year and millions return. Millions of people are obviously willing to pay the prices to enjoy these parks. That is basically the definition of value.

The value of an item or service is whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

We have Florida Season Passes---have since our move here in 2007----we go to Disney World at least 10 times a year---stay two nights at Hawthorne Inn and Suites in Lake Buena Vista--a hotel that we love. Just got back this morning. We went to Hollywood Park on Monday and Magic Kingdom yesterday. Both parks were very crowded----don't think the price increase will affect those that want to have this experience with their families. They also went up on Parking from 14.00 to 15.00. We love Disney---even when crowded---a beautiful place to walk and people watch---since we have passes we aren't too concerned with lines, etc.,-- if there is something we like to do, we wait until our visit when the Park is less crowded.

Some think a business has an obligation to the community that supports it. Disney maybe a bit different ----one third foreign customers which drive up the prices some believe. From pure capitalistic perspective you are correct. ;)

I don't mean to get into a debate on capitalist principles...but, Disney is in the business of entertainment and customer service. A large part of their reputation is built on providing great experiences. If the rep gets tarnished it will hurt the overall brand.

Right now Expedition Everest has a 70 minute wait. Kilimanjaro Safaris is 65 minutes. Soarin' is close to 2 hours. Test Track 95 minutes. Peter Pan's Flight a bit over an hour. Splash Mountain is 85 minutes. Space Mountain 100 minutes.

These wait times will wreck the child's experience. It hurts the brand. Disney isn't BP. It isn't Monsanto. Raise prices and give less wasn't Walt's vision. It's time for them to pony-up if they want to raise prices. Not doing so is exceedingly shortsighted.

Walt's dead, there a new sheriff in town with a new vision.