
Disney’s third-quarter earnings report has been released, showcasing a mix of achievements and challenges. While the company recorded successes in several sectors, its theme park attendance numbers have notably declined.
Executives from The Walt Disney Company addressed this downturn during the quarterly earnings call, offering insights into what’s driving the change and what lies ahead for the parks division.

Credit: The Walt Disney Company
A Closer Look at Disney’s Theme Park Attendance Dip
While Disney’s theme parks are renowned for creating magical, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for visitors, the recent earnings report revealed that fewer people are visiting these attractions.
Ticket prices have risen steadily, hotel perks have been reduced, and the introduction of paid services like Lightning Lane (which replaced the once-free FastPass+ service) has changed the visitor experience. These factors, combined with inflationary pressures, may be deterring some fans from frequent visits.
Disney’s CFO Hugh Johnston addressed these trends, pointing out that higher-income consumers, who have traditionally flocked to Disney destinations, are increasingly choosing international travel over domestic Disney parks.
Johnston noted that this demographic, though currently diverted abroad, “will eventually come back,” emphasizing a belief that the parks business remains resilient and well-positioned to recover.
Has Disney Reached a Price Plateau?

Credit: Inside the Magic
With ticket prices for a Disney vacation rivaling those of international travel, some are beginning to question whether Disney has reached a “price plateau.”
Johnston was quick to clarify that Disney isn’t overly concerned. “Our parks business tends to get hit late, it gets hit less, and it recovers early in comparison to other theme parks,” he explained, attributing Disney’s unique position to its vast portfolio of intellectual property (IP), which keeps fans loyal to the brand. In his view, the parks business is still fundamentally strong, supported by Disney’s extensive IP and fan following.
Rising Costs and Inflation Impact Park Profits
Disney revealed that operating income for the parks division declined in the third quarter, largely due to rising costs associated with inflation. This downturn marks an unexpected shift, as the company had previously forecasted steady attendance and revenue from its theme parks.
Lower-than-anticipated consumer demand in the final stretch of Q3 was a factor, though Disney executives expressed confidence that future growth would offset these short-term impacts.
Disney’s Strategy: Focus on Intellectual Property, Streaming, and Consumer Products
Johnston highlighted Disney’s success at the box office and its impact on licensing and streaming revenue. The company has made significant investments in IP development, releasing high-profile films that drive consumer interest across its product lines. By extending beloved characters and stories across streaming services and merchandise, Disney taps into a global audience beyond its parks.
CEO Bob Iger echoed this sentiment during the call, saying, “What’s driving things more than anything else is our success in producing great Intellectual Property.” This strategic focus has bolstered Disney’s brand reach and revenue streams, even as park attendance fluctuates.
Investments in New Experiences Aim to Drive Future Revenue

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Despite the current dip in park attendance, Disney is placing major bets on new experiences that are expected to pay off in the coming years. The company is heavily investing in expanding its portfolio, including new cruise ships, hotels, and immersive theme park lands. With these projects scheduled to roll out over the next two years, Disney anticipates a significant revenue boost by 2025.
Past Trends and Ongoing Excuses?
Disney has previously acknowledged attendance dips, including during its Q2 earnings call in May. At that time, CFO Johnston and CEO Bob Iger both noted the drop in visitors, attributing it to the post-COVID normalization of travel trends. “Relative to the post-COVID highs, things are tending to normalize,” Iger said, adding that advance bookings still indicate “healthy growth” for the future.
However, some critics argue that the attendance decline is more closely linked to rising costs than pent-up travel demand. As park ticket prices, food, and beverage costs continue to rise, many long-time fans and families are finding Disney vacations less accessible.
High Costs vs. Magical Experiences: The Ongoing Debate

