Author: SES
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As America revisits the “Days of Summer“, Americans will begin the process of searching for their family vacations.
Some families will visit one of our countries beautiful national parks. Others will find themselves vacationing at one of the her many historical sites. Still, others will choose a beautiful waterfront resort.
One of the most popular vacation venues continues to be Theme Park Resorts. The Resort fees vary from place to place, but all have had to increase their prices. Many variables are the cause for these increases, and there seems to be no reversal of costs in the near future. So, are the rising entertainment Resort costs prohibitive to your and your familie’s vacation? Let us take a look and see.
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List of Disney Theme Parks “World List”
| Anaheim, CA USA – (2 Parks) and (No Water Parks) | Orlando, Fl USA – (4 Parks) and (2 Water Parks) |
| Paris, France – (2 Parks) | N/A |
| Pudong, Shanghai CN (1 Parks) and (No Water Parks) | Lantau Island, Hong Kong CN (1 Park) and (No Water Parks) |
| Tokyo Japan (2 Parks) and (No Water Parks) | N/A |
Disney’s Escalation Costs:
As one can see, no Entertainment Corporation comes close to the size of the Disney Company (DIS). This company, started by Roy and Walt Disney has continued to grow, outlasting its founders. For the purposes of this article we used the prices from the American Theme Parks.
Over the last few years, there seems to be an attempted shift in Disney’s corporate ideals from the traditional concepts of Disney being a family adventure for all people, to those of a selected, preferred, privileged class. With this new concept, the cost of Disney Entertainment has began to increase exponentially. Of course there are other variables that have nudged Disney’s costs in this direction, the Covid Closures, California Minimum Wage requirements, Florida’s destruction of the “Reedy Creek Improvement District, and the high levels of inflation brought on by the Biden Administration. But since there seems to be no path that would repeal these excess increase, and these factors have already been accounted for, then one must assume that they were not the main reasons for these incremental increases.
The question for you and your family is, have you been priced out of the Disney Entertainment Venues?
| Disney Cuisine Costs: | Fast Food – Reasonable Restraunts – Variable |
|---|---|
| Disney Theme Park Entrance Daily Rates: | Prices Range: $109 – $198 Average Rates: $160 |
| Disney Water Parks Daily Rates: | Children: $68 Adults: $74 |
| Disney Park Resort Rates: | Value Resorts: $133 – $367 Deluxe Resorts: $725 – $1,563 |
| Disney Parking: | Motorcycles & Automobiles – $30 – $35 RV and Larger Autos – $45 |
| Resort Services: | Variable |
Disney Season Passes can provide for some economic relief. There are several levels for passes, and each is different in dates of availabilities, and percentage savings from the purchase of goods and services in Disney resort.
As you can see, the costs for a Disney Resort vacation can be astronomical. You and your family of four, could spend $640 per day per entrance (average rate), $35 per day for parking, $150 – $500 per day for meals, $200 to $425 per night on a value hotel, and depending on your wishes and desires even more. This calculates to $1,025 to $1,600 per day on the value hotel price. This does not include the days when prices are increased due to high visit times, tips, snacks, souvenirs, or other goods or services that we may not have accounted for.
By now, the hairs on your skin just might be standing. You might be asking yourself, “Can we afford to visit the Happiest Place on Earth?” Is there anything that I could do to lower the cost of our desired family vacation. The answer to these questions is, “YES“!
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Hey, stop pouting. Turn that frown upside down. There are lots of things you can do, so that you can afford a Disney vacation, and save something more important that your money, your mind.
The first thing that your should consider is, taking your vacation when Disney is not so crowded. Disney herself states that the best time save money on entrance fees are January, February, and September. I can hear you now, oh we can’t go them, the kids school, it is the coldest months in Florida and California, it is impossible. Friends, January has several days where the children are off school, and if you discuss your plans with your child’s school, they will most likely help you with this. Next, we are talking about Florida and California, we are not talking about the Great Lakes, it is sweater weather in Florida and California during these months. You will not need snow shoes, so don’t bring them.
Second, not every family enjoys every Disney Park equally. In fact, California only has two parks, and unless you want to visit multiple times, you could save by visiting other entertainment parks and venues. Southern California, my birth state, has a plethora of things to experience. Such as, but not limited to, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Sea World, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Lego Land, Aquarium of the Pacific, The Queen Mary, Adventure City, and world class beaches.
