Disney CEO Bob Chapek Comments on Potential Price INCREASES in the Parks

Feel like you’re spending MORE during each and every Disney trip? Well, you’re probably not wrong.

Bob Chapek

During the Q3 earnings call for 2022, Disney revealed that it increased revenue for the Parks, Experiences, and Products division by $4.3 BILLION compared to the same quarter in 2021. What led to the increase? A number of things, including higher guest spending. That higher guest spending in Q3 was due to higher average daily hotel room rates and Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. We’ve also seen increased prices for food and sneaky ticket price increases too. But could things in the parks be getting even MORE expensive soon?

In a CNBC-exclusive interview, Chapek discussed a variety of things following the results of the Q3 earnings report/call for fiscal year 2022.

During the interview, Chapek was asked about “flexibility in pricing” and whether more park price increases could be on their way. Chapek said that they always watch their demand. According to Chapek, because they have the flexibility with their reservation system, they can “move on a dime.”

Hollywood Studios Crowds

If demand goes up, then we have the opportunity to do that. We’ve got no plans right now to announce in terms of what we’re going to do. But again, we operate with a surgical knife here,” Chapek shared.

The interviewer also noted how the company can get complaints from some individuals online about just how expensive Disney is getting. The interviewer shared that despite these frustrations, it sounds like another pricing move could be in the works.

EPCOT

In response, Chapek said “it’s all up to the consumer. If consumer demand keeps up then we act accordingly. And if we see a softening, which we don’t think we’re gonna see, then we can act accordingly as well. We’re very flexible.”

If, as Chapek says, it truly is all up to consumer demand, then, as the interviewer indicated, more price increases could be on the horizon.

Hollywood Studios entrance crowds

Chapek noted that “for all visibility we have into the future, we’re not seeing any softening of our demand.”

Chapek also said that they haven’t really seen a true rebound of the international audience. Instead, it’s been mainly domestic numbers. So once the international audience does fully come back, Chapek said that would put even more demand into their pipeline.

Crowds

What if the domestic demand is just due to pent-up demand, though? Chapek was asked about whether he thinks something will change once that “pent-up demand” has been satisfied. He noted that he doesn’t think the demand will go away. Instead, he said that their data reflects that the demand is more resilient. This is a comment similar to one made in the earnings call.

During the Q3 earnings call, Disney executives commented on the Park Pass system and park demand. Disney executives shared that the demand they’re seeing isn’t just pent-up demand from the pandemic, but is “more resilient and long-lasting.”

Magic Kingdom Crowds

Disney’s Chief Financial Offier, Christine McCarthy, shared that Disney “has not yet seen demand abate at all.” Instead, McCarthy noted that Disney is seeing demand in excess of the available reservations.

The Q3 earnings report also cited to increases in attendance as part of the reason behind the increase in revenue at the parks, as well as more occupied room nights.

Christine McCarthy ©The Walt Disney Company

So if demand is the key, then price increases could be on the horizon when it comes to the parks.

Our friends over at AllEars track historical price increases in Disney World. According to their numbers, since 1971, price increases have been made in August 5 times, 4 in September, 7 in October, 3 in November, and 5 in December. Those are the remaining months in this year, so it’s possible that we could see increases then.

But months where increases have more often been made include February (11 times) and June (12 times), so only time will tell.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

If you’re heading to Disney World and concerned about how much your trip will cost, click here to see our list of the biggest Disney World costs and how to save. You can also click here to see our full list of discounts and deals currently available for Disney World.

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more money-saving tips and we’ll let you know if we see anything about potential price increases. Stay tuned for the latest details.

Click here to learn about the hidden price increases on 2023 tickets

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The post Disney CEO Bob Chapek Comments on Potential Price INCREASES in the Parks first appeared on the disney food blog.