Shanghai Disney to Raise Ticket Prices Again? 5 Hikes in 8 Years
Pic: Nandu
Recently, the topic "Shanghai Disney summer ticket prices soar to 719 yuan" trended online. Netizens noticed that during the entire month of July, the standard one-day ticket price for Shanghai Disney Resort is pegged at 719 yuan, irrespective of weekdays or weekends. Comments such as "That's too expensive!" and "Holidays are never cheap" flooded social media platforms.
Following the public outcry, a representative from Shanghai Disney responded, explaining that the 719 yuan ticket price corresponds to "peak days" which encompass most of the summer dates and some holidays. Since its opening in 2016, Shanghai Disney's ticket prices have undergone five adjustments, with the highest ticket price increasing by 300 yuan compared to the initial prices.
Starting November 24, Shanghai Disney will implement a new six-tier pricing structure, with the highest price reaching 799 yuan. A review of the ticket booking page shows that for the period from July 4 to August 2, only peak days are available for booking, with other dates being unselectable. Tickets for non-specified days start at lower prices of 475 yuan and 599 yuan, beginning from August 25 until the end of the year, excluding only a few specific holiday periods.
The new six-tier price structure, which adds two additional levels to the existing four-tier system, aims to provide more options for visitors planning their trips. This adjustment is intended to balance visitor distribution throughout the year, thereby optimizing the guest experience based on anticipated traffic.
Despite previous price hikes, visitor enthusiasm for Shanghai Disney has not waned. As of December 2023, the park had welcomed over 13 million guests, setting a new record for visitor traffic. The average daily visitor count usually ranges between 30,000 and 40,000, with peak days during weekends and public holidays seeing up to 60,000 to 70,000 guests. This summer, daily visitor estimates are expected to reach a staggering 85,000.
The "2024 Shanghai Disney Resort Happy Travel Trend Report" by the China Tourism Academy highlights the continuous attraction of new experiences and seasonal events at Shanghai Disney, which have successfully maintained high visitor retention and recommendation rates.
In contrast, Hong Kong Disney, which also employs a tiered pricing system, has faced persistent losses. Despite operational costs and hefty licensing fees paid to Walt Disney, the park's financial performance largely depends on high visitor traffic.
With the travel industry's recovery and the recent opening of the "Frozen" themed area, Hong Kong Disney saw significant financial improvement in the fiscal year ending September 2023, with revenue jumping by 156% from the previous year.
As both Disney parks in China experience price increases, they significantly contribute to Walt Disney Company's robust operational performance. Plans are in place to invest nearly $60 billion in park and resort expansions over the next decade, promising further enhancements and new attractions, like the upcoming one adjacent to the "Zootopia" themed area in Shanghai Disney and a third Disney hotel that broke ground in August 2023. These developments indicate that ticket prices may continue to rise, aligning with Disney's strategy to enhance guest experiences while managing visitor flow effectively.
Source: 南方都市报
Get daily news, tips, and events in Shanghai
Connect with expat communities and industry experts
For the latest jobs&policy updates, scan the code below to follow AnyJob!
If you have any questions about China visa applications (work visa, company registration and more), please contact our visa consultant Lisa.
Click "Wow" if you like this article
Comments
Post a Comment