Latest news with #CraigStowell
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Newsweek
Has Disney World Become Too Expensive?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In recent years, headlines have frequently highlighted rising prices at Disney World. Social media videos documenting the cost of a day at the parks—often leaving viewers stunned by the total bill—have gone viral, regularly garnering millions of views. As the summer travel season begins, many Americans are finalizing vacation plans. But ongoing economic concerns are having a noticeable impact. A recent WalletHub survey found that 45 percent of Americans say tariffs are affecting their travel plans, while 63 percent cite inflation as a limiting factor. With prices up and financial anxiety high, where does that leave the "most magical place on Earth"? Newsweek spoke with Disney visitors and a business expert to explore how pricing at Disney World in 2025 is influencing vacation decisions. What Is The Cost of a Disney World Vacation? The cost of a Disney World vacation can vary significantly. The park's vast size, seasonal pricing, and optional add-ons mean no two trips cost the same. Visitors must factor in expenses like airfare, transportation, accommodations, park tickets, line-skipping passes, and food. Florida dad Craig Stowell recently went viral after sharing a video on Instagram detailing his family's one-day visit. He reported spending $1,400 for himself, his wife, and their three children—including tickets, parking, meals, snacks, and souvenirs. "I grew up as a Disney kid," Stowell told Newsweek. "My mother took me and my two siblings every year when we came to Florida to visit our grandma. Back then, a day at Disney was much more affordable for a young family with three children." Influencer and content creator Erin Chau shared a similar sentiment. "Definitely more expensive than I anticipated," Chau told Newsweek via email. "Although pricey, I enjoyed every second of the experience and understand that there are high costs to ensure everything runs smoothly." In response to affordability concerns, Disney has launched several promotional offers, including discounted children's tickets, free dining for kids, parking deals, and room packages. What Is the Impact on Customers? "An increasing number of visitors now view Disney vacations as unaffordable, which is likely to reduce visit intentions and return rates," said Dogan Gursoy, Regents Professor and Taco Bell Distinguished Professor in Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University. While Disney's brand still appeals to high-income travelers and first-time visitors, Gursoy said concerns about value are growing—especially among middle-income families. "Price increases are likely reshaping consumer perceptions of the experience, shifting it from a family-friendly tradition to something more akin to a luxury purchase," he told Newsweek. Gursoy explained that the psychological impact of rising costs is intensified by the "reference price" effect, where guests compare current prices to what they remember paying in the past. This can make sharp increases feel unjustified, fueling online backlash. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty Disney is also facing heightened competition. Gursoy noted that Universal's Epic Universe, opening in May 2025, will feature new attractions tied to major franchises, competitive pricing, and aggressive discounts. "SeaWorld is also targeting cost-conscious travelers with deep discounts and bundled deals," he added. "If these competitors deliver strong guest satisfaction, Disney may find its pricing power more limited than expected, especially in a strained economic environment." Gursoy also warned of a potential socioeconomic divide within the parks, as rising costs increasingly price out lower-income families. "Escalating ticket prices and growing fees for conveniences like line-skipping are marginalizing these groups—often forcing them to shorten their stays, stay off-property, or forgo Disney altogether," he said. "This trend threatens to reshape the broader Central Florida tourism economy." Do Customers Still Think Disney World Is Worth It? Despite rising prices, many visitors still see Disney World as worth the cost. According to Disney's most recent earnings call, bookings for the fiscal third quarter of 2025 were up 4 percent year over year, and up 7 percent for the fourth quarter. While Disney doesn't publicly release attendance figures, the 2024 Theme Index report, cited by Magic Guides, shows Magic Kingdom visits rose from 12.7 million in 2021 to 17.7 million in 2023. For some, the expense only enhances the anticipation. "Trips will definitely need to be farther apart, as the price is quite expensive," Chau said. "But it makes saving up for the trip all the more important and exciting because you know you worked hard for it." Stowell, however, has a more skeptical view. "My oldest son just turned 15," he said. "He has his learner's permit and is saving for his first car." "To put it in perspective, one day at Disney for our family of five cost as much as a first car. Which would you rather have: a car or a day at Disney?"
