5 days ago
As Disneyland turns 70, here's a look at how much prices have changed over the years
Disneyland - the theme park that set a new global standard - opened 70 years ago today, and just about everything has changed, including the price.
A ticket to enter the Anaheim, California, park in 1955 would have cost an adult just $1, $11.53 today if adjusted for inflation. Children's tickets cost 50 cents.
In 2025 a ticket will set you back a minimum of $104 and can reach as high as $194, depending on various factors.
At the time of opening, however, additional fees were charged for rides. But these cost just 10 cents for kids and 23 cents for adults - the equivalent of $1.15 and $2.65 in today's dollars.
Today a park ticket will instead also give you admission to most rides.
However, the costs of hotels, food and other services within the park have also surged in the last decades.
The park did not get off to an auspicious start. In fact, its opening day became known as 'Black Sunday' by Disney employees because of the number of disasters that occurred.
It was so hot the asphalt melted under visitors' feet, the drinking fountains didn't work and several rides malfunctioned.
Richard Nixon and his family visit Disneyland shortly after it opened in 1955
Disneyland estimated around 20,000 people would attend on its first day and tickets were sent out on an invitation-only basis.
However, bootleg tickets meant around 35,000 attended and many more crowded the park's entrance too.
Parking, one of the major costly gripes of current Disneyland goers, cost just 25 cents in 1955, the equivalent of $5.58 in today's dollars.
Now a single car costs $35 to park for the day, rising to $55 if you want a more convenient space with less walking.
Those with oversized vehicles or a motor home will have to cough up $40, and there are no preferred space options.
The success of Disneyland led to the opening of Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 1971.
Disney has drawn criticism from its fans for recent price hikes at its theme parks, which will increase by around $10 at Disney World next year.
The maximum price for a one-day ticket to Disney's Animal Kingdom will rise from $169 in 2025 to $179 in 2026.
The park did not get off to an auspicious start, in fact its opening day became known as 'Black Sunday'
Similarly a one-day visit to EPCOT will soon cost $194, up from $184 for tickets for January to October this year.
Disney's Hollywood Studios currently costs up to $184 but will rise to $199 next year - the highest increase of any ticket so far.
Further to this, Disney also enraged consumers by planning to introduce surge pricing for tickets to Disney World and Disneyland.
Under the expected plan, which has already been rolled out at Disneyland Paris, ticket prices at the US parks will fluctuate in real-time based on demand.