Credit: Inside the Magic
While Disney remains optimistic about its future, the earnings report has renewed debates over the affordability of a Disney vacation. As fans weigh the costs against the allure of Disney’s immersive experiences, it’s clear the company will need to balance its pricing strategy carefully.
Disney’s financial confidence suggests it may hold firm on current prices, yet consumer sentiment could ultimately dictate whether attendance rebounds as the company expects.
With big investments in new attractions and entertainment, Disney is betting that the magic will keep fans coming back, even if it’s less often than before.
Why do you think Disney has lost guest attendance?
People are disgusted with the pricing & time consuming way they have to arrange to have a good time or get on a ride. First you have to buy the high price entry tickets, then if you don’t want to wait forever or maybe never to get on a ride each member of your family has to pay a ridiculous price for the “lightning lane pass” every day. If that isn’t enough you have to get up before 7 am to get into the queue to maybe get on the “special” rides in each park. This takes the fun out of the once wonderful &.magical time we use to have. Before the moment we walked onto main st. & saw the castle all the stress of every day life was gone. Now it puts more stress into every day on vacation.
I spent 2 weeks in Italy at the best hotels, had the most amazing food, went with one of the best tour companies & it cost us around the same amount with less aggrivation.
Now instead of going 2x a year or more we might go every 3 or 4 years.
Sorry but you took a lot of the magic out of Disney. Maybe instead of listening to people who don’t have to arrange a visit you form a committee of working people of all demographics, different family sizes, adults, and income levels. That might help your bottom line..
Agree
They should just look at the steady price increases , program charges like fast pass and the closure of so many amenities. So should stop lying about the park attendance, not coming clean about the number of rooms that they are keeping off the rental list. So lowering the prices on the food, park tickets and the souvenir, volume of customers brings $$$.
Agree
Hotel and Park prices are too high. People right now is having a hard time buying food..gas..rent and even to buy a house .Disney needs to wake up and lower the prices on everything .Even their food prices are also higher and they charge people that stay at the hotels for parking .Why if your car is damage Disney will say they are not responsible..Lower all prices or go broke.
Replacing the free fast pass with a paid one is a large part of the attendance drop for us FL residents, in my opinion… at least we should have been given the free fast pass as a perk since we are the steady attendnece
I agree. They have to think of litte kids want to go to Disney and the parents can’t afford it. Because is to much any way you look at it.
I agree ☝️ Back in the days went my Daughter was 3 yrs old we were all go every month to Disney, we are from miami. And know I’m having a grandson and I don’t know if we can take him every 5 yrs. That doesn’t make sense. Sorry 😢 🤯
You Bob Iger have out priced yourself. Do you know how many families would love to take their kids to disney but you have made it impossible. Wal Disney would be so ashamed.
My main issue is the Disability Pass. I am disabled due to a leg issue. I cannot stand for long periods of time in a line. I cannot walk more than 200 yards without sitting down. I have been to Disney World since my accident when I could get a disability pass and leisurely visit the parks. I know guests abuse it and I knew in time that would harm the program. However, I feel there needs to be a way to confirm the need.
I agree 100 percent with this. I am willing to get written documentation or give them permission to even contact any of my specialists.
Agro
A wise person would realize that for the price of Disney vacation, for a family of 4 is not sustainable, even for Disney fanatics. Maybe giving $20 million to Bob Chapek for an epic failure was not well spent.
Because Disney became too “woke” and has ignored the innocence of children. They have allowed sexual content and “hidden” pics. It’s disgusting. We will not go to the parks or pay to watch their movies in the theatres until they change dramatically. Their audience is innocent children who should not be subjected to any of that.
Correct!
Disagree. Only your cult thinks this.
We used to love coming to Disney, but since the removal of the free Disney express to bring you from the airport to your hotel. The removal of the free fastpass, and the charging of lightning lane, the extended hours for all hotels not just the deluxe, for a family of four it’s just becoming too expensive. My wife and I would have liked one day to bring our grandchildren there but the Disney magic is disappearing more each year, I personally think we will be visiting Universal more now.