Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, recently participated in a Q&A session at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference on May 14th, 2025. During the Q&A session, he commented on the affordability of Disney.
Josh D’Amaro at Destination D23, 2023 ©Disney
A Disney vacation is not cheap, but how does Disney feel about the affordability of its own parks? We have some thoughts directly from the Chairman of Disney Experiences, so let’s dive in!
D’Amaro began the session by pointing out that Disney believes that for every one theme park visitor they have, there are ten more who want to come but haven’t had the opportunity yet. In fact, he stated that Disney believes there are half a billion consumers who have the income and affinity for Disney to visit one of its theme parks.
EPCOT
The key message from D’Amaro was “Deliver great value.” D’Amaro focused on the subject of value when discussing affordability at Disney. He mentioned how there are very few places in the world where you can have a 10-, 12-, or 16-hour experience with the amount of value the Disney parks offer. He explained that you can experience the best stories on full display in front of you, world-class attractions, Broadway-style entertainment, an array of food options, opportunities to meet your favorite characters, and end the day with a fireworks show. He stated that there is “literally nothing like it in the world. We’re always making sure that we’re delivering value to every one of our guests that comes into one of our experiences or theme parks.”
Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland
He further emphasized that they feel very good about the value that the Disney parks can deliver around the world. Disney is trying to offer flexibility and as many options as possible so guests can choose what works best for their budget. D’Amaro pointed out that you can still go to Disneyland today for $104 (on select days throughout the year), the same price as in 2018 or 2019. You can also choose to book a cheaper hotel to keep the price for the vacation lower. Of course, many add-ons and more expensive hotels are available, but he emphasized that guests can create a lower-cost vacation with their choices.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Josh D’Amaro wants fans to know they have options for their Disney vacation. Visitors can pick and choose which experiences they want to include in their vacation so they can fit their budget. If a visitor has a tighter budget, they can opt for tickets without the Park Hopper add-on, choose to stay at a Value Resort, and minimize the number of table service meals. On the other hand, there are also lots of options for a more luxurious stay that guests can choose if they have a larger budget. Josh D’Amaro stated that the key for Disney is providing that flexibility so visitors can curate their vacation to fit their wants and needs. Additionally, utilizing seasonality in their pricing has helped allow more families to visit for cheaper prices during periods of low demand.
Disney California Adventure
On top of that flexibility, they want to provide great value for visitors. Per D’Amaro, the value of the vacation is a huge focus for Disney, and he added that Disney knows they are providing that value because that is what guests are telling them. Disney is reportedly closely monitoring guest experience and feedback to ensure that visitors have a good experience and remain advocates for the parks after they leave. D’Amaro said, “We are watching very closely what our guests are telling us.” Disney wants guests to return and to spread the word about the great time they had at the Disney parks.
Magic Kingdom
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What do you think about Josh D’Amaro’s comments about Disney and affordability? Let us know in the comments!
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Translation: “Watching what our guests say,” isn’t the same as listening to what our Disney guests say. Watching means prices will stay high unless we we see a measurable and sustained decline in park attendance. Then we will consider price adjustments.
Josh, most families would appreciate discounted bundle pricing for hotels and park tickets, with and without the food plan. This way families could save real money and you would not have to technically lower prices. Make it so. You can do it. I know you can.
He talks about staying at a Value resort. When was the last time they built a value resort and do they plan on building more? It seems like they focus on the super wealthy and keep building DVC hotels. Not sure I believe him when they say they are watching closely. Pop Century and Art of Animation book up quickly… at least the last time I checked. Doesn’t leave those with a smaller budget a lot of options. Thoughts?
Interesting article with comments from Josh D’Amaro. However, rather than focus on the half a billion of people who have the income and affinity to visit… it would be more “Walt Disney” to focus on the other half a billion who may not have the means to afford the grossly unaffordable prices. It is thought to be one of a kind experiences but other theme parks in the area provide very stiff competition with lower ticket and food prices. The Disney executives should go back I. The archives and read Walt’s original promises. Also, he never wanted alcohol in the Magic Kingdom. It’s bad enough that Epcots Drinking around the World have people getting drunk all the time and this causes families who just want to have a fun experience to stay away.
I grew up going to Disney World and I so badly wanted my kids to have the same experience! But life got in the way of that and we weren’t able to take them until they were teens. As a kid, we stayed in villas, always had park hoppers and did many character meals. When I finally got to take my kids we stayed in a value resort, had non-hopper tickets and ate mostly quick service meals. At first I felt bad, thinking I was giving my kids a downgraded version of the trips I always had growing up, but I quickly discovered that our budget vacation was just as magical (if not more!) than the bougie ones I had growing up.
Moral of the story: Don’t skip out on a Disney trip just because you can’t afford all the bells & whistles. Your trip will be as magical as you make it!
It seems to me he is just giving this lip service.
Don’t get me started. Sure, it can be a 12 hour day if you can stay on your feet that long, but unless you are able and willing to part with quite a bit of extra money, much of that time is spent standing in line. So, if you do standby lines to save money, you will be fortunate to have 8 experiences in your 12 hour day. And that’s if all the rides are working, which is a rare occasion these days. So, IS the value there? Not for us right now. The last time we were at Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror was down most of the day and Minnie and Mickeys RR went down while we were on it and Rise of the Resistance was coming and going. There just aren’t that many rides in HS for two to be down at the same time. Just once I would like Josh D’Amaro to have to spend a day in a Disney Park like a normal person for an entire day. THEN he can address whether it is a good value.
D’Amaro says they are listening? His comments indicate that they are deaf to the pleas of most of the people who want to visit DisneyWorld: You are pricing the parks out of reach for the average family.
I swear, Josh D. is getting more tone-deaf by the day. Perfect for a Disney executive, I guess.
I know prices go up and everything gets more expensive. But Years ago a modest vacation to Europe was significantly more expensive than a 4 or 5 day vacation at Disney. Today it’s the opposite.
“Josh D’Amaro stated that the key for Disney is providing that flexibility so visitors can curate their vacation to fit their wants and needs.”
That’s why they keep building more and more new Value resorts for us! Oh wait…..
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It is unfortunate that Mr. D’ Amaro is out of touch with the reality. Read the above comments. Why pay a full priced ticket for half the rides? D ‘Amaro needs to really cater to all demographics and not only the rich. Typical executive talk. Padding the pockets of his cronies and himself.