Third, you can save a small fortune by staying outside of the Disney Resorts. You can usually find hotel rooms, in safe areas for about half the price as you would in the Disney Hotels. Currently, I recommend the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (click to be directed to Knott’s Hotel), located 15 minutes from Disneyland, and less than 1/2 the price. Warning, this may all change since California has decided to make hotel workers a protected class, with increase hourly rates. In Florida, if you have and extra half day, you spend a week for nearly nothing, if you are willing to listen to a Time Share pitch. You have no obligation to purchase into the time share, and often they will give you a $500 gift card which you can use to pay for your vacation. Just a thought, and it is 100% legal. Get $500 dollars to listen for 3-4 hours, have a place to stay for under half of Disney price.
Finally, you might want for one person in your party to become a passholder, so that you can save up to 10% – 20% on the goods and services you buy while there. Additionally, some passes will save you money on your parking, hotel stay, etc.
I hope and pray that you are able to save a lot of money implementing these things. Have a terrific, memory filled time at the “Happiest place on Earth”.
Cedar Fair & Six Flags
| Six Flags/Cedar Fair Resorts | Six Flags/Cedar Fair Resorts |
|---|---|
Amusement Parks: Midwest & West America Knotts’ Berry Farm Buena Park, CA (Theme Park & RESORT) Gilroy Gardens Gilroy, CA (Theme Park) Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, CA Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, CA Great America Santa Clara, CA *** Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, TX Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, TX Six Flags Over Georgia Mableton, GA Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, MO Worlds of Fun Kansas City, MO Frontier City Oklahoma City, OK | Amusement Parks: East Coast Cedar Point Sandusky, OH (RESORT) Kings Island Cincinnati, OH Six Flags America Bodie, MD *** Valley Fair Shakopee, MN Six Flags Great America Jackson, NJ Savanah Sunset Resort Jackson, NJ (RESORT) Wild Safari Jackson, NJ Six Flags Great Escape Lake George, NY (RESORT) Six Flags Darien Lake Buffalo, NY Carowinds Charlotte, NC Dorney Park Allentown, PA Kings Dominion Doswell, VA |
| Water Parks: Midwest & West Coast Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, AZ Hurricane Harbor Concord Concord, CA Knott’s Soak City Buena Park, CA Oceans of Fun Kansas City, MO Schlitterbahn Braunfels, TX Hurricane Harbor Splash Town Spring, TX Hurricane Harbor Arlington Arlington, TX Six Flags Over Whitewater Atlanta, GA Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City, OK | Water Parks: East Coast Hurricane Harbor Gurnee, IL Hurricane Harbor Chicago, Il Cedar Point Shores Sandusky, OH Soak City Mason, OH Soak City Doswell, VA Soak City Shakopee, MN Six Flags of New England Agawam, MA Michigan’s Adventures Muskegon, MI Hurricane Harbor Jackson, NJ Six Flags Great Escape and Lodge Lake George, NY (RESORT) Wild Water Kingdom Allentown, PA |
| Closes and Closing Parks: Six Flags World of Adventure Geauga Lake, OH – Closed Six Flags America Bodie, MD – Closing 2026 Great America Santa Clara Santa Clara, CA – Closing 2026 Six Flags Astro World Huston, TX (hurricane Katrina) | Canadian Amusement & Water Parks Canada’s Wonderland Vaughn, Ontario La Ronde English Montreal Quebec, QC La Ronde Fr Montreal Quebec, QC Mexican Amusement & Water Parks Six Flags Mexico Mexico City, MX Hurricane Harbor Mexico City, MX |
It is a well established fact that your purchasing power goes further at Six Flags, than what you would find at Disney Parks.
Six Flags Business Model varies drastically from that of Disney. Six Flags Parks are known as “Amusement Thrill Parks“. These are meant to cater to the thrill seekers, usually the younger crowds. As such, its customers usually derive their purchasing powers from a third party source. For this reason, the costs for being entertained at these establishments, are much less than where the attendee is a first degree financial source.
Annual passes are one of the best way to save money at the Six Flags Parks. Depending on the level of pass purchased, you can save money on the goods and services that you purchase while at the park. Additionally, the highest level of pass, the Platinum, offers an upgrade where for a small amount of money, you can gain access to all the Six Flags parks. This could be an awesome deal for the people who love to travel. Remember, the platinum pass also covers your parking, and offers up to 30% off purchases. Watch for special discounts on annual passes, holidays like Black Friday often give significant reductions.