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad pays price, goes viral after spending $1,400
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad pays price, goes viral after spending $1,400 The dad's sticker shock on a last-minute family trip to The Happiest Place On Earth helped him go viral. But planning ahead can help cut costs. Show Caption Hide Caption Disney launches new Florida resident ticket deal Walt Disney World has announced the launch of a new ticket deal for Florida residents just in time for the summer. Fox - 35 Orlando It's no secret that Disney World is expensive, but just how much of a hit will your wallet take? Well, one dad from Florida went viral after breaking down the price of his $1,400, unplanned visit to Disney World. Craig Stowell, a professional YouTuber based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took his family to Walt Disney World in April, during Easter weekend and had some sticker shock after he spent a grand total of $1,391.91 on parking, tickets, food and drinks, he told USA TODAY. "Know that everything is more expensive than it used to be," said Stowell. "It's not just a quick trip up to Disney anymore. It's the cost of my son's first car." Nearly $1,000 just to get into the park Stowell's family was visiting him from New Hampshire on Easter weekend, when they decided to do an impromptu Disney trip, Stowell said. So, they packed their things and drove to Orlando, Florida, from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is around 170 miles southeast of Orlando. In a video he posted about his day, he talks about just how much money he and his family spent on a day trip to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. One of the first big purchases was the tickets, he said. For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974. The tickets were purchased on the day they visited the park. Tickets are broken up into two categories, according to Disney's website. Tickets for children who are 3 to 10 years old are a bit cheaper than tickets for adults, who need to be purchased for anyone who is 11 and older to enter the parks. Children younger than 3 enter the park for free. The remaining $345.91 was spent on parking, which is $30 per car, food and drinks. Spending Memorial Day weekend at Disney? See crowd calendar, weather Holiday surcharge made tickets more expensive Since the family visited the theme park on a holiday weekend, their tickets were more expensive due to a holiday surcharge, Stowell said. One-day tickets for Florida residents on Disney's website start at $119, and can be even cheaper for Florida residents planning to visit the park for multiple days. Will Disney tickets be expensive during Memorial Day weekend? Yes, tickets for Florida residents and non-Florida residents will be more expensive during Memorial Day weekend. During the holiday weekend, tickets start at $159, according to Disney's website. The price of admission for each park varies. Listed below are the prices of one-day tickets to enter the Disney parks on Saturday, May 24 for both residents and non-residents: Magic Kingdom - $184 - $184 EPCOT - $179 - $179 Disney's Hollywood Studios - $179 - $179 Disney's Animal Kingdom- $159 A family of five, with one child younger than 10 years old, would pay $947.87, including taxes, to enter Hollywood studios during the holiday weekend, according to Walt Disney World's website. That price tag doesn't include the additional costs of parking, Lightning Lane passes, photo packages, hotel stays or food. How to save on your Walt Disney World trip Stowell recommends that people trying to save some money plan ahead and skip the parks during holiday weekends and go during the off-season instead. Florida residents can also save money on their Disney trip by purchasing tickets for multiple days, according to Walt Disney World's website. While a one-day Florida resident ticket starts at $119, three and four-day tickets start at $87 and $72. The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket, which is valid from May 18 to September 27, offers an even more inexpensive experience. The summer magic tickets will cost the following, according to the resort's website: 4-Day Ticket – $60 per day, plus tax $60 per day, plus tax 3-Day Ticket – $75 per day, plus tax $75 per day, plus tax 2-Day Ticket – $105 per day Non-Florida residents can also take advantage of the 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket, which will allow guest admission to only EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and Hollowood Studios, and excludes Magic Kingdom, stated the resort's website. Prices for the ticket start at $89 per day, and are valid until September 22, according to Disney World. The tickets must be used within five days of the selected start date. Finally, Stowell offered one more piece of advice for Disney guests above the age of 21: "Don't buy the alcohol," said Stowell. It "would have saved a lot of money for me." This story was updated to add new information. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Indianapolis Star
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad pays price, goes viral after spending $1,400
