Disney World visits decline as costs overwhelm tourists

Disney parks such as this one in Orlando, Florida, have been labelled "basically for rich people" by one investment bank analyst. (Image: Bloomberg)

Bloomberg

Sun, 05 Nov 2023

By Anna Jean Kaiser and Guillermo Molero, with assistance from Dave Merrill and Felipe MarquesThe Walt Disney Company raked in record theme-park revenue last year, boosted by a strategy that puts a price tag on everything from dinner with Cinderella and lightsabre workshops to skipping the line to join the Guardians of the Galaxy.That tactic is now being challenged as the era of free-spending revenge travel fades away, and inflation pinches the pocketbooks of US families.After a blowout in 2022 driven by pent-up demand, visits to Florida&r...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket starts week down 1%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,580.29, down 137.81 points or 1%.

Graham Skellern 6:08pm

Economy

Willis to Breman: a 3am call would’ve been ‘totally fine’

Nicola Willis made the remarks immediately after the PM's State of the Nation address.

Dileepa Fonseka 4:28pm

Willis to Breman: a 3am call would’ve been ‘totally fine’

Markets

F&P Healthcare appoints Anna Curzon

Curzon will fill the vacancy following the retirement of Pip Greenwood.

Staff reporters 9:32am

Sponsored

Generative AI will disrupt 90% of jobs - what it means for the future of work

Here’s what that means for the future of work in New Zealand.

Cognizant

Sponsored

AI is only as good as its data foundation

NZ leaders explain why clean, connected data drives AI value.

Cognizant

More Tourism

Tourism

The international firms buying up holiday parks

That holiday park you are staying at this summer? It might be owned by overseas capital.

Thomas Manch 30 Dec 2025

Markets

Tourism Holdings to close Brisbane factory, cut 110 roles

Tourism Holdings will close its recreational-vehicle manufacturing plant in Brisbane on Dec 19 and consolidate all production at Action Manufacturing in Hamilton after a review of its Australasian operations.The move will cut about 110 frontline and support roles in Australia.Chi...

Staff reporters 08 Dec 2025