| Six Flags Amusement Parks Daily Rates: | General Price Range $30 – $85 Parks have Specials & Discounts: |
| Six Flags Water Park Daily Rates: | Price Range $29 – $59 “online” |
| Six Flags Resort Rates: | Variable based on Resort Non-Resort Parks have discount affiliations with Hotels |
| Six Flags Parking Rates: | Park Dependent General Parking $30 – $65 |
| Six Flags Cuisine Rates | Variable Park Dependent $15 – $25 per meal |
| Six Flags Resort Services Fees: | Variable |
| Annual Passes – save 10% – 30% on select goods and services All passes expire 12-31-2025. | Season Pass – $150 Gold Pass – $175 Prestige Pass – $475 Past Port All Park – Add on Cost |
Sea World, Bush Garden, & Sesames Place
Sea World, Bush Gardens, and Sesames Place Parks are Themed Parks, with an emphasis on nature. Sea World educates while entertaining the public about sea animals, and sea life. Bush Gardens does the same while teaching about land animals, and things that live on the land. Sesames Place is a Theme Park for children’s learning and understanding.
| Sea World Resorts | Bush Gardens Resorts |
|---|---|
San Diego, CA Orlando, FL San Antonio, TX Abu Dhabi | Tampa Bay, FL Williamsburg, VA |
| Aquatica Water Parks | Sesames Place Parks |
| Orlando, Fl San Antonio, TX | Philadelphia, PA San Diego, CA |
United Parks & Resorts is the company that owns Sea World, Bush Gardens, Aquatica, and Sesame Place Parks. All the parks, except the Abu Dhabi Sea World are located with in the United States. Because of this, one can purchase season passes that allow axis to the other American parks. This can be a cost savings mechanism if you plan on experiencing multiple vacations, visiting different parts of the country.
| Daily Ticket Rates: | Amounts: |
| Sea World Parks Bush Gardens Parks Aquatica Water Parks Sesame Parks | $62.99 – 122.99 $82.99 – $102.99 $39.00 $46.99 – $129.99 |
| Annual Pass Rates: | Amounts: |
| Silver Pass Gold Pass Platinum Pass – Allows Access to All US Parks | $149 – $180 $179 – $225 $259 – $375 |
| Daily Parking Rates: | Amounts: |
| General Parking Close Parking VIP Parking | $35 $55 $77 |
| All Day Dining Fee: | Amounts: $41.99 – $51.99 |
Neither Sea World, Bush Gardens, Aquatica or Sesame Parks have developed resorts. This being the case, each one has special agreements with local hotel lines which may provide you an excellent opportunity to save money by adding a “Hotel Package” to your account.
Remember, season passes also offer savings for the products and services you will purchase at the parks. Depending upon the type of Pass you have chosen could save you anywhere from 5% to 50%. It can also save you the daily parking rates listed above. You might find additional saving on your season passes if they are upgraded during “Black Fridays“.
Imagine the memories that you and your family will create while experiencing the beauty of nature. How could you ever forget the awesome aquatic animal and plant life that you will be exposed to at Sea World? What will it be like to witness the faces of your family as they are awed when they immerse themselves in majestic presence of the animals that they have never been exposed to while visiting Bush Gardens. All this and you still get to ride roller coasters, carnival rides, eat yummy foods, and play fun games. It makes for an incredible day.
Universal Amusement & Theme Parks:
Universal Studios Parks, being a multi-country business, has had great influence on the Asia-American populace. Universal, having parks on both American coasts, China, Japan and Singapore, has continued to solidify its reach. It has been negotiating to acquire a park in Europe, particularly in England. In the past, Universal has attempted to create new resorts in the middle east, but to date its attempts have remained fruitless.
Universal Parks are owned by the Comcast Corporation, thru one of its subsidiaries, NBCUniversal. Thru NBCUniversal, Comcast also has it movie creation division, Universal Pictures.
Universal Studios, and the Disney Corporation, have much in common. First, they are both global media companies. Second, their parks are primarily considered to be “themed parks”. Third, a significant amount of their income streams come from the creation of entertainment for the Television and the large screen.
| Universal Studios Locations | Universal Studios Parks |
|---|---|
| Universal Studios Hollywood | Universal Studios |
| Universal Studios Orlando | Epic Universe Universal Studios Universal Islands of Adventures Volcano Bay Water Park |
| Universal Studios Japan | |
| Universal Studios Singapore | |
| Universal Beijing Resort |
Owner: Comcast
| Universal Studio entrance daily rates: | General Entrance Price $119 Epic Universe – Price is variable |
| Universal Water Park entrance daily rates: | General Entrance Price Start at $80 per day |
| Universal Resort Rates: | Varies from $222 to $393 per day |
| Universal Parking Rates: | Varies from $32 to $75 per day |
| Culinary Costs at Universal | Varies from $20 -$60 per day |
| Universal Studios Annual Passes Orlando, FL | |
| Universal Studios Annual Passes Hollywood, CA |