It's no secret that Disney World is expensive, but just how much of a hit will your wallet take? Well, one dad from Florida went viral after breaking down the price of his $1,400, unplanned visit to Disney World. Craig Stowell, a professional YouTuber based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took his family to Walt Disney World in April, during Easter weekend and had some sticker shock after he spent a grand total of $1,391.91 on parking, tickets, food and drinks, he told USA TODAY. "Know that everything is more expensive than it used to be," said Stowell. "It's not just a quick trip up to Disney anymore. It's the cost of my son's first car." Stowell's family was visiting him from New Hampshire on Easter weekend, when they decided to do an impromptu Disney trip, Stowell said. So, they packed their things and drove to Orlando, Florida, from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is around 170 miles southeast of Orlando. In a video he posted about his day, he talks about just how much money he and his family spent on a day trip to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. One of the first big purchases was the tickets, he said. For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974. The tickets were purchased on the day they visited the park. Tickets are broken up into two categories, according to Disney's website. Tickets for children who are 3 to 10 years old are a bit cheaper than tickets for adults, who need to be purchased for anyone who is 11 and older to enter the parks. Children younger than 3 enter the park for free. The remaining $345.91 was spent on parking, which is $30 per car, food and drinks. Spending Memorial Day weekend at Disney? See crowd calendar, weather Since the family visited the theme park on a holiday weekend, their tickets were more expensive due to a holiday surcharge, Stowell said. One-day tickets for Florida residents on Disney's website start at $119, and can be even cheaper for Florida residents planning to visit the park for multiple days. Yes, tickets for Florida residents and non-Florida residents will be more expensive during Memorial Day weekend. During the holiday weekend, tickets start at $159, according to Disney's website. The price of admission for each park varies. Listed below are the prices of one-day tickets to enter the Disney parks on Saturday, May 24 for both residents and non-residents: A family of five, with one child younger than 10 years old, would pay $947.87, including taxes, to enter Hollywood studios during the holiday weekend, according to Walt Disney World's website. That price tag doesn't include the additional costs of parking, Lightning Lane passes, photo packages, hotel stays or food. Stowell recommends that people trying to save some money plan ahead and skip the parks during holiday weekends and go during the off-season instead. Florida residents can also save money on their Disney trip by purchasing tickets for multiple days, according to Walt Disney World's website. While a one-day Florida resident ticket starts at $119, three and four-day tickets start at $87 and $72. The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket, which is valid from May 18 to September 27, offers an even more inexpensive experience. The summer magic tickets will cost the following, according to the resort's website: Non-Florida residents can also take advantage of the 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket, which will allow guest admission to only EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and Hollowood Studios, and excludes Magic Kingdom, stated the resort's website. Prices for the ticket start at $89 per day, and are valid until September 22, according to Disney World. The tickets must be used within five days of the selected start date. Finally, Stowell offered one more piece of advice for Disney guests above the age of 21: "Don't buy the alcohol," said Stowell. It "would have saved a lot of money for me." This story was updated to add new information.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad goes viral after spending $1,400 on family trip
It's no secret that Disney World is expensive, but just how much of a hit will your wallet take? Well, one Dad from Florida went viral after breaking down the price of his $1,400, unplanned visit to Disney World. Craig Stowell, a professional YouTuber based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took his family to Walt Disney World in April, during Easter weekend and had some sticker shock after he spent a grand total of $1,391.91 on parking, tickets, food and drinks, he told USA TODAY. "Know that everything is more expensive than it used to be," said Stowell. "It's not just a quick trip up to Disney anymore. It's the cost of my son's first car." Stowell's family was visiting him from New Hampshire on Easter weekend, when they decided to do an impromptu Disney trip, Stowell said. So, they packed their things and drove to Orlando, Florida, from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is around 170 miles southeast of Orlando. In a video he posted about his day, he talks about just how much money he and his family spent on a day trip to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. One of the first big purchases was the tickets, he said. For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974. The tickets were purchased on the day they visited the park. Tickets are broken up into two categories, according to Disney's website. Tickets for children who are 3 to 10 years old are a bit cheaper than tickets for adults, who need to be purchased for anyone who is 11 and older to enter the parks. Children younger than 3 enter the park for free. The remaining $345.91 was spent on parking, which is $30 per car, food and drinks. Spending Memorial Day weekend at Disney? See crowd calendar, weather Since the family visited the theme park on a holiday weekend, their tickets were more expensive due to a holiday surcharge, Stowell said. One-day tickets for Florida residents on Disney's website start at $119, and can be even cheaper for Florida residents planning to visit the park for multiple days. Yes, tickets for Florida residents will be more expensive during Memorial Day weekend. During the holiday weekend, tickets start at $159, according to Disney's website. The price of admission for each park varies. Listed below are the prices of tickets to enter the Disney parks on Saturday, May 24: Magic Kingdom- $184 EPCOT- $179 Disney's Hollywood Studios- $179 Disney's Animal Kingdom- $159 A family of five, with one child younger than 10 years old, would pay $947.87, including taxes, to enter Hollywood studios during the holiday weekend, according to Walt Disney World's website. That price tag doesn't include the additional costs of parking, Lightning Lane passes, photo packages, hotel stays or food. Stowell recommends that people trying to save some money plan ahead and skip the parks during holiday weekends and go during the off-season instead. Florida residents can also save money on their Disney trip by purchasing tickets for multiple days, according to Walt Disney World's website. While a one-day Florida resident ticket starts at $119, three and four-day tickets start at $87 and $72. The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket, which is valid from May 18 to September 27, offers an even more inexpensive experience. The summer magic tickets will cost the following, according to the resort's website: 4-Day Ticket – $60 per day, plus tax 3-Day Ticket – $75 per day, plus tax 2-Day Ticket – $105 per day Finally, Stowell offered one more piece of advice for Disney guests above the age of 21: "Don't buy the alcohol," said Stowell. It "would have saved a lot of money for me." Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dad goes viral for spending $1,400 on spontaneous family Disney trip
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad goes viral after spending $1,400 on family trip
Going to Disney World unplanned? One dad goes viral after spending $1,400 on family trip The dad's sticker shock on a last-minute trip to The Happiest Place On Earth helped him go viral. But planning ahead can help cut costs. Show Caption Hide Caption Disney launches new Florida resident ticket deal Walt Disney World has announced the launch of a new ticket deal for Florida residents just in time for the summer. Fox - 35 Orlando It's no secret that Disney World is expensive, but just how much of a hit will your wallet take? Well, one Dad from Florida went viral after breaking down the price of his $1,400, unplanned visit to Disney World. Craig Stowell, a professional YouTuber based in West Palm Beach, Florida, took his family to Walt Disney World in April, during Easter weekend and had some sticker shock after he spent a grand total of $1,391.91 on parking, tickets, food and drinks, he told USA TODAY. "Know that everything is more expensive than it used to be," said Stowell. "It's not just a quick trip up to Disney anymore. It's the cost of my son's first car." Nearly $1,000 just to get into the park Stowell's family was visiting him from New Hampshire on Easter weekend, when they decided to do an impromptu Disney trip, Stowell said. So, they packed their things and drove to Orlando, Florida, from West Palm Beach, Florida, which is around 170 miles southeast of Orlando. In a video he posted about his day, he talks about just how much money he and his family spent on a day trip to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. One of the first big purchases was the tickets, he said. For Stowell, his wife and three kids, including his son who was younger than 10, entrance to Hollywood Studios cost $974. The tickets were purchased on the day they visited the park. Tickets are broken up into two categories, according to Disney's website. Tickets for children who are 3 to 10 years old are a bit cheaper than tickets for adults, who need to be purchased for anyone who is 11 and older to enter the parks. Children younger than 3 enter the park for free. The remaining $345.91 was spent on parking, which is $30 per car, food and drinks. Spending Memorial Day weekend at Disney? See crowd calendar, weather Holiday surcharge made tickets more expensive Since the family visited the theme park on a holiday weekend, their tickets were more expensive due to a holiday surcharge, Stowell said. One-day tickets for Florida residents on Disney's website start at $119, and can be even cheaper for Florida residents planning to visit the park for multiple days. Will Disney tickets be expensive during Memorial Day weekend? Yes, tickets for Florida residents will be more expensive during Memorial Day weekend. During the holiday weekend, tickets start at $159, according to Disney's website. The price of admission for each park varies. Listed below are the prices of tickets to enter the Disney parks on Saturday, May 24: Magic Kingdom - $184 - $184 EPCOT - $179 - $179 Disney's Hollywood Studios - $179 - $179 Disney's Animal Kingdom- $159 A family of five, with one child younger than 10 years old, would pay $947.87, including taxes, to enter Hollywood studios during the holiday weekend, according to Walt Disney World's website. That price tag doesn't include the additional costs of parking, Lightning Lane passes, photo packages, hotel stays or food. How to save on your Walt Disney World trip Stowell recommends that people trying to save some money plan ahead and skip the parks during holiday weekends and go during the off-season instead. Florida residents can also save money on their Disney trip by purchasing tickets for multiple days, according to Walt Disney World's website. While a one-day Florida resident ticket starts at $119, three and four-day tickets start at $87 and $72. The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket, which is valid from May 18 to September 27, offers an even more inexpensive experience. The summer magic tickets will cost the following, according to the resort's website: 4-Day Ticket – $60 per day, plus tax $60 per day, plus tax 3-Day Ticket – $75 per day, plus tax $75 per day, plus tax 2-Day Ticket – $105 per day Finally, Stowell offered one more piece of advice for Disney guests above the age of 21: "Don't buy the alcohol," said Stowell. It "would have saved a lot of money for me." Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
